Anticipation has been building for the unveiling of Community Hall, the dazzling purpose built space dedicated to Melbourne’s diverse communities designed by McBride, Charles, Ryan architects. Community groups, performers, hobbyists and fashion designers have emerged in force and will not disappoint.
The launch of Melbourne Now will see the space activated in ways never attempted within the Gallery walls before. On Friday International Chess Master Leonid Sandler will be simultaneously versing members of the public in a chess battle spanning the length of the Community Hall stage, members of the public are invited to verse the master or dabble in a social game of their own. Later, sound collective Ancient Memories will take over Community Hall with their unique brand of ‘scratch music’.
Saturday will see Melbourne Now artists talking about the City as Motif before we gear up for an afternoon of celebration. Dance to DJ Principal Blackman’s 70s Italian disco-pop, hypnotic UK soft-rock, lost Australian synth classics and 80s US boogie jams. Melbourne Now artist Darren Sylvester graces the stage with his classic-FM-rock that recalls Roxy Music meeting The Cars with guitars, keyboards and drum machines. The curtains will close for the day with an all-inclusive launch of Dance Club led by Bodyelectricdance Studios – audiences are invited to don their leg warmers and take part in this unstoppable dance craze.
Sunday will open with the launch of the Show & Tell program stream Collecting Melbourne. Four of Melbourne’s most diverse collectors will bring a selection of their collections into Community Hall. Featuring Victoria Gridley’s collection of over 400 PEZ dispensers, Ian Wong’s collection of Orange products, David Beaumont’s wacky collection of prosthetic limbs, religious status and mannequins; and a sneak peak from Simon Matthews who has over 1,000 distinct collections. The afternoon will see Community Hall filled with colour and movement when The Social Studio presents live performances and a Fashion show TSS Chai – an eclectic presentation of different cultures and traditions interpreted through fashion, and brought live on the catwalk.
The Community Hall is supported by Higgins Coatings.