Open Day festival

Acts from the VCA and the Melbourne Conservatorium of Music will be adding a festival feel to this year’s Open Day, so prospective students and their families can take in some sounds in between course-seeking.

Angela Flood from the Artists Booking Service has co-ordinated the program, and says weary Open Day visitors can chill out to the “rollicking and eclectic mix of musical acts” hailing from the Victorian College of the Arts and Melbourne Conservatorium of Music.

“From cabaret folk-pop and New Orleans Jazz to Indonesian Gamelan, visitors should make sure they come and see our students and graduates do what they do best,” she says.

Among those featured are Ainslie Wills who was ‘unearthed’ by Triple J, and whose second EP Somebody for Everyone has drawn attention from award-winning Claire Bowditch who declared its first single “song of the night” at the Arias via twitter.

Girl group The Nymphs will present their blend of “big band bombast featuring WWII-era ditties, soulful harmony and a beguiling sense for the theatrical.”

Others featured are: the Hoodoo Mayhem Brass Band performing traditional and original New Orleans music; a preview of third-year VCA Music Theatre students performing West Side Story; The Tiger and Me creating indie-pop music as seen through the looking glass of European folk songs, Tumbarumba’s riveting Brazilian, reggae, funk, samba and hip-hop beat-laden music, Francolin’s amalgamation of guitar riffs, melodious trumpet and warm vocal harmonies; and Kotek’s atmospheric ancient and traditional bamboo music with interlocking rhythms of the Rindik, accompanied by flute.

After a chill out prospective students can check out the Student Union Marquee to explore the opportunities to indulge the inner culture vulture provided by the Student Union such as the Rowden White ‘relaxation’ library, Union House Theatre, the Arts lab, and George Paton Gallery.

There’s also a Clubs and Societies Marquee. A key part of student life, over 120 clubs and societies allow students to participate in special interest and course-based activities, meet like-minded people, make friends and have fun.

Melbourne University Overseas Students Service, which promotes welfare and provides enrichment for international students during their time at the University, will be running their annual Feastival of Nations on Open Day for the first time this year, with foods from around the world available from the Filipino Students Association, Greek Association, Hong Kong Students Association, Indonesian Students Association, Korean Students Society, and the Thai Students Association.

And to welcome you or bid you a fond farewell, watch out for Club and Student Union performances, including the Student Union Voices choir, entertaining visitors at the Gate 4 entrance throughout Open Day.

More information about artists, activities and performance times:
openday.unimelb.edu.au