Local music funding injection

Aiming to support the development of homegrown musical talent, the City of Stirling is investing $50,000 into the local music industry by sponsoring two 2022 events: the Jazz by the Beach Festival and the Western Australian Music Industry Awards (or WAMis as they are widely known).

The upcoming Jazz by the Beach Festival (Saturday 27 and Sunday 28 August) will return to Scarborough for its second year, supported by the City to the tune of $25,260 (including $20,000 funding and $5,260 of in-kind contributions).

The festival is presented by Perth jazz singer and bandleader Catherine Summers and aims to bring Western Australian jazz musicians together to perform at several Scarborough venues.

In addition to promoting local musicians, the festival is expected to bring visitation, vibrancy and activation to the precinct to support local businesses and promote Scarborough as a tourist hub and holiday destination this winter.

The Scarborough Beach Association has also pledged its support of the festival through a $10,000 commitment to support the partnering venues including The Sandbar Scarborough Beach, Zoie Café, The Diamond Lounge, Scarborough Sunset Markets, Livid, Scarborough Beach Bar, El Grotto and the Rendezvous.

Festival founder and director Catherine Summers said the festival would feature around 80 musicians and 15 individual acts across 10 venues across the Scarborough foreshore, with acts such as Libby Hammer and Adam Hall Trios, Russell Holmes, Simone Craddock, Catherine Summers and more.

“We want to give people the experience of a New Orleans French Quarter feel and buzz with jazz spilling onto the streets, and where visitors can easily walk from one jazz venue to another,” she said.

“A big thank you to City of Stirling for getting behind the event, their support is a huge acknowledgement to the local talent here is WA, we’re thrilled they came on board again this year with their generous sponsorship. We are also grateful Scarborough Beach Association whose investment also demonstrates their incredible support of local music the local community,” she said.

In a move to further support the local music scene, the City has also entered into a $30,000 sponsorship agreement with Western Australian Music (WAM) to expand their annual WAMis.

The WAMis (which have been presented for 37 years) will now include four additional award categories specifically for City of Stirling artists during the upcoming awards in November 2022 due to be held at the Astor Theatre in Mount Lawley.

Mayor Mark Irwin said there was abundant artistic talent within the City of Stirling and the two events provided an opportunity for the City to invest in the local music scene.

“Music plays an important role in delivering positive social and economic outcomes, with the City supporting a multitude of music events and programs throughout the year, many of which are funded and supported through sponsorship and grants like the City’s Community Arts and Events Fund and Community Creativity Fund” he said.

“These events and programs are highly valued by the community, attracting residents and visitors to the area, providing economic stimulus to various industries and businesses, in addition adding to local vibrancy and identity, creating a sense of place, and positively contributing to community health and wellbeing.”

For more information about the Jazz by the Beach Festival and for tickets, visit www.jazzbythebeach.com.au/.

To stay up to date with news on the WAMis, follow them on Facebook - www.facebook.com/musicwa/ - or visit wam.org.au/