By Taylah Eastwell
The rainy nights and foggy mornings don’t seem to be clearing up any time soon, and the red and orange autumn leaves continue to fall and line the streets.
It’s looking like it might be about time to say so long to summer.
Gembrook Preschool’s annual ‘So Long Summer’ festival, which typically sees over 1000 people pass through the gates of Gilwell Park, was sadly cancelled the day before the event last year due to Covid-19 lock-downs.
But this year it is back, in an all-new online format, where bands will perform live music every Sunday and stream it into the palms of locals through Facebook streaming.
The Bands from the Bush online performances will be streamed each Sunday at midday from 9 May until 27 June.
The midday music sessions will be used as a platform for bands to reconnect with their old fans and help build new audiences.
The first artist, Luro, was live streamed on Mother’s Day. Luro is a young vocalist with Asperger’s syndrome who raised in Emerald and possesses a strong passion for music. She hopes her music can help others accept and embrace themselves. Another artist that has been streamed is Sorcha, a local artist who released her first single “Always on my mind” at the end of 2019, which can be found on Triple J unearthed, SoundCloud, and YouTube.
On the last day of the live music sessions, 27 June, So Long Summer will host an online auction to celebrate their love of music. The auction will feature music instruments, such as electric guitars, an Ed Sheeran signed acoustic guitar and dance lessons.
The event is sponsored through Glenmac John Deere in Pakenham, who have kindly donated a chainsaw, kids ride on toys and a blower. Other items include kitchenware, a signed photo of Michael Schumacher, experiences in Melbourne, restaurant vouchers and more.
Event organiser Melissa Williamson said the online auction was a collection of items collected ahead of the 2020 event that was cancelled.
“All funds raised will go back to the Gembrook CFA, the primary school and the pre-school,” she said.
The auction will run from 8am and close at 9pm and is open to all of those who have access to Facebook, so please like our page, follow and share to spread the word.
Visit https://www.facebook.com/solongsummer2021 for more information.
