Returning for its second iteration, Voices from the Edge was borne from a need to share art from those on the fringes of society and driven by a passion to project marginalised voices.
This year’s event is taking place on Sunday 3 August at the Tecoma Uniting Church featuring an incredible lineup of performers and artists.
“It is shaping up to be a really valuable community celebration of creativity and diversity,” Minister Matt Cutler said.
“We have four visual artists displaying their art, two world class musical performances and a spoken word presenter. They come from First Nations, Queer and Disability communities. Most are local and all are high calibre.”
Famous Yidaki player Ash Dargan will start the afternoon with his iconic and beautiful Yidaki playing. Creative and courageous Stevie Wills will perform her spoken word pieces and Ed Moon, queer Jazz singer extraordinaire, will croon and perform playfully. First Nations artists Merilyn Duff and Amanda Wright will have an exhibit with their artwork to enjoy and buy, as well as local queer visual artist and arts psychotherapist Samuel Hardige.
Amanda who lives with schizophrenia will join the panel with Ash, Stevie and Ed to share their stories.
A couple of new additions include a silent auction with the opportunity to help raise funds for next year and allow you to purchase a dinner at local Belgrave restaurant Cognoscenti, or creative work from the artists. And a surprise all the way from the USA.
Created to be like a mini festival, Matt said last year that Voices from the Edge allows community to listen to stories that aren’t theirs.
“It’s rearranging the seats and giving a microphone to those who’ve had theirs snatched from them, in some ways to celebrate who you are and what you offer the world,” he said.
The event kicks off at 2pm running until 5.30pm at Tecoma Uniting Church, 1566 Burwood Hwy, Tecoma. Tickets can be purchased at the door or by visiting: events.humanitix.com/voices-from-the-edge-2025
Attendees are invited to come for all or part of it and enjoy having a cuppa with the artists, and time to hear from them about their creative process.
The event was made possible with support of Bendigo Bank, Yarra Ranges Council, Hills Walking Together, Tecoma Uniting, artists supporting the silent auction and Cognoscenti Restaurant for supporting the event.
