Images by Vibrant Imaging
Ukitopia Festival 2011 an amazing community success.
Walking in to this festival this year, organiser Natascha Wernick was nervous. “ This year we did not received any out side funding, other than a couple of grand from the council, as opposed to last year where we produced the festival with an extra $18,000! We cut back the costs, spread the load through out the village involving more venues and more businesses. It was a calculated risk and it worked. With $18500 in inkind sponsorship, $3600 in cash sponsorship we walked in to the free festival needing to raise $5,500 through donations, memberships, cash sales of art work and merchandise.
“As the money came in”, Natascha Explained, “the nerves changed to feeling s of pride and delight as I realised that we, the Ukitopia Arts Collective’s organising committee and our Uki Community had done it. We had truly created 3 days of community joy for our community! Totally funded by and created by our community. “
Every year the festival changes form. This year we welcomed the Uki Public school who housed the Images of Uki art exhibition and Words of Wollumbin. A colourful mosaic of Uki Creative expression.
Four new venues were introduced, spreading the business throughout the village. The MT Warning Hotel : Rockin’ Sunday lead by Lil’Fi was packed from the opening act; The Red Piano Bar held the musos jam space though out the weekend; Lounge Lizard Café featured the Sunday morning chalkboard set and the Remarkable Aussie Oddities Emporium with the likes of The Nit Circus , Lorenzo and his Lionesses and the troll snot were all enjoyed thoroughly by a full house for each show.
The live music was brilliant, as always at Ukitopia events, with highlights such as standing ovations for Bill Jacobi, Loren and Murray Kyle at the Songwriters on the Songline on Friday night; a new act on the scene Blue Moon Gypo ; 13 year old guitarist Indigo Collins; youth band Lifeline, Andrea Soler and Mystic Beats, youth Band The Maples at the Rockin’ Sunday along side local legends with the James T and Dirk Dubois and finishing with Lil Fi and the Candy Apples.
Art installations were also a major feature at this year’ festival with Trashformers and youth artists Organix working together to create a Trojan horse full of Characters randomly entering the festival to take part in a quirky ceremony between two of the humanised trash installations. Costume, props and fun added to the playful vibe of the festival.
500 trees were distributed at the Festival to plant for regeneration. With numbers somewhere between 700 and 1000 spread over the 3 day festival the hot sunny weather seemed to keep only a few away.
Festival organisers are taking a break before contemplating what next year will have in stall for Ukitopia . A big thank you to the young men of Organix Jess, Bhima, Justin and Alex, who worked long hours and some 18 hour days to make it easier for so many people. And thanks again to the organising team, Sue and Jake, Lil Fi, Rich Bell, Michele and Gerold, Thomas and Michele, Deb, Tony Grumley, Rosie and Sonja, Katrina and Elenor, and Bruce Ray and all of course our many volunteers. Uki is truly an amazing place!
A huge thank you to Natascha and all the wonderful Ukitopia crew for a sparkling, fun, heartwarming and inspiring festival. The whole weekend was a glorious affirmation of the amazing people and the amazing place we are blessed with. Congratulations to you all, Jandra and Paul
loved every minute……so happy