Goya Dmytryshchak
The Substation at Newport will host a free two-day celebration dubbed Outer Space at its Market Street arts venue and outside in Paine Reserve.
The mix of arts, music, performance and workshops will include music ranging from Aboriginal techno DJs, Tongberang’i Ngarra, to much-loved local ensemble, Newport Fiddle and Folk Club.
Highlights include art-science collective Skunk Control, from Victoria University, which will showcase its large art installations as seen at major events like White Night Melbourne, and The Orbweavers performing songs and spoken word about waterways in Melbourne’s west.
People will be able to see the work of artist Amos Gebhardt in their exhibition, Spooky Action (at a distance). It features large-scale video art and photography centred on identity, queerness and resistance.
The two-day event coincides with the reopening of Paine Reserve, which has been upgraded by Hobsons Bay council.
New features include an amphitheatre, playground, stage and decking area, and large open lawns.
Outer Space celebrates a reawakening after being closed for 11 months since last March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Substation artistic director Brad Spolding said.
“It’s a celebration of a return to the arts,” he said.
“It’s outdoors because that’s a safer, more welcoming environment.
“It’s also a way for us, not just to let people know that we’re open, but also to let the neighbourhood know we’re accessible, most of our program is free, that they’re welcome to come and see what we do.”
Outer Space is on Friday, March 12, from 6-10pm and Saturday, March 13, from 3pm to midnight, at The Substation, 1 Market Street, Newport, and Paine Reserve, Newport.
For a full program, visit the thesubstation.org.au
