Thursday night was quite an experience. I had no idea what to expect from Wladimir Kaminer’s Russendisko, which in retrospect seems a bit silly. I also hadn’t even thought I’d make it, with a deadline pending, and wasn’t in a great mood to go. What a mistake. Now, my main regret is that I didn’t take everyone I know along with me. Talk about letting loose. Either I need to go to Russia and find some night clubs or they need to get more of that music out here. It’s the sort of silliness that 80s retro nights are made of but with far more polka – and that has to be a good thing.
Other things this week, given the slow down on the festival circuit at this time of year were an on-going investigation on what managed to capture the eye of AbaF for their awards. Things out west are always of interest and talking to Shane Colquhoun about what they’re doing to try and slow the brain drain was interesting. I was also intrigued that Trent Suidgeest’s name came up again – as he was a bit of a star in another story I did a few weeks back about the Artstart program. They really are doing something right over at WAAPA. So many years ago, when I thought I’d be an actor, the dream was to get into WAAPA, far more than NIDA for me, more exotic and intriguing. Alas, a lack of talent is a bit of an impediment for some of us.
My last minute assignment of the week was looking into what Arts OutWest are doing next week. Tracey Callinan was lovely and I was amused to hear that Marcus Westbury had been out there last year, having just spoken to him just last week about all things Renew Newcastle. I find both Arts OutWest and the Creative Industries Innovation Centre interesting places. Especially given what Marcus has been saying about the way arts communities and enterprise reinvigorates regional areas. I’m not sure how much will come out of the Bathurst region as far as arts exports go as a result of these events, but in terms of small business enterprise it seems that creatively minded industries have a growing economic importance. There’s definitely something happening here in terms of small but globally connected people that should be watched by governments and policy makers.