The inaugural City of Yarra Live Music Festival has been named the 'Leaps and Bounds Music Festival' after the iconic and beloved Paul Kelly song that pays homage to the best live gigging area in Melbourne, Music City - the City of Yarra.
Leaps and Bounds will run from Friday 5 - Sunday 21 July and over 50 traditional venues from The Corner Hotel (the largest venue in the area) to The Empress (one of the longest serving) will be involved and events are also being confirmed at non-traditional venues such as an outdoor event in Stanley Street, a Freeza/Push event at Fitzroy Town Hall, a silent gig in Gertrude Street, and many more.
The emphasis of the festival is local - local performers and local audiences - travellers can hail a gig at the Tram Sessions and many others within Yarra.
Each precinct within the City of Yarra will have a focus day:
Richmond on July 7
Johnston St on July 12
Abbotsford on July 13
the backstreets of Fitzroy and Collingwood on July 14
Brunswick St on July 17
Smith St on July 18
North Fitzroy and Clifton Hill on July 20.
The Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is also happy to announce two strategic partnerships.
1. Smith St Dreaming - the indigenous communities within Yarra program an outdoor BBQ event in Stanley St, as well as putting focus on indigenous acts within the festival.
2. Gertrude Street Projection Festival which opens on Friday 19 July. For the Leaps and Bounds closing weekend, events will be jointly programmed by Leaps and Bounds and the Projection Festival to put a real spotlight on one of the most emerging precincts within Yarra.
Other events are that are taking shape include a partnership with PBS 106.7 to do an open day and outside broadcast- stay tuned for details. A tribute at The Tote to local legend Tim Hemensley is also planned plus Morning Ritual shows at cafes throughout Yarra and many more.
Info at www.leapsandboundsmusicfestival.com,
Leaps and Bounds Music Festival is proudly presented by City of Yarra, Music Victoria & PBS FM.
