As part of Regional Arts WA’s Social Fabric project, we’ve been supporting the production of Night of the Muses (NOTM), a celebration of Kalgoorlie’s diverse creative community that brings together musicians, dancers, visual artists, performers and more. This was the Midwinter edition held on 8th August, and when the weather turned cold, the call was made to bring everything indoors — this certainly didn’t dampen anyone’s spirits.

Night of the Muses is all about different cultures, acts, stories and people all sharing one space on one night. It’s about connection and community amidst the power of the arts. While that was felt on the night at the Country Club, it will reverberate around the town for some time yet. Mireia Gonzalez, our Social Fabric Project Officer, summed up the night best:

“It was honestly such a beautiful night! So many meaningful connections, and I truly felt like ancestors from different cultures were there with us, too. It was very, very special.”

The night wove through so many different threads of talent, each performer adding something distinct to the mix, with Juanita Kaye as MC, her warmth making the room feel like home. The raw talent was apparent in both Zaiden’s guitar covers, Bailey’s solo moment, Mia’s contemporary dance and Pinkleave’s original songs. Outback Tone were pure joy, a band of locals who play simply because they love it, which was also the vibes for musicians O and P. Katrina Picozzi and Emma Dimmack brought performance art that was absurd, unpredictable and completely unforgettable while connection to culture ran through the evening too — from Maihi Nikora honouring Māori tradition on stage to Iris sharing a Peruvian dance, Festejo, to Argentinian Joaquin Fornillio’s heartfelt performance. There was even a dramatic reading from C.S. Lewis’s beloved classic The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe by Goldfield’s Rep Club.

Our Kepa Kurl/Esperance-based Project Officer, Lydia Ramalepa, travelled to Kalgoorlie to get behind the scenes, learn the ropes of event production and build her skills alongside the Night of the Muses team. We’re excited to see how she brings that experience back to Kepa Kurl, and what she goes on to produce in the region. Stay tuned!

Photos by Mellen Burns.

Social Fabric is funded by the Australian Government’s Regional Arts Fund Regional Arts Australia, the Minderoo Foundation, Lotterywest, and Healthway to promote positive health outcomes for our communities.