Geraldine Turner has announced a new multi-arts festival for the Southern Highlands

The Burrawang resident realised that despite the extensive number of artists and community events in the region there was no over-arching festival.

So 18 months ago she decided to start planning one.

The nine-day festival, titled The Works, is scheduled to kick off for the first time in 2011, running over the Easter weekend and the weekend before.

While Turner is remaining tight lipped on the specifics, she did say festivalgoers could expect a range of visual and performing arts and writing events including musical theatre, stand-up comedy, cabaret, burlesque, open-mic and opera.

“It will not be elitist, because that’s not me,” she said.

“Yes there’ll be classical sections but there will also be plenty of family events and free events.”

Turner said she was also adamant that at least one attraction operate as a “pay what you think it’s worth” show. That way those who don’t have any money can still see it and those who do will be able to rate the event through what they pay.

Among those who have put up their hand to assist are Goulburn Regional Art Gallery director Jane Cush, who will coordinate a number of free art installations, and Burradoo poet/author Mark Tredinnick who will be in charge of the writing components.

“And I have some great friends in the industry who will be willing to perform and help open the first festival with a splash,” Turner said.

She stressed that the biennial festival would represent and involve the whole region.

In its inaugural year, events will be scheduled primarily in Moss Vale, Bowral and Mittagong.

Then for the second festival in 2013, by which time the committee hopes to have increased their funding, the program will be extended out to the villages as well.

Turner said one of the more difficult aspects of the planning process, which began a year and a half ago, was deciding on a name.

The reference group eventually agreed on The Works as it represented the idea this would be a multi-arts festival and that it was the works themselves that were important.

And with it’s slightly blue-collar sound, Turner said the title suggests it won’t be just another elitist high-class art festival.

Proceeds from The Works will also be used to start a fund to build a theatre complex, which would eventually become the centre of the festival.

In addition to the theatre, the complex would include a café, gallery, and community meeting and office space.

“The Highlands needs this,” Turner said.

“It is ridiculous that such an arts focused community doesn’t have an appropriate venue.

“At the moment I’m touring the country with Steel Magnolias and while we’d love to perform in the Highlands it isn’t an option because there’s no theatre.

“We really need to get this region on the touring map.”

THE first fundraiser for The Works Southern Highlands Festival will be a screening of Every Little Step next Friday, 6pm, at the Empire Cinema. The Street Theatre Canberra artistic director Caroline Stacy will be guest speaker on the night. Tickets cost $20 and are available from the box office. Phone the Empire on 4861 4676 for more information.