Another session for Cultural Laboratory

Gosford Council will present another Cultural Laboratory session on Friday, August 3, from 7:30pm at the Peninsula Theatre, Woy Woy.

"This popular event has encouraged many local arts practitioners to launch themselves onto the market and take their performing or visual art to a whole new level," said Peninsula Theatre marketing coordinator Ms Lisa Kelly.

"At the May Laboratory, local artist Garry Sleeman spoke about his collection of pen and pencil drawings, to the amazement of the audience.

"Sleeman is a people watcher who is interested in local Woy Woy characters and finds his subjects in bus shelters, at shopping malls and just generally going about their business.

"Short and Sweet festival organiser Steven Hopley also spoke about Woy Woy's inclusion in the prestigious short-play festival which will commence on July 25 at the Peninsula Theatre.

"Hopley is himself a winner of the world's biggest little play festival and is busy reading scripts to choose 10 of the best for production by local actors and directors.

"Tickets are on sale now for the Short and Sweet Festival.

"Other acts included performances by Brianna Hatter (a brilliant young contemporary style dancer who recently performed in Laycock Street Theatre's YIPA 2007) and the beautiful voice of Jade McCudden, another YIPA performer.

"Christopher Sainsbury from the Central Coast Conservatorium spoke about the process of writing a symphony.

"There was also a preview of hot Dutch duo Izhar Elias and Eric Bosgraaf who perform contemporary classical compositions with a backdrop of short films inspired by the theme 'Big Eye'.

"The duo will visit Gosford later in the year.

"Kincumber resident and community development worker Ruth Ross also spoke about her fascinating life.

"Ruth was a nominee for NSW Woman of the Year and has used her life experiences to help improve the lives of others.

"The Cultural Laboratory is always full of surprises and is an opportunity to see a little bit of everything."

Ms Kelly said each segment is no longer than 10 minutes.

"We often get people in the audience getting up to perform something they've been working on," said Ms Kelly.

"It's a really wonderful experience to see something in its infancy and watch it grow.

"The audience can give feedback in the Open Forum and mingle with the 'local celebrities' after the performances.

"We also put on a yummy supper afterwards to give everybody the chance to share their experiences."

Tickets are $10 for adults and $7 for concessions and students.

The program for the August Laboratory will be announced soon.

Tickets can be booked on 4323 3233.

Press release, 20 Jun 2007 Lisa Kelly, Laycock St Theatre