SMALL community halls have long been places where country communities meet, celebrate, dance, debate and occasionally push an upright piano through the door.
Barrington Community Hall will return to that tradition when regional musicians Grace Hickey and Hugh Scott Murray arrive with their well-travelled piano for an intimate concert and community singalong on Sunday, 6 September.
The performance also highlights the important role small venues can play in bringing professional arts and cultural experiences to regional communities.
Based at Krambach, Grace and Hugh have spent much of the past decade travelling regional Australia, collecting true stories and turning them into songs.
Their travels also inspired the award-winning documentary Up Armidale Road, which follows the pair and their piano into the bushfire-affected community of Nymboida following the Black Summer fires.
“There is nothing like music for bringing people together, and the feeling of a country hall reverberating with singing voices still gives us goosebumps,” Grace said.
“That community spirit is something worth holding onto, and we feel honoured to play a small part in keeping it alive through music.”
The Barrington concert will also give back locally, with $5 from every ticket going towards the care and maintenance of the hall, while the Barrington Public School P&C will raise funds by providing afternoon tea for purchase on the day.
Barrington Community Progress Association President Nick Wardle said volunteers built the hall beginning in 1910, on land donated by the McIntyre family.
“Generations of local families have gathered at the hall for dances, music, meetings and celebrations,” Nick said.
“Having Grace and Hugh perform here builds on that history and keeps the hall alive as a place for music, connection and community.”
Arts Gloucester Secretary Jenny Lindsay said regional communities have a real hunger for live performances.
“People want quality performances in unique local venues, but just as importantly, they value coming together to share the experience,” she said.
Grace and Hugh will perform at Barrington Community Hall on Sunday, 6 September, from 2-4pm, with a mix of their own songs, familiar favourites and audience requests.
And, naturally, the travelling piano will be there too.
Tickets available for purchase via www.graceandhugh.com/tour
By Sonja DUNCAN
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