A “musical oasis of sorts” is coming to the Goulburn Valley this weekend, and details of the region’s best kept secret have been revealed.
Secret Garden Gigs is hosting its annual celebration of all things live music this Saturday, December 3, with the Dookie Quarry serving as a picturesque backdrop for the evening.
The quarry is in rich farming land only 20 minutes from Shepparton.
Return bus tickets are available to purchase until Wednesday, and departure is scheduled from the Shepparton Library on Saturday between 3.45pm and 4pm.
Gates open at 4pm, and from 4.45pm an array of home-grown musical talent will be gracing the stage.
First to bless the eardrums of audience members will be former Dookie boy singer-songwriter Tom Harrington.
Ella Hooper from Violet Town will be there to play her new record of country-styled folk songs, as well as Beechworth born and bred star Liv Cartledge.
Two local boys who’ve made it big in the past 20 years Sam + Sam are set to provide their high energy to transform the gravel and grass into a dance floor.
Unrestricted by genre, The Deans of Soul are also bringing their mix of soul, funk and old-school R&B tunes to the line-up.
Creative director Jamie Lea expects the evening of soulful tunes, fairy lights and great company to be magical, continuing on from the gig’s previous four summer successes.
“Our aim is to change the wider public perception of the GV because we don’t always get a good rap,” she said.
“(We want to) educate the locals on quality original music with a message and have folk leave saying, ‘wow, we just experienced that, in the GV, in Dookie on beautiful Yorta Yorta Country’.”
Attendees are encouraged to bring a chair or picnic rug, sunscreen, mosquito repellent, water bottle and something warm for when the sun goes down.
Strictly no BYO alcohol and no dogs or pets, unless required as a service animal.
Two bars, a cocktail caravan bar and an assortment of food will be available for purchase, in addition to attendees being able to bring their own picnic.
General admission and bus tickets are available to purchase from $90 via The Secret Garden Gigs website.
Entry for children under 12 is free.