News briefs
Cash reward for sung heroes
In a live performance tonight (June 21), the Australian International Conservatorium of Music (AICM) will select the recipient of a $50,000 scholarship.
The AICM has chosen 10 finalists over a three-month period. These finalists will then perform live in front of an expert panel, including the executive producer of shows such as Australian Idol and Australian’s Got Talent.
Open submissions to the scholarship were opened on March 16 and the top 20 performers were selected by a judging panel.
Videos of these performers were then uploaded to YouTube for the public to vote on. The top 10 finalists will be selected based on the results on this vote and the judging panel.
The scholarship will be given in the form of a fully paid-for Bachelor of Music course in the AICM, which will be presented on the night.
The live performance will be held at AICM’s Rozelle campus at 7pm. Seats for the event must be reserved by sending details to admin@aicm.edu.au. Go to altmedia.net.au for details about the winner.
Performance hall in Leichhardt opens
The second stage of the Italian Forum Cultural Centre has opened its doors on June 16.
The multi-functional cultural centre is equipped with a theatre and an auditorium with 300 seats. It also contains multi-functional rooms suitable for meetings and performance.
There is also an outdoor area next to the centre known as the Piazza that is to be used as a public entertainment area.
“The first stage of completion was delivered in 2009,” General Manager of the Italian Forum, Monica Scagliarini says. “Back then it was only a performance hall with no equipment inside, and also an exhibition space, a gallery and a bar.”
The Forum then applied for a grant from the Department of Infrastructure (now known as Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government) in order to complete the fit out of the centre.
With the completion of the centre, the Forum aims to promote the art, traditions and records of Australia’s multicultural communities.
By Jeff Li
