Carols in Nishi Grand Stair
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To celebrate the holiday season and present choral music in a non-traditional venue.
Size
10+ performers, 200+ attendees
When
2013 - 2020
Regularity
Annually
NewActon Cultural Program
NewActon is an award-winning cultural precinct in the heart of Canberra featuring a wonderful mix of hospitality, residential and commercial tenants. Employed by Molonglo in 2011, Dionysus founder David Caffery initiated and rapidly grew the NewActon Cultural Program into a high-quality array of experiences for hundreds of thousands of people.
David’s background in cultural philosophy at the Australian National University imbues the program with a unique acceptance and investigation of modern culture in its countless forms. The program has integrated all types of art into architectural and hospitality settings through festivals, markets, kids and mature-age concerts, talks and workshops, exhibitions, screenings, health programs and dance parties. The program has supported the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra Symphony Orchestra and many smaller arts organisations whilst activating NewActon. During 2018 and 2019, Dionysus also managed a café and events space owned by Molonglo to activate the ground-plane of Nishi in tandem with Palace Cinema.
For close to a decade, the NewActon Cultural Program has been a constant offering of cultural diversity and community engagement for its residents and visitors – designed, delivered and communicated by Dionysus.
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To create and maintain a cultural precinct that enriches the lives of residents and visitors.
Roles
Design, deliver and communicate cultural initiatives within NewActon.
When
October 2011 - March 2020
Initiatives
Art, Not Apart Festival, Sound and Fury Performance Art Party, Cellar Door Wine Market, Kids Cushion Concerts, and 33 other programs.
Website
Clothes Swap and Style
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To promote sustainable fashion practices in a fun and educational format.
Size
1 facilitator, 2-4 models, 15-40 attendees
When
2016 - 2018
Regularity
A few times a year
Old and New
Purpose
The re-launch of NewActon Pavilion after being devastated by fire in 2011.
Size
1 dancer, 6 circus performances, 8 performance artists, 23 musicians, 600+ attendees
When
November 2013
Greek Film Festival
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To share Greek film, food and culture with the Canberra region.
Roles
To facilitate music and festivities throughout the course of the festival, with event managers and support staff.
Size
6 films, 600+ attendees
Where
Throughout NewActon and the National Film & Sound Archives (NFSA)
Established
2013
Regularity
Annually
Courtyard Cinema
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
Outdoor cinema sessions in the NewActon courtyard for residents and visitors to unwind.
Size
1 film, 1 band, 130+ attendees
When
2013 - 2015
Regularity
Weekly during warm seasons
Strings in the Salon
Purpose
To present classical salon music with Canberra Symphony Orchestra ensembles in Monster Salon.
Size
2-8 musicians, 100+ attendees
When
2014 - 2017
Regularity
Seasonal, 4 shows a year
Bloody Lips
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To showcase the world’s best performance poets alongside local writers in Hotel Hotel.
Size
1 international artist, 3 local performance poets, 150+ attendees
When
2014 - 2016
Digital Feast
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To showcase underground digital art in the A.Baker Basement.
Size
3 VJs, 3 DJs, 50+ attendees
When
2014 - 2015
Where
A. BAKER Basement, Newacton
Regularity
First Wednesday of the winter months of 2015, plus some extras
Melting Pot
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To regularly showcase intimate and improvised gigs with exceptional Australian
Roles
Design, deliver and communicate until 2020, handed on to RedBrick Coffee since
Size
5-8 musicians, 100+ attendees
When
March 2017 - ongoing
Suitcase Rummage
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To encourage reuse of clothes and household objects over waste and new crap with a twist on regular market stalls - perfect for apartment dwellers.
Roles
Design the layout and music and deliver in collaboration with Suitcase Rummage (national)
Size
Up to 60 stallholders with ~1000 attendees per event
When
2013 - 2020
Regularity
Seasonally
Cellar Door Market
Cellar Door is a weekly wine and produce market presented with support from the Canberra District Wine Association…
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
A showcase of Canberra district wineries and producers in an iconic location.
Type
Local Wine and Produce Market
Roles
Design, deliver and communicate Cellar Door.
Size
6-9 stalls, 400+ attendees
When
July 2018 - Ongoing (paused due to covid)
Regularity
Weekly
Website
Makeshift
Set in a prime location on the ground level of the iconic Nishi building, Makeshift is a carefully curated space…
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
A comfy cafe and meeting place, with occasional events at night.
Roles
Manage events and aid with fitouts until 2020 when it was handed over to RedBrick Coffee
When
2018-2020
Where
Nishi, Newacton
Website
Kids Cushion Concerts
A cornerstone of the NewActon Cultural Program, Kids Cushion Concerts are educational and entertaining performances…
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
Fun and educational concerts for 3-10 year olds, regularly presented in partnership with Canberra Symphony Orchestra.
Roles
Design, deliver and communicate the Kids Cushion Concerts from conception
Size
5 musicians, 50 kids, 50 parents
When
April 2014 - ongoing
Regularity
2 shows every school holiday period
Art, Not Apart Festival
Art, Not Apart is a convergence of creative Canberra, culminating in an enormous day of concerts, exhibitions…
Client
Molonglo
Purpose
To hold a mirror to Canberra’s culture by showing the ACT’s biggest program of contemporary local artists.
Roles
Design, deliver and communicate Art, Not Apart.
When
March 2012 - ongoing
Regularity
Annual
Initiatives
2000+ artists presented to 100,000+ people over 10 festivals, including launching The Soul Defender, Sound and Fury, Extinction and tech-yes.
Website
