An Otherwise Quiet Room is a vidoe series of interviews and duets with
musicians and the hosts of social spaces. Hosted by Mandy Connell, the Newstead
Sessions were captured and edited by Bob Hutchison Media.
AOQR acknowledges that the Newstead Sessions were filmed on Dja Dja Wurrung
country, land never ceded. We pay respects to Elders past, Present and
Emerging.
Kelly Skinner (Newstead Live Director) is a Newstead local and has been with the festival since 2016. The former director of Studies at AMES, Skinner runs a B&B
and art gallery (Red Door) in the town, and is a qualified Funeral
Celebrant. There’s some great background information over at ‘Women of Aussie Music’ – Check
out this link.
Skinner’s long history with the folk scene as a flautist and bush band
performer give her a unique advantage as director of Newstead. Alongside her
allegiance to the town, Skinner’s position in the community drives her
commitment to encouraging the local community’s involvement, providing a
platform for young, emerging performers and to performers from the region.
That passion, along with that of the rest of the committee- is keeping the
festival relevant, and helping to encourage live music in the community.
newstead has made a concerted effort to involve input from multiple
generations, local business and sporting clubs- who now run the bar outstide
the famous Troubadour stage, since the retirement of Andrew Pattison, the
festival’s founder.
For more episodes, please subscribe to the Youtube Channel
and like and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
AOQR is funded by Mandy Connell with help from some kind donors. Special
thanks to Speakeasy Productions for consultations (paid and donated) and to
Creative Victoria for an early contribution of $1040 towards promotion of the
launch of the Yarra Sessions in 2017.
