With the curtain about to close on Stage 1 of the Roxy redevelopment project, Council is excited to share the jam-packed 'Community First' program, with the first production to hit the big stage on Tuesday, 3 December 2024. Tickets are on sale now.
The soft launch events are part of an extensive commissioning phase designed to test the capabilities, facilities and technical equipment at the Roxy, ensuring everything is smooth sailing for the grand opening in March 2025.
The first event is Kurrajong's 'A Tribute to Grease' on Tuesday, 3 December 2024, coinciding with International Day of Persons with Disabilities, which will entertain patrons with songs from Grease in a tribute to Australia's favourite girl-next-door, Olivia Newton-John.
2024 will be rung out with a number of moving 'End of Year' concerts, including Aspire2B on Saturday, 7 December, Di-Salvatore Dance Academy on Friday, 20 December, and Bella Body & Soul on Saturday, 21 December.
Commissioning of the Roxy will continue in early January with the Summer of Cinema, featuring your favourite classic movies every day from 9 January through to 29 January 2025. Other soft launch events include the play 'Lies and Spies in Masterful Disguise' by Leonie Napier (19 January 2025), the inaugural e-sports tournament 'Rocket Rumble at the Roxy' (18 January 2025), a Youth Disco (31 January 2025), 'Misbehavin Youth Circus' (1 February 2025) and the concert 'Island Magic' (8 February 2025).
Deputy Mayor Cr Michael Kidd, who is also the Portfolio lead for Arts & Culture, reflected on the journey so far, stating, "To get to this stage is sensational."
"Our sincere appreciation goes out to the local community groups who agreed to be part of the refurbished Roxy's testing phase.
"Their performances will constitute a dual purpose. Firstly, to welcome everyone back to the venue by putting Community at the heart of this process and secondly, to help the project managers to commission the building itself," he said.
Cr Kidd also gave high praise to the 85 volunteers who have signed up to the Roxy's 'dream team' led by Sue Gavel, a volunteer herself.
"These incredible volunteers have been working tirelessly over the last few weeks cleaning and tidying up the Roxy to ensure our grand old lady is ready for commissioning. We thank them hugely for their time, effforts and their belief in the good the project will deliver to Leeton Shire," he added.
