The sun was out and the vibes were high as Hindmarsh Park came alive with sound for the latest installment of Music in the Park (25 January). 

Despite another day of sweltering heat, the event proved to be a resounding success, drawing a crowd that organizer Charlie D’Amico described as having an awesome buzz.

From the soulful melodies of 15-year-old local prodigy Florence Johnson to the high-octane energy of the Ramoans tribute showband, the afternoon bridged the gap between grassroots talent and seasoned professionals.

While the event currently enjoys the support of a Kiama Council Cultural Grant, D’Amico is looking toward a more ambitious future.

Ramoans

With the live music scene currently struggling and artists swamped with the desire to find a stage, he has his sights set on expansion.

 D’Amico envisions holding the event four times a year on fixed dates, providing the community with a regular schedule and giving more performers the opportunity to be involved.

To transition from an occasional highlight to a quarterly staple, D’Amico is looking beyond local borders for support. 

Seldom

He is beginning the process of seeking further funding from state and federal government sources and intends to contact representatives Katelin McInerney and Fiona Phillips to discuss the future of the initiative.

He believes that increased frequency is essential to supporting musicians who are finding it harder and harder to secure gigs in the current climate.

Despite the success of the day, D'Amico noted a missed opportunity for the town regarding the Hindmarsh Park stage itself.

He said that the facility remains significantly underutilized and encouraged other community members and event organizers to reach out to the Council to make better use of the space for future events.

As the echoes of the last performance fade, the focus now shifts to whether higher levels of government will step up to help turn this local favorite into a permanent fixture of the Kiama calendar.