[category]
[title]
We love finding new reasons to visit Geelong, and this winter, we've scored another good one (and no, it's not just the huge new Savers store). This August, a restored 1800s church is set to reopen as Church – an intimate live music venue with on-point programming and gorgeous heritage bones.
Located at 71 Ryrie Street, an easy walk from Geelong Station, the heritage building has undergone a major transformation, with structural upgrades, professional acoustics and a complete internal fitout – with capacity for 150 standing or 100 seated guests when it opens
Curious about the heritage? After its initial life as a church, the building went on to become a restaurant and, more recently, a rehearsal space used by the likes of Guy Pearce, Rachel Griffiths and members of Geelong's Back to Back Theatre. According to the team, the heritage character is still very much in tact – with the space now returning to the community as a dedicated home for local artists and touring acts.
As magical as the designs sound, our fave element of the venue is its ethos. Church has been designed with independent artists in mind – there are no upfront venue hire costs, and Geelong Arts Centre is providing operational, marketing and ticketing support to take the weight off the musicians.
Canberra rock outfit Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers will christen the venue on Friday, August 14, joined by Surf Coast singer-songwriter Jasmin Adria and local trio The Shore. The celebrations will continue the following day with the aptly named Bless This Mess, a free afternoon showcasing six Geelong artists.
The debut season also features rising singer-songwriters Darcie Haven, Tyne James Organ and Lotte Gallagher, genre-bending First Nations collective Tjaka, Geelong local Madeleine Cope's EP launch, Surf Coast musician Immy Owusu and Bellarine artist Nathan Seeckts.
Church is set to open on Friday, August 14. You can find out more over here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.