Casula Powerhouse supports night-time economy

Casula Powerhouse (CPAC) is opening its doors after hours for 'Casula Up Late'  - a new series of evening mini-festivals hosted throughout April to June 2022.

Casula Up Late showcases ground-breaking art and performance, local DJs and musicians and film, with plenty of opportunities to get hands-on through a range of art-making workshops. 

CPAC Director Craig Donarski notes “There is something magical about Casula Powerhouse at night, and we’re thrilled to receive NSW Government funding under the Culture Up Late Western Sydney program to bring you some amazing free experiences after dark in April, May and June. Expect to see our arts centre transformed with a great Art Bar vibe, creating a fun and vibrant space for people to connect and come together- which is more important than ever.

“Pop in after work for dinner or a drink, enjoy an evening wandering through our exhibitions, take part in exciting art workshops, enjoy DJs and live music… even some cheeky Saturday night arts, crafts and design shopping at a special night makers market.”

The Casula Up Late  series features:

Cultura Italiana
Transport yourself to Italy with a free Italian film screening, a musical performance and a quirky Italo-lounge vibe set from the Sounds of Seduction DJs. For those budding artists amongst us there will be an art workshop where you will learn to draw and paint like the Italian masters.

Bellbird Dining & Bar will offer bar food options, plus a bespoke 6pm Italian-themed option for those who want dinner before the film.

Fri 6th May from 5.30pm
Musical performance: Joey Fimmano
Film: The Interval at 7.30pm

Fri 3rd June from 5.30pm
Musical performance: Clarissa Spata
Film: Balancing Act at 7.30pm

Night Makers Market
Sat 23rd April from 5.30pm
In association with the Australian Design Centre, Casula Powerhouse is hosting a maker's market featuring stalls with the finest and quirkiest hand-made pieces. Groove to DJ set by a local musician Milkffish and create your own fashion statement with a jewellery-making workshop.

Galleries After Dark - Behind The Blake Prize
Sat 7th May from 5.30pm
A night of gothic poetry, dance, experimental sound art exploring the themes of the Blake Prize. Featuring dance performances by Billy Koehavong, an evolving experimental sound work by Sonya Holowell and Ben Carey and poetry readings curated by WestWords Centre for Writing. Plus audiences will also have the opportunity to create their own artwork in the tradition of the extravagant Dutch still life while indulging in a wine tasting courtesy of Bellbird Dining & Bar.

Galleries After Dark - Being Different
Sat 14th May from 5.30pm
Experience life from a different perspective. Join CPAC as they light up the Powerhouse for a night of culture and art with some of Sydney’s most innovative artists creating work that engages with experiences of disability. There will be a lively discussion of art and ideas, ground-breaking new performances, and immersive experiences with the art. Artist Debra Keenahan will share her experience of living with achondroplasia dwarfism in an interactive VR artwork and be joined in conversation with Jessica Olivieri (Artistic Director and CEO of Utp) for a discussion of radical accessibility ideas in contemporary art.
Riana Head-Toussaint, choreographer and multidisciplinary artist with disability who uses a manual wheelchair for mobility, will present a performance with multiple movers and dancers in the carpark and entrance of Casula Powerhouse. The performance will also fill the facade of the building with light and moving images, showing this building in ways never seen before.

Galleries After Dark- Done On The Wall
Sat 4th June from 5.30pm
This edition of Galleries After Dark coincides with the late afternoon launch of two fabulous Ken Done exhibitions at CPAC, which explore the impact of the Done family on Australian art, design and life and Zanny Begg's Stepping into The Same River Twice, exploring connections to the Georges River.
Internationally renowned physical theatre company Legs on the Wall will present a performance of TRESTLE, plus art making workshops and pop up floor talks by members of the community sharing personal memories about owning a Ken Done design or artwork including bedspreads tea-towels, swimming costumes.

For more information on CASULA UP LATE visit www.casulapowerhouse.com

Image top: Internationally renowned physical theatre company Legs on the Wall, Credit Robert+Catto; image above: Artist Debra Keenahan will share her experience of living with achondroplasia dwarfism in an interactive VR artwork