Friday 2 October from 5.30pm with concert at the Hall from 6pm, followed by supper and stargazing at Hillcrest Farm, Campbells Road until 9pm

Journey beyond the city lights for a special premiere performance beneath the big skies of the Loddon Valley.

Inspired by the extraordinary images captured by NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, acclaimed harpist and composer Michael Johnson will introduce Pillars of Creation—a new project bringing together original music, astronomy and the wonder of the universe.

Your journey begins at Campbells Forest Hall, right on the border of Loddon Shire.

Michael will perform new music composed for the harp alongside animated images reaching back towards the dawn of time. Dr Tanya Hill, Museums Victoria’s Senior Curator of Astronomy, will guide us through the images and the remarkable stories they reveal.

Following the hour-long performance, as daylight fades and the stars appear, gather to enjoy a spring ploughman’s-style supper box. Local wines from Black Wallaby Wines will be available to purchase by the glass or bottle.

The evening will conclude down the road at Hillcrest Farm, where the Bendigo Section of the Astronomical Society of Victoria, weather permitting (it’s a new moon, so that’s a good start) will set up telescopes and show you where to find the constellations.

Things are looking up in Loddon—and you are invited to join us for a journey to the stars.

Tickets $57/$40 under-16

Includes musical performance with projections and commentary, supper (Hillcrest Farm house-made terrine and pâté, local cheese, seasonal produce, pickles, relish, crusty bread and a sweet treat, Vegetarian and gluten free options available, Local wine available by the glass) and hosted star-gazing (if the weather is kind!).

Contact the host of Loddon Valley Arts Trail: Bigger than Ourselves: music about the stars