Free concerts music to our ears

Musicians Mark Bromley, Hannah Shomali and Julius Hofstetter with Lismore city centre manager Stephen Nelson and Conservatorium director Janis Balodis preparing for the first of the free monthly concerts.

A free concert will be happening this Sunday and on the first Sunday of each month in the grounds of the Northern Rivers Conservatorium.

The concerts are being presented by The Echo, the Lismore Promotion Program and the Northern Rivers Conservatorium Arts Centre.

“The business community appreciates that in order to bring people to the city centre on weekends, there needs to be activities such as top-quality entertainment to act as drawcards,” city centre manager Stephen Nelson said.

The concert on Sunday will include six-piece gypsy band Stipsky, featuring staff members from the Conservatorium, and the Hannah Shomali Duo.

“The range of music over the year will be extremely eclectic with jazz, world music, rock, classical and other genres represented,” Conservatorium director Janis Balodis said. He said many of the acts will come from the Conservatorium, but he is also keen to hear from other groups that would like to perform.

“People have been talking for years about getting more art into the CBD and having live music is a great way to do it,” Janis said.

The concert begins at 11am and people are encouraged to bring a cushion or deck chair. If it is raining the concert will be moved indoors.