From 1-10 October, 2010, the Sorrento Portsea Chamber of Commerce will proudly present the first Sorrento Live the Life Fiesta. Sorrento will host a celebration of music, heritage & the arts to reflect on its rich cultural & historic significance as a bustling tourist destination since the 1870’s.
The first attempt at white settlement in Victoria took place briefly in Sorrento in 1803. The area became truly renowned throughout the 1870’s and beyond when rich and famous holiday makers travelled to Sorrento by ferry from Melbourne, and George Coppin established some of the magnificent limestone homes and buildings we see today. Sorrento visitors and residents alike have held a long standing appreciation for cultural & artistic pursuits, which is reflected in the buildings established in the late 1800’s/early 1900’s such as the Athenaeum Cinema, Continental, Koonya & Sorrento Hotels, the Ballroom and Rotunda/band pavilion on the foreshore, as well as the many paintings of its shorelines now on display along the Sorrento Portsea Artists Trail.
The Sorrento Live the Life Fiesta kicks off with a number of musical events such as Jazz & Shiraz at The Continental Hotel on Friday, 1st October and at Over Easy on Sunday the 3rd. An all day busking fiesta will be held along Ocean Beach Rd on Saturday, 2nd October (weather & artists permitting may extend to Sunday), and live Rock-N Roll at Morgan’s Bar on Saturday night. The busking fiesta will include music from local musicians ‘William Blaxland’ and ‘Marty Williams in Jackhammer’, a display of chainsaw art from Steve Ryan and stiltwalker Leonie Deavin as the high society ‘Lady Stilton’ plus more. On Sunday the 3rd, Melbourne Guitar Quartet will play at St John’s Anglican Church and the Koonya Hotel will host the Koonya Blues Express from 4pm-11pm on Sunday the 10th. Joey’s Place will host a German Beer & Music Night on Tuesday 5th, and Three Palms will also offer a Spanish themed Tapas Night on Friday, 8th October.. Three Palms will also offer live music & gourmet food & wine on Friday, 8th October.
In order to appreciate some of the magnificent history in Sorrento through both historic buildings and stories, guided historic precinct walks and cemetery tours will be offered at various times and days throughout the fiesta. Walks and tours are at either 11am or 2pm. See program for more details.
