Sky bar is best seat in the house
ON a day that many Australians demonstrate their patriotism with board shorts, a singlet and a cold drink, Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre is giving the city's residents a chance to get a bit fancy.
The inaugural Australia Day Gala Spectacular is a black-tie event at BREC's Sky Bar, which, overlooking the Leschenault Inlet, offers front-row seats to the fireworks.
BREC general manager Joel McGuiness said the event offered something Bunbury was lacking.
"You don't really get to dress up in Bunbury," he said.
"So we decided to do something different."
The fundraiser will feature performances from jazz musicians Libby Hammer and Ali Bodycoat, a silent auction for items including signed posters from the BREC archive, named seats and a Golden Ticket granting access to shows in 2015.
The money raised at the event will go towards a digital projector, which Mr McGuiness said was needed for BREC to start showing films again.
"One of the saddest things was having to stop our international film festivals," he said.
"But you can't get the films anymore in 35mm."
The digital projector would cost about $80,000, but Mr McGuinness said the gala was about support, not money.
"We're applying for funding from other sources but we need to show there is public support for it," he said.
BREC is also holding a raffle for a double pass to all its shows, worth nearly $1500.
The Australia Day Gala Spectacular starts at 6.30pm on January 26.
