In the lead up to this year's Inland Sea of Sound festival, a host of talented local musicians will take the stage at numerous venues across town over the next couple of weekends as part of the Local Emerging Artists Program [LEAP].
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Held every year since 2013, the LEAP Program has served as a vital opportunity for musicians aged 12 to 25 to gain experience performing live for a public audience.
Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre [BMEC] creative producer Kylie Shead said the LEAP Program attracts musicians of varying levels of experience.
"The main focus of the LEAP Program is to help young performers expand their skills as musicians in front of a live, unfamiliar audience," Ms Shead said.
"We have plenty of new artists taking part in LEAP for the first time this year, as well as returning performers from previous years, so we hope the community will come out and support these talented individuals."
The LEAP gigs got under way across the weekend with events at Piccolo's on Friday, Beekeeper's Inn on Saturday and both The Hub and The Victoria Bathurst on Sunday.
The Beekeeper's Inn and The Victoria, along with the Bathurst Rail Museum, serve as new venues for the LEAP Program this year.
"The LEAP Program benefits local venues as much as the performers as it offers an incentive to bring more customers through the door to enjoy some quality entertainment," Ms Shead said.
"With the tough year that both the hospitality and entertainment industries have faced, it will be great to see LEAP artists bring plenty of vibrancy to local venues in the lead up to Inland Sea of Sound."
A host of prominent local musicians who have come through the LEAP Program in the past include Sophie Jones [Smith & Jones], Lueth Ajak and Gabbi Bolt.
The Beekeeper's Inn will host another LEAP session this Saturday, February 13, from 11am to 2pm, while The Victoria will host two further sessions across the next two Sundays, February 14 and 21, from 3.30pm to 6.30pm.
In addition, Piccolo's will host LEAP on February 19 [4pm-6pm], the Bathurst Rail Museum on February 20 [10am-12pm] and The Hub on February 21 [1.30pm-2.30pm].
For more information, visit www.bmec.com.au.