A special event to mark Anzac Day called A Kitbag of Memories: Reflections in Stories and Song will be presented by the Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre (LMNC), in partnership with Mara Music.
The event will be an afternoon of story, poetry, reflections and music around Gallipoli and other experiences relating to World War I.
Created especially for the Lower Mountains Neighbourhood Centre in 2015 to mark the Anzac Centenary, the performance will feature Blue Mountains-based musicians Mara and Llew Kiek as the lead performers, with Paul Cutlan (clarinets and saxophone), Jarnie Birmingham (vocals) and Peta Williams (piano).
It will also include stories from people in the Blue Mountains community and poetry by Glenbrook-based poet Brian Bell, narrated by Christopher Smith.
LMNC’s Manager, Peta Williams, who is also the pianist in the show, described the show as “a vehicle to look at society’s attitudes to the war at the time, what was happening to some of our local families, and the futility and sadness of it all.”
“The work is in three sections: Going to War, Being in the War and Coming Home,” Mrs Williams said.
“Themes within these sections include peer pressure to join up, what women were doing during the war, our Indigenous soldiers, and what it was like to return home.”
The music is both music of the time as well as original music by Mara Kiek and other music appropriate to the themes.
“The show is really funny, exuberant, moving and poignant.
“And in developing this show, we would like to honour all those who either lost their lives or were irreparably damaged by the tragedy of war,” Mrs Williams said.