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Ballarat’s exciting live music offering continues this Friday with the return of the Ballarat Backyard Tasters series.

The Ballarat community is invited to celebrate the vibrant local and regional live music scene, while enjoying the best in local produce over the next two Fridays.

The first of two events set to bring Alfred Deakin Place buzzing with sound kicks off this Friday from 5.30pm.

Friday 1 March Line-up Fat Tuesdays This group from Mount Clear College is sure to get you grooving with its funky horns, banging bass lines and tight rhythm section. Fat Tuesdays draw their inspirations from stalwarts of the genre like the Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Trombone Shorty, and the Rebirth Brass Band.

Moonshine Blues Moonshine Blues is a Victorian blues, jazz and soul band consisting of Vickie-Maree Barnett on vocals, Rob Wilmot on piano and Phil Langdon on guitar. They play slow moody blues through to energised soulful jazz from the past and present.

A Miner A Miner are known for their depressive ambient ballads carved from minimalistic beats, brooding vocoder and dark-star synths, with sparks of cosmic RnB along the way.

Meraki Minds Meraki Minds are a five-piece Ballarat indie pop band formed in 2017. They have performed at many festivals including Ballarat’s Begonia Festival and recently added to the live music scene at Karova Lounge.

Winderhorns Wunderhorns are a seven-piece trubaci and Balkan folk-pop band based in Ballarat. With high to low-end brass, gypsy percussion, clarinet and a soulful songstress, Wunderhorns perform banging beats, lush harmonies and soaring solos. They bring heartfelt and addictive music of the Balkans to your doorstep.

Tammy Gilson will open the first Ballarat Backyard Tasters event on Friday with a Welcome to Country The South Sudanese Dancers will also perform throughout the night.

Food Vietnam Food House East India Trading The Hippie Whippy

Exhibitions The Art Teachers Exhibition at Backspace Gallery

Friday 8 March Line-up Bar Choir Bar Choir are all about teaching a popular song in harmony to people who might have otherwise thought singing wasn’t their ‘thing’ or strength. Bar Choir is not about performance, it's about singing for the soul. It is an ephemeral experience for all.

FLOC Floc is a young person speaking on behalf of her generation through rap, soulful vocals and beats. Inspired by taboos, her lyrics always carry a message. Chill pop music shapes her sound providing a performance for all ages to enjoy

Nervous Pedestrians Nervous pedestrians are a local four-piece alt-rock band, playing an eclectic mix of original pieces with emphasis on melodic guitars and vocals.

Stray Blacks Stray Blacks are a Victorian Koorie community band who have been around for more than 25 years. Formed in 1989 by the late Alf Bamblett and Tony Lovett, the Stray Blacks have entertained audiences far and wide, with their blend of country, rock and reggae.

Ballarat Ska Union Ballarat Ska Union features Stella Savy, Bryn Hills on trombone, Mick Timcke, John “JD” Davey and Scott Mangos round out the horn section, while Wayne Parker is on guitar and Barry Deenick, Geoff Hassall and Andrew “Vinnie” Vincent form the backbone of a super-tight rhythm section. With musicians seasoned by illustrious bands such as Bomba, Melbourne Ska Orchestra, Los Locos, Brother Popcorn, Busta Mento, The Boxing Tostados, The Big Fat Skank and Insectgirl, what could go wrong?

Food Il Panzerotto Taste of Puglia Mr Squidy A Pot of Courage

Exhibitions Beyond 50% at Backspace Gallery

Sissy and Tinjani Austin will open the second Ballarat Backyard Tasters event on Friday 8 March with a Welcome to Country Circus performer, Jessica Connell, will also entertain crowds throughout the evening.

Ballarat Backyard Tasters is presented free by the City of Ballarat and the Art Gallery of Ballarat as part of a suite of events and activities aimed at supporting the City of Ballarat Live Music Strategic Plan 2016 – 2021 and Creative City Strategy.

For updates follow the @ballaratbackyardtasters on Facebook.