Latest news with #BREC
West Australian
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
Wundig Wer Wilura In Concert: West Australian Opera to bring second Noongar-language opera to Bunbury
The West Australian Opera will bring the second ever Noongar-language opera to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre in November, written by powerhouse duo Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse. Wundig Wer Wilura In Concert is a portrayal of an ancient Ballardong Noongar story passed down for thousands of generations, of two star-crossed lovers, now known as Mt Bakewell (Walwalling) and Mt Brown (Wongborel) in York, WA. The pair break the bounds of lore and customs in an exploration of family, connection to country, obligation and rebellion, adoration and betrayal, and love and war. The story ultimately asks, 'in the face of catastrophic consequences, how far would you go for love?' The adaption, written by critically acclaimed songwriters and storytellers Williams and Ghouse, follows the success of their celebrated first Noongar language opera, Koolbardi We Wardong, which came to BREC in 2023 with three sold-out shows. Their second opera — which premiered in the 2024 Perth Festival and York Festival — stars an all First Nations cast and is sung entirely in Noongar language with English subtitles, celebrating Aboriginal culture through contemporary music, stunning vocals and rich storytelling. A big cast of principals from the premiere will be heading to the South West, including Williams in a lead role. BREC executive director Fiona de Garis said she was blown away by the power and emotion of the performance in Perth and was delighted when the WAO inquired about bringing the show to Bunbury. 'This semi-staged concert production is a wonderful concept that will allow our community to experience a world-class show with full costumes, lighting and an extraordinary backdrop along with the music and story. 'I am proud of the strong relationship we have built with West Australian Opera and with Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse that led them to offer this opportunity to us.' The WAO will present two concerts in Bunbury on November 7 with a combined schools and general public viewing at 11am and an evening performance with allocated seating at 7.30pm. The opera will also head to Albany on November 5. Director Matt Reuben James Ward said, 'it was an honour to support the telling of this West Australian story with new audiences in the South West and in particular in my hometown of Albany'. WAO executive director Carolyn Chard AM said they were 'deeply passionate about the powerful stories opera tells'. 'When Wundig Wer Wilura played in last year's Perth Festival, we saw how strongly it resonated with audiences and knew we had to share this beautiful story with wider audiences,' she said.
West Australian
02-06-2025
- Entertainment
- West Australian
BREC championing access to the arts for children in the South West through fundraiser
The Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre are championing the right for all children in the South West to experience programs which facilitate creativity and the arts through their annual fundraiser. To carry out their vision, BREC are fundraising through an Annual Giving Campaign in the hope of raising $30,000 by June 30. With the haul sitting at just over $11,600, they are appealing for the community for donations — which would fund programs and experiences for children and families across all socio-economic brackets. BREC relationship development committee chair Jackie Ross said she was excited to continue BREC's mission with the campaign. 'Our focus for this year's Annual Giving Campaign is supporting young people to experience the performing arts firsthand, through attendance at subsidised and age-appropriate performances at BREC,' she said. 'The BREC team, staff and volunteers are working tirelessly to make this vision a reality. 'Financial support from the community will give the team increased flexibility and leverage to obtain high quality productions and offset the cost to schools and patrons. 'We have set ourselves the goal of raising $30,000 and getting 3000 young people to experience all that BREC has to offer in the next 12 months.' As BREC is a not-for-profit organisation and registered charity, all donations over $2 are tax deductible.
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
BREC Commission appoints interim superintendent
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — The BREC Commission announced Janet Simmons as the park system's interim superintendent. According to BREC, Simmons brings over 40 years of leadership experience and most recently served as the president and CEO of HOPE Ministries of Baton Rouge. She is set to take over as interim superintendent on June 1. The commission appointed Simmons on May 23 after current Superintendent Corey K. Wilson announced he would not be seeking a contract renewal in March. Wilson's final day with the agency as its top leader is May 31. According to BREC, he will work with the agency in a contracted advisory role through January 2026. 'I remain fully committed to BREC's continued success and to ensuring a seamless leadership handoff,' said Wilson. 'While I had anticipated serving through January 2026, I respect the Commission's decision to begin the next chapter sooner. I am proud of what we've accomplished together and will continue supporting the organization in every way I can during this transition.' The leadership transition allows the commission to start its national search for a permanent superintendent. Baton Rouge recreation agency audit finds payroll errors, theft, and financial mismanagement State Department restructuring scraps office dedicated to relocating Afghan allies Shakira, Jason Aldean concerts canceled at Boston's Fenway Park over 'structural' issue Ernst responds to jeers on Medicaid cuts: 'Well, we're all going to die' Smoke from Canadian wildfires to affect air quality, visibility in parts of US: What to know Kenner Police make third arrest in connection to drugging death of news reporter Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Flash flood warnings for West and East Baton Rouge after storms
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Flash flood warnings are in effect until 11:15 a.m. for West and East Baton Rouge parishes Thursday after a morning cluster of thunderstorms and rain moved through the area. Reports of flash flooding came in from Plaquemine, Addis and Brusly. Before sunrise, the Baton Rouge area only had light rain and sprinkles before the cluster of rain moved closer, increasing rainfall. While East Baton Rouge Parish received some spots of heavier rain, the hardest rain primarily impacted West Baton Rouge Parish. Showers nearly stalled over the area, before the amount of rain decreased. A few showers are still expected later this afternoon and evening, but it should not be as much rain as we've received this morning. Truck carrying mulch catches fire on I-12 in Baton Rouge, causing delays Enjoy the wildlife at BREC Baton Rouge Zoo's 'Roar and Pour' event Pastor calls for 'full Target boycott' over DEI rollback Louisiana bill that would ban fluoride in public drinking water passes Senate committee Flash flood warnings for West and East Baton Rouge after storms Firefighter Challenge Series brings regional classic to Baton Rouge Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Superintendent of Baton Rouge recreation agency won't seek contract renewal
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — BREC Superintendent Corey Wilson announced he will not be seeking a renewal of his contract with the agency at a Thursday commission meeting. Wilson was unanimously voted in as the superintendent for BREC in January 2019. He previously served as the agency's in-house attorney and administrative executive. His contract will expire on Jan. 31, 2026. According to Chief Operating Officer Andrea Roberts, Wilson will answer staff questions at a Monday town hall meeting. Roberts said the commission would hold off on discussing hiring a new superintendent until after the town hall meeting. Two bills filed by State Rep. Dixon McMakin, R-Baton Rouge, for the upcoming legislative session could significantly change the agency's operations. In a statement issued by Chief Operating Officer Andrea Roberts, the agency said it is 'unaware' of McMakin's goal in filing the bills. 'Transitioning BREC under City-Parish could potentially jeopardize the funding that citizens have endorsed. We see no compelling reason to restructure, as our existing format effectively channels investments throughout East Baton Rouge Parish, resulting in significant initiatives in varied communities across the parish,' Roberts said. HB 86 would reduce the number of BREC commission members from nine to five. The proposed bill would replace the current structure with a commission made up of mayors. Currently, the commission consists of nine members, including: Six appointed members chosen by the Metro Council. Three ex officio members: the mayor-president or a designee, an East Baton Rouge Parish school board member, and a planning commission member. If passed, this change would terminate the terms of all current commissioners and replace them with the mayors of the specified municipalities. Three members would constitute a quorum, making decisions easier to reach with fewer participants. The second bill, HB 87, would repeal all existing statutes governing BREC, effectively eliminating the agency as an independent political subdivision of the state. Instead, the bill would transfer all obligations, property, records, and employees of BREC to the city-parish government. The push for restructuring BREC's leadership and transferring control to the city-parish government comes just weeks after a 2022 audit revealed significant financial and operational concerns within the agency. The audit found: Payroll errors: Three employees were paid twice for their final termination payments, resulting in overpayments totaling approximately $42,000. Untimely reconciliations: The agency failed to reconcile bank accounts, payroll benefit liabilities, and inventory accounts in a timely manner, increasing the risk of financial mismanagement. Equipment theft: Multiple instances of theft totaling approximately $29,000 were reported, including stolen catalytic converters, power tools, and electronic equipment from various BREC facilities. BREC management responded to the findings by hiring additional accounting staff and improving financial oversight. The agency also said it is reviewing internal controls and enhancing security measures to prevent further thefts. No longer Sour Patch Kids, company says Alina Habba sworn in as interim US attorney for New Jersey What to know about the 2025 Taste of Mid City: Date, ticket prices, food Louisiana's top-rated seafood restaurant is in New Orleans, Yelp says Body of missing fisherman found by dive team, East Baton Rouge sheriff says Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
