Castle to keep with music

By Shaun Inguanzo
VIOLENT Disorder, Her Vendetta and The Quarters were just some of the musical acts that helped christen Greater Dandenong’s new $1.2 million state-of-the-art youth venue, The Castle last week.
The Castle is the new guise of Dandenong’s Armytage Hall, located in Hemmings Park along the Princes Highway.
Fully fitted with acoustic padding, lighting and a sound system, The Castle will replace the former youth music building, The Venue, which the Muso Network had outgrown.
While its official opening is several weeks away, the first live event – the Muso Network’s monthly Jam Nite – hit The Castle last Friday.
A series of unsigned bands played to a crowd of about 200 young people, with musical styles ranging from punk rock to heavy metal.
City of Greater Dandenong cultural facilities director Paul Streefkerk said The Castle would allow the city’s young musicians to flourish.
“It is an opportunity for the Muso Network to take the next step from The Venue, to allow them to grow and expand.”
Mr Streefkerk said plans were in place for accredited training in music production.
Muso Network president Elwyn Vincent said The Castle offered the network’s young musicians more space and better facilities.
The Castle can hold a maximum of 300 people and has been under construction since August 2005.
It was designed by William Ross Architects, the same company that designed The Drum Theatre.