Q&A with Kate Berry about OK Kenilworth
From 9-10 May, the streets and places of Kenilworth will buzz with live music as Kate Berry brings her winning formula to the hinterland town for Horizon 25.
OK Motels is venturing out of Victoria for the first time and heading to Kenilworth for Horizon 25, the region's 10-day arts festival.
Founder Kate Berry tells us a little more about where the idea came from and what you can expect to find in Kenilworth 9-10 May.
Free weekend activities
When: Friday May 9, 7-11pm
Where: Kenilworth Hotel
Who: SCRAPS and JB Paterson
When: Saturday May 10, 1-3pm
Where: Kenilworth Bowls Club
Who: Uncle Bob's Jug Band and Skyscraper Stan
Cost: FREE, registrations encouraged
Dinner and Show
When: Saturday May 10, 7.30-11.30pm
Where: Kenilworth Hall
Who: Marina Allen, Betty Taylor, Nice Biscuit, Radium Dolls
Cost: From $65 + booking fee
Tell us a little bit about yourself Kate?
As a kid of the ‘80s, I spent countless hours in the back seat of my parents' car on long, boring road trips. My love for music and motels grew from the tunes blaring from the car stereo and the surprises and wonder of what was waiting for us at the end of the road.
As a grown-up, my work life has been a bit of an adventure, too. I've worked in advertising both locally and internationally, started a cafe in Melbourne's CBD, founded Lunch Lady magazine, and now we've come full circle at OK Motels.
OK Motels has built a cult following for its unique events in regional towns. What inspired you to start the project, and how has it evolved over the years?
I discovered the Charlton Motel by chance during a road trip in 2017. At that time, the OK Motels Instagram was just photos of motels I found and loved, so I stopped to take some pictures.
As soon as I walked into the motel's function room, I knew something special had to happen there. From the first event in August 2018 until now, OK Motels has grown so much.
Initially, it was just an event focused on music and the motel, but it has since grown into something much more.
These days, OK Motels brings together people from all walks of life to enjoy good music and meaningful conversations.
Our goal is to break down barriers between different social groups and the personal barriers that might hold us back from connecting with our peers in our daily lives.
OK Kenilworth is set to take over the town for two days, what can people expect from this edition of OK Motels, and why should people make the trip to experience it?
We’re super excited to be heading out of Victoria to host the very first OK Kenilworth right here on the beautiful Kabi Kabi Country. I absolutely fell in love with Kenilworth at first sight; it’s the perfect little town nestled in the hills.
Meet your mates at the Kenilworth Hotel on Friday night and have a boogie to unhinged melodies and romantic dazed electronica by SCRAPS, followed by a slower paced dance to blue-collar folk and blue songwriter JB Paterson. Our buddy Shan from Jet Black Cat Music will close our first night in town with her fave tunes.
On Saturday afternoon head up the hill to the Kenilworth Bowls Club for a roll and meet a new friend with Tell Your Friends You Love Them Speed Friending. We have music there too, with our friends from Naarm, Skyscraper Stan, and local legends Uncle Bob's Jug Band.
Head back down the hill and make your way to the hall where we will meet for a delicious dinner together by Tuck Shop. There's 12 hour beef brisket, eggplant biriyani, locals veggies and green salads with housemade bread. Yummm. Once our bellies are full we'll be ready for a night together with old and new friends and Radium Dolls, Nice Biscuit, Marina Allen from the US, and local superstars Betty Taylor.
There's plenty of free camping right next to the hall in the beautiful Kenilworth showgrounds and lots of cute towns dotted around with accommodation to rest your weary head.
You’ve brought music, art, and community together in unexpected places. Why do you think regional towns are such a great setting for these kinds of experiences?
Regional towns are honest and have a beautiful community spirit. Events like OK brings the town together and allow visitors to get out of the buzz of their usual busy lives and get to know a new place they may not have visited before.
There’s a strong sense of nostalgia and storytelling in OK Motels. What draws you to the aesthetic and vibe of classic Aussie motels, and how does that influence your events?
Motels are places full of stories. Everyone there has a story to tell. I have always been fascinated by that, even as a kid. Bringing people together at our events feels the same. Everyone comes along for different reasons, from different places, and I love that we can create a place where people can share their stories with each other.
Beyond the good times, how do you see events like OK Motels benefiting regional communities, both culturally and economically?
OK Kenilworth is bringing a fresh event to the Sunshine Coast Hinterland. What do you hope locals and visitors take away from the experience?
We hope to bring a new way of experiencing music that’s more accessible and inclusive than most larger festivals. Everyone is welcome at OK Motels, and we make sure all attendees feel this.
We hope people leave with a sense of belonging, a newfound favourite band, and a town they plan to revisit.