WAGGA-born DJ Nina Las Vegas is returning to her roots for a live-streamed show helping support a cause close to her heart.
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The DJ-producer-label owner grew up in Wagga before moving overseas, and in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic has returned home with big plans ahead.
United We Stream Australia has launched a series of national live-streamed events from different locations across the country to raise money for a number of charities and boost the music scene struggling through the pandemic.
Nina Las Vegas has been announced as the next artist taking over United We Stream and will be performing a 70-minute set next Saturday, August 29, with proceeds going to Heaps Decent.
Heaps Decent's CEO Nerida Woods said the financial support was a huge help in the current climate.
"It is really tough at the moment with coronavirus, and a lot of companies, in particular those in the arts, are finding it really difficult," she said.
"Nina's help to raise funds will go straight back into the programs we facilitate in communities like Wagga and the Riverina."
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Ms Woods said the organisation works with diverse young people to help them express their creativity through music and multi-media, particularly focusing on youth justice.
"Normally we would be doing more face to face workshops and programs, and also visiting remote and regional NSW communities, but given the pandemic things have been changed a bit so funding like this will really help us plan for what's ahead next year," she said.
"We've also come to notice the reliance on digital and online ways of working, so we will be looking at how to develop different initiatives around that too."
Nina Las Vegas, whose real name is Nina Agzarian, will be broadcasting her set from just outside of Mangoplah, in a metaphorical nod to the town's Wiradjuri meaning of 'Kooris singing'.
"Since coming back home, I'm seeing friends and family, going to the same cafes I used to and running the same tracks, so it has been great," Miss Agzarian said.
"It's also made me really appreciate helping the rural creative scene thrive, and reminding us all that we do have so much on offer right here.
"Wagga has changed a lot for the better over the years, it's incredibly progressive and I'm excited to be a part of that again."
The young star said she hoped to raise as much funds as she could as the creative industries continue to struggle across the board.
"Even the bigger companies now are all fighting for the same funding because we are all struggling, so some of the smaller organisations who would normally survive off that money are now missing out and I hope I can help Heaps Decent get a bit more life back into it," she said.
Streaming with the help of Wagga's The Streaming Guys will begin at 5.10pm AEST via Facebook, YouTube, Twitch and the official United We Stream Australia website.