Port Fairy Folk Festival

The Banjo gets standing ovations • Review

portfairy — Sun, 17 Mar 2013 23:21:57 +0000

Standing ovations for Banjo 1 2 3 !

On Tuesday March 5 2013 an intrepid band of actors, musicians, directors, friends, spouses, partners and their children set out from Melbourne headed for South Western Victoria to perform four readings of the new Waltzing Matilda musical – The Man They Call The Banjo. The South West was chosen because of the Warrnambool and Camperdown connections to the Waltzing Matilda story. The team comprised playwright/composer and soon to be actor, Felix Meagher, Wolf Heidecker (Director), Cory Corbett (actor playing the lead role of Banjo Paterson), Cora Browne (playing Sarah Riley, Banjo’s fiance for eight years), and Ewen Baker (musical director and mandolin player). On the way through they picked up Angela Little, who flew in from Sydney, (playing Christina Macpherson, the woman who supplied Banjo with the tune for Waltzing Matilda and became his lover), Colin Driscoll, legendary bush poet from Ararat (playing the role of the Swagman,) Peter Daffy from Camperdown (guitar) and Lou Hesterman from Apollo Bay (bass). One member of the team was unable to join the throng, and that was Dennis O’Keeffe, authour of the book that inspired the musical, Waltzing Matilda – The Secret Story of Australia’s Favourite Song, who was receiving medical treatment in Geelong. Unbeknown to both of them at the time, Felix would need to stand in for Dennis, who was unable to take his place in the role of Robert Macpherson, The Squatter.

With a series of hot days in front of them the cast rehearsed in the theatre by the wharf at Flagstaff Hill, Warrnambool for the opening night of the tour. A full house, including two bus loads of tourists from Inverell, NSW, waited for the show to start. As if with the waving of a wand, a magical atmosphere was created by the opening of some doors that allowed the audience to watch the cast while overlooking a large billabong like pond. John Menzies, from Camperdown, described it –“…as a glorious experience sitting in the half open air looking at the pond and the village listening to the music…”

The next morning the cast drove back in the direction of Melbourne to Cole’s historic woolshed (dating from 1851) on the Camperdown/Darlington Rd, for the next show. There was a plan to counter the expected heat in the woolshed, and Gisela Heidecker was picking up up a port-a-cooler from Coates hire in Geelong. Tim Lee, from ABC Landline arrived with a crew to film the rehearsal and the show, and another full house gave the cast a standing ovation. Emailed feedback from those in attendance included the comments, “Awesome show.” “Don’t change a thing!” “Fantastic!”

The final leg of the tour of readings was at the Port Fairy Folk Festival. The hot weather continued, but the coastal breezes and the opportunity to dive into surf of the Southern Ocean made for more pleasant circumstances for the cast – not to mention the many wonderful musicians performing on the festival stages, and creative atmosphere that is Port Fairy!

The show received two more standing ovations from houses that were at about three quarter capacity. The final show was followed by a cast bonding session in the Green Room, with Felix Meagher taking copious notes for the inevitable re-write in the next few days. Dennis O’Keeffe, recovering well from his treatment, and with a glass of Guinness in hand congratulated the cast – “Well done. Bloody good show!”

The producers and cast wish to thank the following people for making the tour possible- Jamie McKew (Port Fairy Folk Festival, Carole Reid (Shipwreck Coast), Merran Fife (Flagstaff Hill), Nick and Sue Cole, Gisela Heidecker, Rachel Donovan, Bushwahzee, Community Arts Alliance, Gwen and Edna Jones Foundation, Jamie Tait, Annabel Brady-Brown (Penney Logan Publicity), Margie Brophy, Peter Coverdale, Chris and Christine Maguire (Corangamite Arts), Nicky Atkinson, John and Donna Storey, Janice Trenair and Frank Duggan, Peter Nawn

For further information about The Man They Call The Banjo

Contact -

Felix Meagher felix@bushwahzee.com 0413-801294

Wolf Heidecker wolfd1@bigpond.com 0413-555630

Dennis O’Keeffe dok9@hotmail.com 0418-178864

The frINge Program

portfairy — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 11:12:09 +0000

Peace Concert Prelude to Festival

portfairy — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 12:08:10 +0000

THREE community choirs will join performers Eric Bogle, Finbar Furey and John McCutcheon in a united concert for peace.

The Voices of Peace concert is an initiative of the four Warrnambool Rotary clubs and the Port Fairy Rotary Club, with the support of the Port Fairy Folk Festival committee.

About 80 per cent of tickets for the Lighthouse Theatre event have sold and concert spokesman Graham Pennington, from the Warrnambool Central Rotary Club, said the community response had been fantastic.

“The focus of the concert is to promote the concept of peace,” he said.

“Obviously peace is something that Rotary clubs see as a priority and a goal we work towards.

“We’re very excited. We think it’s just wonderful.”

Mr Pennington said one choir would be made up of primary school pupils and another would comprise Rotarians. Local choir The Resonators will also perform.

Eric Bogle received a peace medal from the United Nations for promoting peace and racial harmony through his songs and several of his most famous songs tell of the futility or loss of war — the best-known being And The Band Played Waltzing Matilda.

Aboriginal artist Brett Clarke will perform a Welcome to Country.

Profits from the event are to be donated to a perpetual fund for the Rotary Centres for International Studies in peace and conflict resolution.

Mr Pennington said students who complete the post-graduate study go on to work in international relations.

“The money will go to an ongoing project, which is good,” he said.

The concert is on Thursday, March 7, at 7.30pm. For ticket information contact the Lighthouse Theatre on 5559 4885.

Read Story: Warrnambool Standard by Clare Quirk Feb 27th

Full House at Sold Out Festival

portfairy — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 10:23:49 +0000

THE “sold out” and “no vacancy” signs have gone up for the 2013 Port Fairy Folk Festival despite the iconic event still being a fortnight away. On Saturday the festival was officially declared a sell-out for both adult and youth tickets. And while anyone who does not have a ticket will have to rely on cancellations from ticket holders to get to the festival, those who do have tickets may struggle to find a bed for the weekend.

All sites at caravan parks in Port Fairy, Koroit, Yambuk and Killarney are booked out for the long weekend from March 8-11.

The Port Fairy Information Centre said all accommodation houses in Port Fairy were also booked out with cancellations at these places or people offering lodging at private residences the only potential opening for those without accommodation.

Staff at the Visitor Information Centre are asking anyone wanting to offer accommodation to contact them so they can list these openings on www.port-fairy.com which has an up-to-the-minute database of available lodgings for the festival.

This site also has a ticket exchange page where people looking for tickets or selling unwanted tickets can list their details.

While there are sure to be some disappointed fans, festival ticketing manager Ian Wood said the festival had made it clear throughout the ticket sales process that sales were ahead of where they had been in past years.

He said the message had been consistently sent to get in early for tickets, which included the availability of youth tickets.

“From our point of view it is all about the number of feet on the ground in the arena and making sure we use the space we have in the best interests of our festival patrons,” Mr Wood said.

“All up including adults and youth ticket holders, volunteers, performers, sound staff and stall holders we estimate that if everyone was in the arena at the one time there would be about 15,000 people.

“In the past some tickets have been available on the weekend of the festival but that won’t be the case this year. This will definitely be the earliest we will have sold in the past six or seven years.”

Mr Wood said ticket sales had been running 10 per cent ahead of the same time last year since the first ticket release in September last year.

Mr Wood said there were a combination of factors behind the rapid sale of the tickets for the 2013 festival.

“Once again there is a great line up of performers which happens every year and keeps people coming back. But I think what really worked has been the marketing strategy with the staggered announcements of the performers and of the ticket selling periods matching together well.

“The ticket release periods have allowed us to control sales and to utilise key periods where ticket demand was strong.”

For those wishing to post accommodation listings contact the Port Fairy Visitor Information Centre on 5568 2682 or email vic@moyne.vic.gov.au

Feb 21st cover story by Anthony Brady in the Moyne Gazette The story is at www.moynegazette.com.au

Nick Charles • 2013

portfairy — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 11:51:47 +0000

With more than 25 years on the road and a dozen or more albums of outstanding guitar work and song, Nick is bringing his distinctive melodic and dazzling playing to a growing legion of fans. He has toured with BB King, John Hammond, Chris Smither, Guy Clarke, Ralph McTell and many more. With worldwide critical acclaim, Nick brings his brand new acoustic blues album to Port Fairy this year!

www.charlesguitar.com

portfairy — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 13:22:58 +0000

John Hudson • 2013

portfairy — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:53:28 +0000

Hailing from the rich musical landscape of Southwest Victoria, John Hudson is considered one of this country’s most versatile guitarists. John’s musical diversity, be it Jazz, Blues, Country, Classical, etc. has allowed him to perform both as a solo artist, and as a member of various ensembles, here and internationally. Most recently, John has been touring with iconic singer/songwriter Shane Howard (Goanna). John will also be conducting a guitar workshop (SUN 1pm) that may or may not involve various aspects of guitar…ladies ,a plate please…

Mark Atkins • 2013

portfairy — Mon, 18 Feb 2013 00:49:59 +0000

Mark Atkins is one of the world’s greatest didj players, recognised for his collaborative projects with leading composers and musicians. A descendant of WA’s Yamitji people, and of Irish/Australian heritage, Mark has incorporated the didgeridoo sound into orchestral works, theatrical productions and dance performances. Mark is a performer, storyteller, songwriter, composer, percussionist, visual artist and instrument maker. He creates and paints didgeridoos and has exhibited his traditional and contemporary artwork internationally. Mark is founding member of Black Arm Band, featuring Australian legends of indigenous contemporary music.

www Mark Atkins

Wishful

portfairy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 23:33:09 +0000

Wishful is a 5 piece band from Victoria. Originally a trio, sisters Maddy and Memphis met third member Sam at Queenscliff Music Festival, where their love of playing and watching music brought them together. Later joined by Harley and Caleb, Wishful write their own original music, creating an interesting indie folk style with edgy pop melodies and euphoric harmonies.

http://www.triplejunearthed.com/wishful

Rhiannon and Monique

portfairy — Thu, 14 Feb 2013 03:32:38 +0000

These two young lasses weave sounds from the strings of their various instruments to create music that will entice your senses. Although they are based in Brisbane, they source their sounds from much further afield, whether the smallest cultural pockets of the world, like Estonia, or the world’s Celtic music hubs, Ireland and Scotland. In 2012, Rhiannon & Monique were the recipients of the annual Youth Folk Award presented by the Folk Alliance Australia, and also completed their first EP.

www.rhiannonandmonique.com