There will be over 600 performers, 180 events - here are some that are coming with many more to be added....
 Eric Bogle |
 Sirocco |
 Mic Conway's National Junk Band |
 Karen Lynne & Pat Drummond |
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 Dya Singh |
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presented by the Back to
Illawarra Folk
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PERFORMERSPerformer applications are streaming in with some early bookings being Eric Bogle, Sirocco , Dya Singh, Mic Conway's National Junk Band, Danny Spooner, Jighzag, Martin Pearson, the Melbourne Austrian Choir, Keklik Aile, Fred Brown and Band, Blackwood, Damon Davies, Eva Di Cesare, Rough Red from Qld, Peter Hicks, Allez-Gator, Pat Drummond and Karen Lynne, Margaret and Bob Fagan, Junior and lots more to come. Pat will be hosting the unique school childrens concerts on the Thursday and Friday of the Festival.International guests include Bajaly Susop playing the exquisite African harp and old favourite Martyn Wyndham-Read from the UK. The dance programme is also growing with the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers, Cajun workshops, a 1920s Jazz Swing Dance, Belly Dancing workshops, the huge Jamberoo Valley Acoustic Dance Orchestra and more to come. There is also a chance that the Festival will be hosting a reunion one of the very first bush bands in Australia - The Rambleers consisting of Chris Kemspter, Alex Hood, Denis Kevans, Barbara Lisyak and Harry Kay. Old favourites will also be back such as Dave de Hugard, Collector, John Dengate, Wongawilli, Margaret Bradford for the kids, Us Not Them. Special folk entertainment for the Kids will a rarely seen Punch and Judy Show and lots of parades, street theatre and creative folk craft. VOICES OF AUSTRALIARob Willis, folklorist and collector, in conjunction with the National Library of Australia is compiling another great traditional showcase with the theme Voices of Australia. People from all walks of life will share stories that Rob has recorded for The National Library including Lola Wright an early political activist and feminist in the Illawarra who formed the second Bush Band in NSW possibly Australia in 1955; June Binder from Paringa, South Australia daughter of one of the last of the riverboat captains; Susan Dunn and her family are Aboriginal and will provide their unique form of Gospel music and more to come! FESTIVAL THEME The main Festival theme will be based upon Peace and Tolerance especially with the Festival starting on September 11. YOUTH PROJECT The other project gaining momentum is the further involvement of 15 youth acts at the Festival in the World Lounge venue on Friday evening. Performers over the years ...The Festival has presented over 1,000 local, national and international performers over the years. Performers such as Eric Bogle, Ted Egan, Judy Small, Mike McClellan and John Williamson helped establish the Festival in its early years. International performers have included Tom Paxton, Dave Van Ronk, Peggy Seeger, John McCutcheon, Falderal String Band, Fred Small, Roz Brown, Faith Petric, Saul Broudy & Bob Green, Dick Warwick from the US Rory McLeod, Eliza Carthy & Nancy Kerr, Brian Peters, The Chippolatas (5), Frankie Armstrong, Jez Lowe, Martyn Wyndham-Read from England Rua, Jimmy Young, James Wilkinson, Mike Harding, Phil Garland, Huia from New Zealand From Europe - Felpeyu (Spain), Eugenio Bennato & Musica Nova (Italy), Csokolom (Holland) James Keelaghan from Canada; Burach and Sandy Brechin, Sara Grey, Anam from Scotland, Jigme Nagymal from Tibet. Jacky Daly, Kate Custy, The Churchfitters, Ealu, Andy Irvine, Gino Lupari from Ireland. The Festival has also included indigenous performers such as Alan Dargin, Kev Carmody, Rita Mills and the Descendants, Johnny Huckle, Bobby McLeod,.the Doonoch Dancers, La Perouse Aboriginal Dancers, poet Mary Duroux, Wakakirri, and the Timberys Dancers. If you would like to keep up to date on folk happenings and the Festival why not join the Folk Club Email List. Please provide addresses to Dave (02) 4257 1788 or email at: desanti@illawarrafolkclub.org.au
Proudly sponsored by Guinness! Back to Illawarra Folk Club home pageLast revised: September 10, 2002 by David De Santi |
