21st Illawarra Folk Festival at Bulli, 26 to 29 January 2006
Festival Features >
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Here’s a sample of the 120 events at the festival.
OVER THE FESTIVAL
POETS BREAKFAST EACH MORNING IN THE - SHOW PAVILION 8am
This gives you a chance to air your favourite poem or recite or read your latest composition. It's a free for all and everyone gets a go. It will of course be led by our Festival Poets Vic Jefferies, Viv Sawyer David Meyers and Neil Morrison.
DANCING IN THE STABLES - FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY
The Stables is our Dance Venue and will operate with all sorts of dancing over the three days of the festival. It's participatory. If your penchant is for Irish Step Dancing, Colonial, World, Indian or even doing the Haka you'll find it in the Stables. Check the programme for details.
'CLOSE-UPS' IN THE HERITAGE HOTEL - ALL FESTIVAL
Starting at Noon on Friday the Heritage Hotel will be in action over the next three days. You can catch some of the festival's finest artists in the intimate surroundings of the Hotel's Concert Hall. This is the entertainment centre where you don't have to watch the performers on the big screen.
THE CHAPEL – FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY 4pm - 6pm
The Chappell is set in the grounds of the Grevillea Gardens and is a completely acoustic venue (there is no power to the site). The wooden building itself was the last building to be removed from the township of Sherbrooke which was set on the old coach road from Bulli to Appin. It was subsumed by the Water Board a century ago and the orchards that abounded there were bulldozed. Bring a blanket or a chair to these dusk concerts. The ambience here is simply magic.
PUNCH AND JUDY - VILLAGE GREEN FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY.
Preston's Punch and Judy puppet show, for the delight of children and the nostalgia of adults. The irascible Mr Punch, now over 344 years old comes to life at the festival. In an age of electronic games, DVDs, Digital just about everything Punch and Judy somehow reminds us of a bygone age. Still as enjoyable as it always was.
THOSE FUNNY MEN- GLOVER AND SORRENSEN - FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
If you're after a good laugh don't miss the festival's resident comedians. They're on each day (except Thursday) and they're two of Australia's best. Alan Glover and S Sorrensen will send you to bed each night with a smile on your face though there are some who believe its better to wake up with one (smile that is).
FESTIVAL ORCHESTRA – FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
The multi-talented Jane Brownlee will lead the Festival Orchestra made up of anyone who plays an instrument. Check the programme and join Jane for practice over the three days of the Festival. The orchestra’s moment of glory will come on Sunday afternoon in the Big Top when the orchestra gets to play to the assembled multitudes in the Clubs NSW Concert.
FESTIVAL CHOIR - SATURDAY AND SUNDAY
Bruce McNicol from KaOZ Klezmer conducts the festival choir. You mightn’t play an instrument but you can join the singing in the choir and have your fifteen minutes of glory in the Clubs’ NSW Concert in the Big Top on Sunday afternoon. All voices welcome.
BLACKBOARD CONCERTS - SATURDAY NIGHT ON THE VILLAGE GREEN AND SUNDAY IN THE RESTAURANT
Here’s another chance to have a go. See Dave Oliphant, master of ceremonies of the Blackboard and put your name down for a walk up start. Already a number of performers, whose names appear in the programme have already done so but there’s still plenty of room.
THURSDAY
OPENING CONCERT, THE BETTING RING – 5pm
Big Smorgasbord Charity Concert. Over 20 performers in a rapid-fire concert displaying just a bit of what's to come over the three days ahead. Admission for non season pass holders is just $5 and all door takings go to the Michelle Radford Appeal and the Bulli Uniting Church's East Timor Weberek fund.
OFFICIAL ABORIGINAL WELCOME IN THE BETTING RING
Held at the Thursday Night concert, the welcome will be performed by local aboriginal elder, Vic Chapman. Vic, who was also the first Aboriginal School Principal in NSW, has a special affiliation with the Folk Festival through his late son John who for a number of years was a festival volunteer. John sadly died from cancer last year.
GREAT GUT-BUSTING TRIPE NIGHT - GRANDSTAND RESTAURANT, 6.30pm
We are the only Festival to hold this great gastronomic and musical event and there are some who would say that that is just as well. Bookings essential for this three course gourmet treat held in the Restaurant and yes, we do let non tripe eaters in for a plate of 'Grey Sludge'. Call Russell 0419 093 005.
FRIDAY
GREYHOUND MEETING - THE TRACK 4pm to 7pm
Not only the only festival to have a tripe eating night, but also the only one to have a fully licensed, Sky Channel, Greyhound Racing Meeting in the middle of it. Watch the dogs chase the tin hare in ten races between four and seven pm and who knows you may even cover costs of the festival with your winnings but:- don't bet on it.
UPLIFTING SONGS FROM THE DEPRESSION - SHOW PAVILION 10am
The site of the Bulli Showground was home to hundreds of unemployed in a tent city during the depression. In fact the last humpy survives in the Grevillea Garden. Local Folk Singer Maurie Mulheron has gathered together a team of singers to help remember these hard times. Happy Valley or 'Humpyville' as it was called will once again return to Bulli.
ITALIAN LUNCH - SPORTS (BOWLING) CLUB MIDDAY
Enjoy an authentic Italian Lunch with some fairly authentic Italians. Joe (Shaddup Your Face) Dolce will be on hand to entertain and make sure the food and vino is up to his old Mamma's standards. If you are one of the fellows who likes Tarantellas then Dave De Santi and his old Dad (Dad and Dave) will make sure your musical tastes are satisfied and L'Emigrante will make it's one and only annual appearance. Purchase your meal at the Club, no bookings are required but be early for a seat.
THOMSON THOMPSON, THE SONGS OF RICHARD THOMPSON - SHOW PAVILION 1pm
Scott and Jenny Thompson as Beeswing deliver the best of contemporary acoustic folk rock from the master pen of songwriter Richard. Combined with a slide show The 'Thomson on Thompson' workshop will specifically focus on interpreting the art of England's living folk rock legend.
THE SYDNEY COVE PROJECT - SHOW PAVILION 3pm
The Sydney Cove Project began as one song written from the only surviving letter by Bennelong. It grew to become a collection performed in classrooms, clubs and festivals, and finally, an acclaimed album. It brings to life emotive, quirky and often intimate stories of the colonists and the traditional owners of Sydney, as told in their own words in letters and diaries. Hear an often unsung chapter in our history being sung with full force! Created by Ben Scott
HARE OF THE DOG - SHOW PAVILION 4pm
While the dogs are doing their best to catch the lure, Alan Musgrove and Friends will be doing their best to lure punters to a concert where every song is about dogs. A cast of thousands and if you've got a dog song, poem or story then see Al and you might get in the race.
YOUNG TRADITIONS, A SHOWCASE OF UP YOUNG PERFORMERS - SHOW PAVILION 6.30pm
Seventeen of our finest young musicians, songwriters and singers will showcase their talents in this great variety concert. Best of all, one group will be selected to perform at the National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter Time. Come along and hear the next generation of folk performers.
ALAN SCOTT MEMORIAL AUSTRALIAN CONCERT- SPORTS (BOWLING) CLUB 8pm
Alan Scott was a great collector and interpreter of Australian traditional songs and was the first person invited to all our festivals until his untimely death. Each year we pull together some of his friends and those who are carrying on his traditions. If you are interested in our heritage this is a concert not to be missed.
SATURDAY
21st ANNIVERSARY CONCERT - RESTAURANT 10am
Our first festival was humble affair but some of our good friends who performed there are still around. We've managed to round them up and this concert will see them reliving some of those magic moments of 1986.
DIFFICULT WOMEN - SHOW PAVILION 10am
'Difficult Woman' was the term that the Catholic Inquisition used to label women accused of witchcraft so their property could be seized and they could be taken out and burned at the stake. Spinifex Press author, songwriter and singer Lin Van Hek and partner Joe Dolce have been performing this folk literary concert around the world since 1993.
SALT OF THE EARTH - SHOW PAVILION 11.15 am
An exploration of the folklore associated with Trades & Apprenticeships. Its a collection of music, song & spoken word that explores the influence of ' trades' on folk culture from the Egyptians to The Swagman on to the modern day concept of 'mateship'. It also traces the development of Trade Unions. Folk legend Phyl Lobl who sees herself as a cultural maintenance worker will be joined by a cast of thousands to present this important workshop. (Especially give our present skills shortage)
GREAT WOOLLY YARNS COMPETITION - SHOW PAVILION 12.15pm
Your chance to take out some of the great prizes on offer just by telling the odd tale or two. Truth is not an issue though laying claim to it is essential. Only one rule- all yarns must be no longer than five minutes or the gong applies. Hosted by Russel Hannah this competition is in its 20th year. Politicians are barred.
BLACK DIAMONDS, SONGS OF THE MINES - SHOW PAVILION 3pm
On the 29th January 1887 an agreement saw the Bulli Mineworkers end a devastating, bitter and lengthy strike. A few months later over 80 of them were dead, killed in Australia's second worst mining disaster. Bulli has a rich mining heritage and local singer songwriter Kevin Baker has gathered together a group of performers to celebrate this heritage in story and song.
GREAT LIMERICK COMPETITION - SHOW PAVILION 4.15PM
Bring along your favourite limerick- anything goes. Write one yourself and win a prize for the best original composition. It's a lot of fun and a quite old poetic form (an easy one too).
RECYLED INSTRUMENT MAKING FROM 2PM NEAR THE VILLAGE GREEN – KIDS WELCOME!
Mark Holder-Keeping along with Damian Stirling from Obrobini will be gathering kids to help them build the great festival music machine out of recycled materials and bits of Junk. When built the instruments and players will make a street performance on Sunday. Keep an eye out for it and you may like to lend a hand.
SONGS OF THE 60s - THE GREAT SINGALONG- CHAPEL 6.30pm
Just a Tad and Moz will lead this great nostalgic sing along in the magical outdoor venue of the Chappell. All the best songs were written in the 60’s and people know the words and tunes. Dust off the vocal chords, lubricate the throat with a bit of Coopers and join in.
BLUEGRASS AND PLENTY OF IT - SHOW PAVILION, 8pm
It’s a great Festival for Bluegrass and apart from their individual gigs all the Bluegrass Groups come together in one big bluegrass bash at the Show Pavilion on Saturday Night. It’s a tradition we’ve had for 20 years and is always packed. Get there early for a good seat.
SUNDAY
FESTIVAL CHURCH SERVICE - BIG TOP, 9am
An interdenominational Church Service will be held on Sunday Morning with a theme of peace and tolerance. A number of Festival performers will be on hand to add their support so there’ll be lots of music and singing.
150th ANNIVERSARY OF RAIL IN NSW - SHOW PAVILION 12 NOON
Hosted by co-author of All Aboard, the ABC published book of Railway Stories, Russell Hannah, this concert/workshop will look at the 150 years the railways have been in existence in NSW. Lots of performers, lots of humorous stories, lots of songs, lots of fun (But of course it’s very serious)
