Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival

25th, 26th & 27th October 2013

We welcome old and new Festival patrons to Dorrigo Mountain for an intimate and friendly three-day weekend of acoustic music featuring some of the very best Folk and Bluegrass and Old-Time country musicians from around Australia and overseas.

It's a time when our picturesque Dorrigo showground comes alive with concerts, workshops, dancing, jamming, impromptu performances, poetry and children's entertainment.

The 12th Annual Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival is shaping up to be exceptional. We have just announced the first release list of performers for 2013 and it's looking mighty fine indeed!

Fresh Dorrigo mountain weather, a wonderful atmosphere, an outstanding line-up and responsive crowds all combine to make it one of the most highly regarded events on the Australian festival ciruit - big enough to draw world-renowned artists, yet relaxed, intimate and accessible enough to be known as "a Great Little Festival".

This year we have extended the scope of The Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival by featuring more brilliant performers from the USA – home of Bluegrass and Old-Time mountain music - including The Foghorn Stringband from Portland Oregon, Fiddle master Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett (Patt and Possum) from Missouri, and US master banjo player Ross Nickerson, adding their extra dimension of experience and authenticity to the mix. Also appearing is Bluegrass Parkway - Australia's premier Bluegrass band along with a host of local and home-grown talent. We have also included a third performance venue - "The Tallowood", allowing for more intimate acoustic performances, and more "blackboard spot" opportunities.

The Festival kicks off on Friday night with a foot-stomping Community HoeDown Dance in the Main Pavilion featuring the legendary Foghorn Stringband along with Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett (Patt and Possum). In keeping with being a family friendly event, tickets for the Community Hoe-Down Dance are only $25 for a family.

In recognition of being a “premier acoustic music” event, with top class artists wanting to perform each year, The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival was awarded the status of a “Regional Flagship Event” in 2011 by NSW Tourism. This has significantly raised the profile of the Festival and it now attracts an even wider audience to experience its unique charm. There are many visitors who return to Dorrigo every year for this Festival because of the great atmosphere, and the opportunity to jam with fantastic and sometimes famous musicians under a shady tree or round the campfire.

Check out our facebook page for video clips and more great photos.

Some of the Featured Artists for 2013:

The Foghorn Stringband (USA)

Charlie Walden and Patt Plunkett  (Patt and Possum) (USA)       

Bluegrass Parkway                                          

Ross Nickerson (USA)

Mustered Courage

Appalachian Heaven String Band

The Company

The Hottentots - Carl and Parissa

Lucy Wise and the B'Gollies

Ange Tackats and Band

The Mid North

Cat and Clint

Gleny Rae Virus and Her Playboys

Starboard Cannons

Bellyache Ben and The Steamgrass Boys

The Lurkers

Oh Pep!

Rhiannon and Monique

Don and John - Resonator Brothers

and many more to be announced soon...

For further artist information, and performer bio's, please go to the "Artists" page…

Festival Tickets:

For detailed Ticket information please go to the Tickets page

We use the secure and convenient services of TryBooking.
Please click on the "Buy Tickets" button below and follow the links to purchase tickets. (via Visa, Mastercard or Visa debit type card)
You can print out your E-Tickets straight away or later.
You will need to bring your E-Ticket to the Festival Ticket Office (at the main entrance) and exchange it for a coded Festival Wristband to gain entry.

Performer Applications:

Performer applications for the 12th Annual Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival 25th-27th October 2013 are still open until May 30th.

For further information please go to the Performer Applications page for online application form.

Stall-Holder Applications:

The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival is inviting applications for market stalls which will be situated in the Event venue - The Dorrigo Showgrounds.

Please note that our priority is Australian handcrafted and handmade products, including musical instruments.

Food must be fresh, interesting and preferably healthy.

For more details please download a Stall-Holder Information Sheet , a Stall Fees Sheet and a Stall Application Form

Festival Flyers, Posters and Programme:

The Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival Programme is packed with Festival information, Performance and Workshop timetables, Performer information, Bio's, and more.

View or Download the 2012 Festival Programme .........

View or Download the 2012 Festival Flyer .........

Download the 2012 Festival Poster........

To mark the 10th Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival, the organising commitee commissioned local Dorrigo artist Marilyn Wall to produce new logos and artwork. As you can see, the resulting artwork is spectacular. Marilyn says that in her illustration design she  “endeavoured to capture the ever-changing beauty of our Dorrigo and the light hearted, community feeling of the festival...”

Dorrigo "Folk in the Round"

Would you like to get together with an informal group of Old-time, Country,  Folk and Bluegrass enthusiasts for a fortnightly  "in the round" jam and singalong. The atmosphere is relaxed and there is usally a range of ages and experience levels present - from new folk through to seasoned veterans...  each week has its surprises...

Folk in the Round is on every second Sunday from around 1:30pm to 4pm at Hickory House, 50 Hickory St Dorrigo  -    Contact Bridget  6657 1224

Up-Coming Concerts and Events

Music to Warm the Soul in Dorrigo

You don’t have to wait until the 12th Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival in October to get your fill of some wonderful and talented performers. In the lead up to the festival,  Dorrigo will be the destination of some well traveled musicians who will bring their unique sounds to town.

Bob Corbett & The RooGrass Band

at the Dorrigo Old Gazette Theatre, 7:30 pm May 31st

2012 Star Maker Winner, Bob Corbett & The Roo Grass Band adventurously burst out of the world of Folk and Country music. Their energy, musical virtuosity and heart felt easy-going nature makes them an Australian band not to be missed.

If you like award winning song writing backed with great vocal harmonies, and guitar, banjo, fiddle, mandolin and dobro playing then you will definitely find your home at a Roo Grass show. Band Members: Bob Corbett, Robbie Long, Dave Carter, Sue Carson

Some of the featured artists to perform concerts recently in Dorrigo are:

The String Contingent

The String Contingent will be returning for an evening Concert at 7pm Saturday March 23rd 2013 amid the lovely acoustics of the Dorrigo St Stephens Anglican Church.

Nadine Landry & Stephen "Sammy" Lind  (of The Foghorn Stringband USA)

US Artists Nadine and Sammy, fresh from featuring at the Harrietville National Bluegrass Festival, will be performing their authentic Old-TIme, String band, Cajun, and early country music at Dorrigo and Bellingen.

Festival Artwork by Marilyn Wall

The Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival  -  A "Regional Flagship Event for 2011" -  through Tourism NSW

Festivals Australia is providing funding for the "WE ARE"  Project featuring song-writers Susanna Carman and Karl Farren along with local artists Jenni Francis and Peter Mulheron. With community involvement and following a series of workshops, they will be producing a series of original songs and life-size song sculptures which will be performed and displayed at the Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass festival.