Dorrigo Folk and Bluegrass Festival

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Artistic Director: Bridget Sommers 02 6657 1224

Media Contact: Julie Ward 02 6657 1180

  Dorrigo Folk & Blue Grass - doing what we love!

Last weekend people came to Dorrigo from all over Australia and even from Arizona for the 8th Festival which organisers have declared the best ever! A few rain clouds and afternoon storms didn't dampen the crowd's enthusiasm and all performers were highly appreciative of the receptivity of their audiences - and the skills of the sound crew.

 There were many highlights with fantastic performances from world class performers and local talent too. The multi-award winning Davidson Brothers wowed the crowd with their "hard and fast" style bluegrass and sweet renditions of Western Swing. Anne Kirkpatrick performed with her band and also judged the Slim Dusty Competition - local youth performing their own interpretations of Slim's songs and won by James Darley & Garth Burley - singing "Duncan" of course!

 A unique element of this Festival was the "Tallowoods & Tollywongs" Living Memory project presentation. It started with a real punch - a young band with a current take on Dorrigo life called "Smurfing", included yodelling by our own Betty Sawtell, poetry, students performing their own original compositions and the guys from the Lonely Horse Band tying it all together with their poems and songs about "the Dorrigo".

If you weren't there you missed something quite inspirational!

 So many great performances - we can't detail them all! Every band and artist showcased different aspects. Folk - from bluesy roots to stunning 5 part harmonies, Bluegrass - traditional and contemporary, Old Timey - for dancing and listening, Traditional songs - Gospel, Celtic and Indigenous. The many workshops were fun and educational and were especially well attended. The Luncheon Pavilion was bursting at the seams - great acoustic performances and delicious, fresh local food. The Blackboard spots were opportunities for aspiring performers as well as reprise concerts by great bands such as "The Junes".

 In the Main Pavilion seats were hard to find - right until the very end of the Festival. The closing act, Ami Williamson, in her third appearance, once more mesmerised, charmed, amused and entertained with her original songs and her amazing voice. It's   seems unique to bring a capacity audience to their feet with a performance from "The Barber of Seville" at a Folk & Bluegrass Festival - but Ami did!

 The Festival wouldn't happen without the volunteers and sponsors who give their time or money - the organising committee do really appreciate every contribution! In the words of Hully from "The Passion of Dorrigo" ...

Have you really made a difference when push has come to shove

Did you love the thing you do, did you do the thing you love?"   (Andrew Hull 2009)

Many thanks to everyone who assisted in this fantastic festival.

The Australian Government is proud to be associated with The Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival. The Living Memory project "Tallowoods & Tollywongs" was made possible by Festivals Australia, an Australian Government program which supports cultural activity at regional and community festivals.