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Folk at your doorstep

Get ready for an unforgettable night of music and storytelling as the Festival of Small Halls brings world-class folk talent to Ballan next month.

On Wednesday 4 March, Ballan’s Neighbourhood House is set to come to life with the incredible sounds of Irish-born Canadian Irish Mythen and Aussie Kaurna Cronin as they bring their Festival of Small Halls Autumn tour right to Moorabool’s doorstep.

Local artist Jayden Spence will also be taking to the stage to kick off the evening of folk talent.

Irish Mythen’s latest release Little Bones earned them recognition right around the globe, including a 2020 JUNO nomination for Contemporary Roots Album of the Year.

“This will be my 10 year anniversary of Small Halls Australia and I cannot put into words how words just how bloody stoked I am to be back,” Mythen said.

“This magical country, these incredible audiences – they just give me life, and every single day is an adventure. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to head back out on the road.”

Kaurna Cronin also boasts a long list of impressive recognition. A previous recipient of Folk Alliance Australia’s Artist of the Year and a two-time Australian Folk Music Awards nominee, Cronin is an Australian folk-rock rover whose songs reflect the human condition.

“I’m so looking forward to being back on the road in Australia,” Cronin said.

“I grew up traversing the country in my parents’ beat-up yellow Toyota Hiace top-top van, so I’m excited be out on those roads again, and sharing songs with the Small Halls tour.”

Festival of Small Halls is a series of tours which takes the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists performing at two of Australia’s largest festivals and sends them on the road to tiny halls in regional communities across Australia.

This year’s event in Ballan serves as the perfect opportunity to experience the magic of Port Fairy’s Folk Festival right here in the community, with Ballan’s Neighbourhood House Mechanics Hall serving as the perfect destination with years of history hosting weddings, funerals, festivals, and everything in between.

Tickets are priced at $20 for full admission and $15 for concession and are available at https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/ballan-2026/.

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