The Newport Folk Festival returns this year on June 23 and 24 with a delightful package of concerts, workshops and join-in sessions that will warm the hearts of all music lovers.
There will be dancing (Austral – Celtic; The Royal High Jinx – European, Harmaniax – Cajun), choirs (Pitchface – Yarraville, Sweet Monas Choir – Ballarat) and orchestral music (Newport Strings, Orkeztra Glasso Bashalde Footscray Gypsies).
The festival welcomes back two of Australia’s finest fingerpicking guitarists – Jordan Brodie and Nick Charles – who will perform and then present workshops to introduce audiences to the mysteries of their craft.
Other festival delights include Dandelion Wine – an ethereal electro-medieval band with medieval instruments, female vocals and electronic beats – and Lachie Hawkins from Brisbane who plays the handpan, a mesmerising steel pan instrument. His hypnotic melodic rhythms soothe the soul as his lyrics press deeper into themes of belonging, self-acceptance and loss.
If you like your music with a simpler vibe look out for the Moosjaw Rifle Club (rollicking rhythms, good time music) and the Angelicats (urban folk), and The Small Mercies (textured harmonies).
The Skiffle Party are serious entertainers who hark back to the skiffle era, and the Queens of the West bring jazz standards to the festival with their unique ‘westie’ twist.
Come along and enjoy the vibe, meet the people, and join in by playing, singing, dancing or just smiling with a group of strangers! Who knows – you might even be inspired to join the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club and become a musician.
This great community festival was created by the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club back in 2008. Check out the program online, grab your ticket and select your journey from fine music to good-time sessions. Oh – and don’t forget to bring the family. Kids – and all school students – are free!
Venues include the Newport Bowling Club, RSL, Scout Hall, the Substation and The Hub.
Details: newportfolkfestival.org.au FB folkfestnewport
