The Newport Folk Festival is returning for its 15th consecutive year, bringing the community together to celebrate all things folk music.
Director Michael Stewart said this year’s program begins with an opening evening concert at the Newport Bowls Club on Friday, June 28, before kicking off the main day on Saturday.
“We have the band Cigany Weaver coming down from Brisbane, they are our feature act,” he said.
“I saw them live and was blown away, so they will play twice across the festival, on Friday night and then at the bowls club to finish off the festival.”
The Saturday program will take place across five venues with an array of performances from 10am to 11pm that move from folk to jazz to classical.
The venues, all within walking distance of each other, are The Substation, The Newport Bowls Club, the Newport Scout Hall, The Hub and the Bowlo back room.
“The good thing about where we are is there are many locations within close distance of one another,” Mr Stewart said.
Not only can visitors enjoy the acts, but Mr Stewart said everyone is invited to join in.
“People can come and play themselves, which is the purpose of the festival,” he said.
“There is a lot of join in sessions so they can get their money’s worth by bringing their instrument and playing along.“
After much planning, Mr Stewart said the team is now relieved and excited that the festival will soon get underway.
“We are feeling great. We start working on it in October and have the program put together early in the year, so by now almost all the problems are solved,” he said
“We are very confident we will have the modest number of people we want to make it a successful festival.
“We are a very grassroots festival and we are really excited about it.”
Details: newportfolkfestival.org.au/tickets.html
