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1 - 12 August 2012
Other Business

Please note:  Focus on Folk is only on 1st & 3rd Sundays, at 1pm, on 2MBS-FM, 102.5.  (World Music is on 2nd & 4th Sundays.)

Please note also:  Turning Wave Festival is NOT 12-16 September this year. It starts on Friday 14th - so 14-16 September.

Northern Beaches Music Festival is looking for volunteers in the lead up to & during the festival in 2013.  Contact Paul (0418) 641 976

Fred Smith releases a video to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the sinking of HMAS Canberra. The HMAS Canberra was sunk off the coast of Guadalcanal Island during the Battle of Savo Island 70 years ago on 9 August, 1942.  To mark the anniversary, an exquisite YouTube video clip has been released combining archival photographs from the Second World War with footage of a live performance of the song by Fred Smith & the Spooky Men’s Chorale.

4 August - 3 November

CANBERRA:  Dancing Through the Ages - Saturdays 4-6.30pm at ANU Sports & Recreation Centre. No exp. necessary, friendly atmosphere. Learn dances from the Renaissance & Baroque through to the time of Jane Austen, Dickens & beyond - galliards to galops, pavans to polkas, minuets to mazurkas, country dances to waltzes - all to wonderful live music! Tutor Dr John Gardiner-Garden is the director of Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy; and he caters for all levels. Pre-registration required for this 12wk course.  John & Aylwen or 6281 1098 (eve).

Wednesday 1 August

Wongawilli 25th Anniversary Dance.  Wongawilli Hall.  8pm.  $3, children free. Acoustic musicians & dancers welcome.  Gwen 4296 1855, David De Santi

Friday 3 August

Bush Music Club Singabout Night. 'The Songs We Sing Today.'  Bring along a song or a poem, & food to share.  Tritton Hall (Hut 44), Addison Road Community Centre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville.  8-10pm.  $5.  Bob Bolton 9569 7244

Loosely Woven presents a brand new 'unplugged' concert called 'One Voice'. The name comes from the opening song made famous by American trio 'The Wailin' Jennys' which extols the virtue & power of many voices working together. The program includes Judy Small's powerful 'You don't speak for me', songs by Aboriginal groups 'Stiff Gins' & 'Tiddas' & many more - the usual eclectic Loosely Woven mix!  27 performers; instruments include harp, flutes, clarinets, saxophones, violins, guitars, mandolin, piano, accordion, concertina, keyboard, percussion. Complete list of items (incl. downloadable copies of the music) & audience program on the website. The colour scheme is blues (any shade but bright is beautiful!) & black so feel free to dress accordingly!  Boronia Park Uniting Church, 93a Pittwater Rd, Hunters Hill.  7.30pm. Free.  No need to book.  Info: Robyn (9817 5755)

Illawarra Folk Club. Wongawilli 25th Anniversary Concert, including past band members, & Wongawilli Colonial Dancers.  City Diggers Wollongong, cnr Church & Burelli Sts.  7.30pm.  $15, $10.  David De Santi 0409 57 1788

Joseph Tawadros Quartet. Due to unforeseen circumstances, Angel will be performed instead of The Greater Sea. 'In loving memory of Rose Mansi Tawadros 1952-2012.'  Joseph Tawadros (oud), Matt McMahon (piano), Dimitri Vouros (clarinet), James Tawadros (Egyptian perc). Tom Mann Theatre, 136 Chalmers St, Surry Hills (op. Central stat, op. Prince Alfred Park). 8pm.  $30, $25. Info  Bookings

Saturday 4 August

New York Public Library (John Flanagan, Warren Boyd, Isabelle Fogarty), a lively, popular, thoroughly entertaining trio, long a Sydney folk icon, began their career at the original Shack. Originals, folk, comedic & 'adapted bluegrass'. + Green Mohair Suits. Lots of picking, singing & vocal harmonies; bringing the roots of country & bluegrass music. Ben Romalis (slide guitar), Brian Campeau (acoustic guitar), Jason Mannell (banjo). + David Knight - he treats the guitar as an entire musical package, with many techniques, playing percussive guitar, incl. its neck & body, as well as standard methods. The Shack, Tramshed Community Arts Centre, 1395a Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen (betw. car park & Ambulance in Narrabeen shops).  7.30-11pm.  $20.  0413 635 856

Beecroft Bush Dance, with Galimore, caller Don Richmond.  Beecroft Community Centre, Beecroft Rd (opp. Fire Station). All dances taught.  Beecroft Community Centre, Beecroft Rd (opp. Fire Station).  8pm-12.  $17, $14, $12, incl. supper.  Sigrid 9980 7077, Wilma 9489 5594

Wongawilli 25th Anniversary Bush Ball featuring a number of dances introduced by the band & dancers to the Australian folk dance scene. All dances called & walked through. Albion Park Centenary Hall. 7.30pm.  $10, includes light supper, tea, coffee. BYO drinks.  David De Santi 0409 57 1788.  For the Ball program, & instructions for 'Wongawilli Quadrille', please contact Gwen Burke

Loosely Woven presents a brand new 'unplugged' concert called 'One Voice'. (see entry under 'Friday 3 August' for details.  Concord Presbyterian Church, Corner Correys & Concord Road, Concord.  7pm. Adults: $10  Students: $5  Children<12 free.  No need to book.  Info: Janet (0415) 525 255

Lawson ‘Live’.  Christine Wheeler CD launch & Bush Dance.  Mid Mountains Community Centre (in new Lawson town centre). Dinner, snacks available from kitchen/cafe. Byo alcohol permitted; glasses provided.  6-10pm.  $15, $12, <12 free.  Love Lawson Festival Co-ordinator 0404 225 933

Mal Eastick Band  Mal is widely considered Australia's finest electric blues guitarist. Has played with Robert Cray, Los Lobos, Buddy Guy, George Thorogood & The Destroyers, Tommy Emmanuel, Jimmy Barnes, Kevin Borich, & many more. In the 1980s Mal played in the Jimmy Barnes Band & also formed his own touring outfit.  The Empire Hotel, 103A Parramatta Rd, Annandale (cnr Johnston St).  8pm.  $20, $15. All tickets at the door. Children allowed with a parent. Good food at reasonable prices. 9557 1701

Sunday 5 August

Practice for Maitland Ball (The aim is to avoid teaching at the Ball.)  East Gosford Progress Hall, cnr. Henry Parry Drive & Wells St, East Gosford.  10am - 4pm.  $8.  Bill Propert 4946 5602

The Park Folk Song Fest. Musos on board the Cronulla ferry, leaving Cronulla Wharf at 12.30 (& the return ferry at 4pm).  Led singalong sessions in Bundeena RSL (in Royal National Park), 1-4 pm.  (It is also Bundeena Market Day & Art Trail.) The event will promote the Green Music Train & the Illawarra Folk Festival locally. Dani Karis    From Brian Dunnett:  'The challenge is to get 90 supporters in each of the Green Music Train's 8 folk music carriages for a great day out. The Bundeena Folk people are one Sydney group taking up the challenge to help fill a singing carriage next January. Renewed interest in regular Folk events at Bundeena has grown directly out of their involvement in the Illawarra Folk Festival & the Music Train. They are running a build up singing event & need your support.'

Loosely Woven presents a brand new 'unplugged' concert called 'One Voice'. (see entry under 'Friday 3 August' for details.  Avalon Baptist Peace Church, 2 George Street, Avalon.  4pm. Free. (Donations invited for Amnesty International)  No need to book.  Information: Kath Moody (9918 2502)

Wongawilli 25th Anniversary Picnic & Social. Wongawilli Community Hall. 11am. Free. BYO drinks & food.

Monday 6 August

BMC Dance Workshop. Practice for Maitland Ball.  Pennant Hills Community Centre, Yarrara Road.  7.30-9.30pm.  $7.  Felicity 9456 2860.

Silent Art Auction, Documentary Film & Music Festival

5-9pm daily as part of the the Agent Orange Justice Campaign to raise money for victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin in Australia & Vietnam.
Mori Gallery, 168 Day St, City, 9283 2903.  Jefferson Lee jefferson. 9569 6070, 0408 162 013.

  • Tuesday 7 August:  Cellist Harry Werlemann-Godfrey, (followed by film)
  • Wednesday 8 August:  Dennis Aubrey (followed by doc. film.)
  • Thursday 9 August:  Margaret Bradford (followed by doc. film.)
  • Friday 10 August:  Jenny Watson (followed by doc. film.)
  • Saturday 11 August:  Jenni Nixon & Friends (followed by doc. film.)
Thursday 9 August

Riogh: 6 piece Celtic-Australian band steeped in the lively traditions of Ireland. Passionate, transcendent, physical, sublime music - energy, a vocal & musical tour de force, joyful & compelling, subtle & original. Classical ballad, traditional jig, Henry Lawson lyric or a contemporary pop song - songs of love & loss, of hearth & homeland, songs for modern times which draw upon the wisdom of a culture rich in meaning. Alan Morrison (guitar, vocals), Leigh Piper (bass), Danny Priestley (vocals, bodhran), Lindsay Martin (fiddle, mandolin), Johnny Spillane (whistles, bodhran), Lisa Baraldi (piano, keyboard).  Floor spots, raffles. Sutherland Acoustic, Tradies Club, Kingsway, Gymea (short walk from station). 7.30pm. $15, FF $12, $10, kids free. Jenny 9576 2301

Friday 10 August

Loosely Woven presents a brand new 'unplugged' concert called 'One Voice'. (see entry under 'Friday 3 August' for details.  Avalon Baptist Peace Church, 2 George Street, Avalon.  4pm. Free.  No need to book.  Information: Margaret  (9449 3746)

Fred Smith  & A Few Good Spooky Men (with special guest Liz Frencham). Songs from 'Dust of Uruzgan' - 'a cycle of songs that are raw, remarkably honest & suitably ambivalent about war' (The Age) & 'without doubt, a masterpiece' (Trad & Now) - & 'Urban Sea Shanties' - thinking man’s drinking songs, a rambunctious celebration of masculine buffoonery interspersed with some exquisite ballads - & the Frencham-Smith repertoire.  Notes, 75 Enmore Rd, Newtown.  9pm, rest. open from 7pm. (Dinner bookings rec.)  $28.05 (incl. fee). Bookings 9557 5111

Saturday 11 August

Mic Conway & Robbie Long (flat-picking guitar champion), with hilariously idiosyncratic songs. Their new album 'Street of Dreams' features some Captain Matchbox favourites, & songs close to Mic's heart: 'WinchesterCathedral', 'It’s Only a Paper Moon' & an hilarious version of Lehrer's 'Masochism Tango'.  + Rebecca Moore, award winning singer, guitarist, intensely original & imaginative songwriter. With a strong social conscience, she has raised thousands through fund-raising concerts for Burmese orphans & cyclone victims. Vibrant imagery, commonsense awareness, stories of universal resonance.   + Nerds & Music, folk-parody duo Clark Gormley & Wayne Thompson from Newcastle. Songs aiming to reveal the semiotic truths behind everyday existence by forensically dissecting subjects such as mowing the lawn, bicycle accessories, etc. Witty songwriting, understated satire, unabashed silliness.  Fairlight Folk, William St Studios, 3 William St, Fairlight (old Baptist Church just down from Sydney Rd).  7.30pm (doors 7pm). No presales. Suggested donation: $20, $15, $40 family, under 15 free. Tea, coffee, biscuits free, soft drink for sale.  BYO food & preferred beverage.  0438 091 885.

The Foreday Riders 45th Anniversary with special guests Ray Beadle, Lez Karski, John Power, Andrew Reid, Phil B. Colson, Bridie King, Dave Wray (sax), Darren Jack (acoustic opening set at 7.30), and more surprises on the night!  With the regular Riders: Ron & Jeff King (harp & guitar), foundation members & Riders since 1967; Rosscoe ‘Stinger’ Clark, the immaculate blues drummer, instrumental in organising this anniversary show, with the Riders since the early '80s, & Stan ‘Sleepy’ Mobbs, a great propulsive bassist & proud Rider since 1990.  Notes, 75 Enmore Rd, Newtown.  8pm.  $39.80 (incl. booking fee). Bookings: 9557 5111

ACT & REGIONAL NSW
Saturday 4 August

NEWCASTLENewcastle & Hunter Valley Folk Club: 'Locked in with the Lifers'. This concert will showcase the wealth of talent amongst the people we've recognised with Life Membership. The evening will include a special tribute from the Wiseman family to friend John Day - musician, singer, instrument maker & provider of legendary sheep roasts. There will also be a display of Folk Club memorabilia. (To kick start the evening the Lifers will be sharing a scrumptious dinner. Please phone Cecille 4957 0830 or Julie 4954 0717 if you'd like to join them for dinner.)  Wesley Centre Hall, 150 Beaumont St, Hamilton. 7.30pm.  $15, $12, $10; <17 free.  Carole 4929 3912, Ron 4926 1313, Folk Club 0421 412 358

Saturday 4 - Sunday 5 August

CANBERRAAylwen Gardiner-Garden's weekend sewing workshop in Yarralumla for both beginners & advanced: Georgian 1780s stays or men's waistcoat.  Aylwen

Friday 10 August

CANBERRAGraham Dodsworth - a geographical tour through 19th & 20th century Australia with songs showing the way it was, incl. moving versions of ‘Farewell to the Gold’, ‘Brunswick Road’ & ‘Gentle Annie’. Born in a brown coal mining town in rural Victoria, he began performing folk songs during his teenage years & has been performing at Australian festivals etc ever since; inspired by his own father’s success as a singer on live radio shows in the 1940s. + Christina Mimmochi (usually 'alto' in the harmony sandwich - Blindman’s Holiday, Touchwood), with original, acoustic songs that hint at a variety of vocal traditions. Her debut solo album is 'Rumours of Summer'. 'Given the maturity of the song-writing - it is hard to believe this is a debut album' (Cornstalk Gazette). Tonight with Tim Watts (double bass) & Sallyanne Brown (harmonies). The Merry Muse (presented by the Monaro Folk Society).  Canberra Southern Cross Club, McCaughey Street, Turner.  7.30pm.  0412 127 882.

Saturday 11 August

CANBERRAFred Smith & A Few Good Spooky Men (with special guest Liz Frencham), present songs from the 'Dust of Uruzgan' & 'Urban Sea Shanties' albums, & whatever else. The Lobby, King George Terrace, Parkes. 8pm. $32, $26; group disc. (Pork Barrel rest. open from 5pm; bookings advised, 6273 1455)

Sunday 21 August

QUEANBEYAN: Chris Johnson. + The Wedded Bliss.  The Artists Shed, 14 Foster Street (behind Magnet Mart off Yass Road).  2-5pm.  Entry by paper note donation.  Come and enjoy a glass of wine, wonderful artworks, great music & lovely rustic surroundings!  More information: Ros 0438 768 754.

NEWCASTLEPractice for Maitland Ball.  All Saints Parish Hall, cnr Cromwell & Oxford Sts, New Lambton. 10am - 4pm.  $8.