SAVE $5 with Advance Season Tickets only $30 till 31 May 2001

STUDENTS SAVE $10 with Advance Season Tickets for $25 by 31 May 2001
Other Ticket Prices
Available by calling Bev on (02) 4236 0701
fax (02) 4236 0901
Card facilities available.

Accommodation phone:
Call the Kiama Visitors Centre on 1300 654 262 or Tourism Wollongong 1800 240 737 for assistance.

email enquiries: David De Santi

INTRODUCTION

TICKETS

PROGRAM FEATURES

PERFORMERS

THE VENUES

PICTURES FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVALS (thanks to Bob Bolton) -

Variety Australian Style with the Willi Chicks in red wigs

Young a cappella group
- Simple Edition

Kiama Probus Choir

11 year accordion squeezing twins - Teena & Teesha Downton

Bob McDonald and miniature harmonica

Dance band in action

Masked Ball

Doonoch Dancers

Dave Steele (from Melbourne)

MORE PICTURES

INTRODUCTION

Featuring performances of an Australian content and nature through folk song, music, dance, poetry and storytelling from traditional to contemporary folk artists, the 6th Australian Folk Music and Dance Gathering will be staged from June 6 - 11 2001.

The regular Australian Folk Festival at Kiama is on hold until the regular venue at the Kiama Showground Pavilion is renovated. In the interim the Gathering endeavours to continue the spirit of the previous 5 Australian Folk Festivals.

The Australian Folk Festival kicked off in 1995 in response to the lack of an event totally focused on Australian folk musical culture.

This popular event continues to recognise the contributions of our original inhabitants and newcomers from all parts of the world. It endeavours to present this unique mix of cultures as the world turns continues to focus on Australia.

This year's event will be spread across three locations - Wongawilli, Albion Park and Wollongong and will feature a wide range of traditional and contemporary artists.
There are a wide range of folk performers, from traditional dance musicians, bush poets and bands to contemporary songwriters and performers. The performers will feature in over 30 concerts, theme and historical presentations, and traditional instrument workshops.

Highlights of the Festival include: the Opening Bush Dance at Wongawilli Hall; Opening concert, workshops, sessions, instrument & dance workshops and themed concerts at Albion Park Hall Centenary Hall; a special Centenary of Federation dance event - 'Dancing Through The Years' at Wollongong Town Hall; and a formal masked ball at Albion Park Centenary Hall.

The event is organised by volunteers from the Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc., a non-profit incorporated association with the aims of promoting, preserving and performing Australia's rich folk culture.

SEASON TICKET ($35) allows entry to all events throughout the Gathering. You will receive a coloured armband to allow easy access to all the venues. There is a discount of $5 if purchased by 31 May 2000.

STUDENT ADVANCE SEASON TICKET ($25) only available till 31 May 2000.
AGED PENSIONER TICKET (on presentation of card) $3 to any event.

Children (U16) free if accompanied by paying adult.

ACCOMMODATION: There is a wide range of accommodation in the Illawarra including the seaside town of Kiama ranging from hotels, motels, caravan parks, and bed & breakfasts all within walking distance of the Festival. Call the Kiama Visitors Centre on 1300 654 262 or Tourism Wollongong 1800 240 737 for assistance.

TICKETS AVAILABLE FROM: Albion Park Post Office. Or phone 02 4236 0701. Card Facilities available - Cheques and money orders to Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc. and post to: Australian Folk Festival, PO Box 175, Jamberoo, NSW, 2533
FURTHER DETAILS:
Festival Enquiries to Bev Murray 02 4236 0701, fax 02 4236 0901,
email: gsmurray@hotkey.net.au
Festival Publicity to Gina Anker
WEB PAGE: www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au

TICKETS

A SEASON TICKET allows entry to all events throughout the Festival (except the FAA Convention, seperate registration required). You will receive a coloured armband to allow easy access to all the venues.
- SEASON TICKETS (from 1/6/2001) $35
- Advance SEASON TICKET $30 (entry to all events) SAVE $5 if purchased by 31/5/2001
- STUDENT PRICE for Advance Season Ticket (purchased by 31/5/2001) $25
- Full Day tickets (available for Saturday, Sunday) $20 
- Daytime tickets (till 6pm, available for Saturday, Sunday) $10
- Evening tickets (from 6:30pm, available for Friday, Saturday, Sunday) $10
- Monday Ticket (for Poets Breakfast, Band Mix-Up Concet and Finale Concert) $10
- Aged Pensioners - $3 to any event, need to present card
- Children (U16) are free if accompanied by paying adult

TICKETS   FROM
- Albion Park Post Office
- Albion Park RSL Memorial Club
- or phone 02 4236 0701. Cheques and money orders to Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc. and posted to Australian Folk Festival, PO Box 175, Jamberoo, NSW, 2533

PROGRAM FEATURES - FULL PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE

Short version of programme -

W e d n e s d a y   e v e n i n g, 6th June 2001
Opening Bush Dance, Wongawilli Hall

SPECIAL CONCERT - Thursday  evening, 7th June 2001
International Illawarra Folk Club Concert with US performer, Wongawilli Hall
Note: This event is not part of the Australian Folk Gathering but might be of appeal to Festival patrons. Ticket prices to be advised.

F r i d a y   e v e n i n g  8th June 2001
- Opening Concert featuring over 15 acts in a fast moving smorgasbord of talent in the Albion Park Centenary Hall. Session upstairs in the Hall.

S a t u r d a y 9th June 2001
- Concerts, workshops, theme concerts - Albion Park Centenary Hall
- Poets Breakfast - Albion Park RSL Memorial Club

- Major Dance Event and Concert at the Wollongong Town Hall from 6.30pm, with DANCING THROUGH THE YEARS - a NSW Centenary of Federation Event. Music presented will be from Colonial to Jazz to Rock n'Roll to Celtic to World Music!

- Oz Deli Concert at the Wollongong Town Community Hall from 6.30pm, with a smorgasbord of Australian acts.

S u n d a y 10th June 2001
- A formal Masked Ball, Poets Dinner, Old Time Dance, concerts, theme concerts, sessions, instrument, dance, dance callers workshop - Albion Park Centenary Hall

- Poets Breakfast, Poets Dinner  - Albion Park RSL Memorial Club

M o n d a y 11th June 2001
- Poets Breakfast, Band Mix-Up Concert, Final Concert featuring all Festival performers, Final session - Albion Park RSL Memorial Club

PERFORMERS - more details on performers

There are a wide range of folk performers from all over Australia, from traditional dance musicians, bush poets and bands to contemporary songwriters and performers. There is a large emphasis on providing a broad age group of performers from the community with youth poets, singers, musicians to seniors choirs. The performers will feature in over 30 concerts, theme and historical presentations, traditional instrument workshops such as didgeridoo, concertina, penny whistle, concertina, button accordion.

MUSIC SESSIONS

Sessions are an integral social part of folk festivals and this year there has been a conscious effort to provide venues for these acoustic sessions all weekend. So bring your instrument and singing voice.

THE VENUES

The Festival will be primarily held at the Albion Park Centenary Hall utilising the main dance hall for major concerts, dances and dance workshops; the upstairs of the hall as a bar, session and concert area. The Albion Park RSL Memorial Club also has events on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.

The two events on Saturday evening will be held at the Wollongong Town Hall utlising the main hall and the Community Hall in the same building (93 Crown Street, Wollongong).

MAP - Illawarra Region

Jacko Kevans

Folklore collector - Rob & Olya WIllis

Jane Brownlee

Bob Rummery (WA)

Wongawilli Band - main stalwarts behind the Festival

Margaret Bradford showing the psaltery

Us Not Them in fine voice in the Dug-Out

Mayflower Choir

Festival Director - Dave De Santi & Sam