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7th Australian Folk Music and Dance Gathering
at Albion Park, New South Wales, Australia
Wed 5th - Mon 10th June 2002 (long weekend)

A celebration of Australian folk music, song, dance, poetry and storytelling featuring over 50 performers in 30 events.

2002 Preliminary Programme (Acrobat PDF format)

Presented by Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc. Major supporters Illawarra Folk Club Inc, Albion Park RSL Memorial Club, Shellarbour Council.

SAVE $5 with Advance Season Tickets only $30 till 31 May 2002.STUDENTS SAVE $10 with Advance Season Tickets for $25 by 31 May 2002

Other Ticket Prices
Available by calling Bev on (02) 4236 0701
fax (02) 4236 0901 Card facilities available

INTRODUCTION - FURTHER DETAILS

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS - Close 15 February 2002

TICKETS 

PROGRAM FEATURES - PERFORMERS - MUSIC SESSIONS

THE VENUES

ACCOMMODATION - HOW TO GET THERE - MAPS

PICTURES FROM PAST FESTIVALS

INFORMATION FOR VISITORS TO SHELLHARBOUR CITY

2001 Australian Folk Music and Dance Gathering

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PICTURES FROM PREVIOUS FESTIVALS (thanks to Bob Bolton) -
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Variety Australian Style with the Willi Chicks in red wigs
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Young a cappella group
- Simple Edition
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Kiama Probus Choir
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11 year accordion squeezing twins - Teena & Teesha Downton
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Bob McDonald and miniature harmonica
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Dance band in action
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Masked Ball
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Doonoch Dancers
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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 5 - 10 2002.

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 6 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 located solely in Albion Park except for the first event which will be opening Bush Dance at Wongawilli Community Hall.

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 on Friday evening, workshops, sessions, instrument & dance workshops, themed concerts and a formal masked ball.

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.

FURTHER DETAILS:

Festival Enquiries to Bev Murray 02 4236 0701, fax 02 4236 0901,
email: gbgjmurray@bigpond.com
WEB PAGE: www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au


PERFORMER APPLICATIONS:

Performers that meet the aims and criteria for the Festival can apply to perform. The Festival's philosophy is of one of equal remuneration.

Performer application - closed 15 February 2002


TICKETS:

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 2002.

STUDENT ADVANCE SEASON TICKET ($25) only available till 31 May 2002.
AGED PENSIONER TICKET (on presentation of card) $3 to any event.

Children (U16) free if accompanied by paying adult.

- SEASON TICKETS (from 1/6/2002) $35
- Advance SEASON TICKET $30 (entry to all events) SAVE $5 if purchased by 31/5/2002
- STUDENT PRICE for Advance Season Ticket (purchased by 31/5/2002) $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

SPECIAL EVENT TICKET
Thursday 6th June - International Beer and Culture Dinner Concert, HAC Centre. A range of beers, food and songs from the recent settlers to Australia. Tickets are limited and are $30 with a Festival Ticket or $35 otherwise and includes all beer, food and entertainment. Bookings phone Bev 02 4236 0701.

TICKETS   FROM
- Albion Park Post Office
- 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

2002 Preliminary Programme (Acrobat PDF format)

For a flavour of the event see the 2001 FULL PROGRAMME

Short version of 2002 programme -

Wednesday evening, 5th June 2002
Opening Bush Dance, Wongawilli Hall

Thursday evening, 6th June 2002
Beer and Culture Extravaganza, HAC Centre
A unique evening of drink, food and music presenting different beers and food from some of the various cultures that have settled in Australia. Accompanying each beer and food focus will be music and songs about the experiences of these settlers in Australia. Tickets are strictly limited and are $30 for persons with a Festival Season Ticket or $35 otherwise. Ticket includes all food and drink.

Friday   evening  7th June 2002
- Opening Concert featuring over 20 acts in a fast moving smorgasbord of talent in the Albion Park Centenary Hall. Session upstairs in the Hall.

Saturday 8th June 2002
- Dances, workshops, theme concerts - Albion Park Centenary Hall
- Concerts - HAC Centre
- Brumby's Tavern concerts and cabaret - HAC Centre from 5.30pm
- Poets Breakfast, 8am - Centenary Hall
- Lunch with Henry Lawson Concert
- Happy Hour with Wongawilli

Sunday 9th June 2002
- A formal Masked Ball, Poets Dinner, Shirley Andrews Memorial Old Time Dance, sessions, instrument, dance, dance callers
workshop - Albion Park Centenary Hall

- Concerts - HAC Centre
- Brumby's Tavern concerts and cabaret - HAC Centre from 5.30pm
- Poets Breakfast, 8am - Centenary Hall
- Lunch with Banjo Paterson Concert

M o n d a y 10th June 2002
- Poets Breakfast, Band Mix-Up Concert, Final Concert featuring all Festival performers, Final session - Albion Park RSL Memorial Club


PERFORMERS - more details on 2001 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 dances and dance workshops; the upstairs of the hall as a bar, session and concert area. The HAC Centre situated behind Centenary Hall will host concerts and the Brumby's Tavern cabarets each evening. The Albion Park RSL Memorial Club also has events on Saturday, Sunday and Monday.


ACCOMMODATION

Camping will be available on the Albion Park Showground behind the Centenary Hall. Cost is $10 per person for the whole Festival. Camping can commence from Wednesday 5th June.There are also limited power sites.

There is a wide range of accommodation in the Illawarra from Wollongong down to the picturesque seaside towns of Shellharbour and Kiama ranging from hotels, motels, caravan parks, and bed & breakfasts all within 20 minutes of the Festival venues.

SHELLHARBOUR (ALBION PARK AREA) - Information for Visitors
phone Tourism Shellharbour
02 4221 6169

WOLLONGONG and ILLAWARRA AREA
Call Tourism Wollongong phone
1800 240 737

KIAMA AREA
Call the Kiama Visitors Centre on
1300 654 262, Kiama Holiday Caravan Parks


HOW TO GET THERE - Maps - Illawarra - Albion Park - Wongawilli

Albion Park is about 100km south of Sydney in the city of Shellharbour and 20km south of Wollongong.

Check the Shellharbour City Council web-page for details on train services to Albion Park Rail (about 3km east of Albion Park).

MAP - Illawarra Region

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MAPS - Albion Park

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MAP - Wongawilli

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About the Shellharbour Area

The Shellharbour City area is the heart of the Illawarra holiday playground, nestled on the New South Wales south coast between the bustling city of Wollongong to the north and picturesque Kiama in the south. The City offers clean beaches, rural tranquillity, great night life, modern shopping, and a vast array of recreational facilities.

Shellharbour City covers a number of townships and suburbs, including Albion Park, Albion Park Rail, Oak Flats, Warilla, Barrack Heights, Barrack Point, Dunmore, Lake Illawarra, Blackbutt, Flinders, Mount Warrigal, Yellow Rock, Shell Cove, Shellharbour Village and Calderwood.

The City is located about 100 kilometres south of Sydney, just at the end of the F6 Freeway, or by taking the scenic coastal route via Tourist Drive 10. There are railway stations at Albion Park Rail, Oak Flats and Dunmore, and the trip from Sydney takes in some of the best scenic coastline in Australia. Coaches travel daily around the area connecting with Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

Activities available in Shellharbour City include golf at two major courses, sailing on Lake Illawarra, fishing, surfing, snorkelling at Bass Point, lawn bowls (both indoor and outdoor), and bushwalking.

More pictures from past Australian Folk Festivals

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Jacko Kevans
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Folklore collector - Rob & Olya WIllis
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Jane Brownlee
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Bob Rummery (WA)
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Wongawilli Band - main stalwarts behind the Festival
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Margaret Bradford showing the psaltery
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Us Not Them in fine voice in the Dug-Out
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Mayflower Choir
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Festival Director - Dave De Santi & Sam, 1997

Home Page - Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club - Bush Music - Wongawilli Style |
Last revised: May 21, 2002 by David De Santi

ph. 02 4275 1749 w., 02 4257 1788 h., fax 02 4257 1787

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