Yackandandah Folk Festival

The first Yackandandah Folk Festival was held in March 1998 and was a one day event. Since then the Festival has been run over three days including many different events and activities for all ages and attracting artists of national and international standing.

The Festival is organised by a dedicated team of Yackandandah residents who felt the need to conduct an activity within the township that would give an outlet to the many creative people living in the town as well as attract artists that would not normally come to a town the size of Yackandandah.

The Festival has grown over the years and now enjoys broad based support from the community with groups as diverse as the Kindergarten to the Fire Brigade offering assistance in conducting the event.

The Fleurieu Folk Festival

The Fleurieu Folk Festival is Fantastic Family Fun! Set in the beautiful historic town of Willunga on South Australia's Fleurieu Peninsula, the festival presents a weekend of music concerts and sessions, dance, workshops, bush poets, children’s entertainment, stalls, in fact there’s something there for the whole family!

Bring an instrument and join in the sessions or step on stage at a blackboard concert – kick up your heels at the Bush Dance – browse around the craft stalls & the Saturday Farmers’ Market – watch the kids have fun with face painting, maypole dancing, clowns, Punch & Judy and the Young Talent Showcase – discover your own talent at one of the many workshops - or just relax and enjoy the vast array of local, Interstate & Overseas performers.

The Wintermoon Festival

The Wintermoon Festival began in 1996 as a tiny local event with locals as entertainers and audience.
Word has spread about the beautiful location, and family-friendly atmosphere.Entertainers, visitors and volunteers have been journeying from all over the country to entertain and participate.
We're pleased to say that although our festival has grown quite large, it still seems a "small, cosy festival" at heart because we're always surrounded by friendly, helpful people, and families are a big part of our festival, so the kids are always well catered for.

The Turning Wave Festival

The Turning Wave Festival is an outstanding celebration of Irish & Australian music and the related arts held over five days of stunning events and performances, catering for music & arts enthusiasts, families who wish to enjoy a safe festival, and those who just come to soak up the atmosphere and the friendliness. The Festival is organised and presented by the Turning Wave Festival Committee under the auspices of the Gundagai Regional Enhancement Group Inc and is realised with the assistance and hospitality of the residents, businesses and Shire of Gundagai and, a brilliant team of volunteers.

Idyllic Setting
Situated on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River, iconic Gundagai, with its wide main street and character buildings, and its unique culture and history provides the perfect stage for the Turning Wave Festival.

Irish Connections
The Irish have been part of the fabric of Gundagai from the days of early settlement. From Irish famine orphan girls, to the Sisters of Mercy from Dublin to the infamous Irish bushranger, Captain Moonlight Irish connections abound.

Diverse Program
The Turning Wave Festival showcases some of the country's most celebrated musicians, bands singer/songwriters, poets, storytellers, raconteurs and dance troupes, in an exciting and diverse program that includes concerts, dance, workshops, spoken word, theatre, street theatre, exhibitions and events appropriate to the festival ethos and its current theme. While the Festival begins on Wednesday with master classes and special events, the main program starts at 5pm Friday and runs through till 5pm Sunday.

Festival of Innovation
Each year the festival undertakes to add new and innovative events to complement and extend the existing program, and to seek new ways to explore traditional and contemporary Irish & Australian music and the arts .

Festival of Participation
With community ensembles, individual blackboard events, a Festival Folk Club, a Singers' Club, and numerous sessions around the town there's plenty of opportunity to get involved or find a stage to share your music.

Blue Mountains Music Festival.

The first Blue Mountains Folk Festival was conceived in March 1995, with a challenge from American folk legend Tom Paxton to ‘ just do it’. Paxton was on one of his very rare Australian tours and local Blue Mountains guitarist Al Ward was travelling with him as sideman and support act. During the tour they had played the Port Fairy and Jamberoo festivals amongst others and had sung the praises of those events to the Clarendon’s Bob Charter.

For some time Bob and Al Ward had had an informal arrangement for acoustic concerts which had replaced the more regular folk club run by Stuart Cowell, Nigel Foote and Dawn Egan. As part of this informal concert series, Tom Paxton was doing two nights at the Clarendon. Over a few drinks after the second show Bob, Al and Paxton were discussing the viability of a local folk festival, especially since the Blue Mountains had just been named ‘Inaugural City of the Arts’.
Paxton threw down the gauntlet, and in 1996 his good friend John McCutcheon became the first international artist to play at the festival.

The first festival was a modest affair with 24 concerts on three stages, and included Dave Swarbrick, The Bushwackers, The Backsliders, Broderick Smith, Bernard Bolan, Jeannie Lewis, Alistair Hulett, Al Ward, Pat Drummond, the Fagans and a host of other acts from Sydney and the Blue Mountains. The second year saw more high profile artists, including Andy Irvine, Eric Bogle, Judy Small, Kev Carmody, Irish sensations Lunasa, Riley Lee and The Well Oiled Sisters from Scotland. The festival expanded to cover five stages.

The Katoomba Public School and the Katoomba RSL have been partners in the festival from the beginning, providing venues, logistics and volunteers. The RSL has become a major sponsor, and houses the Blues stage.

The name change to ‘Blue Mountains Music Festival. Folk, Roots and Blues’ was made to more accurately reflect the musical profile of the festival. The difference between this and other folk festivals is that right from the outset it meant to provide performance opportunities for professional artists, who have been seriously affected by the decline in the number of live performance venues across Australia. It has presented acts as diverse as Eric Bibb, Bruce Cockburn, Kieran Kane and Kevin Welch, Rory McCleod, Chris Wilson, The Stiff Gins, Andy Irvine, Patty Larkin, Paul Brady, Tiddas, Mic Conway’s National Junk Band, Harry Manx, Seamus Begley, Andy M Stewart, Bert Jansch, Eric Bogle, Chris Smither, The Bluehouse, Jeff Lang, Dick Gaughan, Waterson Carthy, Guy Davis, Ember Swift, Colin Hay, Kristina Olsen, Fourplay, Fruit, Slava and Leonard Grigoryan, Altan and Felpeyu, just to name a few.
The event is now based around seventy or so concerts by world class acoustic practitioners, both seasoned campaigners and emerging talents.

With the financial support of all levels of government and corporate sponsors Guinness, the festival has acquired an enviable international reputation for the quality of programming and production, and there is fierce competition amongst the touring fraternity of musicians for inclusion. In 2003, Festivals Australia provided funding for a nostalgic return to the big band jazz age when Katoomba was the honeymoon capital of New South Wales. In 2004 the Blue Mountains City Council entered into a cultural partnership with the festival to present a ‘Blue’ Mountains of Music showcase featuring some of the best of the home grown high ground talent. The headline acts for 2005 include Janis Ian, Eric Bibb, The Whitlams, Mia Dyson, guitar wizard Tony McManus and separate Irish singing sensations Brian Kennedy and Sean Keane.

The Australian Blues Music Festival

The Australian Blues Music Festival is The National Festival of Australian Blues Music. It is held in a variety of venues throughout the historic Goulburn CBD on the second (full) weekend of February every year.

The Festival showcases the very best of emerging and established blues acts from around Australia and features workshops with the artists, a weekend-long open mic, Youth in Blues Jam, buskers vintage guitar and amp shop, markets, industry 'meet and greet' forum, the Australian Blues Music 'Chain' Awards and the traditional end of Festival highlight - the All-Star Pro-Jam.

It's a friendly little festival/industry event with intimate performance spaces and plenty of opportunities to have a chat with your favourite artists. No wonder the Australian Blues Music Festival in Goulburn, NSW is being talked about as "Australia's peak blues event" and "the top Australian blues venue".
The Festival enjoys a very high patron loyalty rate of dedicated blues music enthusiasts and like them, once you've discovered Goulburn you'll mark February in your diary to come back every year!

Be sure to reserve 12-15 February 2009 in your diaries now and don't forget to get in early to book your accommodation.

We Love Sounds Music Festival

We Love Sounds Music Festival
Who we are
Comprising Ben Korbel, Paddy Nash and Declan Lee, Sounds Group is one of Sydney's best promotional teams. The fastest growing events business in Australia, the Sounds crew is young and innovative, with a track record most events organisers take decades, if not centuries, to achieve. Backing up the boys is Glen Power, a dynamic PR team and a creative department that appears to know no artistic bounds.

What we do
When it comes to events, Sounds has become known for musical integrity, attention to detail, superlative organisational skills, innovative advertising and forward thinking marketing strategies. For example, Sounds was the first to bring James Zabiela and Jacques Lu Cont (Les Rhymes Digitales) out to Australia, showing not only an intuitive knowledge of what constitutes a good party, but displaying a gutsy dedication to pushing new music.

Our partners
One of Sounds' most prominent promotional bedfellows is top UK brand Renaissance, for which it has successfully promoted quarterly national tours, including the sell-out long weekend featuring James Zabiela. Sounds also enjoys a partnership with We Love Music, who put on Homelands in the UK and the weekly We Love Sundays at Space in Ibiza (voted best club night in the world - twice!). Together, Sounds and We Love.. promote the annual We Love… Sounds winter festival with dates across the country.

Past events
Sounds has so far promoted the following international artists: Public Enemy, Grandmaster Flash, Annie, Digitalism, Deep Dish, Dirty Vegas, Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Paul Van Dyk, Felix Da Housecat, Cash Money, The Presets, Cut Copy, Van She, Sneaky Sound System, Bliss N Eso, Infusion, Ewan Pearson, Damian Lazarus, The Youngsters, Tiefschwarz, Crazy Penis, Joey Negro, Nick Warren, Danny Howells, DJ Hyper, BLIM, Boogie Pimps, Sandy Rivera, Ali B, James Zabiela, Michael Mayer, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman, Dimitri From Paris, Kaskade, Clive Henry, Norman Jay, Wally Lopez, Tyler Stadius, Moonbootica, Way Out West, Moguai, Tayo, General Midi, Adam Freeland, Junkie XL, Mike Monday, Hipp-e, Dynamo Productions, Cut Le Roc, Deadly Avenger, Lee Coombs, Sonique, Masters At Work, Satoshi Tomiie, Armin Van Buuren and many more, with many more to come.

What they said
'in a world where club tour branding for branding sake is not a road we want to go down with 'We Love' , Sounds is one of a rare breed that we not only want to work with but feel are totally in tune with what really matters, the party !'Darren Hughes
'Sounds on Sunday, without a doubt one of my absolute favourite gigs of 2003, and one of THE finest crowds I've ever played to. Can't wait to come back.' Danny Howells

Adelaide International Guitar Festival

Adelaide International Guitar Festival
2008 DATES RELEASED! The 2008 Adelaide International Guitar Festival will run from Saturday 29 November to Sunday 7 December.

The inaugural Adelaide International Guitar Festival was a strumming success!
Over 70 artists entertained, amused and educated 30,000 guitar-lovers from across the globe. Finger-pickers & shredders, slide maestros and virtuosos from all genres offered a range of extraordinary experiences for concert-goers of all tastes. The atmosphere was lifted even further by the number of impromptu "performances" in the café and surrounds, after concerts when musicians strapped on their guitar and started playing for each other. The opportunity to freely mingle with some of the world's greats over a coffee or beer in the Wah-Bar was a highlight for many.

ARTISTS FEEDBACK
Our artists, without exception, have expressed their wish to come back in future years.
International Artist -In-Residence Jorma Kaukonen: "I have never been involved with such an impressive and well-organised event. The calibre of artists and behind-the-scenes staff has been a joy to be involved with."

Artist-In-Residence Jeff Lang: "It has been great being here for the duration of the event. Catching up with friends, and making new friends is what it's all about. The best part was playing with, and learning from, new people which only makes me a better player. It has been an inspiring and thoroughly professional event to be a part of".

Jazz great Martin Taylor: "I didn't want to miss it. I've played at many festivals and I can't believe the quality of artists you have assembled here. The professional management of this (event) puts many others around the world to shame".

Guinness Book Of Records: Biggest Guitar Band Attempt
We didn't quite break the world record but a record 1,350 Australians took part in our Biggest Guitar Band attempt, with many hundreds watching on. Around 2,000 people enjoyed the night and the audience had a go at doing Smoke On The Water by themselves too - and it didn't sound too bad! We're not giving up just yet - we'll have another crack at it in 2008. Check out the photo's here.

2008 FESTIVAL
Planning for the 2008 festival is well under way and promises to be even bigger and better. Stay tuned for new dates to be released soon.
The Adelaide International Guitar Festival is presented and produced by Adelaide Festival Centre with proud support from the South Australian Government and the South Australian Tourism Commission, the Adelaide International Guitar Festival is an important new music festival that will sit firmly in music-lovers calendars as an annual event not to be missed.

Caloundra Music Festival

WHAT IS IT?The second annual Caloundra Music Festival will be held over the weekend of 17 - 19 October. This not for profit family-friendly community event celebrates the environment, cultural achievements and community pride of the Caloundra area. The beautiful Kings Beach and surrounds will come alive to the sounds of a diverse line-up of entertainment featuring the best of the Australian music industry as well as famous international artists. A colourful street parade, roving performers, beach-side carnival, buskers, free children's entertainment and a stroll in 'The Village' complete the experience.

FESTIVAL MISSION
This festival represents the Sunshine Coast Regional Council’s ongoing commitment to cultural diversity and community celebration. The Caloundra Music Festival aims to:

• celebrate the environment in which we live
• recognise a diverse range of musical styles
• provide new cultural and musical experiences
• provide inclusive opportunities to encourage community well-being
• foster and encourage local performers and emerging talents
• encourage new visitation and extended stays
  

IT'S NOT JUST MUSIC! Caloundra Music Festival is certainly about music - but it’s also about celebrating our lifestyle and our environment. There is a range of other free activities planned during the three day festival, including…
Beach-side carnival
The Village
Workshops and interactive sessions
Street parade
Bulcock Street markets on the Sunday
Buskers
Roving Street performers
Kite surfing displays


VENUE
Kings Beach Park features a specialised amphitheatre in grassy parklands against an ocean backdrop. This is the main ticketed venue for the festival. The Kings Beach precinct boasts first class amenities including a swimming pool, water fountains, children’s parks and picnic areas, a stunning coastal walk and a spectacular surf beach with views to Moreton Island.

STAGES
Main Stage: Kings Beach Park Amphitheatre, with it's beautiful ocean backdrop is where you will capture all the big names throughout the weekend.
Break Stage: The Break Stage will surprise and amaze, as you discover the skills and talents of up and coming artists.

The Village Stage: Located in Lions Park adjacent to Kings Beach, this stage is free to the public and runs all day Saturday and Sunday. Find a shady spot under a tree, relax and enjoy the diverse range of entertainment.
Kings Beach Tavern: Looking over the park, during the day it is the perfect location to enjoy a drink and a meal. Stay on into the evening as great live bands ensure the festivities kick on until late.
Various local pubs, clubs and cafes will also be alive with performances and entertainment throughout the weekend.

ACCOMMODATION
To arrange accommodation for the Caloundra Music Festival, please visit the Caloundra Tourism website or phone Caloundra's Visitor Information Centres' FREE booking service toll free on 1800 644 969 or 07 5420 6240 or via email tourist.info@caloundra.qld.gov.au.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Dates and Festival HoursWristbands, ID and EntryFestival ProgramParkingShuttle BusFood and DrinkPhone coverage and ATMsWhat to bring/What not to bringMerchandiseFirst aid and securityLost PropertyBringing kids?Videos, cameras, recording devicesAccess for people with a disability
Dates and Festival HoursFriday 17 October 5.00pm – 10.00pmSaturday 18 October 12.00am – 10.00pmSunday 19 October 12.00am – 7.00pmPlus performances at Kings Beach Tavern late into the night.
Main stage gates open:Friday 4.30pmSaturday 11.30amSunday 11.30am
Wristbands, ID and EntryOn entry to the festival, your ticket will be exchanged for a wristband. You must wear this wristband throughout the festival as it will act as your pass out. Please not the wristband is non-transferable, non-refundable and not replaceable - it becomes invalid if tampered or broken.If you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol you will be refused entry.We have the right to refuse entry where we see fit.While the festival is open to all ages, you need to be 18+ and hold a valid, current photo ID (a passport, license or proof of age card) to buy alcoholic drinks within the designated bar area.
Festival ProgramThe full program of artist performance times will be released two weeks before the festival.A Festival Program booklet will be available for purchase at the festival.
ParkingThere is no parking at Kings Beach. Catching public transport or walking from your accommodation is recommended if possible. If you are driving, please park your car at the bus interchange in Caloundra (Cooma Terrace) and catch the shuttle bus to the venue.
Shuttle BusThe shuttle bus service will run throughout the festival from the bus interchange in Caloundra (Cooma Terrace). It is a gold coin donation and will drop you right at the gate of the festival. There is plenty of parking in and around the bus interchange.
Food and DrinkThe festival has a wide range of food and drink on offer from vendors, as well as the many restaurants and cafes around town. Festival-goers may bring in food and any type of non-alcoholic drink.Any food or drink must be in paper or plastic containers - no glass is permitted. Please note no eskys are permitted.
Phone coverage and ATMsThere are no ATMs within the ticketed venues, so please ensure you have money on you to purchase refreshments, food, merchandise etc. There are a number of ATMs and shops with EFTPOS facilities located around Caloundra.There is moblie phone coverage in Caloundra and payphones are available.
What to bring…
Sun protection!! Hat, shirt, sunscreen and lots of water!
Wet-weather gear – the festival goes ahead rain, hail or shine!
Money and your tickets
ID - you must present your ID on entry to the festival to validate age for the purpose of concessions and entry to bar.
Medication – there will be St John’s services for emergencies, but bring any medications/treatments you might require if you suffer from a serious illness or condition, such as epilepsy or asthma. Remember to include your contact details on any medication.
Chairs – but make sure you keep them to the back of the park. The area in front of the stage will be a chair free zone.
Your kids! The Caloundra Music Festival provides a very family-friendly atmosphere and there is something for all ages, so bring them along!
What not to bring…
Your pets (other than guide dogs)
Umbrellas
An esky
Alcohol or drugs
Skateboards, rollerblades, frisbees.
Weapons (including pocket knives), fireworks and anything else flammable, dangerous or dubious.
MerchandiseThere will be a merchandise tent located within Kings Beach Park amphitheatre selling all your favourite artists' CDs and merchandise. Caloundra Music Festival merchandise will also be available - be sure to check it out!
First aid and securityBig crowds are no place to be if you’re under the influence of mind-altering substances of any kind, including alcohol. Please ask festival staff or a St John’s Ambulance officer for help.Forget about trying to sneak into the ticketed venues – the fencing is patrolled by security guards at all times.No stage diving, crowd surfing or moshing. Moshers risk being ejected from the venue and refused further entry.In the unlikely situation that an area of the festival may be required to be evacuated or cleared, it is imperative that you follow all instructions from emergency services, police, the fire brigade and/or security.
Lost PropertyLost property that is handed in during the festival will be taken to the Festival headquarters located adjacent to Kings Beach amphitheatre. After the weekend contact us at communityevents@sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au or call 07 5420 8722, and if we have it, we’ll return it to you.
Bringing kids?Children under 13 receive free entry into the festival if accompanied by a fee paying parent or guardian – if you look like you might be older than 12, you’ll need to bring ID (a passport, birth certificate) to prove your age. The Caloundra Music Festival is an all-ages event – if you are 12 or under you must be accompanied by a legal guardian (ie. a parent or someone who your parents have given permission to be responsible for you)
Videos, cameras, recording devicesStandard, non-professional cameras are fine to bring to the festival. Video cameras, audio recorders, tripods and professional cameras are not – if you bring these in, you risk them being confiscated. Professional photographers, including media, must contact the office for accreditation prior to the festival.
Access for people with a disabilityWe encourage people with special needs to get in touch with us prior to the event so we can provide any information required.

Deni Ute Muster

The Festival is held this year on Friday 3 & Saturday 4 October 2008, in Deniliquin, Southern Riverina, NSW.2 days of non stop top class entertainment including Friday and Saturday night concerts headlining: The Living End, Kasey Chambers, Lee Kernaghan. Along with James Reyne/Mark Seymour, The Songbirds (Beccy Cole, Sara Storer, Gina Jeffreys), Steve Forde, The Sunny Cowgirls, Morgan Evans & Paul Greene.Over 30 hours of non stop entertainment including Bull Ride Spectacular, Showtime FMX Yamaha Stunt Team, Bundy Bar, Holden Grunt Off, Lightforce Australian National Circlework Competition, Family Entertainment and loads more.Tickets can be purchased online www.deniutemuster.com.au or call 03 5881 3388. Buy now and SAVE.Ticket includes camping and ammenities.
2008 will showcase the Cream of OZ Music with a smorgasbord of Australia's contemporary, rock and country music royalty performing live each night on the Main Stage.
The 10th Birthday is going to rock the Deniliquin Plains with headline acts confirmed being:
The Living End Kasey Chambers Lee Kernaghan
along with:
James Reyne & Mark Seymour
The Songbirds (Beccy Cole, Gina Jeffreys & Sara Storer)
Steve Forde
The Sunny Cowgirls
Morgan Evans
Paul Greene and more!
Also expect to be entertained with the Day Stage (Waterhole Bar) featuring talented up and coming artists performing throughout each day - 12 hours of non stop live day music over the 2 days.

On October 2, 1999, Deniliquin wrote itself into history claiming the Guinness Book of Records title for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the world.
In March 1999, a small group of community minded people led by Council's then Tourism Manager, got together with the aim to start a rural themed festival to bring visitors to Deniliquin, our beautiful vibrant town on the edge of the outback.
Many suggestions were raised and discussions centered on the shape and genre of the new festival, what was unanimously agreed though, was that it must showcase our pride of our unique Deniliquin way of life.

Hence the Deni - Play on the Plains Festival was conceived, a festival to be held on the flattest, natural, open plains on earth, ute culture an intrinsic part of Deniliquin, would play a major part of the festival and hence the Deni World Record Ute Muster burst into the national psyche.
An amazing 2839 drivers took part, clearly establishing Deniliquin as the ute capital of the world and wrote itself into history claiming the Guinness Book of Records title for the largest parade of legally registered utes in the World.

A new world record bid has been held as part of the annual Play on the Plains Festival each September/October NSW Labour Day Long weekend since then, bringing more and more utes and visitors to our town every year. 2007 Current record stands at 6,235 utes

Our Festival is a non for profit community event, run by 5 staff, a committee of volunteers and a huge support for our local businesses, organisations, sponsors and volunteers.