Dates For Your Diary Folk News Folk Federation of Inc Dance News Issue 403 CD Reviews FEBRUARY 2009 $3

Ron Edwards Tribute Concert At The Folk Festival 2009

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The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 1 Advertising Rates Size mm Members Non-mem FEBRUARY 2009 Full page 180x250 $80 $120 Folk Federation of New South Wales Inc In this issue Post Office Box A182 1/2 page 180x125 $40 $70 Dates for your diary p4 Sydney South NSW 1235 1/4 page 90x60 $25 $50 ISSN 0818 7339 ABN9411575922 Festivals, workshops, schools p6 jam.org.au 1/8 page 45 x 30 $15 $35 Folk news p6 Cornstalk Editor - Coral Vorbach Back cover 180x250 $100 $150 Dance news p7 Post Office Box 5195. Cobargo NSW 2550 2 + issues per mth $90 $130 Tel/Fax: 02 6493 6758 Folk contacts p10 Advertising artwork required by 5th of each month. Email: [email protected] Advertisements can be produced by Cornstalk if re- CD Reviews 14 Cornstalk is the official publication of the Folk quired. Please contact the editor for enquiries about Federation of NSW. Contributions, news, reviews, advertising Tel: 6493 6758 Deadline for March 2009 ssue - 5th February adverts,8th February for copy poems, photographs most welcome. Inserts for Cornstalk Photographs and Artwork [email protected] (PLEASE NOTE early deadline) Photographs - high resolution JPG or TIFF files. Insert Rates: 300 dpi images cropped at correct size. Single-sheet DL size or A5. Members $70 Non- Front cover photo We use Adobe In-Design, Photoshop 6, Microsoft Word. Members $130 The Ron Edwards Tribute at PLEASE do not send photographs as part of a Word A4, folded to DL size or A5. Members $90 Non- Illawarra Folk Festival 2009. Document . Members $160 courtesy Wayne Richmond No part of Cornstalk may be reproduced without permis- A4 should be folded. The num of inserts per issue is sion of the publishers. All care but no responsibility taken limited. Contact Dallas and Jim Baxter, 9810 4131. for omissions or errors. Offers of help for the wrap are appreciated. Wrap Co-ordinator James Baxter 02 9810 4131 All cheques for advertisements and inserts to be - [email protected] made payable to the Folk Federation of NSW Inc COMMITTEE 2008 If your important item misses Cornstalk, President, Anthony Woolcott Email: [email protected] other options are: FFNSW Folkmail Vice President: Kate Delaney (members’ email list), contact Julie Bishop Secretary: Pam Davis 02 9955 3677 02 9524 0247, [email protected] OR Email: [email protected] Treasurer: Bruce Cameron 02 6331 1129 jam.org.au, the Folk Fed website where Email: [email protected] members can post articles etc. Committee: Dallas Baxter, James Baxter, Terry Clinton, Mary-Jane Field, Wayne Richmond, Peter Miller Robinson Membership Secretary Wayne Richmond Listserv/ Coolfinn Mac at Illawarra Folk Festival Jam/Membership 9939 8802 (not after 8.00pm please.)

2 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 3 dates for your diary february 2009 Thursday 12th in multiple tunings, Irish bouzouki and Metropolitan Sutherland Acoustic. loops. Has recently played at the Basement Marcus Sturrock (WA) has played with and the 2009 Illawarra Folk Festival. Monday 2nd + 90 minute variety act. Richmond members of Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Phil Neighbourhood Community Centre, West Pennant Hills Dance Workshop Collins; alongside Tony McManus, Jeff ‘Couple Dance Sequences’, leaders Market St, Richmond. 7.30-10.45pm. $10, Richard Shaw, David Crawford. Lang, Lucky Oceans, Bruce Mathiske, Phil incl. supper. Dez 4578 5215 Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. 7.30- Manning, Nick Charles, Peter Grayling; 9.30pm. $7. with members from the John Farnham ►Ifju Szivek, Slovak State Felicity 9456 2860, 0434 437 522 band, the Bee Gees, and alongside John Hungarian Dance Ensemble. You Friday 6th Butler, Wendy Matthews, Grace Knight Think YOU Can Dance? Kids’show, 3.30pm. Dance For Strings, Percussion Beer and Cheese Night. ‘A Night and Vince Jones. Sutherland District Trade and Piano, 8pm. Seymour Centre with Banjo Paterson and Henry Lawson.’ Union Club (Tradies), Kingsway, Gymea Sydney. Tickets 9351 7940, With the new, expanded edition of Chris (short walk from station). 7.30pm. Floor www.seymour.usyd.edu.au Kempster’s classic The Songs of Henry spots welcome. $10. Maeve 9520 5628 Lawson circulating, we should stir the pot Friday 13th Monday 23rd by pitting some of Banjo’s verses against Pennant Hills Dance Workshop. Dance For Strings, Henry’s. Prepare to take sides! Bring Ifju Szivek. ‘Special Selection’, leader Felicity Percussion and Piano, 8pm. food, drink, etc. Bush Music Club, Hut Hattingh. Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. Performing Arts Centre. Tickets 4226 44, Addison Rd Community Centre, 142 7.30-9.30pm. $7. Felicity 9456 2860, 0434 3699, www.merrigong.com.au Addison Rd, Marrickville. 8-10pm. $5, $4. 437 522 Saturday 14th 9569 7244, [email protected] Saturday 28th Central Coast Bush Dance with Saturday 7th Ryebuck, caller Margaret Bolliger. All Loaded Dog. Beecroft Bush Dance with dances taught. East Gosford Progress Hall, Fred Smith - back Sydney Coves, caller Steve Wells St and Henry Parry Drive. 7.30- in Australia to Lockwood. All dances taught. Beecroft 11.30pm. $15, $12, 12-18 $8, under 12 $5. launch his latest Community Centre, Beecroft Rd. 8pm- Barry or Janice 4388 2253, release ‘Texas’ 12. $17, $14, $12. Helen 9626 7816, Mark 4342 5333 after three years www.bushmusic.org.au on the North Monday 16th American circuit. Monday 9th Pennant Hills Dance Workshop. ‘Texas’ captures Pennant Hills Dance Workshop. ‘Couple Dance Sequences’, leaders the zeitgeist of an ‘Couple Dance Sequences’, leaders Richard Shaw, David Crawford. America divided Richard Shaw, David Crawford. Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. Community Centre, Yarrara Rd. 7.30- in the second term 7.30-9.30pm. $7. Felicity 9456 2860, of the Bush administration. It touches 9.30pm. $7. Felicity 9456 2860, 0434 437 0434 437 522 on subjects from Barack to Iraq with 522 Saturday 21st the insight, balance and irony that ►Balmain Bush Dance with have made him one of Australia’s most Currawong, caller Don Richmond. All respected singer songwriters. Many Marcus Sturruck (WA) dances taught. Rozelle Campus, Sydney songs are funny, but others deal more College, 25 Terry St. 8pm-12. $17, $14, seriously with the dark sides of modern $12. Don 9642 7950, www.bushmusic. America. + Choir on a Wire - part org.au choir, part joyous singalong in homage to the great songwriter Leonard Cohen ►Macquarie Towns Music Club. Marcus Sturrock (WA). Marcus has played who will be gracing our shores shortly. alongside and with many notables, incl. Lyric sheets are provided! Upstairs, Tony McManus, Jeff Lang, Lucky Oceans, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, Bruce Mathiske, Phil Manning, Nick 79 Johnston St. 8pm. $14, $12, BYO, Charles, Peter Grayling, John Farnham supper available. Sandra (02) 9358 band members, Bee Gees. Skill and 4886, www.theloadeddog.org.au passion, heartfelt tunes and songs from Celtic to Funk, Middle Eastern and more. “Not merely an adept guitarist, he has the happy ability to play music rather than just notes and infect the audience with his own joy.” Doug Spencer (The Planet, ABC Radio National). + Fergusson, a new face on the acoustic/folk scene, with original songs and tunes incorporating guitars 4 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 february 2009 Regional and ACT The Folkus Room has moved Saturday 7th to the Italo-Australian Club, 78 Franklin Street, Forrest, ACT. Newcastle Folk Club. The Italo-Australian Club has good facilities includes two restaurants, four Possible Alan Musgrove and his Watsaname performance spaces comfortably seating between 100 and 400 patrons, full bookings Band. Plus Amanda Broberg, with bluesy facilities combined with a vibrant and supportive community which appreciates live guitar. Wesley Fellowship Hall, Hamilton. music of all styles and genres. 7.30pm. www.newcastlehuntervalleyfolkc lub.org.au/ Jez Lowe and Kate Bramley Touring Thursday 12th & Friday 13th Australia and New Zealand Folkus Room ACT. The Beez. 6262 7265, www.thefolkus.org.au Friday 13 February Merry Muse Johnny Huckle and the Bond Traps One year ago the Prime Minister said ‘Sorry’. We will honour the first anniver- sary with award winning Indigenous singer Johnny Huckle. John has been performing around the country for over thirty years and is more than a singer and musician, he is an entertainer with an infectious ability to engage his audience to the max. The Bond Traps draw their inspiration drawn from the Australian bush and their farm life near Braidwood. They perform an eclectic mix of original songs including Jez Lowe is touring in Australia and New DVD included in the Northern Echoes bush ballads, country and Australian folk. Zealand for the next couple of months, package. It includes clips from the various www.merrymuse.org.au taking in club gigs and festivals across concerts with Jez, Kate and the two other Saturday 14th New Zealand and Australia. Bad Pennies - Northumbrian pipe-player, ►Folkus Room ACT. Kate Bramley will be “special guest” on Andy May and bass guitarist, David de With Love from Africa with Valanga the tour, so audiences can expect songs La Haye - and also the two guest artists Khoza. $20, $15. 6262 7265, www. from both Kate’s and Jez’s repertoire to be - Shona Mooney on fiddle and Benny thefolkus.org.au featured. Graham on vocals and melodian. Benny’s Jez is known as a writer of excellent songs wide repertoire and honied tones make Ifju Szivek, You Think YOU Can Dance? which are compassionate, whimsical, him a legend in the Newcastle folk scene. 3.30pm. Dance For Strings, Percussion & intensely lyrical reflections on life in the Archival footage enhances the emotive Piano, 8pm. Playhouse, Newcastle. Tickets North East of England. Though local in appeal of these additional songs - many 4929 1977, detail, they have universal appeal - and the traditional and some by other writers www.civicprecinctnewcastle.com.au melodies are irresistably singable. from the North East, including Tommy Sunday 15th Hopefully they’ll be performing material Armstrong, Alex Glasgow, Ed Pickford, from Northern Echoes: Live on the Mark Knopfler. CDs and songbooks are Folkus Room ACT. Tyne - the latest recording from Jez Lowe always available mail-order to anywhere Kane Welch Kaplin. $40, $35. 6262 7265, and the Bad Pennies. It was recorded in the world, often at bargain prices, via www.thefolkus.org.au live in Gateshead within earshot of the www.jezlow.com Wednesday 18th River Tyne. The songs were presented Tour Dates Folkus Room ACT. in a series of concerts titled A Song for 19th Feb. Illawarra Folk Club, Geordie (directed by Kate Bramley) Mary Coughlin; Kristina Olsen and more. 20th Feb. House Concert, Yatteyatah 02 which took back to audiences in Durham, 4474 2736 $35, $30. 6262 7265, Northumberland, Cumbria and North 21-22nd Feb. Cobargo Folk Festival www.thefolkus.org.au Yorkshire the songs Jez has been sharing 23rd Feb. - Harp, Tempe, Sydney 02 9559 Wednesday 25th around the world about the region. His 6300 Folkus Room ACT. own songs were performed alongside 24th Feb. - House Concert, Ryde, 02 9807 other songs from the wonderful on-going 9497 Cabaret Politico: a developing project. tradition of the North East of England. 25th Feb - House Concert, Nowra 02 4474 6262 7265, www.thefolkus.org.au Some of the songs on the new CD are fresh 2736 Thursday 26th versions of ones recorded on previous 26th Feb. - Folkus Room, Canberra ACT Folkus Room ACT. albums; some - like All Trawl, and The 0407 434 469 Jez Lowe & Kate Bramley (UK). $25, $20. Sun and the Moon and Me - were part Full tour available at: /www.newsouthfolk. 6262 7265, of a piece of theatre written by Kate com.au www.thefolkus.org.au Bramley. More gems are included on the The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 5 Festivals, Workshops, Schools Tourism Award for The 20th, 21st, 22nd February 2009 Pierre Bensusan - World’s Best Guitar player for the 14th Cobargo Folk Festival Enq. National The National Folk Festival National 2009r www.cobargofolkfestival.com was presented with a Canberra 02 6493 6758 0427 919 010 and Capital Region Tourism 6th - 9th March 2009 Award in the Festival and Port Fairy Festival Events category during a www.portfairyfolkfestival.com ceremony in the Great Hall at 12th - 22nd March 2009 Parliament House. Brunswick Music Festival “This award is a great www.brunswickmusicfestival.com reward for the hard work of our 13th - 15th March 2009 1400 volunteers, staff and Board Annual Blue Mountains Music Festival members who have grown the www.bmff.org.au [email protected] National Folk Festival since 14th - 16th March 2009 it found a permanent home in Yackandanda Folk Festival Canberra in 1993”, Jared Wilkins said http://folkfestival.yackandandah.com/ “The award also recognises the significant contribution the event now makes to the 9th - 13th April 2009 Capital region. The Festival is a boon to the local tourism industry with an influx of National Folk Festival ACT almost 30,000 people (60% of the total audience), providing a market for local hotels, www.folkfestival.asn.au food vendors and crafts people.” Neil Roach, President of the Festival Board, commented “We see this award as 2nd - 5th April 2009 confirmation of the importance of the Festival in sharing Canberra andAustralia with the Man From Snowy River Bush Festival world”. ANZ Poetry and Bush Music Competition. The 2009 Festival is well into its planning stages, with the national and international Closing Date 6th February 2009. Volunteers themes next year being South Australia and the Americas respectively. can buy half-price passes. Enq. Tel: 02 6076 “We are excited by the high level of interest shown by performers with 1992. website - www.bushfestival.com.au a record 789 applications“ says Jared Wilkins, Managing Director. 16th - 20th September 2009 Headline performers for Easter 2009 include the World’s Best Guitar player Pierre The Turning Wave Festival, Gundagai, Bensusan, Canada’s April Verch Band, and Ireland’s Colum Sands as well as Eric Bogle, Performer applications now available for Neil Murray, Ami Williamson and Mic Conway’s National Junk Band. 2009. www.turningwave.org.au The interest shown by national and international performers to be part of the 2009 23rd - 25th October 2009 National demonstrates the stature of our event. Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival The National Folk Festival by virtue of winning this award is now a finalist in the www.kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au 2009 QANTAS Australian Tourism Awards to be awarded in Melbourne on Friday 27 February 2009. Kangaroo Valley The Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival has new Festivals Funding dates this year – and Jane Richter has been Thirty-seven festivals around Australia will share in more than $497,000 under the latest joined by some keen new members on the round of Festivals Australia funding announced in November by Arts Minister, Peter organising committee, including Stuart and Garrett. “Community festivals are a great way to bring people together to celebrate local Sally Leslie. (Some people might remember community and culture,” Mr Garrett said. “This funding ... recognises the importance of them as part of the original Ryebuck Bush these events in encouraging creativity and in providing a boost to local economies, with Band line-up. These days they are two- many festivals drawing visitors from far and wide.” thirds of the Puddin’ Eaters, and Stuart also Recipients of the Federal Government’s grants include: NSW. Forbes Shire Council plays in the Watsaname Band and in No (Forbes Heritage Festival): $7,990. For a project to explore, feature and create an Such Thing.) The festival will be held from awareness of the area’s strong tradition of music, poetry, dance, song and folklore. It 23rd to 25th October, when there should will be a themed concert, performance and dance featuring traditional songs, music be beautiful spring weather. There will and unique dances, a local community choir, a folk band and sound excerpts from the be a great mix of performers, and lots of National Library collection. workshops and participation. The session bar South Australia. Frances Folk Gathering: $10,130. For Folkational Therapy, designed has a fabulous view! Performer applications to inspire the mind, body and spirit of participants through performances which will close 30th April 2009. enable singer and folklorist, Dave de Hugard, to share his body of work. Young Celtic www.kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au group, Celtaclysmic, will provide a musical feast for the body to be energised through dance and movement, while Martin Pearson, folk singer/satirist/stand-up comedian/ raconteur will raise the spirits through laughter as well as through prose and verse. Victoria. Apollo Bay Music Festival Inc: $25,000. For Voices and Songs of the Otways 2009 at the 17th annual Festival. A series of 10 weekend workshops led by qualified practitioners .in folk, country and roots genres, culminating in a performance at the festival.

6 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 folk news Miriam Makeba Hattie Carroll’s Killer Obituary (1932-2008) Dies Died after Bob Dylan’s song The Lonesome collapsing Death of Hattie Carroll tells of the onstage in Italy in night in February 1963 when William November, 2008. Zantzinger, son of wealthy tobacco farmers Makeba would in Maryland, drunkenly assaulted black be legendary for waitress Hattie Carroll at a society ball. In her music alone. top hat and tails, he repeatedly hit her with She was one of his Fred-Astaire-style cane, swearing at her South Africa’s with racist epithets. Hattie, 51, died hours Odetta Obituary great singers, full later; and he was charged with her murder. stop, beginning Three judges decided that Hattie Carroll (1930 - 2008) in the ‘50s, when had died from a stroke possibly brought on Odetta, the legendary folk singer, she accompanied by the stress of the attack, and sentenced complete with one of the most powerful the smooth male vocal group Manhattan him to six months for manslaughter. That voices in the industry, has died, aged 77. Brothers, before branching off into her own sentencing in Baltimore was on 28th The singer’s death is believed to be a vocal group, the Skylarks, and then solo. August 1963 – the same day that Martin result of heart disease, and she passed In 1959, she starred in a stage Luther King Junior was addressing a crowd away at Lenox Hill Hospital yesterday from the Lincoln Memorial in Washington version of King Kong with her after being admitted into the hospital with DC, just 40 miles away, with the words: ‘I future husband Hugh Masakela. kidney failure about three weeks ago. have a dream’. But a year later, she was exiled from Proving what a true fighter she was, As the civil rights movement got South Africa, disallowed from returning Odetta we determined not to let her failing underway, Zantzinger became notorious for her mother’s funeral, after she was health get the better of her and performed and widely loathed. (‘Hell,’ he said at the featured in the anti-apartheid film Come 60 concerts - each lasting around a hour trial, ‘you wouldn’t want to go to school Back, Africa; Makeba would not return and half - over the past two years, despite with Negroes any more than you would to South Africa until the early 1990s. being reliant on the use of a wheelchair. with French people.’) She leaves behind her a musical She thrived abroad, winning a Dylan insisted that ‘rich wealthy legacy which, beginning in the 1950’s, Grammy in 1965 for a collaborative parents ... provide and protect him, And has influenced the likes of Harry album with Harry Belafonte, appearing high office relations in the politics of Belafonte, Bob Dylan, Joan Baez and on The Cosby Show in 1991, and Maryland ...’. The trial was arranged to fit several other successful singers who starring in 1992’s Sarafina! She in with the tobacco harvest, and he served had roots in the folk music boom. also stirred further controversy by his time at a county jail, apparently to Perhaps most well-known for her 1956 marrying Stokely Carmichael, the album; “Odetta Sings Ballads and protect him from the mostly black inmates Black Panthers leader, in 1968 in state prisons. Blues,” which included such songs as After Nelson Mandela was let Muleskinner Blues and Jack O’ Diamonds; William Devereux Zantzinger, who out of prison and the South African and her 1957 “At the Gate of Horn,” died in January at 69, was the son of a real government moved away from apartheid, which featured the popular spiritual He’s estate developer and farmer, and grew up Makeba returned home. In 2004, she Got the Whole World in His Hands. in the family’s white-colonnaded mansion. She didn’t just confine herself to music was named one of the 100 greatest South His life after gaol was hardly affected by though, Odetta called on her fellow Africans, on a TV special broadcast his sentence. He was a member of a local blacks to “take pride in the history of the on SABC3. (Makeba was No. 38.) country club and gave generously to his American Negro” and was highly active in Her last appearance in Australia was church. the civil rights movement; singing at the at WOMADelaide in SA in 2008. In the 1990s he was convicted of March on Washington in August 1963. claiming rents from black tenants for She was nominated for best folk ramshackle homes, not connected to water recording at the 1963 Grammy awards Sad News or sewerage – buildings which had been for “Odetta Sings Folk Songs.” And “Davy Graham has passed away 15 confiscated from him in lieu of back taxes. two more nominations came in the December 2008, London. Despite a fine and a sentence of 18 months, more recent years; in 1999 for her He was truly a legend and his playing he spent only a few days in gaol. “Blues Everywhere I Go” and her inspired many many great British players.... But Dylan’s song turned him into a figure 2005 album “Gonna Let It Shine.” Some say he never reached his full of hate across the world. Dylan recorded In 1999, she was honored with a National potential as he was plagued with addiction it in 1964, sang it on television and at Medal of the Arts and the then-President and ill health during his life, but the early concerts, and was still performing it last Bill Clinton said her career showed; “us work he did was and still is among the most year. all that songs have the power to change brilliant of an era. Check out his album Source: Telegraph, London. www. the heart and change the world.” with Shirley Collins or his solo masterpiece telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/4224527 Her final big concert was at San Folk Blues & Beyond. He was “world” Francisco’s Golden State Park on music before the termwas even thought of. See also en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_ Ocotber 4 where she performed in front RIP Davy Graham. Lonesome_Death_of_Hattie_Carroll of tens of thousands of keen fans at the John McCauslan Hardly Strictly Bluegrass festival. The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 7 Di Khupe Heybners dance news One of the hot young acts at the recent Illawarra Folk Festival was Sydney group Di Gulgong Dancing Khupe Heybners, ‘the roof-raisers’, playing It was wonderful to have enough Klezmer and Eastern European folk music*. dancers at the Gulgong Folk Festival to warrant four dance workshops – five, if At the world dance party, they had all enough dancers were still there on the sorts dancing to their exciting music, from Saturday for Ros Young’s Bush Dancing. accomplished dancers to enthusiastic young Louise Murray taught some delightful improvisers. Welsh Dances, Julie Bishop taught Contras, The brainchild of Sarah Myerson and and, assisted by Louise, English Country Phillippa Murphy-Haste, students at Sydney Dance, and Sally Leslie (the original caller Conservatorium of Music, the band began with Ryebuck!) led an interesting Bush late in 2007. For a year or more, they had Dance workshop. The English dancing been wanting to form a band for their favourite music; and the impetus was a Jewish was lucky enough to have live music, with wedding in November 2007. From among 17 interested musicians, they selected Greek Malcolm Clapp, George Bolliger and Alex cellist friend Aristéa, and fiddler Adam (Polish), to join Pip on clarinet. ‘We needed a Bishop. chordal instrument,’ Sarah said, ‘so I played cimbalom. Then we had to learn enough Besides the usual Street Dance on tunes for the wedding!’ New Year’s Eve, there were public Bush When Aristéa left the group a month later, and the cimbalom broke irreparably, Dances in the Memorial Hall on the pianist Emily-Rose Šárkova (formerly Blanchard) joined – with her new piano accordion Thursday and Friday nights, with a large – and Sarah switched to bass clarinet. Fiddler Susie Bishop replaced Adam. New recruits scratch band, and a variety of dances have a short time to learn not only the instrumental music, but words of songs in Yiddish taught. Unfortunately many dancers had to and other languages! (All the band members sing.) leave, for various reasons, on the Saturday Meanwhile, the band was making its first CD, Songs of the Vulgar Boatwomen. morning, the final day of the festival. In September last year Susie resumed her operatic studies in England, and current fiddler There is a general feeling that Gulgong can Mirabai Peart stepped in. As is the way with youthful bands, members continue to be lost become a dance festival again – especially as the hall now has ceiling fans, and a new to overseas trips and study commitments: but there are always talented young musicians insulated ceiling. willing to join. Each one brings something new and exciting to the line-up. Speaking of the hall: a chat with Sarah is also a teacher of Yiddish dance. As the daughter of well-known Sydney lifelong Gulgong resident Nell English folkie and radio presenter Gerry Myerson, she grew up with folk music. So did James gave some of its history. Her father was on Johnson, who occasionally plays drums with them on stage – his parents are longtime the committee that organised its building, Bush Music Club members David Johnson and Anne Pidcock. and the opening in 1954. ‘Guess how many *From Wikipedia: Much of the traditional klezmer repertoire was written by people came?’ said Nell. There were 850! professional klezmer musicians in the style of their region or tradition, and a lot of co- ‘We got 13 pigs from local farmers, as territorial music such as non-Jewish folksongs, Ottoman music, Romanian music (mainly well as sheep. Goolma [west of Gulgong] Moldovan music), Ukrainian music, as well as the musics of other minorities living in brought cakes and slices, and we did the the same areas as Jews in Southeastern Europe such as Tatars and especially Romanies sandwiches. Men took the food around in (‘Gypsies’). big oval baskets, lined with sheets.’ The Council is encouraging community use Refugee Benefit Concert of the hall. The dancers were certainly glad The music of Eric ‘And the Band Played of it this year. Waltzing Matilda’ Bogle will be performed at a Refugee Benefit Concert in April, by a stellar line-up of musicians. The concert will TSDAV feature Eric Bogle and John Munro, with

Colcannon – as well as Chris While & Julie Competition From Carol Rowe: A reminder for all Matthews (UK), Martyn Wyndham-Read aspiring Dance Composers that the (UK), John Williamson, Judy Small, Graeme Traditional Social Dance Association Connors, Redgum’s John Schumann (‘I of Victoria will be judging their 2009 was only 19’). All artists are donating their competition during the National Folk performances. All proceeds go to Bridge Festival in Canberra. There are three For Asylum Seekers Foundation, providing categories - General Social Dances essential support to refugees living in Sydney. (including Children’s Dances), Dances John Schumann The concert is on Sunday 5th April at for More Experienced Dancers, and the 2pm, at the York Theatre, Seymour Centre unjudged section, Advanced Display/ (cnr City Rd and Cleveland St, Chippendale, opp. Sydney University). Tickets are Exhibition style dances. Closing date for $40; $240 keen supporter seats ($200 tax deductible); $540 big heart seats ($500 tax entries is 20th March, 2009. It is important deductible) – contact Kate Maclurcan (02) 9810 5826 that all entrants obtain a copy of the Rules ,buildingbridges@hotmailcom and Conditions of the competition from The Bridge For Asylum Seekers Foundation is supported by Uniting Care (NSW, ACT) Lucy Stockdale (03) 9380 4291, and Leichhardt Council. www.asylumseekersfoundation.com tsdav.asn.au

8 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 Norris Winstone (95), MBE Applause for One of the oldest Morris dancing enthusiasts in England has been appointed MBE in the New Year Honours list festival director for his services to folk culture. Norris Winstone started Morris ILLAWARRA Folk Club president Russell Hannah has dancing at school in 1928 and ever since always had quite a way with words, but I doubt he has ever has campaigned to spread folk music put anything more aptly than in his tribute to Illawarra Folk and dance. He taught himself to play the Festival director David De Santi in the festival program. melodeon, and has taught its techniques, To quote Big Russ, “David De Santi as director (for the played in groups around East Anglia and 15th time) did a fantastic job and it was all done in 10 weeks. kept traditional tunes alive. He’ll keep it up “I’m constantly amazed at how someone can have such “as long as my fingers do not stiffen up”. a grasp of so many divergent He was a founder member of the ‘De Santi is also passionate about Norwich group Kemp’s Men in 1953 and strings and yet still pull them has played for them since then. “I think together when it counts. I think making the Festival an international sometimes people get fed up with electronic the only thing he gave up for the experience.’ music and want to do it for real. That’s festival is sleep.” th when they turn to folk music.” His wife The 24 annual Illawarra Folk Festival ended at Bulli Showground last night after Edna thought of the name Kemp’s Men, for three days and nights, and once again it was a resounding success – many regulars Will Kemp (a friend of Shakespeare’s), who suggesting it has been the best yet. danced from London to Norwich in 1599. Local and national performers were joined by talented acts from throughout the world, From http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/ including Britain, Switzerland, Germany, Canada, the United States and Senegal. england/norfolk/7805305 The result was an eclectic mix of music, songs, story-telling, poetry and dancing that was fabulously entertaining. The old showground was transformed in all kids of imaginative ways into some great performance spaces, with added colour from stallholders selling everything from food, to exotic jewelry, clothing, flags and even pots and pans. Ron Edwards And David – mild mannered BlueScope Steel employee by day, passionate folk music Tribute Concert performer and facilitator by night made it happen. One of Australia’s great collectors and It has been a Herculean effort, made all the more remarkable by the fact that David’s folklorist Ron Edwards died last year. position is an honorary one (and that he also found time to perform). Fortunately David’s wife Tania and son Sam share his enthusiasm for folk music, and Ron has writ- are prepared to share him at a time of the year when most families simply want to relax ten and illustrated and unwind. over 300 publications Mind you, David is the first to pay tribu7te to the army of 130-odd festival volunteers including the popular who look after everything from manning the gates, erecting the stages, cleaning the toilets bushcraft series, and and collecting the garbage, to the more “glamorous” jobs of introducing the performers. other books on self- His philosophy is that no performer should be bigger than the festival. sufficiency techniques He isn’t interested in chasing expensive “big=name” acts, who might generate bigger such as leatherwork and earth building grounds but will devour the lion’s share of the festival’s performers’ fund, leaving him techniques, plus vari- unable to achieve the festival’s aim of showcasing established performers while nurturing ous books on Austral- emerging talent. ian folk music and Indigenous music Among who witnessed dynamic young Merimbula guitarist Kim Churchill (fresh out and stories, plus numerous children’s of high school) on Friday night will attest to the wisdom of David’s approach. books and several travel books. David is also passionate about making his festival an international experience for performers and audience alike, and values the harmony that generates between people He founded what was to be the Rams of different backgrounds. The large crowds who enjoy performances by The Beez (from Skull Press - Australia’s largest publisher of Berlin) Switzerland’s Bettina Schelker, Senegal’s dynamic Kai Fech and the other overseas books on Australian folklore and bushcrafts. acts will attest to the value of having quality international performers on the program. As a tribute to his life and work, You could say David epitomizes the Illawarra. friend and fellow folklorist Keith McK- He has a migrant (Italian) background, works at the steelworks, and is happy to devote enry hosted a memorial concert at his spare time to making a remarkable contribution to his community for the love of it. the Illawarra Folk Festival 2009. We’re very lucky to have him. This was a presentaton was litte ‘gem’ Nick Hartgerink and included some of Australia’s best tradi- (Reprinted from The , 19th January 09) Nick Hartgerink is a former tional performers, Chloe and Jason Roweth, Mercury editor who now runs his own media consultancy business. Alan Musgrove, Wongawilli, John Broom- hall and Duncan Chalmers. (front cover). Congratulations to the Illawarra Folk Festival for making this presentation pos- sible.

The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 9 folk contacts Choirs DANCE Wednesday Monday Monday Albion Fair, North-West Morris Dancing A Choired Taste, Glebe, led by David Westmore, 9716 Bush Music Club Dance Workshop Lilyfield Community Centre, Cecily and O’Neill Sts, 7.45pm. Angie Milce 9817 3529 7016 Beginners, experienced, 7.30pm, Pennant Hills Australian Heritage Dancers Bright Star Singers Ashfield, led by Mary-Jane Community Centre, downstairs. Except Jan. and Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Johnston St, 8 Field, 9797-6126 public holidays. Mark 9638 7690 Ecopella. Erskineville, led by Miguel Heatwole, 9810 -10pm. Jim Young 9412 3721 [email protected]. International Folk Dancing au - australianheritagedancers.org.au 4601 [email protected] School term, Earlwood Senior Citizens Centre, 362  Balmoral Scottish Country Dance Group Glory Bound Groove Train. Petersham, led by Homer St 10am-noon. Gwynne 9558 4753 Linda Calgaro, 9518 4135 7.00-9.15pm, Seniors’ Centre, Mosman Square, Scottish Country Dancing for beginners, with ‘Scots Inner West Chamber Choir, Leichhardt, led by Mosman. Nell Morgan 9981 4769. on the Rocks’, Fort St Public School, Observatory Rachelle Elliott. 9797 1917. [email protected]. Epping Scottish Country Dance Club Intonations. Manly, led by Karen Smith, 0405 221 113 Hill, Sydney, 6.30-7.30pm. Nea 9994 7110, Lynn St Aidan’s Church Hall, Downing St, 7.30-10pm. Martenitsa. Ultimo, led by Mara & Llew Kiek, 9268 1246, SC [email protected], http:// All levels welcome. Clare Haack 9484 5947 clare_ 47514910 www.rscds.org.au [email protected] People’s Chorus Newcastle, led by Rod Noble, 49 Belly Dance, basic/beginners 7pm, choreography Gosford Scottish Country Dance Society 623432 8pm, Girraween Hall, 17 Tungarra Rd. Vera 7-10pm, Church of Christ, Henry Parry Drive, Unaccompanied Baggage. North Sydney, led by Myronenko 9665 9713 Wyoming. Cecily Cork 4384 3527, Jan McCudden 4329 5537 Stuart Davis, [email protected] Tuesday Greek Folk Dance Voiceworks, Katoomba, ledby Rachel Hore 4759 Blue Mountains Scottish Country Dancers 2456, [email protected] Pan Macedonian Assoc Building, Railway Pde, Catholic Church Hall, 7-9pm, Wentworth St, $3 Verley Sydenham from 7pm onwards. Adult classes from Tuesday Kelliher, 4787 5968, [email protected] Carol Cantorion, Neutral Bay, led by David Westmore, 7.15 pm, Vasilios Aligiannis, tel/fax 9708 1875 Gardner 4751 6073/[email protected] 9716 7016 [email protected] Greek Folk Dance Eastside Arts, Paddington, led by Christina Mim- International Folk Dancing for older women mochi, 9331 2646 Bankstown RSL Club - 32 Kitchener Pde - Bankstown School terms only, 9-10am beginners, 10-11am Ecopella. Illawarra area (alternate Tuesdays), led by 6pm onwards.Vasilios Aligiannis, tel/fax: 97081875 advanced. Bankstown Older Women’s Wellness Miguel Heatwole 9810 4601, [email protected] [email protected] Centre, Police and Community Youth Club, cnr Roc Lawson, led by Rachel Hore, 47592456, Hungarian Dance Class Meredith St and French Ave. Gabrielle 9728 7466, Alita [email protected] Ultimo, 8-10pm. Gary Dawson 9559 4485. 9798 9269 The Honeybees. East Sydney, led by Dynes Austin. [email protected] Sutherland Shire Bush Dance Group Uniting Church, Contact Jenny Jackson, 9816 4577 lindsayandjenny@ Morris Dancing, Sydney Morris Men 4 Gosport St, Cronulla, 7.30-10pm. $3. Beginners most hotmail.com 2nd & 4th Tues, Rozelle Community Centre (hall at welcome. Partners not necessary.Mike 9520 2859 Sydney Trade Union Choir rear), Darling St, Rozelle, 8pm. John Milce 9817 3529 Sutherland Shire Folk Dance Group Sydney City, contact [email protected] or www.wheezeandsuck.com. Gymea Bay Scout Hall, June Place, 10am. Kaye Wednesday English Country Dancing, Sydney Laurendet - 9528 4813 Choralation. Abbosford (school terms), contact Marga- Playford Dance Group 3rd Tues, 7.30-10.00pm, Thursday ret Grove [email protected] Uniting Church Hall, The Cres, Berala. Ring Patricia English Country Dancing (Advanced) for the over Ecopella. Upper Mts., contact Kate 47 825529 9649 6978 or Mike or Ros on 9929 8193 for further 50’s 2-4pm. School for Seniors, Wesley Mission, Pitt NoteTonight, Josephine. Glebe, led by David details. St. Sydney. (Oppositive back of Hilton Hotel.) Westmore, 9716 7016 Scottish Country Dancing Blue Labyrinth International Folk Dance from 7pm, Baptist Church Hall, King St Glenbrook. Jo Stampadowns. Camperdown, led by Peter Lehner, St John’s Uniting Church Hall, Coonanbarra Rd, Barrett 4739 6498 contact Kim/John 0419 164 212 Wahroonga, 7.30-10.30pm. All welcome. Catherine Greek Folk Dance Thursday Bonner 9489 5027 Australian Gaelic Singers, Ryde. Bran MacEa- St Gerassimos Church Hall, 21 Henry St Leichhardt. Scottish Country Dancing 6 pm onwards. Adult classes from 7.15 Vasilios chaidh, 9633 1162. www.gaelicsingers.org.au Fort Street School, Observatory Hill, City. 6pm to  Aligiannis, tel/fax 9708 1875 [email protected] Bouddi Voice. Kincumber (school terms), led by C 8pm Nea MacCulloch 9904 1358(a/h) or Lynn 8244 & C Sainsbury, contact 43 683270 Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers 9618(w) Chorella Community Choir. Richmond, contact Kingsgrove Uniting Church Hall, 289A Kingsgrove Rd Sutherland Shire Folk Dance Group Ellen 4578 2975 (cnr Moreton Avenue, Children’s step dancing 6pm, Cleftomaniacs. Waterloo, led by Gary Smith, International Dancing, Gymea Bay Scout Hall, June adults step dancing 7pm. Set and ceili dancing 8- [email protected] Place, 7.30-9pm. Kaye Laurendet 9528 4813 10.30pm. Margaret and Bill Winnett 9150 6765. email: Solidarity Choir. Newtown, led by Miguel Heat- Turkish Dance Class [email protected] wole, 9810 4601, [email protected] Lidcombe Community Centre, 8-10pm. Yusuf Nidai Friday Friday 9646 1166 Australian Colonial and Folk Dancers Every Friday, The Sydney Street Choir. CBD, led by Peter Ukrainian (Cossack) Dancing Class St Andrews Ch Hall, cnr Trelawney/Rutledge Sts, Lehner 0425 268 771 for fit and energetic young people (16-23yrs), Eastwood (next to BBC), Colonials’ Dance each 5th Mudlarks, women’s a cappella choir. Woodford. Led 7.30 pm to 10.00 pm. Ukrainian Hall 59 Joseph Friday evening. Anthony and Lisa 9873 4805. by Alison Jones 4759 2880 Street, Lidcombe. Jaros Iwanec 9817 7991, International Dancing Saturdays [email protected] /www.veselka.com.au Sedenka Folk Dancers, Rozelle Neighbourhood The Shire Quire. Gymea, led by Mary-Jane Field. International Folk Dance class - Open Door, Centre, 665A Darling St Rozelle. 8-llpm, $3. Chris Wild contact Jenny, 9576 2301 Georges Hall Senior Citizens, Birdwood Rd, 11.30am- 9560 2910. Sunday 12.30pm. Gabrielle 9728 7466, gabybaby@optusnet. Scottish Country Dancing Blue Mountains Trade Union Choir. Upper Mts., com.au Adult classes, beginners welcome, children 6.30 - contact Kate 47 82 5529 “The Dance Buffet”, wide variety taught, Liverpool 7.30pm, adults 8-10.30pm, Beecroft Primary School, City Pipe Band Hall, Woodward Park (next to Whitlam $2. Sheena Caswell 9868 2075, Heather Dryburgh Centre), Memorial Ave, 7.30-9.30pm. $8 ($5 conc). 9980 7978 Nicholai 9822 7524, mob 0407 178 228 Scottish Country Dancing Caringbah Seniors Hall, 386 Port Hacking Rd, Car- ingbah (rear Library), 8pm. Beginners/other levels. G. Milton 9524 4943, Erica Nimmo 9520 4781

10 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 Saturday Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Acoustic Thursday Bush Folk Dances, by Bush Dance Assoc. Club, or SNC Acoustic Club. Regular folk nights on Sutherland Folk Club 2nd Sat. Feb-Dec 6.30 - 10pm. New Year’s Eve 8pm- the 4th Friday of each month (Feb - Nov), 8pm $7/$5 Session night 4th Thursday. 7.00pm, Sutherland midnight. $20/$15/$10. $5 disc for early bookings. Springwood Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Rd, District Trade Union Club, Gymea. All welcome. 9520 Pennant Hills Community Centre, 60 Yarrara Rd. John Springwood. (next to Civic Centre). Visitors and floor 6180. 9873 3138/ 0416 212 136, bushdance2000@yahoo. performers welcome. Enquiries, Mark Hand 02 4721 Blackheath Folk Club, com.au 4230 or [email protected] 1st Thurs, 7.30pm, Ivanhoe Hotel, cnr Gt Wstn Hwy Bush Music Club Bush Dances Toongabbie Music Club and Govetts Leap Rd. Christine Davies, Peter Duggan Feb-Dec (not Easter), 8-12pm, $17/$14/$12 incl. 2nd and 4th Fri 8pm, Northmead Scout Hall, 4787 7246 supper, children to 12 free. Beecroft Community Ctr Whitehaven Road, Northmead. A session always happens so bring instruments. Alison Boyd 02 9769 Friday 1st Sat, Helen 9626 7816; Balmain High School hall, BMC Beer & Cheese Night rd 0592, [email protected], or Ray Pulis 9899 2102. Terry St, Rozelle, 3 Sat, Don 9642 7949 Themed music nights, 1st Fri (except holidays), Central Coast Bush Dance Saturday 8-10pm. Bring something to sing, eat, drink. Bush 4th Sat, 8-12pm, East Gosford Progress Hall, Henry lllawarra Folk Club, Music Club, Hut 44, Addison Rd Community Parry Dr and Wells St, $15/$12. Beate 4323 3356. 3rd Saturday, Wollongong City Diggers Centre, 142 Addison Rd, Marrickville. 9569 7244, Robyn 4344 6484. Club, cnr Burelli & Church Streets, 1300 [email protected] International Folk Dance 887 034 www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au Eastern Suburbs Poetry Group Children’s classes, 6-18 years, Pennant Hills Loaded Dog Folk Club Church at the Market Place, Bondi Junction Plaza, 1st Community Centre, morning. Carol Maddocks, 9905 4th Sat, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Fri, 7.30-10pm. 9699 2129 1563 Johnston St, 8pm. Sandra Nixon, 9358 4886, Scottish and Old Time Dance [email protected]. www.theloadeddog.org.au Springwood Neighbourhood Centre Acoustic Club 2nd Sat, 8pm, Uniting Church, 9-11 Bay St, Rockdale. Macquarie Towns Music Club 4th Fri, (Feb - Nov) 8pm, $7/$5, Springwood $3 incl. supper. Chris Thom 9587 9966 3rd Sat,7.30pm Usually ‘Round Robin’ format and Neighbourhood Centre, Macquarie Rd (next to library Scottish and Old Time Dancing includes guest artists, workshops & concerts. Small and Oriental Hotel.) Visitors and floor performers Orkney and Shetland Assoc. 3rd Sat, 8-11 pm. St door fee includes supper. Richmond Neighbourhood welcome, Theresa 47518157, Jeannette 4754 4893 David’s Hall, Dalhousie St, Haberfield. $3 inc. supper. Centre, West Market St, .Contact Dez Williams at 4578 Saturday Visitors most welcome. Jean Cooney 9874 5570.Harp 5215 [email protected] Fairlight Folk Acoustic Lounge Hotel, Princes Hwy Tempe, 9559 6300 The Shack. 1st Sat, presents 21st century original, Held 4 times a year, Feb, May, Aug. Nov (usually Macedonian Dance Class contemporary and traditional folk music at the 1st Sat) 7.45pm. A comfortably enticing, relaxed Rockdale. 6.30-8.30pm, $5. Y Kaporis 0412 861 187 Tramshed, 1395a Pittwater Rd, Narrabeen at 7:30. environment in which to see quality live acoustic music. Mortdale Scottish Dancers BYO drinks and nibblies. Contact Rhonda on 0416 635 Ajfjter show - jam. BYO drinks and nibbles. Light Learners night (for learners and experienced), 7.30- 856 or email Kathleen at [email protected]. refreshments available. William St Studios, Fairlight 9.30pm. Pensioners Welfare Club Hall, 76 Pitt Street, Bluegrass & Traditional Country Music Society of (The Baptist Church down from Sydney Rd. Contact Mortdale. Pam Jehan 9580 8564. Aust. 1st Sat, March-December Sydney get-together. Rosie 9948 7993. [email protected] Sutherland Shire Folk Dance Group Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, 79 Johnston St, North By Northwest Poetry and Folk Club International Dancing Como Girl Guides Hall, 10- Annandale. Band workshop 7pm, concert 8.15pm, Occasional sessions as announced, 2pm,Jenny 9559 11.30am. Kaye Laurendet 9528 4813 jamming all night. All welcome: $5/7. (02) 9456 1090 3658 (h) 0414 903 259(m) email: [email protected], Linnéa Swedish Folkdancers www.bluegrass.org.au Geoff 9816 0393 / 0421 582 975 (m) Estonian House, 141 Campbell St, Surry Hills. New Sunday Sunday members welcome. For times contact Graeme Traves Troubadour Folk Club 9874 4194, [email protected] Central Coast, 4th Sat. in month 7pm CWA Hall, Woy Sydney Scottish Fiddlers Woy. (opposite Fisherman’s Wharf), The Boulevard, 1st and 3rd Sun, 2-5pm, New Church, 4 Shirley Rd Woy Woy. Admission: $7 members/$8 conc. & other Roseville. All ages welcome. Trish 9416 2402. folk club mems/$10 non members. Everyone welcome Irish Music Session Tel. Frank or Marilyn 4342 9099, Fax 4325 7362. Harp Irish Pub, Tempe, 4-7.30pm. Enq. 9559 6300 Email: [email protected] www.troubadour. Family Hotel , Katoomba. (on the roundabout when org.au/folk/index.htm.. you first cross the railway line to enter Katoomba.) 4pm Music Session Hero of Waterloo, cnr Lower Fort MUSIC IN CONCERT Monday St and Windmill Street, The Rocks. 6-10pm. Brendan Tuesday Bush Music Club 9818 4864 The Screw Soapers Guild - Writers Presenters & Community Centre, 44/142 Addison Rd, Marrickville, Irish Music Session. 3rd Sunday. Bennet Hotel, Listeners Group 4th Tues, 7.30pm, stories, poems, 7.30pm. Music workshop. All singers and musicians Hamilton, 4-7.30pm Roz and Shane Kerr 44967 3167 songs and conversation. Albert 9600 7153, email: welcome. Bob 9569 7244, bobbolton@netspace. Irish Music Sessions - Dicey Riley’s, Wollongong 2pm. [email protected], website: www.folkclub. net.au Hotel Illawarra Wollongong, 3rd Sunday, 3pm, com/folkodyssey/ Irish Music Session: Every 2nd and 4th Tuesday spoken word, 5pm acoustic music Wednesday of the month from 7.30 – 10.30pm @ The Shamrock Wisefolk Club Last Wed in month, 11am-2.30pm, Inn, Asquith Leagues Club, Alexandra Pd. Waitara If you change your details PLEASE Toongabbie Bowling Club, 12 Station Rd, lunch at club (short walk from station). It’s an open session advise the editor on 02 6493 6758 or email bistro. Sonia 9621 2394 Allen 9639 7494, and all musicians are welcome with focus on Thursday tunes rather than songs. Phone Norm 9489 5786/ [email protected]. You may also Sutherland Folk Club [email protected] wish to have your details online (free) - jam. 2nd Thurs concert night Wednesday org.au **All ages and all members are welcome to come and Irish Dance and Music Session. The Harp Hotel, join us at any of our concerts, do a floor spot. Enjoy a Tempe, dance 7-9.30pm, music 9.30 - 12 midnight. friendly , sociable night’s entertainment, support local Enq. 9559 6300 talent. These artists are all superb musicians!! Contact Jolly Frog Hotel. Jam Night. Cnr Bridge & Jenny 9576 2301. Macquarie Sts, Windsor. 7.30pm to late. Mark 0419 Friday 466 004 Hornsby Kuring-Gai Folk Club Irish Music Session. Clarendon Hotel Katoomba, 3rd Fri, 8pm, Each month Beatrice Taylor Hall, rear 7-10pm. Enq. Tinker 4782 2623 Willow Park Community Centre, Edgeworth David Ave, Guest artist and floor spots, light supper provided BYO Gosford Bush Poets grog. Barry Parks 9807 9497 [email protected] Last Wednesday night of every month 7pm. The lllawarra Folk Club, Gosford Hotel, cnr of Mann & Erina Sts Gosford. 1st Friday, Wollongong City Diggers Club, cnr Burelli & Everyone welcome to share in night of fun, friendship Church Streets, 1300 887 034 www.illawarrafolkclub. and great poetry. Contact Vic Jefferies, 02 96394911 org.au or [email protected] The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 11 Hunter Bush Poets, 2nd Tuesday 7pm, Tarro Hotel; Streets, 1300 887 034 www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au REGIONAL EVENTS Ron Brown 4951 6186. Poet’s Breakfast, Wed. 7,.15am. Wollon- ALBURY: Border and District Folk/Acoustic Group, 1st Hunter Folk Dancers, Enquiries: Julia or Arthur on 02 gong Writers’ Centre, Town Hall, Corrimal St. Wed, Sodens Hotel. Anna 6021 3892, Mary 6025 6535 4955 5701, Tony Stoddart, [email protected] BATEMANS BAY: Scottish Country Dancing, Irish Music Session, Bennett Hotel, Hamilton, 3rd UOW Folk Club, 12.30pm, Mondays, Fridays. Batemans Bay Caledonian Society -Tuesday Sun, 4pm. Roz and Shane Kerr 4967 3167 Old timey, bluegrass, Celtic session. Duck Pond 7.30pm at Batemans Bay Bowling Club - visitors Newcastle Poetry in the Pub, 3rd Monday, 7.30pm, (in front of library), . welcome. Warren 4457 2065, Max 4472 5184 Northern Star Hotel, Hamilton. Glenn 4967 1460. David Harman, [email protected] BATHURST: Bathurst Folk Club, regular concerts, Newcastle Strath Hunter Dancers, Mondays Wollongong White Heather Scottish Country touring and local artists, usually at Panorama City Adults 7.30pm, Wallsend Uniting Church. Thurs- Dance Group, Mon, 7.30 -10pm, St Andrew’s Hotel, Durham St. Bruce Cameron 02 6331 1129, www. days Juniors 4.15pm, Youth 5.30pm, All Saints Church Hall, Kembla St. All welcome. Arnold Thurl- bathurstfolkclub.org.au Hall, New Lambton. Elma: 4943 3436. ing 4228 1986 or Grace Halliday 4229 3480 BELLINGEN: Celtic Australian Session.. Saturday Tradewinds Acoustic/Folk Session, 2nd Sunday Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club, Bush Dance, from midday, Church Street tables. John 66555898, (Feb-Nov). Croatian Wickham Sports Club, Albert St, Wed, 8pm, musos and dancers all welcome, Com- Carole 66551225 Wickham. 4-7 pm. Cath 4967 3146, Carole Garland munity Hall, West Dapto Rd, Wongawilli. David 0409 BRAIDWOOD: 4929 3912 57 1788. www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au Braidwood Folk Music Club meets every 3rd Thurs- Welsh & Cornish Folk Dancing, Mon, 7.30-9.30pm, day now at the Anglican Church Hall, BYO everything. All Saints Anglican Hall, Cromwell St, New Lambton. Info Erika 4842 2505; performers Sue 4842 8142 Beginners and visitors always welcome. Enq. Margaret Tallaganda Dance Troupe. Folk dance, Mon. 9.30am Kenning 4952 1327. Email: [email protected] (Noela 4842 8004. Belly dance. 11.30am. (Erika 4842 The Beehive, as requested. 8 Lewis St, Is- across the border 2505) 35 Coronation Ave, Braidwood. lington. Neville Cunningham 4969 4246. Victorian Folk Music Club Inc. GPO Box BROKEN HILL: Bush Music Club. In re- NOWRA: 2025S, Melbourne 3001. Brian Venten 03 9884 cess. If interested in active member- Balkan and International Folk Dance, Mon, 7.30pm, 9476, [email protected] ship: PO Box 826, Broken Hill, 2880 Cambewarra Hall. Suzi Krawczyk 4446 0569, plotki@ Bill Butler 03 9876 4366, [email protected] Burrawang Folk, 4887 7271 shoal.net.au Traditional Social Dance Assoc. of Victoria. CENTRAL COAST: Troubadour Folk Club International Folk Dance, Progress Hall, Boorawine Lucy Stockdale 03 9380 4291 Central Coast, 2nd Sun, 1.30pm, CWA Hall, Woy Tce, Callala Bay. Tuesday (school term), 7.15-9pm. Boite World Music Cafe, Fitzroy, 03 9417 3550 Woy. (opposite Fisherman’s Wharf), The Boulevard, Maureen 446 6550, [email protected] (w), http:// www.boite.asn.au Woy Woy. Admission: $7 members/$8 conc. & Celtic Craic – 9 piece acoustic traditional Band. Ballarat Folk Club, John Ruyg 03 5332 7872 other folk club mems/$10 non members. Includes Tuesday 7.30-10 pm, John’s place. Chris Langdon 4446 Geelong Folk Club, 2nd. Fri - Coffee House afternoon tea. Tel. Frank or Marilyn 4342 9099, 1185, [email protected] or Mark Nangle Folk- singing and session - at Cafe Go! Bellerine Fax 4325 7362. Email: mail.info@troubadour. 4454 5028, [email protected]. St. Geelong, from 7.30pm. Last Fri - Upstairs at org.au www.troubadour.org.au/folk/index.htm.. Scottish Country Dance Group, Presbyterian Church The Pancake Kitchen, Moorabool St. for songs COBARGO: Yuin Folk Club, Occasional Hall, Kinghome St (next to Woollies), Wed, 8pm, all and session. Contact: Marie Goldsworthy 03 Folk Nights. Enq. Coral Vorbach or Graeme welcome. Jill 4421 3570 5221 1813 or Jamie McKinnon 03 5261 3443. Fryer 6493 6758. yuinfolkclub@bigpond. Shoalhaven Bush and Folk Dancing Club, Friday Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc. PO Box com, website: www.cobargofolkfestival.com (school term, 8-10pm, Cambewarra Hall. Margaret 4421 1945, Launceston 7250. Beth Sowter 03 6397 COOMA, International Folk Dancing, Uniting Church 0557. 3427 Hall, Soho St, Thurs, 6pm. Fran 6453 3282 (h) Shoalhaven Acoustic Music Assoc, Bomaderry Celtic Southern Cross Folk Music Catalogue. DUBBO FOLK CLUB, 2nd Sun, 2.30pm, Castlere- Bowling Club, formal concerts, not always folk, approx Beth Sowter, [email protected]; www.celt. agh Hotel. All welcome. Di Clifford 6882 0498 quarterly. George Royter 4421 3470 com.au; PO Box 72, Bracknell Tas 7302. Gosford Bush Poets - last Wednesday night of OBERON Music Club, fortnightly, Thurs, 8pm, Qld Folk Federation, every month 7pm. The Gosford Hotel, cnr of Mann Oberon Leagues Club. Neil Higgins 6337 5707. Woodford Folk Festival. PO Box 1134, & Erina Sts Gosford. Everyone welcome to share in SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS Woodford 4514. [email protected]; night of fun, friendship and great poetry. Contact Vic Bowral Folk, Blues and Beyond, 3rd Thurs- www.woodfordfolkfestival.com. Jefferies, 02 96394911 or [email protected] day 8pm. The Celtic Room at The Scottish Qld Colonial and Heritage Dancers. PO Box GULGONG FOLK CLUB, PO Box 340, Arms, 69 Boardman Rd, East Bowral. $8. John 3011, Yeronga 4104. Jan Orloff ph/fax 07 3848 Gulgong NSW 2852, Bob Campbell 02 6373 Hall 4661 4900, [email protected] 7706, [email protected] 4600, Mike Byron 6374 2005, worobil@winsoft. Southern Highlands Recreational lnternational Folk The Folk Rag (Mag), PO Box 108, Kingston net.au, www.winsoft.net.au/~worobil Dance Group, Bowral Presb Church Hall, Bendooley Q4114, ph/fax 07 3208 4923, Admin@FolkRag. KIAMA “No Such Thing”. Yvonne O’Grady and St, Thurs (school term), 9-llam. Margaret 4861 2294 org. www.FolkRag.org Alan Musgrove host an Australian tune session Southern Highlands Scottish Country Dance Group, Brisbane Folk Club, Larrie Cook 07 3345 suitable for beginners every Monday in Kiama. Moss Vale Uniting Church, Cnr Argyll and Spring 1718. Yvonne 02 4233 1073, [email protected]. Streets, Wednesday, 7.30pm. All welcome. Enq. 4861 Cairns Folk Club, Ray Elias 07 4039 2493 LISMORE BUSH DANCE, Wed nights, Ray 6471. WA Folk Federation. PO Box 328, Inglewood, Flynn Hall. Glenys Ritchie 6622 4258 TAREE, Lazarka International Folk Dance Group, WA, 6932. Rob Oats 08 9375 9958.www.wafolk. NEWCASTLE: Manning River Steiner School Hall, Tues. 5.30-8.30pm, iinet.net.au Email: [email protected] Newcastle and Hunter Valley Folk Club, 1st Sat. Sandra 6552 5142. NORTHERN TERRITORY: 7.30pm (not Jan) Wesley Fellowship House, Wagga Wagga Folk Club Top End Folk Club, PO Box 41551, Casuarina, Beaumont St, Hamilton. or Elaine Velt (H) 4943 1552. Session gathering, Uranquinty Hotel, 3rd Sat, starting NT 0811. :Di Howard, 08 8945 0436 (ah), www. Ron Brown (W) 4926 1313 folknews@bigpond.. about 3.30pm. Tracey 6920 2533, Chris 6924 4001. members.ozemail.com.au/ com, www.newcastlehuntervalleyfolkclub.org.au Downside Bush Dance & Open Mic, Tin Shed Rat- Bush and Colonial Dancing, 3rd Sund each tlers, 1st Sat, Noel Raynes 6928 5541. month 2-4pm. Beginners and visitors always WAUCHOPE, 1st Saturday Concert with in- welcome. All Saints Anglican Hall, New Lamb- vited artists 7.30 pm 3rd Saturday Open perfor- ton. Enq. Margaret Kenning 02 4952 1327 mance session 7.30 at Café Blue Frog, High St. email: [email protected] or Bill Propert 02 Enq,John 6585 1488 email [email protected] 4946 5602 email [email protected] WHITTON (near Griffith) Bidgee Folk Club People’s Chorus Practice, 6pm, Trades Hall 3rd Sun. Whitton Hotel, Whiton Council Meeting Rooms (opp. Panthers’ Club, 1pm - 5pm. 02 6954 4019 main entrance), Newcastle. Rod Noble 4962 WOLLONGONG: 3432 email: [email protected] Bluegrass Jam Session, 3rd Sat each Newcastle Irish Set Dancers, Tuesdays, 7.30- month. 7.30-11pm. Thirroul Neighbour- 9.00pm, Scots Kirk, Hamilton, Newcastle. Julia hood Centre next to post office. or Arthur, 4955 5701 [email protected], or lllawarra Folk Club, 1st Friday and 3rd Saturday,

Buena Vista Social Absolutely Irish For Love and Laughter Club at Carnegie Hall Various Artists Solas World Circuit WCD080 (Fuse) American Focus/Compass Compass 744802 (thru Planet Co.) You’ve seen the movie, now listen 744802 (Planet Dist) Solas have been in the business of Irish to Buena Vista Social Club’s ultimate This is a recording of a live concert music-making for quite a while now and have success, the complete concert at Carnegie at the Irish Arts Centre in New York City undergone a number of personnel changes Hall in 1998 that featured in the movie. in April 2007. Filmmaker Paul Wagner along the way. This line-up sees Seamus Egan Curiously spread over two discs when and musician Mick Moloney organised on flute, guitar and various other instruments, it could have fitted on one, the album some special Irish musicians, singers Winifred Horan on fiddle, Mick McAuley on includes hits like Chan Chan, De Camino and dancers, all of whom had played accordion and guitar, Eamon McElholm on a la Vereda, El Cuarto de Tula, Veinte together before, to be filmed for American guitar and keyboards and vocalist Mairead Anos and the beautiful duet Silencio. Public Television. They rehearsed for two Phelan. Special guests include The Duhks. Experience the endearing voices of days before presenting a fine, exuberant The songs and instrumentals are both Omara Portuondo, Ibrahim Ferrer and performance before a rapt audience. traditional and contemporary, including a few Compay Segundo and marvel at the The musicians included Liz Carroll, written by band members, and Sailor’s Song masterful ensemble playing as well as Karan Casey, John Doyle, Seamus Egan, by Rickie Lee Jones. The instrumentals are the solo musicians like pianist Ruben Eileen Ivers, Joanie Madden, Billy consistently rousing, deftly played by fine Gonzalez. Of course Ry Cooder himself McComiskey, Susan McKeown, Mick seasoned musicians, while Mairead lends a is there too, the man who brought the Moloney, Jerry O’Sullivan and others – an tender expressive voice to the songs. band together again after the members impressive line-up. As on recent albums, Solas pushes the had already drifted into obscurity. Most A variety of styles were presented boundaries of its Irish roots, with mixed importantly, be enthralled by the vibrant – from countryside traditional medleys success depending on what you are listening energy and enthusiasm that these elderly and ballads to dances and pub-style songs. for. There seems to be a growing trend musicians, some of whom have since They include McNally’s Rows of Flats, in Irish albums to have the kind of mix passed away, inject into this remarkable The Kings Shilling, Flower of Kilkenny, exemplified by this album - traditional and event. Lark in the Morning, Fair London Town modern - and it must be because there is an As with the original Buena Vista and The Leaving of Liverpool. All are audience out there. If however you are a pure Social Club release, an excellent booklet played and sung with a keen sense of fun traditionalist, this may not be for you. The with lovely photos is included in a and engagement, making for an album of core band is a slick ensemble but sometimes slipcase. The quality of the recording light enjoyment. there’s a cool clinical sense of going through itself lacks sparkle but the exhilarating the motions instead of a warm spontaneous performances make up for that. Not to be old-fashioned Irish swagger. The music and missed by fans of Cuban music and Buena Mairead’s voice are both good but perhaps not memorable. In the end it may just be a matter of personal taste in style as to how enjoyable it is and Life Of Brine how it will stand up to repeated playings. Vista.A spanking new CD of 22 sea songs and shanties from Sydney’s nautical-loving Illawarra Folk Festival scallywags The Roaring Forties. (Cost is $25 + $3 postage). Available via Paypal at : www.margaretwalters.com/ordering Enquiries: 02 9698 2206 Email: [email protected] www.roaringfortiesfolk.com

14 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220 The Songs of Henry Lawson New edition now available! The Folk Federation of NSW has recently published a second edition of ‘The Songs of Henry Lawson’, origi- nally published in 1989 by Chris Kempster. The new edition adds 45 new settings for a total of 275 tunes. Australian folk songs have developed alongside our national identity. This collection reflects the truth that the song-making tradition lives on and that Lawson’s poetry expresses timeless ideas. There are new settings by Kay Drefus, Lyell Sayer, Ian Hamilton, Chris Kempster, Chloe & Jason Roweth, Eileen McPhillips, Frances Paterson, Jane Thompson, Denis Rice, John Schumann, Craig Dawson, Chris Wheeler, John Thompson, John Broomhall, Mary-Jane Field, Martin Evely, David Johnson, Brian Mooney, Christina Mimmocchi, Noel Watson, Bob Sharp, Bruce Watson, Michael Kennedy, Lita Gillies, Keith Young, Sonia Bennett, Margaret Bradford & Brian Fitzgerald. This new edition is designed with the needs of perform- ers, teachers and students in mind, being spiral-bound and easy to prop on your music stand and a real bargain at $49 (+ p&p) - $35 for members! Singers and musi- cians will find in it inspiration for their own perfor- mance and composition. To order a copy use the order form in this issue, go to Federation’s web site (jam.org. au) or call (02) 9939 8802. [This is a project of the Folk Federation of NSW]

The Folk Federation ONLINE - jam.org.au The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 2009 15 focus on folk folk trax 2MBS-FM 102.5MHz 6PM Saturday Well here we are. Our first update about Folk Trax for 2009. In co-operation with 2MBS-FM, Sydney’s first FM community During the last 2 months we have added quite a few new CDs to radio station operating on 102.5 MHz, Folk Federation brings our catalogue. First the Australian ones. The Scottish Melbourne you an hour of folk music at 6PM on 2nd and 4th Saturdays of Fiddle Club has released their 4th CD. It goes by the title of “gates each month. of gold”; Braemar released “Lochaber No More”; Celtaclysmic 14th February Carole Garland joined in with “A Cello Called Bucket”; 2 new ones from Karen 28th February Gerry Myerson Lynne. The first one is one with all her singles appropriately called Anyone with a CD that you would like to add to the library collection for “The Singles” and the second one with Pat Drummond called consideration for airway please forward to “The Long Journey Home”. Guitarist Rob McDade added “Terra Focus on Folk, Post Office Box A182, Sydney South 1235. Firma” to our catalogue while Tom Bolton did the same with FOLK JAM Every Thursday 2-4pm “when I cross the river”. On the On the Celtic front we welcome on 2ssr fm 99.7 http://folkjamau.googlepages.com/home Eilean Mòr with “Left Of The Sun”. Finally we The Rainmakers [email protected] Anyone with a cd who would like it aired (Maggie, Elsie, Naomi and James Rigby and Jane Thompson) and added to the stations library can send it to send us “Singing Up A Storm” which we happily added to the FOLK JAM c/ Station Manager catalogue. Post Office Box 997, Sutherland NSW 1499 www.2ssr.com.au The Planet Company has also been busy. We are now seeing a lot of new labels being imported by them. Amongst them Hi folks are Fledg’ling, Navigator and Wild Goose Records. Just check An astonishing moment at the inauguration: Rev. Joseph the new releases pages at www.folktrax.com. We also need to Lowery, in his benediction after the swearing-in and inaugural mention that there are new releases from Greentrax, Fellside and address, paraphrasing Compass Records. Big Bill Broonzy’s “Black, Brown and White”. The original Looking forward we expect to see a new CD and DVD from reads: Eric Bogle. His back catalogue will be released by Undercover “If you’re white, y’all right Music on the Rouseabout Records label this year. Just when we If you’re brown, stick aroun’ thought they were all gone forever. But as you’re black, buddy Finally we would like to remind members of participating Get back, get back, get back.” Folk Federations, readers of the Folk Rag and now also members No more. of the Folk Alliance Australia that our 10% discount on their Oh, that Studs and Bill could’ve lived to see this day! I hope purchases remains in 2009. they’re sharing a beer in heaven. Keep on Folking Danny Watson Jan and Henk de Weerd

NSW - state of play Songs of Henry Lawson Songs of Chris Kempster Item Reg Mem* Qty Total NSW - State of Play (double CD snapshot of the 2008 NSW folk scene) $25 $20 The Songs of Henry Lawson (new songbook edition with 375 settings) $49 $35 The Songs of Chris Kempster (double CD) $25 $20 Postage & Packaging: ($10 for book + up to 2 CD sets) ($3 for 1 CD set, $5 for 2 CD sets) * Join the Folk Fed now and receive member’s discount. See jam.org.au for membership form. Total: I enclose my cheque/money order payable to: Folk Federation of NSW Please charge my credit card:

Card number: ______/ ______/ ______/ ______(Expiry date: ___ / ___ ) Name on card: ______Signature:

Send form with remittance & return address to: Folk Federation of NSW, PO Box A182, Sydney South NSW 1235

16 The CORNSTALK Gazette FEBRUARY 09 mpd printing the news everyday Ph 02 8898 1200 Fax 02 8898 1220