Folk Club Inc. NEWSLETTER August 2008

Coming Events Get your Folk Club The Folk Club now has a myspace Newsletter by email. with a listing as well. Save trees, get it earlier and in colour! Email David at [email protected] and Check myspace.com/ In this Issue illawarrafolkclubillawarrafolkfestival mention you would like the newsletter by email FOLK CLUB CONCERTS rather by snail-mail. Fri 1 Aug Folk Club Concert - Wongawilli 'Australia FOLK NOTES & NOTICES Street' CD Launch, Scarlett Affection, David Meyers 7.30pm, CITY DIGGERS EVENT CALENDARS Sat 16 Aug Folk Club Concert - Geoffrey Graham - The Folk Concert PERFORMERS LISTING Rhythm of the Bush, Wallaby Hillbillies, 7.30pm CITY Wongawilli, 21st & NEW FOLK SONG DIGGERS WOLLONGONG 'Australia Street' CD Launch NEW ON THE WEBSITE: Sat 30 Aug Family Charity Bush Dance for Festival  Online Store for and Oxfam, 6.30pm CITY DIGGERS WOLLONGONG Scarlett Affection Tickets, Products Fri 5 Sep Folk Club Concert - Frencham Smith, Ellis 7.30pm Friday 1 August  2008 Folk in the Collective, Jamie-Leigh Basic 7.30pm, CITY DIGGERS $8 Members, $12 Non Foothills - 19 October, WOLLONGONG full programme Come along and celebrate Wongawilli's 21st available Sat 20 Sep Folk Club Concert - Danny Spooner birthday and new CD. The name 'Wongawilli' (Melbourne), Nick & Leisl, Beeswing, 7.30pm CITY was adopted by a group of musicians and used DIGGERS WOLLONGONG for the first time 1st August 1987 at a bush dance Fri 3 Oct Folk Club Concert - Jigzag, Mignon CITY in Kiama. At the time the band was a fairly ILLAWARRA DIGGERS WOLLONGONG casual and open affair with a number of musicians that played at the regular FOLK CLUB Sun 19 Oct - Folk in the Foothills, one day folk festival, Wednesday bush dance. This dance had been PO Box 5289, Wollongong, New VALLEY LODGE, 16 acts, 5 venues, 26 established in 1984. The surviving members South Wales, 2500 concerts - artists: Martin Pearson, Jim Haynes, Ami from this early version are David and Tania Secretary - Ros Shieldhouse, Williamson, Nick Charles, Sunas, The Songcatchers, De Santi. 1300 887 034 Zorba’s Kefi Band, Pacific Curls, Charlie McMahon, Internet page - Wongawilli, John Broomhall Trio, Tribal Jewels Belly Since then the band has been promoting, www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au Dancers, Wollongong Welsh Choir, Vivienne Sawyer, preserving and performing a rich tradition of Performer enquiries - No Such Thing, Replay, Ecopella. Australia folk music, song and dance. Over the Russell Hannah past twenty-one years, they have re-energised BUY ADULT TICKETS EARLY FOR $30 TO SAVE!! Go  02 4297 1777 the old songs and tunes of the Australian to www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au/store [email protected] Newsletter Contributions to: David De Santi  0409 57 1788 email: [email protected]

24th Illawarra Folk Photos by Graeme Morrison Festival at Bulli Showground, 15 to 18 January 2009

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS OPEN, CLOSED 31 July www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au

ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER August 2008 1 Illawarra Folk Club

This newsletter is the official publication of the Illawarra Folk Club Inc. Folk Club Concerts Concerts are generally held twice a month at various locations in the Illawarra area. Folk Club Membership till October each year is $15 single and $20 family. Members receive a monthly newsletter and discount at Folk Club concerts. Newsletter Contributions David De Santi PO Box 17, Albion Park,NSW 2527  02 4257 1788 mob: 0409 57 1788 FAX 02 4257 1787 [email protected] settlers and continue to re-invigorate the It will be a chance to see the new 'Wongawilli' Event enquiries tradition with new tunes and songs. Band in action! The members of the new 1300 887 034 In recent years the band has performed Wongawilli are Graeme Murray, Reg Murray, internationally, throughout China, Denmark, Johnny Spillane, David De Santi, Samuel De Santi, Miffy Ryan, Tania De Santi and Tim Folk Club Sweden, Finland, Germany and New Zealand. At home in Australia, Wongawilli has also Kendell. Email List been performing to acclaim at folk festivals Supporting Wongawilli will Scarlett including Woodford, Port Fairy, Illawarra, Affection who played at this year's festival. If you would like to Victor Harbour and has now performed a keep up to date on folk After touring to the States and Canada last year happenings why not phenomenal 18 times at the National Folk and releasing their debut record Our Sweet join the Folk Club Email Festival in Canberra. Ambush, a TRAX Touring Grant, Festival List. Please provide appearances, a swag of live to air ABC radio addresses to Dave (02) The band name was inspired by the heritage 4257 1788 or email at: coal mining village of Wongawilli which is at performances, live shows lighting up the East desanti@ the foot of the , south- Coast, reviews and national press and a illawarrafolkclub.org.au west of Wollongong, NSW. The village has a prestigious Songwriting Award from the Great community hall at which the band members American Song Contest - Scarlett Affection are Is Your still play for a weekly bush dance. a radiant new act. Harmonies and sparkling folk pop songs with sass and soul. Bangalow The band has 7 recordings to its credit Membership Due? sisters Melia & Nerida create a fabulous and including the newest selection - Australia frivolous live show complete with haunting Please check your Street. The last song based recording was Live melodies, a theatrical stage presence and Newsletter envelope - at the Local in 1999 so it’s been a while! if it is marked affecting choruses that hook into your heart. ‘Membership Due’ Australia Streets are scattered across the cities, Also to kick off the night will be David Meyers please use the suburbs and towns of Australia. In them from Canberra. David is a singer/songwriter, Membership Form generations of Australians have made their attached to this bush poet and an historian. He plays guitar and Newsletter or pay homes, expressing their sense of who they are sings traditional and original Australian folk online from and where they come from. The songs and songs. He has performed extensively in the www.illawarrafolkclub/ tunes on this new recording form part of a org.au ACT and surrounding regions. In his ‘quieter’ folk music tradition now part of that moments, he plays bongos for a Bungendore expression. group and is a founding member of Canberra’s The recording includes 18 tracks with 4 Shiny Bum Singers. Dave is also the convenor instrumental medleys. The songs range from of the Queanbeyan Bush Poets and has an arrangement of Waltzing Matilda using the performed at many festivals including Alice NEWSLETTER Marie Cowan / Buderim Queensland and Springs, Gosford, Cobargo, Kiama, Jamberoo, ADVERTISING RATES Craigielee March tunes to new songs about Majors Creek and the National. He is the coal mining, beer, trains, the environment and unofficial poet-laureate of Queanbeyan and has for folk related adverts migrants. There are also ‘new’ songs and tunes often been commissioned for the town’s formal Full page $100 found in the depths of the National Library of occasions Half Page $70 Australia that have not been heard for 50 years. Quarter Page $40

2 August 2008 ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER Folk Concert Folk Alliance Geoffrey Graham Australia is proud to present a presents 'Rhythms fantastic of the Bush', Double CD compilation of 37 Wallaby Hillbillies original Australian 7.30pm Saturday 16 August compositions at a $8 Members, $12 Non special price of only DO YOU REMEMBER.... $25.00 Freight Free! (or $20.00 for F.A.A. Do you remember your first dance—the taste of fresh milk straight from the cow—skinny members) dipping in the dam—billy carts, billy cans and billy goats—and when telly first came to your home? Do you remember the smell of the bush after rain— fighting bush fires with hessian bags – pony club events—campfires in the bush— singing round the old piano and most of all the Rhythm of the Bush? Illawarra People will get a chance to recall these things Pub Acoustic when the Illawarra Folk Club presents Geoffrey Graham at its Saturday Night Concert Music Venues He has performed at every major festival in on August 16th at 7.30pm at the Wollongong Australia, including this years National Folk Jamberoo Pub, generally Diggers Club. Geoffrey is the person who Festival in Canberra. 2pm-5pm, Sundays ph toured the award winning one man show about 4236 0270 Banjo Paterson, ‘The Man From Ironbark’ and The Wallaby Hillbillies are a group of is a bush poet, musician, theatrical locals from Jamberoo who played at the Ryans Hotel, Thirroul, communicator, actor, comedian, and Aussie community night at the Illawarra Folk Festival Acoustic Illawarra raconteur…but foremost an entertainer. in 2003, when it was in Jamberoo, after being concerts, Thursday nights, Geoffrey combines music, comedy and verse to talent spotted at the jamberoo school fete ! They free entry present his unique style of entertainment. play a wide variety of musical styles to keep everyone in the band happy! and have recently Hotel, Half an hour of Geoffrey’s performance will included Ben Hewitt to add some young blood! Sundays, 2pm be devoted to the works of one of Australia’s The other members are Tim Hewitt (singer/ best loved poets, Banjo Paterson. guitar/harmonica), Kate Bestwick (singer/ Geoffrey hails from Eaglehawk in Central piano accordian /keyboards), Steve Victoria and is on a tour of ‘The Northern States. Whitworth (drums), Stuart Alexander

Sydney Folk Events 2nd Thu Sutherland Folk Club Concerts, Sutherland Trade Union Club, Gymea. Come early and enjoy a cheap meal at the bistro. Contact: Jenny 02 9576 2301. 4th Tues - Sutherland Folk Club Session, same details as above. 4th Sat - Loaded Dog Folk Club, Annandale Neighbourhood Centre, Sandra Nixon, 02 9358 4886, [email protected]

ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER August 2008 3 (electric bass/banjo), Cathy Hewitt, traditional folk dance music is welcome. Dancing Folk (saxophone/clarinet/flute/whistle) and Members will come from the well travelled Ben Hewitt, (acoustic upright double bass). Wongawilli Band and will be led by the Every Wed. Wongawilli Bush accordion wielding Illawarra Folk Festival Dance, ph. Gwen 02 4296 Director David De Santi. There will be a 1855 from 8pm, all dances Family Charity Bush rehearsal at the venue from 4.30pm prior to called, musicians welcome. the dance so this will be a great chance to get Adults $2.50 includes light Dances Are Back! familiar with the tunes. Sheet music will be supper! Music by Bulli Festival Bush available. Musicians will need to register with Every 2nd Sat. Marshall Dance Orchestra - acoustic David. [email protected] Mount Old Time Dance musicians welcome to join Tickets will be available at the venue from 6pm. Fridays, 8pm Bush Dancing, the band! Illaroo Road School, Nowra, You can help promote the event by ph Margaret 02 4421 0557 Saturday 30 August downloading the poster on the website below. CITY DIGGERS WEBSITE: www.illawarrafolkclub.org,au/ WOLLONGONG 6.30pm-9pm bushdance.php Families $14, adults $7 proceeds to Oxfam & Festival Bowral's Folk, GREAT (Musicians rehearsal from Blues & Beyond PRESENTS 4.30pm) Wednesday 21 August, Joe 22nd Festival CD (2007) - Bulli Caseley, Home Brew, Peter Bakontrak, 24 Artists, $25 plus Miller-Robinson, The postage Songcatchers - NEW VENUE in 21st Festival CD (2006) - Bulli - EAST BOWRAL The Tradition Continues, 23 The Club opened in January 2007 and is held Artists, $25 plus postage every third Thursday of the month starting at FOLK CLUB COOK BOOK, Vol. 1, 8pm. The nights are hosted by John Hall, Bob 2 and 3 - Wonderful collections of McInnes and Jason Winter. recipes from all sorts of places and people! A must for any half cultured The Club has changed venue to: The Celtic cook. Copies available for $10 each Room at The Scottish Arms 69 Boardman Road including postage. East Bowral 2576, NSW Tel: 4861 4333. There is 20th Festival JAMBEROO lots of space and parking. Entry is $8. CELEBRATION, 20 years On, The family charity bush dances started last Contact John Hall on 02 4861 4900 or email Double CD - 41 Artists, $30 plus year return! postage [email protected] for information and t’s been a while since there were regular family musician bookings. JAMBEROO - A DISCOVERY, bush dances in the Illawarra and the Illawarra 19th Festival - 22 Artists, $25 plus postage Folk Festival is pleased to present them with the help of City Diggers Wollongong, 24th Illawarra Folk JAMBEROO - A CHANGE OF Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club and the SEASON - 17th ILLAWARRA Festival Update FOLK FESTIVAL COMPILATION Illawarra Folk Club. By the time you get this newsletter the CD - 19 perfomers from the Festival - It will be a chance to enjoy the good fun of a performer applications will have closed. $25 plus postage. family bush dance, like the old days. A chance to hear acoustic music, see and hear musicians There have been over 150 applications ORDER OVER THE PHONE: enjoying their music, people socialising and providing a great variety of acts once again. 1300 887 034 with Credit Card or from the Illawarra Folk Store online having fun. And as a bonus Oxfam will enjoy Early enquiries have been made with Ted Egan, www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au/store the financial benefits as well. Rachael Unthank and the Winterset (from the Social dancing has been part of the Australian UK), Dougie MacLean (Scotland), The Beez way of life for over 200 hundred years and returning from Berlin, Mick Thomas (from CDs are also available these dances will keep that tradition alive. Weddings Parties Anything), Nano Stern from through Trad&Now, with There will be a selection of traditional Chile and Fiona Boyes (now living in the US). secure online credit card Australian dances mixed with some facilities. Go to: Grant applications have been submitted to multicultural dances as well. Wollongong City Council and the Tourism www.tradandnow.com/ Regional Flagship Event shopping All the dances will be presented by callers from the Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club who Fund. for over 20 years have been presenting bush The Bulli Showground management have also dances to the public. indicated there should be NO greyhound or THE BAND: The band, known as the Bulli trotting race meetings during the festival time Festival Bush Dance Orchestra, will be a come- which is great news! ye-all style - ie anyone willing to play

4 August 2008 ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER Acoustic Lounge at Ryans Hotel on 26 There’s not much use complaining. August, 18 September at the Braidwood Complaining’s such a bore, Folk Club, 20/21 September at the And, as Australian citizens, we should be Turning Wave Festival in Gundagai and thankful for, Folk in the Foothills at Jamberoo Valley The fact the Government’s worrying. Showing Lodge on Sunday 19 October. He'll have their concern, to get a new CD soon to pay for all that Indicates our welfare, is an aim for which they petrol! yearn. <><><><><><><><><> I’m so grateful to George Dubbya Bush, his Our resident rapscallion poet, the dreaded invasion of Iraq GENERAL FESTIVAL MEETING ‘Blue the Shearer’ (AKA Col Wilson in his Has kept our oil prices down. Safe from a price other life) has turned his attention to attack. A general meeting to join the committee Australias greatest charities this month. I Just imagine what would happen, if those fields and for an organisational update has been refer of course to the oil companies which were not secured, set for Monday 11 August at the Bulli we charitably provide so many funds for. The price we pay for petrol, would have Heritage Hotel from 6pm to 8pm. Please What are we complaining about? We're REEEEEEEEEEELLLLY soared. come along to join the committee and have the lucky country. a heap of fun! If you can't make but would And I’m grateful to our Governments, the like to be involved then contact David De PETROL PRICES present and the past, Santi, 0409 57 1788 or For putting on the excise. The improvement It’s the way Slim Dusty sang it, with poignancy [email protected]. has been vast and heart, To our infrastructure. Health and Education, General volunteer registration will be The very best example of a country singer’s The railways and the highways, crisscrossing available late August from the new art, our great Nation. website: That there’s nothing so lonesome, morbid or So resurrect your scooters, your skateboards, www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au drear, Than to stand in the bar of a pub with no beer. and your bikes, Increasing petrol prices is something no one That might be true of morbid, and it might be likes, true of beer, And if you want to save some dough, when And it might be true of lonesome, but let me debt is looming large, make it clear. Leave your motor car at home. Lock it in the That there’s nothing so heartless, sadistic and garage. cruel Cleanse your mind of discontent, and Than to stand in a garage with a car with no discontented talk, fuel. Celebrate the Government. Catch a bus, or SCARLETT AFFECTION who will be With petrol prices rising, breaking records train, or walk. playing at the club on Friday at the every day, Wongawilli CD launch will be back in the BLUE -- the shearer (copyright col wilson) Kevin’s ‘working families’ can do nothing else 4/7/08 Illawarra on Friday 26th September. but pray They’ll be performing at a house concert That one day, they’ll come down again. The oil <><><><><><><><><> at club member, Jason Rosewarn’s home companies, The Wongawilli Band aren’t the only band in Windang. The cost is $15 and seats at Altruistic and benevolent, might listen to our celebrating 20 years together this year. this are very limited so if you want to go pleas. Colcannon - the best Australian Band give Jason a ring on 0419 486 621, but get never to perform in the Illawarra (though in quick. For details on the duo go to: Do they have their own agenda? That would many of them have as individuals and in www.myspace.com/scarlettaffection or not be true. other groups - notably with Eric Bogle) www.scarlettaffection.com They exist to help the motorists, the likes of me and you. are also celebrating 20 years and are <><><><><><><><><> Unfair trading? Poppycock. I’m the first to scoff having a concert to mark it . The concert The Mount Kembla Heritage Festival is on at will feature some of the musicians that from 1 to 3 August. They have a parade on The thought that oil companies would rip us off have been part of Colcannons spectacular Saturday 2 August. Wongawilli will be for profit. The only problem is that it is in Adelaide playing at the Mount Kembla Hotel on where the band is based but for what it’s I have heard it said, and I’d guess it’s no Sunday 3 August from 2pm. worth it’s on Saturday 16th August at the surprise, Nexus Arts Centre on North Terrace in <><><><><><><><><> That our National Government does exercise Adelaide. They are putting out a limited John Broomhall has been in England excise edition CD to mark the occasion. painting his daughters boat but will be On our petrol prices, and that they enjoy the www.colcannon.net loot, back in mid-August. He has a busy <><><><><><><><><> performing schedule with his 2 team So is there any doubt that their agenda seems members, Johnny Spillane and David De to suit? Anyone who does Cryptic Crosswords Santi. They're at the Loaded Dog in would not only be familiar with, but also Annandale on Saturday 23 August, an expert on anagrams. Here’s a few that caught my eye on the internet (Someone

ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER August 2008 5 has too much time on their hands as the Masterclasses, conducted by first-class Of salt ye need a little dash, saying goes…. musicians, precede the Festival, running Of vinegar a healthy splash, Broon sauce as weel if ye are brash PRESBYTERIAN: When you rearrange the 11-13 April. For fish and chips. letters: BEST IN PRAYER Performer Applications are now open; They’d grace a high society bash - applications can only be made online and ASTRONOMER: When you rearrange the Melt on yer lips. letters: MOON STARER will close August 31st. Performers who have been booked should be notified by <><><><><><><><><> THE EYES: When you rearrange the the first week in December. letters: THEY SEE Long Jim Chapman, one of our dancing, For more information contact the Festival poetical members reckons that he likes to ELEVEN PLUS TWO: When you rearrange office on [email protected] or call hide his light under a bushel, and states the letters: TWELVE PLUS ONE 0262 49 7755; the website is that folks are not aware that he is a patron MOTHER-IN-LAW: When you rearrange www.folkfestival.asn.au and Performer of Britain’s National Trust. the letters: WOMAN HITLER Applications are at http:// He sent this pic to prove it: www.folkfestival.asn.au/pages/ Enough- back to some serious Folk Notes. performing.html. <><><><><><><><><> <><><><><><><><><> Another house concert. This time at Engadine at the home of Club Member Warren Fahey writes to say there is a Marg Bradford (Who launched her CD at virtual session that you can pick up on the the club this month). It’s on Sunday 3rd internet. He says;- “I am a regular listener August 2pm will be featuring the to Mike Harding's BBC folk program (it is dynamic duo, Buck & Deanne. Buck & weekly and very good) and recently Deanne are a folk/blues duo featuring fine noticed a new addition - a virtual folk vocals, close harmonies and nifty guitar session.It's at http://www.bbc.co.uk/ presentation whose undeniable chemistry radio2/r2music/folk/sessions/ ... and it ensures a romantic musical collaboration allows you to play along, at session tempo, that has delighted and uplifted audiences reels, jigs, polkas etc and also includes the from Perth to Sydney. Together they musical notation including chords - and collaborate on Buck's original material as you can even print it out. well as placing their own special It is very nifty and worth exploring. arrangements on traditional blues, pop <><><><><><><><><> and folk classics. Deanne has been singing harmonies for as long as she can ADDRESS TO A CHIP SHOP. remember and joined her first choir in I love Parodies though I’m not sure what Mr J Chapman: Patron and Supporter of 1998. Her goal is to perform at folk Robbie Burns would make of this one. To British Pubs since 1958! festivals in the UK and US Buck (Paul appreciate it you would have to have ( The Olde Inn, Widecombe, Devon, 2008) Buckberry performed at the club with heard his address to the Haggis. I hope Somehow or other I don’t think he’ll be Tony McGloin last November. Booking the old Larrikin Bob McInnes renowned able to get a court to believe him. Notice essential: Ring Margaret on 9520 6180 or for his recitation of the address doesn’t he doesn’t even have a pint in his hand. email [email protected] $15/$12 forget himself one day and do the parody- (yummy afternoon tea and time for a maybe a tripe parody would be in order. <><><><><><><><><> friendly chat assured) By the way it was sent to me by the old If you can’t get to see Geoffrey Graham at <><><><><><><><><> Scottish Walloper himself- Monty. the club on Saturday 16th August, then you can catch him two days earlier at the Fair fa' ye salt and vinegar way, For those contemplating applying to Sutherland Folk Club at the Sutherland Great chieftain o' the take away, perform at next years National Folk and District Trade Union Club (7.30pm) Twice the price is cheap tae pay Festival in Canberra here’s some up to the Kingsway Gymea. If you haven’t For golden batter. date information. Music of the Americas worked it out it’s Thursday 14th August. South America, Central America, Latin Gie me a chip shop ony day America and the North American The rest don’t matter. <><><><><><><><><> continent, including Canada, will be a Stuffed prawns frae the Atlantic Coast Folk Alliance Australia has produced a special musical theme at the 2009 National A donner kebab on me is lost new on-line newsletter which you can see Folk Festival and performers are invited The humble meat pie’s aye the toast by visiting www.folkalliance.org.au/faa/ to apply now. Each year “the National” Frae Caledonia’s fryer, newsletter/ Australia’s premier folk event, celebrates An’ chips wrapped in The Sunday Post <><><><><><><><><> a different Australian State, a chosen social Would Gods inspire. theme and music from a selected region Cheers! Russell Hannah, or ethnicity. In 2009 Music of the Americas Pickled onions frae the jar [email protected], 02 4297 1777 is the musical theme, South Australia is Beats yon Russian caviar; the featured State and Natural Fibres is Hauf chicken’s tastier by far the social theme. When biled in grease. Yer cholesteral is over par? For really keen musicians, three days of Och, gie me peace.

6 August 2008 ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER [email protected] Zorba's Kefi Band - Greek music, 2 or 3 piece or Illawarra Folk Club Perla Aura - African dance, drum musician and larger, Simon Kinnas, 0412 757 557, teacher, member of Obrobini 02 4274 5658, 0414 641 [email protected] Performers File 285. [email protected] Zumpa - old Italian tunes with new life. David De Polly Garland - music tuition in piano, button and Santi 02 0409 57 1788 [email protected] Service for Illawarra Folk Club piano accordion, available for bush dances, bands www.myspace.com/zumpafolk members. Area Code is 02 uno 6493 6199 [email protected] Barry (Blue) Lake - Bonza Bush Poet/Yarn Spinner/ Simon Kinnas - Greek bouzouki music, 0412 757 MC Phone 02 4476 4124 557, [email protected] Blue the Shearer , aka Col Wilson - poet, Stuart Leslie - concertina/ button accordion, member raconteur, prawn deveiner, ABC radio star 02 4751 of Puddin’ Eaters, Whatsaname Band, No Such Thing, 5998, (Springwood), [email protected] Celtic Craic, The O’Tooles 02 4421 5538 Bob McInnes, Stringfiddle - Larrikin fiddler, [email protected] Australian Scottish music band 02 4885 1191 Vivienne Sawyer - poet, comedienne, great MC 4257 (Robertson), [email protected] 4808 Chloe & Jason Roweth (formerly Us Not Them) - Yuri The Storyteller - World folk tales, internationally Australian folk, contemporary and original, Jason and acclaimed master storyteller 0419 412093 Chloe Roweth 02 6366 3260, [email protected] GROUPS www.rowethmusic.com.au Big Snore Hammers - High energy 'worldly' Christina Giorgio & Scott Lewin - singer instrumental music to dance to, led by 9 year old songwriters, Stanwell Park 0412 999 338, Samuel De Santi David De Santi 0409 57 1788 www.sunnysounds.net Chris Wilson - singer/ [email protected] guitarist 02 4271 4364 www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au/ 18 TRACKS - Victor Podham's Rusty performers_big_snore.php Hut - Sing Us A Song - Waltzing Matilda Dave Oliphant - singer/guitarist, dance caller, entertainer, contact for FIDDLEDANCE Bushband Cantolibre - traditional & contemporary Latin World - Tableland Reels - Poison Train - 0419 218926 [email protected] Music, 02 4284 3126 - [email protected] Outside Track - Sign On Day - Tassie Polkas - Coal Dust Tattoos - The David Beniuk - singer/songwriter Cheeky Tzatziki - Glam folk at its funniest- wind, [email protected] plucked strings, percussion, vocals and accordians Stockman's Lone Grave - Ciao Billabong by four fab ‘culturally challenged’ women, Ann / Sam's tarantella - Merro's Medley - David De Santi - piano accordion, Wongawilli, Lehmann 0414 680 123, [email protected] Zumpa, Big Snore Hammers 0409 57 1788 Around the Boree Log - Coopers [email protected] Denizen - traditional, contemporary Celtic Australian Sparkling Ale - Life is Like a Mighty music, Johnny Spillane 02 4296 9693, River - Long Weekend at Home / Sandpit Duncan Chalmers - traditional singer/guitarist 0418 [email protected] 440 032, [email protected] Reel - Overlanders / Walk Around - Time FIddledance - traditional, bush band, bluegrass Dave is a Tempest Elwyn Jordan - music tuition, guitar, bass, banjo Oliphant 0419 218926 [email protected] and mandolin 02 4261 6325 Available online from Heather Mandich & Southern Alliance - Geoffrey Graham - the Man from Ironbark, rhymes, Bluegrass- full throttle and from the heart! 4 piece www.illawarrafolkclub.org.au/ comedy and music, 03 5446 3739 (Bendigo, Vic.), contemporary bluegrass band store [email protected] www.heathermandich.com email Graeme Johnson - performance poet, Australia [email protected] 02 42565850 www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au rhyming verse 02 9874 7653 (Sydney), John Broomhall / Johnny Spillane / David De [email protected] Santi - new and old songs of Australia. 02 4296 9693, Jim Macquarrie - trad Celtic, Australian, North [email protected] www.myspace.com/ American music 02 4474 2736 (Moruya), johnbroomhalljohnnyspillanedaviddesanti [email protected] Jigzag - Fresh, uplifting contemporary folk-pop 3- Johnny Spillane - whistle, dance caller, musical piece. 02 9747 2648, [email protected] harlot 02 4296 9693, [email protected] L'Emigrante / Zumpa - Italian traditional folk music Liz Frencham - singer/songwriter/double bass 0413 and tunes, combines with Obrobini to create ZUMPA! 764 688, [email protected] David De Santi 0409 57 1788 [email protected] Karen Lynne - singer/songwriter, traditional, original, www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au/zumpa.php country, contact for Acoustic Shock 02 4757 3292 madd marianne - Celtic 6 piece music group, (Katoomba), [email protected] Johnny Spillane 02 4296 9693 Kevin Baker - singer/songwriter 02 4225 8684 [email protected] [email protected] www.maddmarianne.com Mark Holder-Keeping - multi-instrumentalist, Obrobini - African style percussion and music group, member of Cantolibre, We Love You Madly, Big Perla Aura, 0414 641 285, Snore Hammers, Zumpa, Markelle 02 4228 4153, [email protected] 0405 271 110, [email protected] Pettibone - 4 piece gypsy swing youtful band, Margaret Bradford - folk singer-songwriter, for James Twyford, 0437 775 056 children also 02 9520 6180 (Sutherland), [email protected] [email protected] Selalu – Three piece band, contemporary folk FOLK CONCERTS Margaret Walters - Australian stories and song 02 (Sydney) 0417 706 692 [email protected] 9698 2206 [email protected] www.selalu.com.au CITY DIGGERS Maurie Mulheron - singer/songwriter, playwright, 5 Wongawilli & Wongawilli Colonial Dancers - WOLLONGONG string banjo, guitar, mandolin, songs to nourish the Award winning and well travelled Australian folk, bush Book Early for Dinner spirit 4267 1449 [email protected] music band, 8 to 16 demonstration dancers, David De Santi 02 0409 57 1788 [email protected] Call Ph (02) 42288522 Michael West - percussionist (Eastern, African, www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au Latin), drum kit, Didgeridoo, Flute. Member of The [email protected] Tempest Trio & Electra Complex 0414717783

ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER August 2008 7 the heat. We stand out like, well like the out-of-towners that A Living Tradition we are.

This is a new feature of the newsletter where we showcase one of But they are so polite. They half smile and don’t talk about us the Folk Club's member performers and their folk song or peom behind their hands. But you can see the exchanges; who are writing craft. If you’ve got a song or a poem and a story goes these people? We haven’t had strangers come to our dance with it send it to [email protected] and we can before. They seem to forget that they had put a sign out the might put it in the Newsletter. We hope to make this a regular front. feature. We can’t dance. How does the Queensland Back-step go? I vaguely remember sashaying and the waltz hold and pass Claire Roberts & the lady on. The chairs are around the dance floor, too close The Leonard’s Hill Dance to the dances and I can’t hide my bare legs. I try to tuck them under the seat. Claire Roberts who is a regular at the club and a very fine singer But soon enough it is supper time and we are offered tea and songwriter. She has been performing at clubs and restaurants around pikelets, no milk unless you like sweetened-condensed. I’ll the Illawarra for years and originally comes from Bullarook (yes it have mine black thanks. does exist) and went back recently on a childhood rediscovery tour. There she discovered the Leonard’s Hill Dance (a bit like the One old man comes over and says hello, asks where we are Marshall Mount Old Time Dance). from. Wollongong actually, but lived near here; Bullarook. It’s the first time since I left home in 1974 that anyone knows Claire not only went and danced all night, but she also wrote a where Bullarook is. I knew the Roberts’s from Bullarook he song about it. Claire’s impressions and her song as well as a picture says. My parents, I say, delighted. He calls to the others. This of the Leonard’s Hill Hall are published under. Claire performed it is Don and Dorothy Roberts’ daughter. And they seem at the Folk Concert in May where it was met with universal acclaim relieved somehow – they’ve put us into a category they by the audience. understand. We are not strangers really and have a right to The sign on the wall of the Leonard’s Hill hall said New be here. Years Eve Dance; painted in white house paint, broad strokes, They are easy with us now. A woman with a bee-hive hairdo, crooked and expectant. blue eye shadow and all the other fashion faux pas, stockings We venture into the hall circa 1927 and step into the 1960’s. with open-toed shoes, flirts with my man. Her name is Shirley Piano and drums and a display board, next dances Gypsy and she has a creping cleavage and lipstick on her teeth. Her Tap and Pride of Erin. Sawdust on the floor husband Frank is shy. I try to talk to him but he can’t look at me and scuffs the tow of his shoe on the saw-dusted floor. The women’s paisley dresses, pleated skirts, stockings, pearls, court shoes. Sunday-best men’s suits brought out for I feel awkward and thank goodness when the piano player weddings, funerals and the New Year’s Eve dance. runs her fingers over the keys and the drummers starts a 6/ 8. Click Goes the Shears, progressive Barn Dance. Come on Why are the so surprised when we walk in? They had put a Glen, we can do this one. He’s reluctant but we shuffle around sign out the front, hadn’t they? Maybe the sign was just to the floor and he rises to the occasion and chats to the ladies, remind the locals that the dance was on. I’m wearing an sashay in two, three, back two, three, pass the lady on. Indian skirt and sandals; it’s so hot this time of year and my man is in jeans and boots, open-necked shirt – he doesn’t feel The piano is well-tuned, old a little tinny. The top E above C doesn’t appear to work. The bass drum is stuffed with an old grubby cushion to counteract the strange acoustics in the hall. Mavis and Eddy invite us over for afternoon tea next time we are in town. We thank them politely. We won’t call on them, they know it and we know it but it’s a nice pretence. Frank finds the courage to kiss me on the cheek and then goes bright red. We step out of the door into 2007 and the summer heat hits us. My bare legs seem appropriate again and everyone else looks overdressed. The car park is lined with farm-trucks, utes, a few old Holdens and incongruously, a dark blue Mercedes. We jump into my Kia and head back to the motel, not speaking as we digest all that has happened. I spot Frank in the rear view mirror, in the middle of the road, waving goodbye. Claire Roberts and her dad, Don playing at the 1998 Goodbye to the Leonard’s Hill Dance. Australian Folk Festival at Kiama

8 August 2008 ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER We all stopped for supper and they passed the teacups The Leonard’s Hill Dance ‘round Claire Roberts Pikelets and scones, jam fancies and lamingtons We were touring the back roads from Daylesford to Tinned milk and Milo, the tables were Laminex Bullarook High tea at the Leonard’s Hill Dance Re-tracing the routes that we took in my childhood Chorus And outside a hall just before Korweinguboora Was a sign, said the Leonard’s Hill Dance Back to the dance floor, the band wasn’t flagging Five or six dances and the night came to an end I said we should go there, the dance is this evening Out of the hall, into the 21st century And Glen said we can call in on our way back to Drove out of the car park past-the trucks and utilities Castlemaine The lights fade from view in the rear vision mirror We’d left our good clothes in a motel in Trentham Goodbye to the Leonard’s Hill Dance But we went to the Leonard’s Hill Dance

We looked through the door and there on the podium We sang: Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu Was a drum kit, a violin and a battered old piano When the clouds roll by I’ll come to you. The musicians were playing an old Pride of Erin And Sweet Rosie O’Grady, My dear little Rose, There at the Leonard’s Hill Dance Da da da da de (intro) We sneaked through the door trying to look inconspicuous But everyone glanced up with looks of astonishment Smile Awhile But it’s step 2, 3, curtsy and pass the lady on So polite at the Leonard’s Hill Dance Smile the while you kiss me sad adieu When the clouds roll by I’ll come to you. The songs that they played were the songs of my Then the skies will seem more blue, childhood Down in Lover’s Lane, my dearie. The songs that my father would play on the accordion Step 2, 3 curtsy and pass the lady on Wedding bells will ring so merrily There at the Leonard’s Hill Dance Ev’ry tear will be a memory. So wait and pray each night for me The women wore pearls, nylons and petticoats Till we meet again. The men all in suits, some three piece with waistcoats My cheap Indian skirt was completely inadequate Underdressed at the Leonard’s Hill Dance

I knew all the tunes but the lyrics evaded me Just snippets of words came back to my memory So I tapped out the beat and I sang da, da, da, de There at the Leonard’s Hill Dance

(Elizabethan Serenade) Da, da, da, da, de

ILLAWARRA FOLK CLUB NEWSLETTER August 2008 9 Experience the ambience of the rainforest, the music, the dance and verse at

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