Source: Fleurieu Folk Festival Inc

This year's Fleurieu Folk Festival is happening in Willunga on the 21st-23rd October 2011 – so put it in your diary now, tell all your friends, family, workmates or anybody you can think of and bring them along.

fleurieu folk fest news:

Updated 11 October 2011

PREVIEW CONCERT

Each year on the night before the Fleurieu Folk Festival, SCFC (South Coast Folk Club) presents a preview concert at the Port Noarlunga RSL Club, featuring some of the visiting performers. This year they'll be showcasing three of the outstanding young acts from interstate that will be appearing at the Festival: Lucy Wise, Evan & Mischa, and Daniel Champagne.

This is going to be a very popular concert so make sure you’re early to get a good seat! Admission is FREE to the Thursday 20 October show (7:30pm), but there is a "compulsory" $5 raffle. For details, see the Facebook Event >>

The Festival itself kicks off the next night (Friday 21 October) and runs all weekend. See details below. It will be a beautiful weekend in Willunga!

Updated 13 September 2011

LATEST MEDIA RELEASE:

South Australia’s premier folk festival has attracted globetrotting national acts among its stellar line up for this year’s family friendly event at Willunga on October 21-23. With 75 acts on the program representing roots, folk, celtic, acoustic, blues and bluegrass music, the 2011 Fleurieu Folk Festival is tipped to break its attendance records yet again. More than 7500 attended the festival last year, an increase on the previous year, making it the highest attendance since it was relocated to Willunga four years ago.

“This year marks the fifth year since the festival found its home in Willunga and it just keeps getting bigger and better,” Festival organiser Peter Thornton said. “The festival’s reputation is growing nationally and we had the largest contingent of interstate musicians among the 200 or so acts that applied to play this year. “Some of the Australian musicians we’ve booked have been playing at major international festivals so we’ll have world class talent on show in what remains the State’s most affordable music festival.”

Among the headline acts are Mal Webb (Victoria) who recently played at the Glastonbury festival, rising star Daniel Champagne (NSW) who is currently touring Canada, Totally Gourdgeous direct from their UK tour and UK-based alternative acoustic rock duo Blackheart.

Other interstate acts include Richard Perso, Martin Pearson, The Ballpoint Penguins, Squeebz, Ricketty Bridge and Danny Spooner with popular local acts such as Chris Finnen, Goldstein, The Yearlings, Siobhan Owen, Junior and Brillig. “Around 25% of the acts are performers under 30 – a true reflection of the folk music revival among the younger generation, which is great to see,” Mr Thornton said. “The young performers’ tent was overflowing last year and we expect it to again be a highlight of the festival.”

The aim of the festival is to stage a popular family event that highlights the talent of local and interstate performers and encourages participation from people of all ages and skill. Set in the beautiful historic town of Willunga on South Australia’s Fleurieu Peninsula, the festival presents a weekend of music concerts and sessions, dance, workshops, bush poets, children’s entertainment and stalls.

“It’s not all just about listening to these great performers. We encourage those coming to the festival to bring their instruments and participate in an open jam session, attend a music workshop or even have a go on the open stage,” Mr Thornton said.

The annual festival represents one of the best value-for-money family music events in Australia. Tickets to the festival range from $40 (weekend pass), $20 (for Saturday or Sunday day pass) or $15 (Friday evening pass). Children Under 15 are free when accompanied by an adult.

The Fleurieu Folk Festival kicks off at 6pm on Friday October 21 and runs until 8pm on Sunday October 23. For more details go to www.fleurieufolkfestival.com.au

2011 lineup

SPECIAL GUESTS

Blackheart (UK)
Totally Gourdgeous (Vic)
Ricketty Bridge (Vic)
Ballpoint Penguins (WA)
Danny Spooner (Vic)
Chris Finnen (SA)
Martin Pearson (Vic)
Richard Perso (Vic)
Junior (SA)
Lucy Wise (Vic)
Taliska (Vic)
Acoustic Elements (Vic)
Evan & Mischa (Vic)
Brillig (SA)
Squeebz (Vic)
Mal Webb (Vic)
Bruce Watson (Vic)
Daniel Champagne (NSW)
Goldstein (SA)
Siobhan Owen (SA)
John Francis (SA)
Mike & Thom Jackson (Vic)
The Yearlings (SA)
Vince Brophy & Cora Brown (Vic)
Allan Johnston (Scotland)

PLUS OVER 75 ACTS INCLUDING

Adelaide Morris Men, Peter Anderson, Andy Armstrong & Marta Bayly, Anthony D’Antonio, Basik Oz Trio, Robert Bean, Jim & Patti Bee, Linda Bick & Ron Higgins, Big Red Button, Dean Bird, Blueridge Mountain Cloggers, Borderline, Don Bruce, Bygone Error, Cat Dog Bird, Cinnabar Red Dance Collective, Cool Change, Crowdy Crawns, Face Painting, John Flanagan & The Begin Agains, Fortuna, Dave Godfrey, Gurdy Girl, Jeri Foreman & Paddy Montgomery, Hedgemonkey Morris, Hot For Joe, Kevin McCarthy, Lasseter's Gold, Sarah McGuire & Dave Godfrey, McLaren Vale Folk Club, Bill Marsh, Maureen Morris & Standing Stones, Olden Gray, Pining for the Fjords, Polar Bear Fandango, Preston’s Puppets, Rocky River, Ruby Moon, Rum & Raspberry, Maggie Rutjens, Ryebuck Sheilas, Scotch Broth, Self Preservation Society, Singergy, Jackie Smith, Southern Districts Pipes and Drums, Tellen Tri, Tombstone String Band, Traveller and Fortune, Tush, Wandering Minstrels, Willunga Primary School.


That's ridiculously good value for a festival where entry costs are always kept to a minimum. This year there will be a general site admission charge of $15 per adult for Friday evening and $20 per day on Saturday & Sunday. This gets you into all venues, including the major acts in the Festival Hall (stadium). There will also be an option to purchase a “season pass” for the whole weekend for $40 (a saving of $15). That's as affordable an event you will find anywhere! Children will still get free entry to all events when accompanied by a responsible adult.

volunteer opportunities

One of the best parts of a folk festival is involvement. By volunteering, you will make new friends and obtain great satisfaction from ensuring everyone has an enjoyable and memorable time at the Festival. A good festival requires lots of volunteers and your skills and time will be highly valued. If you would like to join the Festival Team please visit the Festival website and download a volunter registration form -http://www.fleurieufolkfestival.com.au/volunteers.htm - or you can pick one up from one of the local southern folk sessions.

fundraising raffle

This is one of the Festival's major fundraisers and they need your help to sell tickets. There are almost $2000 worth of fabulous prizes to be won and it’s still only $2 per ticket! Raffle books will be available from now until the festival weekend so please take a book or two to sell to your friends, workmates, etc. Prizes for this year’s raffle are:-
 
1ST PRIZE: Seagull acoustic/electric guitar with heavy duty carry bag from Southern Music Centre - action adjusted to perfection in Southern Music’s specialist workshop - value $1000
 
2nd PRIZE: 2 nights accommodation for 4 people at Jessica's Place B&B - value $600
 
3RD PRIZE: 32Gb Ipod Touch – value $350
 
4TH PRIZE: 1 case of Premium Aussie Cider - value $50

Watch this space for more Fleurieu Folk Festival news as it happens.