PORT FAIRY FOLK FESTIVAL
Full Program Announced
6-9 March 2020
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This March long weekend, thousands of music lovers will descend upon the Victorian scenic coastal town of Port Fairy for the 44th annual Folk Festival, featuring a joyful line-up of international and local artists representing folk music from around the world.
Program Director Caroline Moore said the 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival will be a splendid mix of brilliant music, great conversations, workshops, collaborations and surprises.
“What a line-up we have in store for our 44th festival. I am delighted to announce renowned artists and wonderful emerging artists for our next festival in March, which will also be filled with special events, family activities, and non-stop musical entertainment. This is a festival for every music lover – from the young to the young at heart.’’
Making their Port Fairy Folk Festival debut in 2020 areThe Blind Boys of Alabama (USA), Benny Walker, Bob Jensen (CAN),The Burning Hell (CAN), Chitra, Coig (CAN), Cool Out Sun, Emily Wurramara, Fara (UK), Flacco& Sandman, Flats & Sharps (ENG), GracePetrie (ENG), HubertFrancis (CAN), IanSherwood (CAN), TheJellyman’sDaughter (SCO), JohnSmith (ENG), JudithOwen (WALES), TheLanganBand (SCO), MichaelVeitch, Oliver The Crow (USA), Ruby Gill, Sibusile Xaba (South Africa), The Small Glories (CAN), Patty Griffin (USA), Rhiannon Giddens (USA) & Francesco Turrisi (ITA), Saije, Startijenn (FRA), SusanO’Neill (IRL), This Way North, WilliamCrighton, Will Kimbrough (USA), Ye Vagabonds (IRL), and YID!.
For those festival goers who want to kick back and watch, listen and laugh at the end of a night on Saturday and Sunday, the festival is tickled pink to be presenting two late night screenings of A Mighty Wind, and welcome the one and only Harry Shearer to Port Fairy, who will introduce this iconic folk mockumentary, and perhaps segue in to Spinal Tap and Simpsons stories as well!
An iconic tradition of Port Fairy are the themed concerts, and in 2020 the festival is presenting First Nations in Songs & Stories. Hosted by award winning Gina Williams, this event will feature First Nations artists Archie Roach, Ego Lemos (TL), Hubert Francis (CAN) and Mihirangi Fleming (NZ), and explore in conversation and in song, the similarities and differences of being a First Nation artist, the path to reconciliation and the role the arts and music can play in aspirations for the future.
Other themed concerts include North East x South West, Meet The Guests, The Guitarists, Song Catchers, Blues & Roots In The Round, and in 2020 Women Out Loud will hosted by YolanDa Brown, and of course let’s not forget the Big Sunday Sing Out!
The 2020 Festival will celebrate music from around the world, exemplifying the great folk/roots traditions of many cultures, regions, communities and countries – from Ireland to Port Fairy, Johannesburg to New Orleans, Prince Edward Island to Northcote, Celtic to Bluegrass, Indigenous to Latin and glorious folk fusions.
Families will be entertained, especially with free access for children aged 13 and under, with a curated children’s program including The Teeny Tiny Stevies, and a special event featuring British saxophonist and children’s television presenter YolanDa Brown and her Band Jam, plus workshops galore!
Music, theatre and stories are at the forefront of the Folkie with two special historical events taking place based on Australia’s Settler history. Michael Vietch’s Hell Ship: The Journey of the Ticonderoga takes audiences on a journey across the seas covering a forgotten chapter of Australia’s early maritime history. Composer Ashley Davies and the late historian Ian Jones draws on the story of infamous Australian outlaw Ned Kelly in a new multimedia production, narrated by Festival Ambassador Derek Guille and featuring live music. In addition to these wonderful events, ABC presenter Hilary Harper will host a forum on Interpreting History.
Tickets to the Port Fairy Folk Festival are available now at www.portfairyfolkfestival.com
The 44th Port Fairy Folk Festival takes place on the Labour Day Long Weekend from 6-9 March 2020, in Port Fairy, Victoria.
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