They’re all part of the 8^th Australian Folk Music and Dance Gathering to be held on the South Coast of NSW at the Albion Park Showground from the 4^th to 9^th June 2003 with over 75 Australian folk musicians, singers, poets, storytellers and dancers. BOOK SEASON TICKETS TODAY (31st May) and SAVE $10!

FULL PRINTED PROGRAMME NOW AVAILABLE (by email or from website www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au/Festival_2003.htm )

Some Festival Highlights:

·          Coopers, Culture and Colonial Cuisine - Thursday 5th June – 7 Coopers beers, food from Colonial Austrualia and music and songs from the settlers to Australia. A truly unique gastronomic and musical event.

·          Poetry Events - Breakfasts - Sat, Sun and Mon - a chance to spruik your favourite poems. Always a favourite.- Feature segments on Henry Lawson and Banjo Paterson. Hosted by Festival poets - Blue the Shearer, Geoffrey Graham, Vic Jefferies, David Meyers, Vivienne Saywer.

·          Brumby's Tavern - two great nights of Australian folk performers in an intimate atmosphere with Coopers beer on tap!

·          Unique and diverse workshops and theme concerts – The Original Waltzing Matilda, The Magic Pudding, Button Accordion, Songwriting, Railway Songs, Early Country, Variety Australian Style, Happy Hour Musically

·          The Stan Treacy Limerick Competition - Stan was a great fiddler from Limerick near Goulburn and the competition will be based upon creating a Limerick based on an Australian place name.

·          Dancing events such as the spectacular Masked Ball, Dancing Through the Years and old-time dances.

·          Band Mix-Up Concert (Monday) - all the musicians put their names in a hat and are drawn into bands of 5 and 6 to perform some obscure items.

ACCOMMODATION

Camping is available this year for $10 for the whole weekend per site. Showers and toilets are easily accessible. Some powered sites are also available for caravans.

There is also a wide range of accommodation in the Illawarra ranging from hotels, motels, caravan parks and bed & breakfasts all within striking distance of the festival. Call the Shellharbour Visitor Information Centre 1300 656 169 or Kiama Visitors Centre on 1300 654 262 for assistance.

TICKETS

A Season Ticket (for $50 ) allows entry to all events throughout the Gathering. You will receive a coloured armband to allow easy access to all the venues. Day and Evening tickets are also available, while Aged Pensioners can enter any individual daytime event for $5, and children under 16 are free.

The event is organised by volunteers from the Wongawilli Colonial Dance Club Inc., a non-profit incorporated association with the aims of promoting, preserving and performing Australia’s rich folk culture.

Contact Bev Murray on 02 4236 0701 for tickets, further information or visit the website: www.wongawillicolonialdance.org.au/Festival_2003.htm

Contact David De Santi for press information, photographs, 0409 57 1788, desanti@bigpond.com