Check Out 2024’s Line Up!

Ukulele virtuoso AJ Leonard and cellist Jenny Rowlands team up for a range of fearless performances cover a dazzling cross-section of styles, eras, and cultures. They are a true melding of musical minds, known on the world festival circuit for their unique ukulele/cello interplay and finely crafted arrangements.

Alinta Barlow is a proud Ngunnawal woman and singer/ songwriter from Canberra. She is a solo artist who performs both originals and covers, with some songs featuring Ngunnawal language. She comes from a long line of musicians, performers, and artists and performs frequently in her hometown, including the Multicultural Festival as part of the Indigenous Showcase.

Diane Gaylard, David, Claire and Murray Alleway are a family of keen sessions enthusiasts who love to share a tune or song from Irish, Scottish, Australian, English and Appalachian folk traditions with new folk of all abilities. With a strong history in the National Session bar, they’re pioneers of the Monday morning pretty tunes session, leading stairwell sea shanties and seeing out the night with Irish and Scottish tunes!

Amelie Ecology is a family friendly folk act with all-original songs about bees, soil life, compost and sustaina-bee-lity! Led by pollinator scientist Dr Amelie Vanderstock on ukulele and vocals, alongside buzzing multi-instrumentalist Gabi Brown, explore the curious ecology of soil micro-organisms, blue-banded bees and everyday ecologists in a cross pollination of science, folk and participatory theatre.

Andrew is a writer and teacher of Anglo-Ghanaian heritage, whose spoken word work seeks to explore and challenge liminal landscapes, complex identities and the social constructs of race. As an Anglo-Ghanaian- Australian, he offers a diverse voice that empowers people by acknowledging, amplifying and celebrating marginalised voices, and offering counter-narratives. His work includes non-English languages such as Twi (the Akan language of Ghana).

The ANU Jazz Orchestra is the flagship instrumental jazz ensemble of the Australian National University and the School of Music. It is committed to presenting musical performances at the highest level, giving a creative outlet to students at the School of Music, and the University more broadly. It aims to increase awareness of, and participation in, jazz music in the Australian Capital Territory and to offer enjoyable musical performances for the community through its outreach.

Apolline is a lively group of young, not-men folkies, equipped with alluring voices, innumerable instruments including violin, cello and bass, and an extensive collection of colourful socks. They play a mixture of traditional and contemporary tunes from Ireland, Scotland, Canada, America, Scandinavia and Australia, fusing them into intricate, cinematic arrangements along with a sprinkling of original songs, creating a unique experience of genre-bending folk.

Apsaras Arts is a celebration of classical Indian dance and music from internationally respected dance artists Ira Patkar, Nandana Chellapah and Vanaja Dasika. They perform works based in the Bharata Natyam, Kathak and Kuchipudi dance styles, including intimate ‘Abhinaya’ or facial gestures, celebrating the best in classical Indian dance technique from across India, accompanied by live music.

The Australian Morris Ring is an umbrella group that organises Morris Dancing by sides around the country. If there’s folk music, they’ll be there with bells on! This year features the Red Ravens Morris from Melbourne, Black Joak Morris from Sydney, and Canberra’s own Limestone Morris to showcase Cotswold, North-West, and Border styles as well as Sword, Jigs, and Clog. These fabulous dancers will delight and entertain, and challenge you to join in the madness at one of their workshops.

Belen Silva started her Tango journey at a very early age, in her hometown of Avellaneda Buenos Aires. Through working in the most prestigious shows in Buenos Aires, she developed her very own Tango Style. Argentine Tango creates a focus on the ‘space that we share’, created together between dance partners, with music that flows and can only be interpreted in someone else’s arms.

The Settler Sessions, led by the Ray Mulligan and the Bush Traditions team, features music from European settlers and their descendants who made Australia their home. Presented in an informal and approachable manner, the sessions are led by active players and collectors interested in passing on a unique part of Australia’s musical heritage. Bring an instrument and play along or just sit and listen! This year will see a focus on the music of northeastern Victoria.

Canberra Dance Theatre’s group GOLD (Growing Old Disgracefully) formed in 2011, providing dance classes for people over 55. Thirteen years on, GOLD is recognised locally, nationally and internationally. The dancers challenge community stereotypes of who older people are and what they offer to society. Dr Katrina Rank, a leading Australian educator and dance artist, has joined GOLD to make a work especially for the Festival which will travel between the Budawang and Fitzroy pavilions

Formed in 2003, the Canberra Mandolin Orchestra brings together players of mandolin, mandola, mandocello, guitar and bass, keeping alive the rich tradition of mandolin groups that emerged in the 20th century. Their repertoire draws from European mandolin music from the late 19th century, Italian and Greek music, bush music, ritzy tunes from the dawn of the jazz age, light classics, film themes, contemporary compositions and Australian folk dance music.

Canberra Qwire, proudly LGBTIQ+, brings together people from diverse sections of the queer community to challenge stereotypes and build a bridge between Canberra’s queer and non-queer folks through the power of the human voice! With over 100 active singers, Qwire welcomes all colours of the rainbow, including their allies, to join them in song this Festival!

Cat Kidd has been performing zoology-inspired story-verse since the early 90s, with solo shows Sea Peach and Hyena Subpoena touring festivals from Edinburgh to Oslo, Cape Town to Singapore. With a heart that shines light on its darkest corners, she has been called a force of nature. Cat was awarded Reciter of the Year at the National Folk Festival in 2023.

The Catherine Fraser Trio put a contemporary Australian take on traditional Scottish fiddle music. Exploring repertoire from as far back as the 18th century, right through to contemporary compositions, the trio brings a fresh improvisatory approach to the arrangements. With Catherine Fraser on fiddle, Rachel Johnston playing cello and Trent Arkleysmith on guitar, the trio brings a wealth of international experience and musicality to the festival.

Hailing from Melbourne, Ceoltóirí Naarm is a vibrant group of young musicians who have been honing their skills in the rich Irish setting of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. Join them for a kids-run Irish céilí, get your hands on instruments like the concertina, and revel in the exuberant performances by Australia’s next creative generation. Ceoltóirí Naarm provides a dedicated space for children and teens to learn and play Irish music, welcoming all to join them at the Festival.

The Chamaeleon Collective is Canberra’s professional inclusive dance group. With 70% of participants living with disabilities, chronic illness, or PTSD, the Chamaeleon Collective’s founder, Liz Lea, envisions a platform for exploring inclusive dance movements and music. Truly breathtaking, they will present inspiring staged performances, with opportunities for audiences to join them in workshops featuring a Fibonacci-inspired routine.

Charles Maimarosia, raised in the remote Pipisu village of Malaita, is a unique and extraordinary Solomon Islands singer and musician, drawing equally on traditional and contemporary musical styles. Charles developed a profound interest in ‘Are‘Are music at a young age after inheriting his first handmade coconut shell ukulele from his father. He later began performing amongst the community, communicating ancient songs of his ancestors with handmade panpipes.

Singer-songwriter Claire Anne Taylor is ‘the voice of Tasmania’ according to ABC Radio’s Joel Rheinberger, with a soulful, velvet and world-worn quality that commands audiences to silence. With a distinctively emotive and powerful presence, Claire simultaneously expresses both an inner strength and vulnerability, supported by her exquisite band who together have garnered a reputation for powerful live shows combining tough and tender performances that build an intimate rapport with fans.

Dale Huddleston is a renowned singer, songwriter and artist, connected to Ngardi language group in the Roper River region of East Arnhem Land. Dale and the Riverbank Band established their music career in Canberra in 1994, blending songs about First Nations culture with country rock and sweet harmonies. They have supported the likes of Jessica Maubouy, Blue King Brown, Casey Donnovan,Yothu Yindi, Russell Morris, Shane Howard & the Goanna Band, Jimmy Little, Archie Roach and Troy Cassar Daley.

David ‘Oddsocks’ Wanless is a danceoholic from Hobart, Tasmania. He has called dances from Mawson Station in Antarctica to France and Prince Edward Island in Canada. He calls dances from many traditions including contra, Irish, Scottish, e-ceilidh, Renaissance, Balkan, blezmer, balfolk, Regency and his own compositions. He is known for his energetic and inclusive calling to inspiring and lively music

Seven-time ARIA-award-winning artist David Bridie has enjoyed a distinguished career as one of Australia’s most well-loved and innovative musicians. A founding member and songwriter of musical groups Not Drowning Waving and My Friend The Chocolate Cake, David has also maintained a substantial career as a solo artist. David also founded The Wantok Musik Foundation - a not-for-profit music label that records, releases and promotes culturally infused music from Indigenous Australia, Melanesia and Oceania.

David Hallett has been writing and performing poetry for nearly 50 years, from the Sydney Opera House to the beat cafes of New York. Twice winner of the Poetry Olympics at the Sydney Writers Festival, David hosted two of Australia’s longest running poetry events for over 30 years. His entertaining performance poetry ranges from the comedic to the satiric to the deadly serious, addressing issues of the spin of war and peace, climate chaos, love, shopping and our maddening digital world.

Double Dole Stringband is an old-time band from Melbourne. They perform with a raucous gentleness and bring a modern and interesting take on traditional music with mandolin, guitar, fiddle and banjo. In 2023, their original tunes were awarded first place at the internationally renowned 38 Appalachian Stringband Festival (Clifftop), and their inclusive approach to running old-time sessions saw them nominated for an Australian Folk Music Award in the ‘Contribution to Folk’ category.

Named after the street they call home in Castlemaine, Central Victoria, Doveton Street Duo is a vibrant musical pair featuring Ruth Boylan from Ireland, on the concertina, fiddle and whistle, and Allan Evans, playing harp, flute and whistle. Their performances are a lively mix of traditional Irish airs, dance tunes, and both classic and contemporary compositions, including works by the famed Turlough O’Carolan.

The Dru Yoga team is an energetic and fresh-thinking group of inspired individuals who aim to inspire a naturally healthier way of living for everybody, from young to old, from all walks of life. They are founded upon the ideal of making a positive contribution to the world. With yoga and meditation at their core, they also care deeply about nutrition, therapeutic remedies and relieving the stresses of everyday living.

Mediterranean, jazz and Balkan influences interweave through East of West’s intricate compositions and improvisations. Featuring oud and laouto (lute instruments) with double bass and percussion, this trio of well- travelled musicians weave music that connects with the hearts and minds of the audience in a contemplative yet dynamic performance. Touching on many genres but deeply in tune with its own sound, the music of East of West questions boundaries and borders.

The Ellery String Quartet is a dynamic group of young musicians that formed at the Australian National University in Ngunnawal/Ngambri (Canberra). Folk music has played an integral role in shaping their performance style and character. They aim to break the stereotype of a classical string quartet’ through their repertoire choice and concert style, following the lead of groups such as the Danish String Quartet with their focus on Scandinavian folk music.

Ernest Aines is a folk singer- songwriter from Melbourne. A seasoned tourer, armed with only a guitar and a stomp box, he is a master of the stage. Ernest’s soulful voice delivers songs that belie his age, with lyrical expressionism that draws comparisons to the work of Ray Lamontagne, Bon Iver, Jeff Buckley and Nick Drake

Esfandiar Shahmir is a world-class ney and daf (flute and drum) player born in Tehran (Iran). Esfandiar originally studied theatre, and developed a love of Persian music. This led him to form a band with singer, poet and composer Parvaz Homay, which became the renowned Persian music ensemble Homay & Mastan. Since 2004, Esfandiar has recorded many albums with this ensemble and toured around the globe. Esfandiar has also performed with UNESCO award- winning Azerbaijani musician Alim Qasimov.

Evan Davies & Mischa Herman, both talented multi-instrumentalists, have come together to explore traditional Celtic and associated music styles combining flute, accordion, guitar, whistles and banjo in unexpected and striking combinations. Their intricate arrangements of traditional tunes are complemented by a suite of their own original compositions. The resulting sound is unique and diverse – born of a respect for tradition and a drive to forge new sounds.

Firetail’s music spans from 70’s jazz-fusion, South Indian Carnatic music and their very own brand of jazz-tronica. Formed in 2018, Firetail has developed an ambient approach to songwriting that blends soul-infused rhythms with evocative melodies on saxophone, and driving percussion with electronics. From the band’s earliest days playing warehouse parties and monthly dive bar residencies, the group has continued to push musical boundaries by collaborating with a wide variety of guest vocalists and instrumentalists.

Fred Smith writes songs. Some of them are sad. Some of them are funny. Some of them are sad and funny. Some of them are quite serious. An easy raconteur with a deep catalogue of great songs, capturing the human complexities of the countries he has worked in – Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, the USA, and lately Australia – with poetic songs that are wry, tender and comprehending.

Gamelan DanAnda is a Balinese gamelan orchestra based in Darebin/Naarm, Victoria. They mostly perform in the gong kebyar style, featuring shimmering cascades of metallic sound, virtuosic rhythms and breathtaking crescendos. They have taken this music to new spaces and audiences collaborating with Oz hip hop legend Joelistics, Balinese-Australian neo-soul singer-producer Komang, and electro-jazz-fusion band Firetail.

Gangar is a highly energetic young Nordic Folk Rock band from Oslo, Norway, with fiddle, saxophone, guitar, bass, and drums. Based around traditional Norwegian folk music, dance tunes and songs, their arrangements draw from jazz, funk, pop, soul and heavy metal. With inspiration from Hoven Droven, AC/DC and Meshuggah, they make Norwegian folk more accessible to a broader audience, without compromising the original material. Come dance!

Stuart and Ron have been playing piano and banjo together in the Gay Charmers Old-Time Dance Band for 65 years, with Doreen joining recently on button accordion. All three are earplayers and can neither read music nor have had any lessons and want to convey that art to likeminded, budding musicians to ‘sit down and have a go’. To learned musicians they probably break every rule in the book, but it’s worked for 65 years.

Aussie raconteur and poet Geoffrey W Graham combines poetry, theatre and music to bring to life identities such as Banjo Paterson, Henry Lawson and CJ Dennis. He pays homage to the old masters, while adding a new spin relevant to current cultural dilemmas. Geoffrey brings his audiences a sense of fun, with plenty of audience involvement and participation.

Indulge in the captivating world of Greek folk-dance with Melbourne’s ethnomusicologist, George Kiriakidis. As senior dance instructor for “Florina Aristotelis,” one of Australia’s premier Greek folk-dance troupes, George brings authenticity and expertise in Macedonian, Thracian, Epirotic, Asia-Minor, and Greek Islands dance styles. Join him on an immersive cultural journey where history, music, and the enchantment of Rebetika come alive through dance forms like the Hasápiko, Hasaposérviko and Zeibékiko. Experience the heart and soul of Greek urban-folk traditions in every step.

Bringing ancient language, contemporary music, stunning vocals, poignant stories and guitar brilliance, Gina and Guy are agitators for a hopeful future. Gina is a Ballardong Noongar woman, and with less than 400 speakers of Noongar language left, their work is about what connects us. Join them for ‘Koort (Heart),’ the second part of their four-part Kalyakoorl (Forever) song cycle. The only way to address intergenerational trauma is to bring healing and invite everyone back to the campfire.

Redfern-based Green Hand Band aims to break down barriers about poverty, racism and inequality. Drawing musical influences from soul, reggae and desert rock, music is used to raise awareness on issues like addiction recovery, spiritual empowerment and love. Writer, keyboard player, vocalist and Gumbaynggir/Wiradjuri man Tim Gray leads the band, bringing an infectious passion to the stage, along with the band comprising Turkish, Jewish, and Tuvalu cultural heritages.

Based in Buenos Aires, the Guanaco Trio’s shared love for the folkloric music of Argentina is blended with modern harmonies and counterpoint. Laura Urteaga on violin, Owen Salomé on bandoneón and Benjamín Aedo on guitar create a dazzling musical dialogue, capturing the traditional roots of Argentine music combined with new compositions by the trio’s members, seeking a contemporary sound that maintains ‘la tierra adentro’ or ‘the sound of the land’ at its core.

Hairyman is a singing poet, a balladeer and convict punk. He sings unaccompanied, painting pictures with stories of convicts to whaling, politics to love, and shipwrecked to war. Sculptor, musician, lover of books, bush mechanic, historian, researcher and poet, there is not much Hairyman can’t do. Born and raised ‘in the best place in the world – Van Diemen’s Land’, he lives on an isolated remote block in southern Tasmania with frontage to the Huon River.

Harry Manx has been dubbed an ‘essential link’ between the music of east and west, creating musical short stories that wed the tradition of the blues with the depth of classical Indian ragas. His unique ‘mysticssippi’ sound is bewitching and deliciously addictive to listen to. Playing the mohan veena (20-stringed sitar/guitar hybrid), lap steel, harmonica, stomp box and banjo, Harry quickly envelops the audience into ‘the Harry Zone’ with his warm vocals, hauntingly beautiful melodies and original songs.

Funk explorers with a mysterious past, Headphones Jones serves up tasty grooves with a blend of afrobeat and afro-Latin flavours to create infectious energy and a sweaty dance floor. Watch out for a big horn section, driving rhythms and punchy vocals. Pack your suitcase for adventure. Dress loud, dance hard.

Dr Heather Blasdale Clarke is a dance teacher and cultural historian who has been actively involved in the folk dance scene and the Festival since the 1980s. Her dance experience ranges across the social and solo styles of the British Isles, Ireland and Australia, and extends to classical ballet. She aims to enrich Australia’s dance heritage through dances, workshops, seminars and the publication of research findings.

Himmerland is a group of four travelling musicians, each with different life stories and traditions in their bags, performing on saxophone, percussion, fiddle and guitar. They come from different regions of Denmark, Sweden and Scotland, playing rock, jazz, world and folk music genres. They compose their own music and infuse it with the traditions that run in their blood, and represent a huge variety of Scandinavian roots music culture.

Homebru comprises three brothers from lutruwita/Tasmania: Ziah (violin), Jes (guitar) and Taylor (bass). Homebru’s contemporary Celtic folk is characterised by intricate compositions, fiery improvisation, driving rhythm and infectious spirit. Whether you enjoy dancing, head bopping, toe tapping or becoming gently immersed to observe the finer details, the music of Homebru captivates a wide audience.

Much like community, music nourishes us mentally, emotionally and spiritually. It invites us to come together under one roof in a shared moment. Similarly, singer-songwriter John Craigie rallies a closeness around music anchored by his expressive and stirring songcraft, emotionally charged vocals, lively soundscapes and uncontainable spirit. Based in the USA in Portland, John invites everyone into this space. Following tens of millions of streams, sold out shows everywhere, praise from Rolling Stone and more, he continues to captivate.

Josh Bennett is a multiinstrumentalist, singer, composer and performer with a love of music from all over the world. Equally at home on guitar, sitar, dilruba (bowed sitar), fiddle, mandolin and tabla, he’s one of Australia’s most versatile musicians. He’s performed around the world, on guitar at guitar festivals, on mandolin at bluegrass festivals, and on sitar for Pandit Ravi Shankar at his home in Delhi. For this year’s Festival Josh is the Musical Director, of the Live at the National Variety Show.

Kirandeep, an Indian-born visual and textile artist based in Canberra, specialises in wearable silk art, inspired by Australian flora, fauna and global travels. Her eco-friendly techniques blend shibori, indigo and Indian dyeing, with silk painting done freehand. Kirandeep, who studied in Ireland and Wales, founded the Migrant Women’s Art Group in Canberra in 2020, fostering cultural exchange and community connections through art, including partnerships with First Nations Elders and local organisations.

A charismatic Noongar singersongwriter from Western Australia, Lilly Gogos draws on her gospel roots to offer powerful, emotive performances. From a musical family, Lilly started singing in church as a young girl, and has since toured Australia with the Deadly Award winning The Yabu Band, and a founding member of ‘The Merindas’. Her sound is a fusion of gospel, country, blues and soul.

Local physical theatre company Little Dove Theatre Art has drawn acclaim from around the world for providing wildly unexpected fun and glamour to theatre’s, events and festivals including the infamous Sound and Fury parties right here at home. As a special treat, these spectacular performers will be pounding the Festival pavement throughout the weekend. Each bringing their own unique blend of interactive magic. Keep an eye out for the Little Dove Secret Keepers and Canberra Icons!

Since 1992, Rob Willis has been conducting conversations with performers at the National Folk Festival. From headliners such as Billy Bragg and Archie Roach to yet unknowns, everyone has a good story, which gives the audience a better perspective of the performer and forms a closer association with them. Folk Festivals are unique in that they are not ‘them and us’ but rather ‘we’. Rob’s conversations reinforce that concept, bringing artist and audience together.

Passionate about music from a young age, Lucy O’Brien embarked on a musical journey at 14 when she picked up her first guitar. Over the past couple of years, she has transitioned from a private love for music to sharing it with audiences through live performances, and is very excited to bring her blend of influences to the National Folk Festival stage. Lucy will be engaging in a workshop from Claire Anne Taylor at the Festival, which other young artists can join.

Lucy Wise’s natural singing and warm stage presence have captivated audiences across Australia, New Zealand, the US and the UK. Her distinctive vocal sound and instrumental backing draw on acoustic, traditional folk, roots and pop musical influences. She sings about growing up, love of all kinds, city life, country towns, beaches and bushlands, with her intricate guitar work providing a vibrant backdrop. Lucy’s fourth album ‘Into The Blue’ won Best Folk Work at the 2023 Music Victoria Awards.

Lukas Bola is a flow artist and object manipulation performer. He has been practicing flow artsand fire performance for around 20 years at festivals such as Dragon Dreaming, Fringe and Regrowth. Performing staff, double staff, dragonstaff, contact juggling and poi, a Maori dance prop, Lukas specialies in fingertip balancing techniques and patterns.

Makepisi is an exciting a cappella line-up, singing contemporary and traditional South African songs. In the style of Ladysmith Black Mambazo, this group contains powerful voices hailing from different South African choirs and shows, including The Lion King. The rich, invigorating sound that is Makepisi is made up of five Melbourne-based male South African voices.

Come see experienced reedman Mark Cain as he creates and performs with handmade instruments, such as his foofoo pipe, that you can build too! He has toured in schools and communities throughout Australia with Musica Viva and Nexus Arts among others, dedicating much of his career to working with musicians of diverse cultural backgrounds. He has based in Western Australia, and has worked with the Rita Menendez Group, Bulgarity, the Flying Carpathians, Daramad and his current group, Eastwinds.

Steeped in folk and alt-country influences with warm, generous, captivating, honest songwriting, Matt Joe Gow & Kerryn Fields are bonafide masters of their craft, having discovered a natural chemistry as performers. Their ragged edge comes steeped in alt-country and folk influences, building their sound around acoustic instruments while devouring records from Bob Dylan, Gillian Welch, Tracy Chapman, Grant Lee Phillips, Dave Dobbyn and Neil Finn.

The Mendoza Tango Quartet is a fiery group of musicians passionate about sharing their love of tango music. Mutual lovers of Argentine music, dance and wine, their name, Mendoza, is inspired by the largest wineproducing region in Latin America. Equally at home performing concerts of nuevo tango music as they are playing golden age tango classics, the Mendoza Tango Quartet, joined by vocalist Solange Lipcin, infuse their performances with originality and passion that touches the soul.

Based in Hobart, Rachel Meyers on violin and Dave McNamara accordion are an energetic and joyfully unrestrained duo. Marrying classical folkloric melodies with achingly intricate arrangements, they boldly combine chamber-folk original compositions and experimental electronics with their Jewish and European backgrounds to create their own sound.

Pirateman turned library officer, Michael steps up to show his circus and storytelling antics. Specialising in crystal ball contact juggling, LED/glow spinning, a bit of club juggling, some mandolin playing and engaging clowning/audience participation, Michael provides opportunities for the young and young at heart a safe space to watch, learn and play.

Descending from the mountains are harp and fiddle extravaganza Mickey & Michelle, whose energetic and virtuosic performances have captured hearts throughout Australia and New Zealand. Mickey & Michelle weave a gorgeous ‘chamber-folk’ tapestry of original Celtic music infused with vocal harmony and fiery improvisations. Through their carefully crafted lyrics and instrumentals, listeners are invited to reflect on their own relationship with nature.

Wielding a cello and strikingly crafted vocals, songwriter Monique Clare embodies the cathartic lyricism of Björk and the rhythmic energy of The Waifs. Her disarmingly candid stage presence is born from years of international touring with The Maes and playing cello for everyone from Kate Miller-Heidke to Eminem. Her 2022 debut album ‘Sight’ earned her a Queensland Music Award and tracks a journey through trauma and pain to growth and love.

Self-described ‘moody’ contemporary Celtic band, Out of Hand are two sets of siblings, who discovered a shared passion in the music of their Celtic heritage, performing on fiddles, guitar, bass and percussion. Toe-tapping tunes and lilting melodies, they blend both traditional tunes with original songs and sets. The group has played festivals including the National Celtic Festival and Port Fairy Folk Festival, and exciting things are afoot for Out of Hand in the years to come!

Passionate Spanish flamenco guitarist Paco Lara, with a distinguished international career of more than 30 years touring the world alongside Spain’s greatest flamenco maestros, presents a magical performance of authentic flamenco guitar, dance, culture and song. Paco, based in Australia since 2017, was inspired to produce his dream project, DUENDE, bringing to life his original musical compositions and music created by great composers such as Jose Maria Cano, Concha Buika and Luis Bonfa. This together combines the unmistakable sound of Paco’s hometown Jerez, in Andalusia, Spain, the heartland of traditional flamenco and culture.

The Peroveta Singers from Papua New Guinea perform songs and dances from the Central Province of Papua New Guinea, and gospel songs introduced to southern Papua 150 years ago by missionaries. These a cappella songs, called ‘Peroveta’ from the word ‘prophet’, are largely teachings from the Old Testament. Expect unison chants driven by hand drums, rattles and bamboo gongs, elaborate feather headdresses, sago fibre and palm-fibre grass skirts, and jewellery including mother-ofpearl neck crescents, banana seed necklaces, tusks and canines.

Queer the Set breaks with convention in Irish set dancing. Championing all gender partnering and playful rearrangements of positions, they redefine tradition and inclusivity. Their performances challenge norms and celebrate diversity. Join them to flip the script on traditional roles and experience Irish set dance in a liberating, affirming way. Queer the Set will be leading an all-inclusive dance event with Irish trad group Tolka, along with other musicians and advocates.

Singer-songwriter David Leha aka Radical Son is a strong man with a presence like no other, and a mesmerising, seductive voice that at once punches your soul and triggers your heart. Of Kamilaroi and Tongan heritage, he has songs to sing and stories to tell. After a five-year hiatus from performing, Radical Son has reemerged to premiere new tracks from his upcoming sophomore soul album ‘Bilambiyal’. Radical Son’s stories continuously urge our human spirit to approach life through love and compassion.

Rebecca Rushbrook is a awardwinning poet and poetry editor, living and working in Lismore, NSW. Her work is intensely moving and evocative, exploring her own experiences, from surviving natural disaster and homelessness to single parenting amidst climate disaster, to discover the beauty and catharsis that exists where difficulty meets truth. She is excited by the power of poetry that shares personal experience to function as a rallying and unifying device.

Richie is a Ngunnawal and Kamilaroi custodian. A highly respected cultural man with decades of experience, he is on cultural boards including ACT Ministerial Creative Council, ACT Tourism Leadership Committee, and the ACT Chief Police Officer Indigenous Advisory Board. Richie is the Traditional Owners Aboriginal Corporation’s Cultural Director, where he manages cultural awareness, education and Ngunnawal relationships.

Since 2012, the recipient of the Alistair Hulett Songs for Social Justice Award has been announced a part the Festival’s Farewell concert. For the first time, this concert brings together former awardees to perform their award-winning songs (plus a few others), as their way of thanking and paying their respects to the legacy of both Alistair Hulett and the Award that has so proudly borne his name.

The friendly Australian Songs Team returns once more to host this popular interactive session celebrating post colonial Australian songs and poems. Inaugurated by the late great Denis O’Keeffe, the session continues to uphold the same traditional values that he championed and that we hold so dear. Bring your instruments and voices along to play your favourites.

Experience the sounds of Aceh and Sumatra with Suara Dance, a NSW-based Indonesian contemporary-traditional dance and music company led by Alfira O’Sullivan and Murtala. They will be joined by Aceh’s Lembaga Buana, a dance and music troupe disciplined in the field of Acehnese art and culture. Celebrating art forms unique to Aceh, North Sumatra, and Indonesia, their repertoire includes traditional coastal Acehnese songs and dances with Islamic melodies and communal body percussion.

Sue Ferrers plays the hauntingly beautiful Swedish nyckelharpa, or keyed-fiddle, an instrument dating back to the Middle Ages. After spending the last two decades releasing albums, playing intimate concerts in churches and touring stadiums and festivals throughout Europe, Sue has returned to home soil. Joined by the driving rhythmic guitar, she will share music from the Sephardic Jewish music of Spain to Scandinavian Polskas and the reverie of the Scottish Highlands, taking the audience on a magic carpet ride to exotic, faraway lands of times gone by.

The Sydney Women’s Vocal Orchestra was formed by Christina Mimmocchi and Pam Davis to learn the repertoire published as ‘Song of Survival’ – 18 pieces of music arranged and rehearsed in secret by the women at Palembang, Sumatra, during World War II. Their presentation honours these women and their stories. Their use of music to make their impossible lives bearable continues to astonish and inspire.

Americana/alt-country darlings The Audreys began as songwriting duo Taasha Coates and Tristan Goodall in Adelaide in 2004. Their first album ‘Between Last Night and Us’ won an ARIA award for Best Blues and Roots Album, catapulting them onto the national and international stage. In July 2022, Tristan sadly passed away from a long illness. Before retiring from touring, Tristan gave Taasha his blessing to continue what they started, and she has been touring with a new line-up since 2021.

Join musicians from The Canberra English Session for timeless melodies, experiencing the charm of English folk music with lively jigs, reels and hornpipes that inspire foot-tapping and fun. Whether a fan or newcomer, these sessions promise an unforgettable homage to the ever-evolving English musical tradition. Bring your instruments, and immerse yourself in our English folk community.

The Cashews (Alison Procter and Pete Lyon) are folk-pop national capitalists who always find the joy. They play mostly around Canberra and have a dedicated local following. They create songs and celebrate the stories of local places and people. They love playing in unique places and at meaningful events, from underpasses to the recent Light Up Lyneham! event. In warmer months they stage ‘Guerrilla Gigs’ in iconic Canberra landscapes.

The Crooked Fiddle Band plays chainsaw folk. Explosive violin and a powerhouse rhythm section melds Eastern Euro odd times with math riffery, undulating folk melodies with post-rock climaxes, with a sense of dark ecstatic energy. Their forthcoming 2024 album ‘The Free Wild Wind and the Songs of Birds’ rediscovers their Celtic roots, living up to the words of Brian Eno: ‘Their music is original and quixotic, with the strength of some deep roots’.

Sydney sisters Charlotte, Jess and Sarah captivate audiences with their soaring ‘blood harmonies’ and feminine storytelling. With a heart-onsleeve approach to performing, a fresh blend of old-school and contemporary folk and country, and a healthy amount of sibling ribbing, they are an unforgettable act. Last year at the National Folk Festival, they were invited to perform at the closing concert after being spotted at Festival Blackboard.

The Good Behaviours play contemporary folk wrappedin old-time banjo. Celebrated jazz musician and clawhammer aficionado Nick Henderson composes music described as chamber-folk-meets-postrock, inspired by the flowing Hawkesbury River (Dyarubbin) he grew up on. Joined by Montreux Jazz Guitar Competition finalist Felix Lalanne, The String Contingent’s Chris Stone and Holly Downes and Chaika’s Emily-Rose Sarkova on accordion, they make a veritable super group spanning the Australian folk and jazz scenes.

Modern acoustic trio The Inadequates play mostly original music that’s ‘sort of bluegrassy’: imagine if Split Enz played banjo and accordion, then listened exclusively to folk music. Dressed in vibrant suits, their high-energy performances are infectious, drawing inspiration from the Punch Brothers, Nickel Creek, and Mumford & Sons, splicing the intimacy of traditional acoustic music with the exhilarating energy of a modern rock ensemble. At the core of their sound are their tight three-part harmonies and technical skill.

The Lost Quays are a sea shanty band from the port of Fremantle in Western Australia. They perform traditional, original and contemporary shanties and sea songs featuring traditional instruments and well-structured harmonies, bringing the songs and stories of the sea to life. Enjoy their tales of brave sailors, daring rescues and tragic shipwrecks, told with humour and audience engagement. At a Lost Quays gig, everyone gets to sing and feel part of the crew.

The Maes are a harmony-driven folk-pop duo, born into the arms of Australia’s folk music community, performing at the Festival in 2016, 2017 and 2022. Winning Best Folk/Roots Album of the Year at the Music Victoria Awards in 2019 for their self-titled release ‘The Maes’, they have since toured the world, but nothing quite matches the feeling of playing to a home audience.

Ross and Soren Schipper from Townsville and Erica Nielsen Okamura from Albury have teamed up to create a one-of-a- kind workshop series featuring a fun assortment of dances and games from across Scandinavia, with musical accompaniment by Sue Ferrers. Ross and Soren teach and perform authentic folk dances, while Erica is a published dance historian, who will teach a variety of children’s dances and games from the 1905 publication ‘Swedish Recreative Exercises for School and Playground’.

As thunderous as a herd of wildebeest, as sly as a wagonload of Spike Milligans and as sonorous as a cloister of monks, The Spooky Men’s Chorale emerged blithering and blinking- eyed from the Blue Mountains of NSW in 2001. Armed with no more than their voices, a nice line in deadpan and an ill-matched set of hats, they have been gleefully disturbing audiences everywhere since with a combination of visigothic bravado, absurdist humour and eye-moistening tenderness.

Since its inception in 1987, Kengugró, accompanied by The Transylvaniacs, have presented a rich smorgasbord of dance, music and song – embodying the vibrant colours and energy of the twirling, whirling, jumping, slapping dance culture from the Carpathian Basin. Their repertoire draws primarily on the traditions of Hungary, Slovakia and Transylvania, which they have shared with audiences across Australia, Hungary and Europe, performing with some of the leading dancers and musicians in the genre.

The Unexpected Harmony Choir is a fun community-based choir based in Canberra/Ngunnawal country, led by the fearless Tim Bevitt aka ‘Mr Tim’. Over eight years, the choir has moved from simple songs sung in unison to more complex pieces sung in harmony. However, the focus is still on fun. Unexpected Harmony performs an eclectic mix of songs from traditional and folk to jazz, pop, rock and alternative. Audience participation is always encouraged, and a good time is guaranteed for all.

Multi-instrumentalist Tim Scanlan teams up with fiddler Mana Okubo, mixing ancient tunes and drones with modern beats and sounds. They encourage the crowd to sing along to their catchy one-line choruses in Japanese, Breton and Irish, and to dance to their huge kick drum, fiddle-flying-over-bass-drone dance tunes. They have played in festivals around the world, including Interceltique Festival in France, Vancouver Folk Festival in Canada, Bonnawanda Festival in Japan and the Electric Picnic in Ireland.

With roots in the rich tradition of Irish music and eyes on the future of folk, Tolka lights up the stage. Their award-winning line-up features stunning vocals, banjo, fiddle and flute backed by driving guitar rhythms. These elements weave together into a compelling performance, bringing audiences together at festivals across Australia, Ireland and the UK since 2012. In 2024, Tolka returns to the Festival ready to share their fresh new original songs.

Ukestral Voices is a community choir from Newcastle with a ukulele-difference! With an emphasis on generating a good vibe, they arrange songs from around the world, accompanied on the ukulele, ubass and percussion. It’s a rich vocal sound with an underpinning of arpeggios and lead riffs. When summed together, it soars! They aim to create intergenerational bridges to share music between younger and older generations.

Established in 2007, the Ukulele Republic of Canberra (URoC) is a community music group with an inclusive and democratic philosophy. URoC hosts regular play-along and educational sessions in the Canberra region. The URoC Performance Group is drawn from the general membership and has performed locally and at festivals from Cairns to Melbourne.

Virmalised (pronounced VEERmah-lis-ed, meaning ‘Northern Lights’) is an AustralianEstonian folk dancing group with members from NSW. Kooskõlas (pronounced GAUZE-ger-lars, meaning ‘Together in Song’), is an Australian-Estonian choir with members from around Australia. They perform both traditional and contemporary Estonian songs and dances, wearing strikingly colourful Estonian national folk costumes.

Wamburang Women’s Choir is open to all First Nations women of all ages and levels of experience. The choir is run by Alinta Barlow, a proud Ngunnawal woman with many years of experience in singing and performing around Canberra. With support from the ANU School of Music, the choir focuses on contemporary music and Indigenous languages of Australia.

Warehouse Circus is dedicated to improving the mental and physical health of young people through the medium of social circus in Canberra. They foster a cooperative environment for training and exploration, and aim to give everyone an opportunity to engage in this dynamic, highly physical, creative and fun art form. Join them at the Festival for exhilarating acrobatic shows and captivating aerial performances as they collaborate with live musicians.

Where Water Meets is a Tasmanian-based arts group, chamber-folk ensemble and science communicator collective. With a deep reverence for their surroundings, their music draws on the rich ecological heritage of lutruwita/Tasmania. They combine music, storytelling and science to create immersive and transcendent experiences, offering a transformative journey into the heart of nature. Where Water Meets is led by the visionary collaborative composing team of Emily Sheppard (violin/viola/voice) and Yyan Ng (guitar/voice/shakuhachi).

Corinn Strating, Beth McCracken and Emma Lewis are stalwarts of the traditional irish music scene in Melbourne. Fiercely advocating for more gender-diverse representation in a largely maledominated Australian Irish Music scene, they are some of the few women to have run Irish sessions across the country. Come along to their session, where women are leading the tunes – allies welcome!

Yil Lull Studio recording studio is housed at the Australian National University School of Music, led by Torres Strait Islander musician and ANU School of Music alumnus Will Kepa. It is a place for First Nations people to meet, create, share and expand their stories through music. It serves the Indigenous community at no cost. Yil Lull (To Sing) Studio brings numerous artists to this year’s Festival, will host a collaborative concert, and sit on forums and round robin concerts.

Young Voices of Melbourne, one of Australia’s finest youth choirs, and US composer and hammered dulcimer master Malcolm Dalglish first made music together in 1995. Malcolm spent many years touring and recording with celebrated US folk trio Metamora, and the music he writes for choirs has strong folk roots. His songs celebrate nature, love and the joy of living, brought to life by the Young Voices of Melbourne, conducted by Mark O’Leary OAM.

Zampoñistas is an energetic Bolivian panpipe marching band. Dressed in ponchos, they weave in and out of crowds, twisting, turning and spinning as they play, all the while plotting world domination by panpipes. Watch out for their guerrilla panpiping, you never know where they will pop up! Their music is infectious: a ‘pan-demic’, in the best sense of the word.

Stephen Sheely has been talking for a living for over 40 years and he shows no sign of stopping any time soon. His varied career has included university lecturer, professional philosopher, eLearning guru and stand-up performer. This Festival, his comedic storytelling will focus on historical and philosophical examples of stupidity.

Kate Delaney leads this special event which celebrates performers who were part of the grassroots establishment of the NSW Folk Movement in the 1960s. Joining Kate are folk luminaries Andrew Saunders, Bob McInnis and Margaret Walters. Each member of the group is still performing now and has an average age of 80! Come and be part of our living tradition.

Aisling Lyons is an Irish concertina player and harpist renowned for her soul-stirring compositions and versatility. Holder of eight All-Ireland titles, Aisling has showcased her musical prowess on many global stages, enchanting audiences worldwide. In 2021 she graduated from the University of Limerick with a Professional Master of Education. A dedicated educator, Aisling has imparted her expertise as a tutor at the Irish World Academy, Limerick, University College Cork and various schools around the globe.

Try out aerial acrobatics with Aerial Sport! Festival goers can explore the apparatus guided by capable instructors, who will teach you how to get on and off, go upside down, plus a variety of tricks. No experience necessary, beginners of all ages are encouraged to try! Aerial Sports is a training facility for aerial acrobatics and circus arts in Canberra, offering classes in Aerial Silks, Lyra, Static Trapeze and more.

The Bush Music Club Youth Band is made up of young musicians whose families are members of the Bush Music Club. These young musicians appreciate and enjoy the experience of playing for fun, lively, easy-to- do bush dances, contemporary and traditional in style, selected from the post-colonial Australian traditions. Dances will be led by young caller Cathy Grylls.

The Broadcasters Forum was established at the National Folk Festival almost 25 years ago as a gathering of folk music radio presenters, listeners and artists to talk about issues relating to broadcasting and to share their experiences and good ideas. All welcome!

The Canberra Girls Grammar School Celtic Ensemble comprises student musicians from Kindergarten to Year 12 who enjoy playing music from the rich Celtic heritage repertoire. Students learn a diverse range of Celtic music such as jigs, reels, and horn pipes, with an emphasis on inclusion, memorisation, and improvisation.

Inspired by repertoire from ethnomusicologists across the world and the UK Balfolk scene, Canberra Eurosession is a new musical community celebrating the diverse folk and dance music of continental Europe. Join them for a taste of French, Breton, Scandinavian, Balkan, Maltese, Greek, Ukrainian, and Klezmer music.

Coral Reid is a fiddle and dance workshop leader from the UK. She combines her southern English folk traditions with the dance traditions of the north-east of England, specialising in English fiddle tunes (both contemporary and revived traditional material), step clog dancing (the wooden precursor to tap) and traditional rapper sword dancing, the art of weaving five sword dancers into complicated knots, and getting back out again!

Constance Spry is a beacon of traditional communication in an era dominated by digital brevity. Constance is a proponent of the almost lost art of hand-written correspondence, championing the emotional resonance and lasting impact of personal letters, and has been actively engaging the public through her service, penning letters on various themes such as love and farewells. Find Constance around the festival for her letter-writing services, and send a note to a loved (or not-so-loved) one.

Following on from their ARIAnominated debut album, singersongwriter Felicity Urquhart and guitarist Josh Cunningham (of The Waifs) have reached new heights with their follow-up release, ‘Birdsong’, which swept the 52nd Golden Guitar Awards, taking out Traditional Country Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Single of the Year. Felicity and Josh come to the Festival stage in full flight to deliver the masterful songwriting and musicianship that fans have come to expect from the pair

Felicity Dowd is a nomadic troubadour and storyteller, spinning tales and melodies across the country. She was the NSW Folk Federation Young Artist of the Year in 2020, and Gill Rees Memorial Award winner at the 2023 National Folk Festival. Inspired by an eclectic, ever-changing landscape of genres, her music is diverse, drifting between the boundaries of folk and country music, sharing stories of depth, heart and humour that intertwine the experiences of her world.

Grace Petrie is an inspirational socialist, feminist, lesbian, leftwing protest singer who stands out as one the most important songwriters in the UK today. Grace is returning to Australia for the 2024 National Folk Festival for a third Australian tour in as many years, following on from her appearances at Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival and Blue Mountains Music Festival in 2023.

Dazzling swords, swirling skirts, fans, finger cymbals and more, Global Mosaic Bellydance Collective brings together dancers from NSW and Canberra with a lively, colourful display of bellydance. This dance style builds on Middle Eastern traditions with influences from around the world, including Spain, India, Africa and Eastern Europe, with costumes and music reflecting this global mix

Irish Joe Lynch is a storyteller, singer, poet and comic originally hailing from the Cork and Kerry mountains in Ireland. Joe has a direct connection with Celtic art, and has played to packed houses at major festivals around Australia. His stories and poems are deeply romantic, thoughtprovoking and inspiring. He will make you laugh, cry and feel like never before.

Invy Horn Jam is a wonderfully sticky confection of vibrant street band music. The band consists of 12 – 16 mainly horn players with a rhythm section of percussion and banjo. Lively and danceable, Invy Horn Jam keeps smiles on dials and toes a-tapping. They reach out to the crowd with singalong echo lines and happy tunes. Led by Strat and Lyndal, the band is a colourful, mobile, moving feast, bringing excitement and fun.

Kira Dowling (Canberra, ACT) and Bradley Pevere (Cooma, NSW) are Scottish country dance and ceili teachers who give regular classes in the Canberra region. Together they enjoy putting on socials and ceilidhs for newer and more experienced dancers alike. Their passion and enthusiasm will have you up and dancing, so come and join in.

Multilingual Taiwanese-Australian indie-folk songstress Kim Yang sings about love, life and mental health. Her ethereal sound balances between vulnerability and power. Kim was nominated as MusicACT Artist of the Year 2022 and has charmed festival audiences across Australia. She shares songs of her own and folk songs from Taiwan originating from the Japanese occupation era of in the early 19th century.

Celebrating the tenth anniversary of her électrotrad project, Mélisande revisits songs from her repertoire with a traditional Québécois sound, mostly acoustic, surrounded by four seasoned musicians playing wooden flute, bass acoustic guitar, fiddle and percussion to create a high-energy, groovy, sometimes epic sound with strong vocal harmonies. Mélisande cleverly enlivens the songs of the ancestors with a modern woman’s perspective that invites young and old to participate in something old made new again.

Austrian accordionist Erika Cleaver (Molly) and her helpers entice kids and adults to join the interactive dance and percussion sessions, creating dazzling ribbon patterns around the maypole. Dancers learn how to make a barber’s pole, a colourful weaving pattern and a spider’s web with ribbons. Emphasis is on fun audience participation rather than performance, and parents and carers are invited to join their kids in dance and music.

Singer-songwriter and multiinstrumentalist Mitch King is a Southern Blues, Australian roots and folk musician. Kicking off his career by busking in his hometown of Mount Tamborine, he’s since gone on to sell out Australian headline shows, performed internationally and supported many great artists, including America the band and Supertramp’s Roger Hodgson. Mitch is well known for his evocative and dynamic live performances, blending vocals, guitar, harmonica, kick/snare drum and tambourine to create his unique sound.

Hatched and hand-raised in Newcastle, free-range bluegrass band Midnight Chicken are quickly becoming a hot topic around Australia with their fiddles, mandolin and bass. Their bizarre take on bluegrass music hatches amazing renditions of traditional tunes and old classics as well as modern tunes sure to be enjoyed by all. Inspired by the greats, Midnight Chicken sounds somewhere between Tony Rice and Chris Stapleton, with hints of Hank Williams, Punch Brothers and Tim O’Brien.

Queensland Youth Folk Orchestra is a group of young people dedicated to playing folk music from around the world. Established in 2020 by Emma Nixon, the ensemble of string players explores Australian, English, Celtic and Scandi traditional and contemporary tunes. They have performed at The Gathering Festival, Woodford Folk Festival and Maleny Music Festival, and is a lovely group of young people who enjoy music making and the friendships that come through music.

Postcards from the Sky is a dynamic living studio whose activities incorporate art and text creative collaborations between visual artists and poets based in the ACT, the Capital Region and further afield. The group has participated in new works with Michael Sollis and the Griffyn Ensemble in the One Sky Many Stories Project and Tracks Songlines Project with Ngunnawal custodian Richie Allan. Members participating in the Festival are award-winning poets and visual artists Lizz Murphy, Jen Webb and Jennifer Kemarre Martiniello OAM.

Roger Holmes has been involved in the Festival for 50 years, through song, dance and poetry. The hymn singing session is an opportunity for anyone who is inclined to sing their hearts out in the company of likeminded people. Religion is of no consequence – it is the melody and harmony (and volume) that matter.

Robyn Martin is a South Coast country-soul, singer-songwriter storyteller. With a sound that is distinctly Australian, Robyn’s music traverses a wide terrain from deep pocket soul, mixed with heartwarming, thought-provoking folk sensibilities, to the occasional banjo-driven hoedown singalong and a sprinkle of grungy angst rock.

Scott Cook sings sturdy, straighttalking songs that see the good in you. Born in West Virginia and raised on the Canadian prairies, in 2007 he quit his job teaching kindergarten in Taiwan to tour across the world. Back on the road since 2022, Scott, and Pamela Mae on upright bass and vocals, take their act and campervan, Roadetta, on a soulful journey that distils his experiences int empathetic, keenly observant verse.

Savoy Dance have been teaching and running Swing Dance events in Canberra for a decade. Principal teachers Cathie and Adam have decades of teaching assistance and are bringing a number of advanced students from their dance school to join! Swing dance is an American Jazzage folk dance tradition based on a blending of European dance and music forms with African diaspora rhythm and movement styles.

John Shortis writes songs and scripts, plays keyboard and spends hours reading newspapers and delving into libraries and archives. Moya Simpson sings, mimics accents, plays characters and has a passion for Eastern European music. Their combined skills make up Shortis & Simpson. Based in Canberra, they specialise in shows that reflect Australian history and politics in a way that is funny, satirical and informative, with the odd gutwrenching moment, and also run a world music choir – the Worldly Goods.

Shark & Fox (Emily-Rose Sarkova and Jaron Freeman-Fox on fiddle) play frenetic Bulgarian dances, haunting Appalachian twangs, droning Irish reels, Swedish polskas and songs that speak into existence the ephemeral mysteries of life. This irresistible Canadian-Australian collaboration shape-shifts between traditions, the instruments themselves transform: a fiddle to viol d’amore, accordion to modular synthesiser, driven by the infectious clatter, thunder and swish of a drum that also serves as a trampoline.

Formed in 2016, the Sydney Conservatorium of Music Chinese Music Ensemble is comprised of students and staff from the Conservatorium playing a range of Chinese instruments. Appearing for the first time at the Festival, this ensemble allows a range of new and experienced players to come together and explore key concepts related to traditional Chinese music and the modern Chinese orchestra.

In perfect harmony with his vocation as a lifelong nonconformist, ever dismantling myths and post-colonial gentlesavage stereotypes about his ‘elfish and magical’ people and country, Svavar Knútur has in recent years blossomed into a serene and sublime singer and songwriter. Knutur’s songs of misery and redemption deliver a healthy dose of hope in the midst of despair. A humoristic storyteller and avid diver into the murky waters of the human condition, Svavar Knútur sows and reaps a fantastic mixture of art and entertainment.

The Rebetiko Experience is Con Kalamaras, Jenny Dixon and Alex Petropoulos performing on bouzouki, violin and guitar. Rebetiko music tells stories of love, loss, drugs and heart- breaking refugee tales. Rebetiko or ‘Greek blues’ is based around popular songs from the 1930s, drawing from Greek, Byzantine and Ottoman art music, and was partially forgotten before a revival in the 1960s. It is the music of the poor and the dispossessed, with lyrics of everyday life’s joy, sorrow and difficulties.

The Poetographer is Jacqui Malins, a performance poet and artist based on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people (Canberra). The Poetographer co-creates bespoke poems with Festival patrons, uses conversation and deep listening to capture the essence of their significant memories and intimate moments, returning them in the form of a poem. The Poetographer provides sumptuous stanzas, wonderful words, vivacious verbs, astonishing adjectives, marvellous metaphors, evocative exclamations and oodles of onomatopoeia.

Run by Patricia Ann George, Trips and Triple Treats will host English country dance workshops focussing on the formation of dances known as triple minors, duple minors, circles and longways sets. Patricia regularly attends English festivals in her local area of Bedfordshire and Northamptonshire. She enjoys the calling experience, choosing suitable dances and helping dancers to enjoy the pleasure of performing a dance with ease and confidence.

The Traditional Social Dance Association of Victoria runs a Dance Composers Competition where dance composers create new dances which can be danced by you. If you’d prefer not to dance, you can come along and see if you agree with the judges! Entries are in two categories, Best General Social Dance and Best Dance for More Experienced Dancers. With entries across Australia, and coordinated by George Ansell, the competition has been running since 1980.

The Victorian Folk Music Club including the Billabong Band is one of the oldest folk organisations in Australia, being one of the founders (in 1966) of the National Folk Festival. In 1974, the club helped publish Shirley Andrews’ seminal book of dance history in Australia, a key generator of the bush dancing revival in the 1970s. Their Shirley Andrews tribute dance draws on the dance material presented in her book and covers a wide range of dances including many suitable for beginners and families.

Us Mob Writing is a group of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander poets, writers and storytellers based in Canberra and surrounding areas. Their members have written poetry, plays, songs, documentary films, short films, TV dramas, children’s books, novels, short stories, biographies and autobiographies. Us Mob Writing has received national and international literary awards, including the David Unaipon Award.

Wiradjuri Echoes share Aboriginal culture through dance, song, art and storytelling, eliminating stereotypes, racism and inequality. They are leaders in the Indigenous and nonIndigenous communities, as well as actively involving themselves in the community. Duncan Smith established Wiradjuri Echoes in 1998, and since then they have worked hard towards reconciliation and equality, being an instrumental role model helping Indigenous children identify with their culture and teaching the importance of education and respect for the community.

American vocal quartet Windborne’s captivating live show draws on the singers’ deep roots in traditions of vocal harmony, while the absolute uniqueness of their artistic approach brings old songs into the present. Known for their innovative arrangements, their harmonies are bold and anything but predictable. The ensemble shifts effortlessly between drastically different styles of music, drawing their audience along on a journey that spans continents and centuries.

ZÖJ features Gelareh Pour on voice and Persian kamancheh (a bowed string instrument), and Brian O’Dwyer on drum kit. Gelareh’s classical background comes through in masterful playing and evocative interpretations of Persian poetry sung in Farsi. Together with Brian’s experimental rhythms, the duo’s nuanced synergetic connection sparkles with emotion and purpose. The ideals of ZÖJ are firmly rooted in true expression of interculturalism, performing structured improvisations that are inclusive of the moment and environment.

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