If, as the Bard says, ‘all the world’s a stage’ then our local talent is not local at all, but worldly and excellent and wise. The songwriters and musicians of the South Coast write songs of place, of family, friends and farms. Of community, of tragedy, of history. They take these songs to the world, on stages near and far off shore, over the sea, to cultural festivals, recording studios, to the ears of others, but always return to their home, here on Yuin Country.
Throughout this year’s festival program you will find ribbons of local song and poetry, moments of ecstatic musicianship from South Coast artists: harmony, heroes and humanity.
Melanie Horsnell
Gabadu
Heath Cullen
Let’s Celebrate!
On Friday our Indigenous brothers and sisters weave their magic in dance and song, in films as well, and will welcome everyone – Walawaani Njindiwan.
Musical stars from all along this southern coastline plug in and tune up and rock our Sound Shell from 4.30pm, into the twilight lit by braziers and the smells of home-cooking from our Sapphire Kitchen… and as the sky darkens and distant stars come out we gather to hear an ancient story of battles and honour and valour and Gods, in the ultimate tale of the Trojan wars: The Iliad (Out Loud).
Local actor William Zappa will draw us in, to the time when listening to stories was our Netflix, our Newspapers, our Facebook, and listening to stories within earshot of the sea was the weekly entertainment… braziers and all, we travel back in time. Can you feel it?
On Saturday the heavenly New Graces sing songs and stories, and along with Lou Bennett (ex Tiddas and Black Arm Band) will tease our hearts open with tales as familiar as old friends… then you can sit back for the entire weekend as Australia’s finest classical musicians and contemporary artists play and display and perform their passion on a stage they all love.
Meanwhile there is a bounty of delicious wares, and wine a-flowing. Poetry and surprising moments from local actors and contemporary New Yorkers, Persian instruments and Didjeridu, and even music never heard before.
The stunning Sound Shell stage, built by members of our community, is a fabulous resource for us all. It is there to be enjoyed by locals and visitors, music and arts lovers of all ages. It is also a world stage, where the best of the best have performed to rapt crowds.
Two World Premieres for the Sound Shell…
We’re thrilled to announce not one but two world premieres will take place in the amphitheatre this festival, each from Australian Composers that have a special connection to nature, and performed by the best of Australia’s musicians.
On this spectacular stage, which is all the world, we reconnect!
A new work by Australian composer Ross Edwards will be performed by the excellent Goldner String Quartet. ‘Haunted Spring’ for violin and cello is, according to the composer, “a work that expresses a sense of ‘hoped-for emergence’ after the complexities and lockdowns of 2020”. One of Australia’s best known and most performed composers, Edwards has created a distinctive sound world aligned with principles of deep ecology.
From the ’50 Fanfares’ project, here performed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra Fellowship: ‘A Rock and a Tree’ by James Henry is our second World Premiere.
50 Fanfares is a multi-season major commissioning project which will see the Sydney Symphony commission and present works by 50 Australian composers across 2021 and 2022. James Henry has toured as a solo artist and with the Black Arm Band and Buried Country. He also DJs, produces House and Techno music under the alias of Nurra, and is a composer and sound designer who writes various blends of traditional Aboriginal and contemporary genres.
Shuttle Bus timetable released
We want you to be comfortable, happy and relaxed for the festival and to that end we provide a free shuttle bus from the Bermagui Country Club running several times each day. When you are booking your tickets you will see tabs for shuttle buses for each festival day, and also festival parking. Make sure you peruse the bus times and check your parking and add these items to your booking. (Parking is $10 per day, the Shuttle Bus is free…)
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Pick up and drop off location: Bermagui Country Club Bus Shelter
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