On many levels, 2020 and 2021 will be known as a double leap years, when life was put on pause, and we now pick up where we left off. Such is the case for the Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, which will return with a traditional three day format from 14-16 October.
It’s a comeback event that promises to be bigger and better than ever, with the line-up all but finalised with the performers who have been on standby waiting for the return of live music. Haven’t we all?
“I was excited about this line-up for the past two years and now, finally, we’ll get to stage the event in just a few months’ time”, said Festival Director Stuart Leslie. “Kangaroo Valley is such a popular destination and the artists love being part of the festival, but I think the enforced hiatus will take it to a whole other level. So audiences can expect an absolutely bumper weekend of entertainment”.
Tickets are on sale for a line-up which has old favourites and new. Performers like 19Twenty, The Bushwackers, Mic Conway and Robbie Long, Fiona Ross and Shane O’Mara, Fred Smith, Benji and the Saltwater Sound System, Kerryn Fields, We Mavericks, Jane And The Rain, Bromham and a whole lot more.
The Folk Festival is a safe and friendly environment for the whole family. With entertainment across some ten venues/stages in the Showground, and a vast array of food, drinks, arts and crafts, there really is something for everyone.
Alongside an eclectic range of music performances, poetry and dance, also take the stage and audiences of all ages are encouraged to join in. The daily Poet’s Breakfast is hosted by multi award-winning performance poets Robyn Sykes and Peter Mace and invites walk-ups by amateur poets.
Koori Camp will return in 2022 with talented Didge/Yidaki player Riley Nolan taking a key role. Riley will be pulling together and sharing culture and ceremony with workshops in Bush Tucker, Didge playing, indigenous weaving and more.
Applications are still open and welcome for artists aged 12-20 to perform at the youth-focused ‘Chill Out Tent’. It’s a great opportunity for our youth to be part of the festival and share their talents across all musical genres, not just folk.
While the festival is renowned for attracting out-of -own visitors to the Valley, we really want to encourage locals to be part of making it a huge celebration this year. Applications are invited for volunteers to help in all sorts of areas of the event and for stallholders.
Super season earlybird tickets are on sale now, with the weekend ticket price of $100 per adult and $40 for youth aged 12-17. Kids under 12 are free. For all the latest updates and application forms, visit kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au.Julie Ward