Canberra the capital city which is simply bursting with culture and a hit in the arts scene hosts the National Folk Festival every Easter. People take flights to Canberra from all over the world just to view the wide range of world-class artists that perform in the National Folk Festival. The festival features over 20 different stages and each one has a different line up of performers. There are also numerous workshops and other craft shops that open up all over. Along with this you will also get to experience the delectable food from the themed bars and cafes that open up all around the Exhibition Park in Canberra.
Last year approximately 50,000 people camped in the park just to visit this festival. the numerous workshops and demonstrations are mainly consist of a large range of disciplines such as making and playing different musical instruments, history of unique instruments, visual arts, dance, storytelling and poetry, and even crafting workshops where you can create your own gifts to take back home. You can view and make your own wide range of different traditional Australian crafts and even purchase many unique gift items here.
There is even a traditional Stockman’s Camp which manages to resemble an archetypal bush scenario as it even has its own set of authentic performances and serves a delectable bush style damper and stew which is accompanied by the famous Billy Tea. The festival itself has over 100 concerts which are accompanied by a film festival and numerous impromptu street performances. There are over 60 craft stalls, loads of food vendors that serve over 40 different cuisines, and more than 4 different themed bars that have their own dedicated restaurant areas. For about 5 days the world renowned “Session Bar” even opens up with their own London Underground folk music.
The festival has a long line-up of both international and Australian performers that represent the full spectrum of everything folk, ethnic and indigenous. The National Folk Festival has a very exciting Opening and Closing Concert each year at the Budwang Pavilion and other than this; each night the festival has a grand dance. These grand dances inaugurate with the Scottish Ball then there is the Irish Ceili, third there is the Australian Colonial Ball, finally followed by a lineup of a colorful range of many diverse dance styles such as Latin, Flamenco, Tango and the Contra Dance.
This year the festival will take place between 5th and 9th April, 2012 and there is no need to worry about diverse weather conditions as the National Folk Festival has several of its own large permanent indoor venues that allow concert goers to enjoy music and the spectacular performances in all weather conditions. This year the lineup includes famous names like Peter Denahy, Rory Ellis, Mike McClellan, Jeff Lang, Harry Manx, Frank Yamma, April Verch, Daniel Ho, Katie Noonan, Victor Valdes, Richard Perso, Uncle Bill and more. The flamenco will be performed by none other than Flamenco Fire and the lineup of famous bands include Elixir also featuring Katie Noonan, Alan Kelly Gang, Stringmansassy, Volatinsky trio, The Battlefield Band, Zulya & the Children on the Underground, London Klezmer Quartet, Gleny Rae & her Tamworth Playboys, Circle of Rhythm and many more.
So don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to catch the National Folk Festival in Canberra this year and plan out your trip now.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.