Oh, is it Monday already…
Sunday night was very BIG and everyone is just a tad weary as the sun comes up on the last day in our perfect world. In fact, the very early morning risers heading to the showers are crossing paths with session players from the wee small hours sneaking quietly into their tents, instruments tucked under arm.
Last Night’s Fun
So yes… it is Easter Monday already
One last Poets’ Breakfast, one more Settler Session, though this morning’s is just a little more measured than on that first day, a final Zumba class to get you started. You might notice Campbell the Swaggie in the bottom RH corner of the photo on the left. He was a regular most mornings at Rosie’s Zumba class. I’ve been thinking about Campbell. Sometime before the Festival a carefully written and very weighty letter would arrive at the Festival office. It would be from Campbell relating his adventures at festivals up and down Australia. His arrival at the National was always much anticipated. When he came onsite somehow it all felt just right. Click on Campbell and Rosie for an article on this amazing man or on Sabine Friedrich’s photo of him reciting at the Nash to hear him.
Final rehearsals for the Festival Fiddle Rally, Festival Choir, NFF Percussion Ensemble and Bush Orchestra. Last chance to catch some of your Festival favourites and pick up a CD. No chance of Festival merch. That’s long sold out! Last chance to dance. Last chance to catch up with friends before they start the long drive back to Brisbane, Wodonga, Adelaide or where ever… and still so much to see.
Who haven’t you heard…
Did want to see Alan Downes (NZL) and there are a couple of shows in the Borderland to get to, Bush Gothic and Norskiosk if we can fit them in.
Really keen to catch Susan O’Neill aka SON (IRE) and absolute Festival favourites, Equus who are both on the Hope for Folk Stage. Have also marked Little Quirks, Shelly’s Murder Boys (enjoyed this clip – note the guy at the fridge), The Fiddle Chicks and the brilliant Jellyman’s Daughter (SCOT).
And try catch these guys if you have time… Alana Wilkinson (part of the Smalls Halls Tour), Dan Baker, Scroggin, The Raglins and Teri Young and the Restless.
OMG!!! The Infinite Song Competition… finals today
2020 was to have been Infinite Elton John and we can but imagine what that would have inspired amongst our artists… and there’s MC Kate Austin in her signature hat, basket of Easter eggs in hand running the show in her inimitable style. Celebrate what might have been with these highlights from past Infinites. 2015 NFF Infinite Reggae Highlights SpookyMen’s Chorale: Infinite Glam Rock 2019 David Hallett: Infinite Beach Boys 2017
It’s Monday evening… 😢 Much of my day will have been taken up with programming the Farewell Concert which also features performances by the recipients of various awards. Alas, no awards! I’d also be liaising with the Woodturners’ Guild who make our lovely “Effies” (the trophies) so that the names can be engraved. I’ll need to spend some time with the MC Coordinator (Andy Bevan) and tonight’s MC – that’ll be Kate Austin. Oh, and preparing the concert running order and briefing the Venue Manager plus meeting with the Choir Coordinator (Giselle Nathan) and the Directors of the Fiddle Rally and Percussion Ensemble. The last afternoon act in the Budawang finishes at 5:30pm and the crews have 45mins to reset everything before the doors reopen for the audience at 6:15pm.
6:00pm… 60 or so string players and their various backing musicians (keyboard / double bass) are assembling backstage in the Budawang. With so many performers the Venue Management crew have their work cut out keeping everything orderly. In the meantime the Festival Choir enters the venue via the Trocadero corridor doors and take their places on the bleachers, stage right (LHS for the audience). All the performers must be ready by 6:15 when the audience reenters the venue. There will be long queues forming outside waiting for that moment. The excitement builds.
The Farewell Concert of the 54th 2020 National Folk Festival…
Since I’ve been Artistic Director we’ve started the Farewell Concert at 6:30pm with a 20min set by the Festival Fiddle Rally followed by the Festival Choir. Unfortunately I don’t have access to the high quality NFF footage so the sound could be better but the links below will hopefully set the scene. Nothing like that big Budawang venue filled will the sound of massed fiddles and then the joyous voices of the Festival Choir.
The 2013 Fiddle Rally under the direction of Trish Barker (who would have directed in 2020)
The 2019 Fiddle Rally (including sound effects) directed jointly by Judy Turner and Chris Duncan. The third is one of my very favourites, t
The 2017 Festival Choir, (one of my very favourites) singing Take a Walk in My Country directed by Rachel Hore with Genise and Nicholas Williams.
OMG!!! The tears are welling up as I’m writing this 😢 😢 😢
As the Choir takes a bow Kate Austin steps onto the stage. She thanks them warmly and, as they move silently from the bleachers urges another round of applause. Kate formally welcomes you all to the Farewell Concert and without further ado introduces the Honey Dew Drops.
Now things get a little tricky because usually the next act, and several others during the evening will be the various award winners. You will also hear the NFF Percussion Ensemble directed by dynamic percussionist Peter Vadiveloo. Click on the pic to hear their 2016 performance and you can join in too. No age barriers. This is for everyone.
There will also be a couple of Australian acts programmed throughout the concert in addition to the awardees. This year I was hoping Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse would be one of those but sadly they had to leave on Monday afternoon. So many to choose from so why don’t you program your own special act into our Farewell Concert. Go to the National Folk Festival Website, choose who’d you’d like to hear and find a favourite clip on Youtube to play.
We’d also have the raffle draw with Jacqui Price and her team who do a fantastic job throughout the whole festival weekend. Sorry to indulge myself but below are a couple of my favourite photos (and I don’t have many of myself) and again, thanks to Sabine Friedrich for giving me these. Of course, it wouldn’t have been me drawing the raffle this year but who cares, I’ve loved doing this with Jacqui each year.
And now sadly, it’s time for the final act…
Tonight I’m closing out the Farewell Concert with Rosier (CAN – formerly Les Poules à Colin). It should be a lively 20min set before Kate comes onto the stage for the very last time in 2020, thanks you all and then, as she does every year asks the audience to stack the chairs as they leave. Magically within 8-10 minutes it’s all done and suddenly the house lights come up on an empty venue and the magic starts to fade a little. By this time I’ll have been watching the end of the Concert from Chris Neill’s sound platform. I usually hang around for a short chat, give a big thanks to him and his crews, a hug and it’s all over for another year.
The NFF provides a unique moment in our year where we come together to experience and celebrate everything “folk” and, it encompasses so very much that it really has been difficult to include every facet of the Festival. If I’ve missed a performer or an activity they are no less valued than any that have been included. I love each and every performer and each and every activity that I program for the very special qualities that each brings to the event. Thank you everyone. It’s you who make the National what it is.
I’ll leave you with a lovely song from one of our past festival favourites whom I had the pleasure of including in my very first Artistic Program in 2013, James Keelaghan singing Safe Home.
Folk Music Matters 
Gorgeous farewell concert ❤
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