Good morning
Maldon Folk Festival!
As dawn broke a big thunder and rain storm was clapping across the skies. Would the day be a wash out? Somehow I fell asleep again and when I reawaken the day had cleared into a beautiful sunny one.
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| On Saturday morning they hold the Maldon Primary School Market. Always a hilight of the Festival [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| Woodys waiting to do his set at the Maldon Primary School Market [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| Entertainment for the children at the Maldon Primary School Market [Photo: Og Bear] |
The Saturday morning school market was a highlight as usual. Despite the rain, a good number of stalls and people in attendance.
There was entertainment for the children and I ran into
Woody waiting to go on and do his gig while waiting the
Folktales and Furrytails to finish.
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| The Troubadour was well and truly the most popular venue [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| Chloe and Jason Roweth playing in the Troubadour Wine Tent [Photo: Og Bear] |
Donna and I went our separate ways. Me to the Troubadour Wine Tent. Donna to Nick Charles at the Neighbourhood Centre, via a much needed coffee!
I found Chloe and Jason Roweth playing in the Troubadour.
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| The session was a slow burn in the Kangaroo Hotel [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| There was children's entertainment in the park with Captain Jack and others [Photo: Og Bear] |
From there a session was just beginning as I passed through the Kangaroo Hotel.
Opposite was children's entertainment in the park with Captain Jack and his helpers.
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| The instrument makers exhibition was its usual high quality. A lot of instruments were being demonstrated which added to it [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| The instrument makers exhibition was its usual high quality. A lot of instruments were being demonstrated which added to it [Photo: Og Bear] |
In the old Festival office over the road the instrument makers exhibition was its usual high quality. A lot of instruments were being demonstrated which added very much to the feel of it all.
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| Full Swing performing at the main venue, the Community Centre [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| Og stumbled across a broom dancing demostration in the new Baptist Hall [Photo: Og Bear] |
Strayed across a string band comprising of four young women called
Full Swing performing at the main venue, the Community Centre.
On the way to catch up with Donna I stumbled across a broom dancing demonstration in the new Baptist Hall.
I caught up with Donna as
Nick Charles finished at the
Neighbourhood Centre, Donna loved his performance and before long we were once again united in our enjoyment of the rest of the day.
It was good to catch up with old Festival friend Barry, and his family, in the Festival food court at the Guinness Bar.
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| Rebecca Wright and Donald McKay playing in the Troubadour Wine Tent [Photo: Og Bear] |
Even though we looked at the program, sometimes it was a bit meaningless, we just had to go and check stuff out. Doing this we came across
Rebecca Wright and Donald McKay playing in the
Troubadour Wine Tent - they were simply divine.
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| Rudy's One Man Band busking on the street [Photo: Og Bear] |
We took advantage of a lull in the program to soak in some of the atmosphere on the street, cafes, buskers and sessions. We chanced across legendary local acrobat and musician, John Birchall, ice cream in hand, who was busking with
Rudy's One Man Band.
An obligatory ice cream at
Cherrys, eaten at the chalkboard running in the courtyard at
Wicked Temptations.
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| A session happening in under the Kangaroo Verandah [Photo: Donna Finegan] |
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| John Bennett playing in the Community Centre [Photo: Og Bear] |
On the way back a nice little session happening in under the front Kangaroo Verandah. Around the side were the usual suspects including the Badges.
Donna wanted to see
John Bennett from the Northern Territory, accompanied by
David Hyams, playing in the Community Centre. This turned out to be one of the highlights of the Festival. The magical stories of John's life told in song, with amazing slide guitair by David.
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| Joe and Harmonys Trippy Hippy 60s show in the Maldon Hotel [Photo: Og Bear] |
Also on Donna's agenda was the
Trippy Hippy 60s show in the Maldon Hotel featuring 60s hardliners, Joe and Harmony. What a fun experience, bringing back memories of days gone by. We all denied ever being hippies, but somehow we all remembered the songs! Donna wasn't ashamed of owning up to it.
Donna grabbed the camera and took a few photos. As she continued to do throughout the Festival. They really complimented mine and I loved her photos.
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| Stevie and Donna under the Kangaroo Verandah [Photo: Og Bear] |
Back under the Kangaroo front verandah another session.
Around on the side verandah we finally came across my neighbours, Janice and Ion. Also there were the Badges and Stevie Wilson.
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| The Dylan and Baez story told by Suzette Herft and Patrick Evans [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| The Audience in the Troubadour [Photo: Og Bear] |
Donna was keen to see the Dylan and Baez story told by
Suzette Herft and Patrick Evans in the Troubadour Wine Tent. We were soon followed by the Badges, Jan and Edward, and Ion and Janice. A very moving session with a lot of tit bits I didn't know.
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| The outside atmosphere was great at the Guinness Bar [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| The food court fitted snuggly around the Progress Hall [Photo: Og Bear] |
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Matty and Stevie Wilson in food court reminiscing over Fatty and the old days [Photo: Og Bear]
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Tea was pickings from some of the really great stalls in the food court. A coffee stall, the Guinness beer and wine bar, Really great Turkish and Vietnamese, and Festival perennial
Jerry's Vegiburgers.
Matty and Stevie were there in their sack vests in honour of
Fatty, their father, who saved the Festival many years ago and was director until his early death, just before the Festival in 1996.
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| The New Holland Honey Eaters performing in the Community Centre [Photo: Og Bear] |
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| The Stetson Family performing in the Community Centre [Photo: Og Bear] |
While in the food court I heard a great sound coming from the Hall. The
New Holland Honey Eaters, a really slick string band from Tasmania were performing in the Community Centre.
They were followed by the very popular
Stetson Family who had quite a few up and dancing.
We ended with songwriter, singer, comedian and radio presenter,
Greg Champion performing in the Troubadour Tent followed by dancing to folk pub band
Claymore in the Community Centre.
Another early night. Jan and Edward roll in about 5 am in the morning.
