There’s no better time than a new year to re-discover a new you. At this year’s National Folk Festival this Easter unlock your creativity, re-ignite your artistic passion or dance to a band new beat.
For musicians, there’s no better way to hone your craft than by participating in the Pre-Festival Master Classes, 12 & 13 April at the Ainslie Arts Centre. This is a unique opportunity to connect with and learn from some of the world’s most renowned folk artists. Unearth your inner voice with the Singing Master Class with BBC Award-winning artist Rowan Rheingans, encounter French Music Traditions with award-winning artist Anna Rheingans, and for bouzouki enthusiasts, don’t miss out on an exclusive opportunity to learn Irish Bouzouki techniques from Daoirí Farrell, one of the most important new musicians to come out of Ireland. Tune up on your Uillean Pipes and Whistle with Michael “Blackie” O’Connell or find your inner Celt with All Ireland Bodhrán Champion Robbie Walsh’s Bodhrán and Percussion class. For concertina players, there’s a class with acclaimed concertina player Caitlín Nic Gabhann, Irish fiddlers are catered for with Ciarán Ó Maonaigh or learn the banjo with Cathal Ó Curráin, an award-winning Irish artist at the forefront of a new generation of young Irish musicians. Hurry, bookings are essential for all Master Classes as places are limited.
Fancy 2017 as your year for getting out on the dance floor? At the National Folk Festival there’s really something for everyone with our dynamic global dance program. Experience electro trad as you groove to Québec’s Melisande at the late night dance party, learn some Afro dance moves from Ghana’s Bortier Okoe or find your Flamenco fire with Tomás Dietz . Hop into some Jumptown Swing, meet your match at the Tango Social Club, get into some bellydancing and tjembe rhythms or discover dances from Macedonia, China, Scandinavia and Scotland.
For lovers of the bard, uncover some new wordsmiths or step up to the mic yourself at one of our many Poet’s Breakfasts or Live Slam events. Explore what it is to be human with the 2012 Australian Poetry Slam Winner CJ Bowerbird, an evocative spoken word artist and physical performer; get real on the issues of the world mixed with a bit of comedy and satire with Nimbin award-winning “Poet Olympian” David Hallett; or find out how the language of city and bush collide with city-bush poet Laurie McDonald.
In every nook and cranny you’ll find opportunities to immerse yourself in the colour, sounds, sights and food aromas of the festival. The streets are alive with a myriad of food stalls, markets, blackboard cafes and late night cider gardens . Chance upon pop-up acapella street choirs, DIY orchestras, uke musters, fiddle rallies, jugglers and acrobats. For those with an artistic bent, head to our vibrant Community Arts space to create sculptures, murals and one-off pieces with the diverse array of workshops on offer throughout the festival. Stay up late and jam at our world famous Session Bar or crawl into the wild world of the Festival’s Circus Deathmatch and the Not For Kids Kids’ Show or participate in the Circus Deathmatch Training Ground with Highwire Events and Entertainment.
With over 200 acts across 18 venues the 2017 National Folk Festival offers a fantastic program for the whole family. There’s no better place to spend Easter. The 51st National Folk Festival takes place across five fabulous days in Canberra, 13-17 April, 2017. Discounted Early Bird Tickets are still available and range from full festival and camping tickets, to day and night passes, or get together with friends and take advantage our special Package of Days Ticket offer. Keep up with all the Festival news, Master Classes and artist announcements at www.folkfestival.org.au or on our Facebook or Twitter pages. @natfolkfest #ournff #5daysinaperfectworld