An exciting showcase of performers 2009

Alan Blackshaw

Alan Blackshaw is a singer/songwriter whose songs reflect life in modern Australia as well as ballads based in our past. He writes from the heart and is interested in themes common to us all. His songs reflect a keen observation of people and events with themes as broad ranging as relationships, mental health, aboriginal heritage, life in country towns. He is returning to Turning Wave for the second time.

Alan Musgrove & His Watsaname Band

Alan Musgrove and His Watsaname Band play traditional Australian in all its varied forms, from the transplanted anglo/Irish ballads and convict period songs through to the bush music that has become iconic. Alan Musgrove has spent 30 years collecting Australian songs and dance music and the Watsaname band was formed in 2004 to present this material with freshness and vitality.

Ami Williamson

The daughter of Country Music star John Williamson, Ami has been brought up with a musical emphasis on the spirit of the land and finds herself writing her own songs about the amazing people that contribute to this spirit.  Ami is a story teller, song writer and a remarkable vocalist performing a wide variety of cleverly written and professionally presented songs spanning musical genres from jazz, rhythm & blues, opera and of course country.

Anne Ridgway & Rosie McDonald

Two smooth, mellow voices with rich and sometimes haunting harmonies combine with intricate, ambient chord progressions or strong percussive, rhythmic strumming on guitars to present poetic soulful songs and ballads with a Celtic and jazz influence celebrating life, our place in the world and the power of the human spirit.

Antón Mac Gabhann: Master musician of Mullahoran (fiddle)

Antóin is a purist when it comes to traditional music, fiddle-playing, Irish language and is an ambassador of Irish culture. He has a tremendous respect for the old traditional musicians, who learned their music while growing up with it; thus it became inherent to them, a part of their very nature. Musicians today learn from a much wider variety of sources, and have a completely different style of playing. Festival patrons will also be able to hear him perform in both recitals and concerts. This will be an experience in traditional music not to be missed.

Aoife Granville (flute/voice/fiddle)

Aoife is from Dingle and has been playing traditional music since the age of 7. While in her teens she performed and toured with Kerry Chamber Orchestra, Dublin Youth Orchestra and Ceol Chiarraí amongst others. She went on to study Music in UCC where she was awarded a Bene Merenti for her contribution to traditional music and has won numerous prizes at Oireachtas and Fleadhanna Cheoil, including the prestigious Senior Flute title in 2003. She is currently the traditional flute tutor in UCC’s Music Department. Aoife released her debut album, Sráid Eoin Shuffle, in 2006.

Arch Bishop

Arch, the prince of the unpronounceable, the inimitable, irrepressible & ever so slightly irreverent, will have your emotions on the end of his fingertips as he goes through his huge repertoire of poetry, yarns & verse. Arch is a master reciter of contemporary and traditional verse, from side splitting humour to stories that tug at your heart strings.

Bon Accord

This group is made up of members of the Sydney Scottish Fiddlers and is led by Trish Barker. The band consists of three fiddlers, mandolin/whistle, keyboard and bass guitar. They will play for the Spirit of the Bush Costume Ball so expect some wonderful music to dance the night away. The Sydney Scottish Fiddlers meet on the 1st and 3rd Sunday each month in the Hall of the New Church, Roseville, and regularly play for dances and concerts around Sydney. They are always happy to welcome new members.

Bronnie Ware

Bronnie Ware weaves her inspiring stories though clear and gentle vocals. She has the ability to celebrate both the strength and vulnerability of the human spirit, as well as sharing her deep love of nature. Bronnie’s songs may be tender and gentle, sweet and folky, or toe tapping and country. Either way, you can't help but leave her gigs a little inspired from the feel good experience.

Cameron Mather

Cameron, the winner of the 2008 Turning Wave Busking Competition, sings and plays Celtic, traditional and folk with an emphasis on the music of Ireland, Scotland and Newfoundland. His exciting accompaniment on DADGAD tuned guitar and Irish bouzouki makes his a performance not to be missed. Cameron also plays tenor banjo, mandolin and bodhran and enjoys joining the other trad musicians at festival sessions. His album, “Keepin’ it Lit”, is now available.

Canberra Celtic Pipe Band

The Canberra Celtic Pipe band and Dancers perform tradtional Irish and Scottish music.  We play duets with small pipes and bodhran; solos of expert pipers and as a band with drums and bagpipes. Players in the band play instruments as well as dance.  The dancers perform a variety of Scottish dances such as the Sword Dance, Highland Fling and Scottish Lilt to name a few.

Canberra Union Voices

The Canberra Union voices have been singing and performing for over 10 years, singing songs from around the world in four part harmony. Repertoire includes songs from East Timor, Pacific island and Australian folk tradition. We sing songs about social justice. Our repertoire also includes union, peace and political songs.

Chloë and Jason Roweth

Chloë and Jason Roweth share a passion for Australian folklore and bush music, getting great satisfaction out of bringing almost forgotten songs back to life. Always a captivating concert experience, Chloë & Jason present a striking mix of strong original songs, old-style ballads, well known bush songs, and lively dance tunes, accompanied by some fascinating background on where the items come from, and who played them.

Coast Ceili Band

A dynamic Sydney/Newcastle based ceili band with a strong driving sound, this group will get you up dancing with their infectious rhythms and lively jigs and reels. The band has released its first CD "Set Dancing Downunder" to great acclaim, and recent performances include the regular Ceili at Sydney's Gaelic Club and the National Folk Festival, Canberra.  They present an energetic brand of dance music played on accordion, fiddles, mandolin, whistle, banjo and keyboard, augmented by bass & exciting rhythmic elements.

Collector

Collector combine traditional and modern instruments, with a range of strong lead vocalists, all fine interpreters of Australian songs. The members of the band are united by their long love of seeking out and playing traditional Australian music. The energy and conviction of the band is plain. Whether it’s one of the great old ballads, an unaccompanied song, the sweetest waltz, or a set of tunes with the band in full flight, Collector is heartfelt, entertaining and infectiously irreverent.

Conundrum

Conundrum is a 4 piece traditional act from Melbourne in Victoria, lead by flute and fiddle melody combination. They endeavour to create depth and freshness in there rendition of traditional music. Playing music from places such as Ireland, Scotland , Brittany and the Shetland Islands. Conundrum also writes and performs excellent original tunes adding to the rich cultural pool that is their inspiration.

Coolfinn Mac

Coolfinn Mac is a  mainly acoustic, multi-instrumental group delivering 'traditional' music with a contemporary edge, combining  the magic of music from the Celtic nations with Australian and original material, creatively blending instruments and styles. Coolfinn  Mac will take you on a journey that bridges traditions with an exciting fusion of past and present, songs and tunes, both old and new.

Corner House Ceili Band

This is a Ceili band with a truckload of experience. The group formed out of the well known and much loved Canberra Ceili Band which played for the Irish Ceili at the National Folk Festival for many years as well as at Fleadh Nua in both Jindabyne and Goulburn. The new line-up is a smaller, more compact group but still with all the experience and energy you’d expect from a Ceili Band with a great sound and a brilliant repertoire of tunes.

Craig and Simone Dawson

Craig and Simone are regulars to the folk music circuit. With a wide variety of instruments including finger-style acoustic and slide guitars, mandolin, bouzouki and flute, they perform mostly poignant, hard hitting original ballads and instrumentals dealing with a range of topics both serious and funny.

Dalriada

Dalriada are creating the global sound of the future, with a glance to the past – forging new and enduring traditions. It is a melding of the ancient with the contemporary – a combination of traditional rock instruments with haunting bagpipes, Celtic bouzouki, flute, tin whistles, bodhran and congas all played with a primitive passion. Catherine Ogilvy tops off this heady blend with vocals that can rock the cradle one minute and rock the boat the next. Dalriada’s new CD “Soak” is available now.

Masters of their instruments and masters of their trade as storytellers and performers, Damian Howard and the Ploughboys are nothing short of marvellous. The band’s original material is an eclectic mix of high energy - Australian/Country/Celtic/ Acoustic/ Folk/ Roots - that has poignant themes - Celtic heritage, Australian heritage and imagery, Indigenous Australian Culture, Social Justice and much, much more.....

David Myers

David Meyers is a singer/songwriter, bush poet and an historian who has performs regularly at festivals in Darwin, Alice Springs and extensively throughout NSW and the ACT. He is also a founding member of Canberra's infamous "Shiny Bum Singers" and convenor of the Queanbeyan Bush Poets. In his "spare" time, he plays bongos with a Bungendore singing group. He performs in Queanbeyan on formal occasions.

Denizen

Denizen evokes the Irish Australian party spirit with many gigs over the years in Pubs playing a lively selection of traditional and contemporary songs and tunes to keep the punters happy. From familiar sing-a-long type songs to high energy tune sets with bagpipes at times, it’s free dancing galore!

Don Richmond

Don is one of Sydney’s most popular and experienced Dance Callers and teachers of Australian Traditional Dance, and will be guiding your steps at the Woolshed themed dance and presenting a workshop to familiarise you with some of the dances prior to the event. Don is the caller and plays a variety of instruments from lagerphone to tea-chest bass with popular Sydney Bush Band, Currawong.

Enda Kenny & Lindsay Martin

Superb contemporary song writing with skilful arrangements, this multi award winning duo have become festival favourites across Australia and beyond.  Six self produced albums including the 2006 Folk Album of the Year Here and There, Enda’s songs get straight to the heart of the Australian experience and accompanists don’t come any better than Lindsay Martin.

Fr. Michael O’Sullivan

An tAthair Micheál (Fr Michael) is originally from Cóbh, Co Cork and came to Australia as a young priest.  His deep love of Ireland, her history, culture and language has taken him on many  journeys over the years and has included his definitive book on the Sydney 1798 Memorial, advisor to the Celtic Council of Australia, and life-member of the Aisling Society. 

Franklin B Paverty

With its distinctive and entertaining presentation of Aussie folk music, Franklyn B. Paverty is one of Australia’s leading folk/bush bands. With 7 albums to their credit, the band has shared the stage with many well-known international acts including the Dubliners, the Fureys, Billy Connolly and the Irish folk band Altan. Paverty features guitar, fiddle, mandolin, lagerphone, banjo, accordion, keyboards and the trademark Paverty vocals.

Gary McFetridge

Gary, who hails from Northern Ireland, came to Australia in 1972 and has been playing tenor banjo for over twenty years. He has played in numerous Aussie bush bands, Dixieland jazz, and trad-Irish bands. A connoisseur of fine quality instruments, Gary plays an OME black Mogul tenor banjo (USA). Based in Hornsby, a suburb of Sydney, he also manages "McFetridge and Son Fretted Instruments" specialising in banjos, mandolins and acoustic guitars.

Gerry Faulkner 

A native of Galway, Gerry arrived in Sydney 13 years ago and since then has been a busy and active member of the Sydney Irish community. He is a past president of the Sydney St. Patrick’s Day Committee and each year is MC for the parade as it passes the review stand at Town Hall. Gerry hosts the popular Irish radio show, Ireland Downunder every Sunday morning and his services as MC are always in demand. An Irish event is not the same without him!

Gundagai Community Choir 

A small group of people came together in April, 2007 to prepare music for a special function held at St Patrick’s Church and when the group decided to continue singing the Gundagai Community Choir was born. The choir has sung at a variety of Church liturgies, held a Sacred Concert, and in June 2008, eight members took part in Choir Oz with the Sydney Philharmonic Choir’s rendition of Carmina Burina at the Opera House. The group practices at the Uniting Church Hall each Monday evening at 7.30pm during the school term and new members are most welcome.

Gundagai Country Music Club

This group, made up of local musicians plays a mix of both your traditional and more upbeat country music and has been playing around Gundagai and the district for a number of years now. They also perform regularly at Lott’s Family Hotel and that's where you'll hear them over the Festival weekend. They are providing the PA for, and hosting the Blackboard Stage there on Friday & Saturday.

Humbug

Take some folk musicians, a classical flautist, 60s rock guitarists and a few community choir singers and you have Humbug! Lively performances of Canberra's Celtic big band feature distinctive vocal harmonies combined with rich instrumental backing, reviving songs rarely heard these days - from the poignant love ballads of Robbie Burns to rousing Irish and Scottish favourites. Festival credits include Beechworth Celtic Festival, Major's Creek, the National Folk Festival, Snowy Mountains of Music and Tuross Music Festivals. Humbug's new CD "For A' That  - Ballads of Robbie Burns and other Celtic Favourites" will be launched at the festival.

Ian Henry 

Ian is a piper, originally from Co Antrim in the north of Ireland but has been here in Australia since he was a young man and now lives in Kurrajong at the foot of the Blue Mountains. Ian plays both the uilleann (Irish) pipes and the Celtic war pipes and, his piping skills are always in great demand.

Ian Thompson

When you talk about your reciters and bush poets Ian Thompson is the “real deal”. No fancy vests, hats or costumes, just straight talking words. Ian is a farmer whose family were originally from Tullamore NSW but has lived in Temora for most of his life living the “stuff that poems are made of”!

Jamie Molloy

Jamie plays guitar (in DADGAD tuning) and sings some lesser known traditional Irish songs. He also plays lively Irish music on concertina. Living in Corryong, North East Victoria has provided opportunities for performing at a range of local festivals as well as at a wide range of sessions in Sydney and Melbourne. His commitment to seeing the musical traditions being kept alive has motivated him to travel to Ireland regularly and now he is here to share those experiences by providing some workshops in Irish music.

Jennifer Smart School of Dance

The Gundagai Irish Step Dancers from the Jennifer Smart School of Dance performed at the Festival for the first time in 2007. The Monday night Irish dance classes commenced as a result of interest created by the inaugural Turning Wave Festival.  Margaret Winnett travels to Gundagai on an irregular basis to teach - at all other times Mary Smith, a very experienced dancer, teaches the classes.

Jigzag

Jigzag are an entertaining blend of folky/pop songs and high octane instrumentals. Their music is joyous, uplifting, warm-hearted and high-spirited. Greg Bryce (guitar, vocals), Liz Frencham (double-bass, vocals) and Caroline Trengove (violin, viola, flute, vocals) combine awe-inspiring musicianship with a rare and exciting chemistry and stage presence. In 2006 they won "Best Live Act" at the National Folk Awards and, in 2009 were named "Best Band" at the Tamworth Golden Fiddle Awards. With 12 years playing and honing their skills at festivals throughout Australasia, Canada, UK, and Denmark, Jigzag have 4 CDs and a new DVD "Jigzag Flying Live".

John Broomhall, John Spillane & David De Santi

Singer songwriter John Broomhall, now living in the Illawarra, is originally from Broken Hill and many of his compositions are based on intensely personal childhood recollections and his love of the desert landscape. In contrast he spent some years as the resident bard on the sailing ship, The Bounty, moored in Sydney Harbour. Johnny, originally from Cork Ireland, is a stalwart of traditional music, playing in many Celtic and Australian bands. David De Santi, in addition to being a member of Wongawilli, has researched and published Australian traditional music since 1990. Together they weave a musical journey through Australia’s history.

Lime and Steel

Lime and Steel play original folk songs, sung with a distinctly Australian voice.  They cover subjects ranging from everyday beauty and terror on public transport to bluegrass-inspired goldfields murder ballads and songs of unlikely love in a precarious colony. Lime and Steel features two multi-instrumentalist songwriters; Ben Scott and Paddy Connor, who mix sweet vocal harmonies, finger picked guitar and Irish low whistle with the drive of bluegrass banjo, mandolin and pennywhistle jigs.

Margaret & Bill Winnett

Margaret and Bill Winnett's names are synonymous with Irish dancing and their workshops are full of fun and energy, yet demanding enough for the most discerning dancers.  Margaret and Bill teach set dancing with their group, the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers every Thursday night at Kingsgrove. No matter what your level of dancing you are sure to enjoy their workshops and they will also be presenting the pre-festival Set Dancing Classes.

Margaret Bradford

Margaret has gained a strong following in the live music scene around Australia. Her songs of conscience, humour & compassion reflect contemporary, environmental & social issues and her recordings are evidence of the vast emotional range presented in her performances. She accompanies her singing with guitar and bowed psaltery and her latest CD Ten Years On will be available at the festival. With her partner Allan Dean, Margaret encourages children to be actively involved in making and moving to music getting kids making instruments out of recycled materials.

Maureen O Brien

Award-Winning songwriter Maureen O’Brien delivers original music guaranteed to touch her audience in some way.  Thought-provoking, challenging, or just plain funny, Maureen’s songs retain the essence of folk in that they tell a story, reflecting the lives of the people of the day, yet are brave enough to break the boundaries of traditional music style. Come prepared to share the journey!

Michael Kennedy

With six of the twelve tracks from his last album Seed, already recorded and performed by others, both here and internationally, Michael’s thoughtful lyrics and gentle acoustic guitar,  continue to make an impact. Perhaps Chris While sums it up, … “he crafts his songs with great care and is blessed with the most exquisite voice”

michael-john azzopardi

Esoteric genius with a penchant for intricate acoustic masterpieces, singer songwriter guitarist Michael-John Azzopardi is a regular performer on the Sydney music scene. Stylistically he draws on alternate rock, blues, folk (Celtic and middle-eastern) and jazz. The intensity and depth of his music reaches right into the listener and takes a firm hold on the soul. His arrangements are mind blowing, his lyrics philosophical and poetic, his guitar work breathtaking.

Michelle Mulcahy (concertina/fiddle/harp)

From a family steeped in the traditions of Irish music Michelle has been described as a most amazing musician and,  “a jaw-dropping miracle of a prodigy” (Bill Margeson). Michelle, who plays concertina fiddle, harp, piano, and accordion is a multiple All-Ireland champion. Along with sister Louise she won Live Ireland’s Best Female Musician of the Year -  2005. Michelle has just finished teaching at Scoil Samhradh Willie Clancy and will perform with the family trio at the 2009 Masters of Tradition in West Cork. At TWF you will hear Michelle with her father Mick, combining with exceptional musicality and virtuosity to give testimony to the ongoing power of family in the Irish tradition.

Mick Mulcahy (accordion)

Born in Brosna, north Kerry and now living in Abbeyfeale West Limerick Mick's music is inspired by the styles of older musicians and he is renowned for his unique traditional style of playing on the accordion and the melodeon. He is considered one of the living exponents and experts of the D/D# and C#/D accordions and his reputation as a box player is comparable to the likes of  Joe Cooley, Sonny Brogan and Tony MacMahon, all of whom have influenced him. Mick is among the most widely respected and liked musicians in Ireland, and a brilliant box player. 

Mick O Connor (banjo)

London banjo player Mick O’Connor inherited a love of Irish music from his parents from Kerry and Roscommon. He learned most of his tunes from the great London Irish musicians including Bobby Casey, Tommy McCarthy and Roger Sherlock, and is particularly influenced by the Clare, Galway and Kerry styles of playing. Mick was an all-Ireland tenor banjo champion and has also won two all-Ireland ceili band medals with the “Thatch Ceili Band”. He has toured, played and recorded with the greats including Tommy Makem, Kevin Burke, Brendan Shine, Donal Lunny, Noel Murphy, Elvis Costello and Ronnie Drew.

Mike Jackson

Mike is a power-house of energy and fun and his concerts for adults and children are joyfully intimate celebrations of life, love and music. His workshops make music and magic an attainable goal for all and his shows feature well known songs and tunes played on a truckload of unusual instruments.

Mitch Smith

Mitch is a man whose small passion for whistles has grown into a major commitment and he is now making some very fine whistles. He started the very popular Oz Whistles in 2005 and since then his mission has been to share that passion with others. Mitch will run a special workshop on how to “tweak” your whistle to make it play better and also present a session for beginners – no experience necessary (just passion!).

Montgomery, Barker & Burke

This trans-Tasman combo brings together three of Australasia's finest traditional musicians, combining to play a wonderful, exciting brand of Irish traditional music. All well respected and award winning musicians in their own right, Brendyn (flute) and Trouble in the Kitchen’s Ado (fiddle/vocals) and Kate (guitar/concertina/vocals) have played together on both sides of the Tasman since meeting at the 2003 National Folk Festival. Sharing a passion for the music and a great sense of camaraderie, their style is firmly rooted in the long tradition of Irish dance music, but has an antipodean flavour and youthful vibrancy that sets their sound apart. 

Mothers of Intention

To watch Mothers of Intention is to experience a richly textured performance. Lush vocal harmonies, layered instrumentals, driving rhythm guitar, fiery yet soulful fiddle, lilting whistles and the steady bodhran heartbeat define the Mothers sound. Winners of the 2007 Music Oz award for the best Folk/World track their performance will take you on a journey of beautiful ballads, some inspiring arrangements of unexpected covers, lively jigs and reels, and fantastic original material.

Navan Road

Navan Road’s music ranges from Traditional Celtic tunes to original ballads.  All members of the group have attended previous festivals. Tom as a soloist and Wendy and Ian have played as part of traditional groups.

Norm Merrigan

Norm, with his distinctive blue accordion currently anchors the Shamrock session in Sydney’s north. Since it kicked off in 2002 this session has provided opportunities for many musicians to get a start playing Irish traditional music. It has a great core of musos and is regarded as one of the friendliest and most welcoming sessions around. Norm is also a prolific songwriter performing many of his originals with his band Coolfinn Mac where he also plays bouzouki and bodhran. Norm’s accordion can also be heard with the Coast Ceili Band.

Patricia McGrath & Alarna Stephenson

Collectively these two dance teachers have over 65 years experience in Irish Dancing and are highly regarded teachers. They have a great love of Irish dancing in all its forms including Irish Set, Ceili, and Solo dancing with a strong sense that dancing should always be fun! Trish currently teaches on Wednesday nights at the Harp bar in Tempe and both are the driving force behind the popular Harp Irish Set Dancers.

Peter Mace

Over recent years Peter Mace has established himself as a very talented and entertaining performance poet. He has appeared at numerous festivals and venues and to date has won quite a few awards for his poetry. While he has a great repertoire of traditional Australian poetry he also has a wonderful store of Irish poems and never fails to impress those who hear him. Catch him at the poet’s events and he will also be doing some MC work so watch out for that too.

Pigeonwing Strings

Making their Australian debut, Pigeonwing Strings play the music of the Appalachian Mountains with creativity, passion, and energy, incorporating styles as diverse as Québecois fiddle, close vocal harmonies, and modern song writing. Featuring multi-instrumentalists Pria Schwall-Kearney (voice, fiddle, banjo, feet) and Greg Fair (voice, mandolin, guitar, banjo, percussion), Pigeonwing Strings proudly root themselves in what has come before and capture the mystery, joy, grit, and sorrow that is at the heart of traditional American music. 

Puddin' Eaters

The Puddin’ Eaters encourage kids to join in with stories, music, song and dance drawn from the Celtic/Australian tradition, all in a light hearted vein.  Expect a colourful mixture of story-telling, play acting, join-in music and dancing for kids of all ages.  Meet ridiculously tall but extremely silly Rob the Storyteller, not-so-tall Stuart with his squeeze box and lovely Sally the Dance Caller (she’s the one in the fabulous dress). You will also see them around the festival as active participants in other events, especially music and dance sessions.

Puppet Palace

Puppet Palace returns to Gundagai with its unique brand of musical puppet shows, presenting the traditional Punch and Judy for kids (and a special Gothic show for adults) as well as a new adaptation of the Celtic show, The Mighty Milligan which debuted at the Turning Wave last year. Presented by Australia’s foremost “Punch Professor”, Keith Preston, and supported by Tony Doyle, “the Wizard of Wind” Puppet Palace has performed overseas and around Australia bringing true folk puppetry to the public and festivals.

Replay

Replay has been performing together for 5 years and they are growing up with the members now aged from 10 to 15.  They started young but now they get into festivals not just because they are young but because they are also talented musicians, singers and composers.  Writing and arranging much of their own music with Celtic and Gypsy influences they have performed at the National and festivals around NSW. Replay is Gareth and Siobhan Mewes, Rohan and Amelia Gibson plus Rita Woolhouse.  The two oldest are often the last to leave the late night session!

Ruairi McGorman
Ruairi is one of Ireland's finest young traditional musicians, playing fiddle, bouzouki and DADGAD guitar. From County Meath he was born into a musical family, his mother being the great flute player Catherine McEvoy, originally from Roscommon. Ruairi has taught fiddle at the prestigious Pipers Club in Dublin, tutored a number of Ceili bands, and won an "All Ireland Fleadh" title. He has played with De Danann, Frankie Gavin, and also with the likes of Sharon Shannon and Shane McGowan. Ruairi has nearly finished a journalism degree in Dublin, and has taken some time off to travel to Australia.

Sally Carter

Sally Carter - an exciting combination of guitar, fiddle and hurdy-gurdy with soaring vocal melodies. Sally will take you on a journey through the  ages from upbeat Celtic/medieval hurdy-gurdy, to song-stories with guitar and beautiful vocals, culminating in some wild stomping hot-pink fiddle playing. Sally is a mix of Celtic/medieval/contemporary/Australian. Her homespun songs and tunes include stories about homeless people, growing up in NZ, being homesick for Oz and driving to Tamworth in 42C heat with no air-con.

Set in Their Ways

A Canberra based dance display group specializing in both traditional and contemporary Irish Set Dancing. We will be mixing and matching a number of dance figures into a lively and exciting programme featuring jigs, reels, polkas, slides and hornpipes. The figures have been sourced from a number of locations ranging from Southwest Ireland to Southeast Australia. We will present our own recently choreographed set, the Canberra Crooked Chain, also known as Casadh an t'Slabhra.

Shirley Power & Colin Mockett

Shirley Power and Colin Mockett combine fine music and laughter – Shirley the music, Colin the laughter. Their performances are full of warmth, humour and a unique blend of song, poetry and narrative that will have you spellbound or laughing till the tears come to your eyes. This year Shirley & Colin bring to TWF their acclaimed musical documentary The Last Rose Of Summer which tells the poignant and moving story of Ireland's Thomas Moore, the man who created so much of his nation's beautiful traditional music.

SIDE

This exciting branch of the Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers specializes in the performance of Irish dancing in all its forms, but especially in the older style step dancing. Under the direction of Margaret Winnett the group performs at festivals and events all over NSW.  With a dance style that is natural, relaxed and attractive Margaret has been a traditional Irish step dancer since 1957 and has honed her skills both performing and teaching throughout fifty years of dedication to preserving the Irish dance tradition in Australia.

Springtide

The combination of Jackie Luke on Hammered Dulcimer & Greg Wilson on Celtic Harp makes for one of Australia’s most distinctive duos. Their music has embraced the best of Anglo-Celtic tradition, Folk rock (ex-Fellowship of the Strings), and self-penned songs and tunes.  Springtide returns to the festival with new explorations of the musical and social history of Britain, Australia and New Zealand with a personal touch! Expect Scottish tunes to rub shoulders with Maori legend, songs of new beginnings and the near forgotten past, and some favourites from their extensive repertoire.

Strathmannan

Strathmannan explores the wealth of Scottish fiddle music and on the way, distils three centuries of its richness, vigour and beauty. Kate and Mark’s twin fiddle sound is enhanced by the contemporary jazz influenced piano playing of Niall. “This band gives your feet wings”; they play at dances, festivals, folk clubs and celebrations, and have recorded a self titled CD. In concert, the band teams up with well known singer, Seamus Gill.

Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers

The Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers were formed in 1958 by Peter McKenna from Ardee Co. Louth. Margaret and Bill Winnett have taught and led the group since 1992. They perform traditional Irish set, ceili and step dances which are both technically polished and highly entertaining to watch. The group dances with live music every Thursday night at Kingsgrove, NSW and in 2008 celebrates its 50 year anniversary of dancing.

Sydney Trade Union Choir (STUC)

For the last sixteen years STUC has performed at all kinds of events including peace rallies, trade union events, folk festivals, community carnivals, picket lines and birthday celebrations. Choir members come from different walks of life. We are teachers, public servants, chemists, wharfies, nurses and quite a few of us are retirees. The Choir’s repertoire includes songs of Australian history, Irish/Celtic songs and contemporary Aboriginal songs. Our songs are also of peace and social justice, people’s struggles, industrial songs, political, entertaining and some humorous.

The Gilmours

Scottish born Neil & Jane Gilmour came to Australia in 1980, settled in lovely Forbes and have been there ever since. In recent years they have returned to their roots in Scottish music having been influenced in their early years by their parents and grandparents. Their repertoire is made up of songs which they remember from those days. Neil plays guitar and mouth organ, both sing and Jane plays bodhran. The Gilmours were winners of the inaugural Festival Busking Competition in 2006.

The Harp Irish Set Dancers

The Harp Irish Set Dancers perform sets from around Ireland and are well known for their fun and energy, and infectious rhythmic ‘battering’ style of dancing. Co-teachers Trish McGrath and Alarna Stevenson hold social set dance classes every Wednesday night from 8pm at the Irish Gaelic Club, Surry Hills NSW.  The group also run regular Ceilis every two months at the Club.

The Lurkers

Political rabble rousers Mithra Cox, Martin Cubby and Nik Mueller sing new and used folk songs about work, life and political strife with banjo, mandolin, guitar and double bass. Forget about music in a lift and think about music that makes you want to save the planet and crush the ruling class. Join the Lurkers for music that will make you sing, shout, slap your partner’s thigh and disrespect the Tories.

The Selkies

The Selkies play traditional folk music based on the Irish, Scottish tradition using traditional instruments. They use vocal harmonies in their song interpretations taking traditional tunes and breathing life into them. Their repertoire connects the past to the present and the present to the past.

Thom Jackson

Thom Jackson makes a virtue of ukulele playing. His nimble fingers coax delightful melodies and accompaniments from his uke. His voice is astonishing and his song-writing is instantly likeable.

Tony O Rourke

Tony began playing music in 1974 as a teenager, growing up in the northern suburbs of Melbourne. In 1983 he was approached by Jamie McKew to provide guitar accompaniment for Irish duo Brendan Mulkere (fiddle), and John Carty (banjo) for a series of concerts. Tony regards himself as the luckiest traditional musician ever. “That was the very first Irish band I ever played in”. During that memorable fortnight, sitting next to Carty, Tony was inspired to take up the banjo. “The Home Ruler” and “Kitty’s Wedding” was the first set I ever learnt and I’ve been at it ever since”.

Trish Barker

Sydney fiddler Trish Barker is no stranger to community music events, and she has organised and conducted several fiddle rallies at the National Folk Festival and the three previous Turning Wave festivals. She has selected and arranged a program of tunes for the Ensemble of Nations which reflects the theme of the festival and we're sure that all who participate will enjoy the music. Trish also leads the dance band Bon Accord which plays for the Saturday evening Ball at the Festival.

Vic Jeffries

Vic Jefferies hails from Sydney and is widely known throughout the folk scene as an award winning poet, raconteur, master of ceremonies and for organising and conducting wonderfully entertaining "Poet's Breakfasts" and poetry presentations. Whether you enjoy a good belly laugh or perhaps prefer to shed a sentimental tear, Vic is sure to present something from his extensive and eclectic repertoire to thoroughly entertain you!

Wheelers & Dealers

Promoter Andrew Pattison described Wheelers and Dealers as 'one of the best traditional and contemporary folk bands in the country'. Gentle Aussie humour sits comfortably alongside the prolific trans-cultural 'trad' through songs by writers such as Alex Legg, Gillian Welch, Paul Brady, tunes by Bill Monroe and the poetry of Henry Lawson set to music. The band backed the great guitarist Albert Lee during his Australian tour in 2007, and recently had the honour of supporting bluegrass giant Peter Rowan.

Zumpa

The old tarantellas, songs and tunes of Italy get a new life and twist with a swag full of accordion, whistles, guitar, saxophone, clarinet and lots of percussion! The group is led by first generation wog David De Santi who has been playing since age 10. He's joined by a bunch of Skippys who love a big marmellata (jam), pasta and vino when available.

2009 Festival Theme

A Many Coloured Land

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