Performer Showcase -  2010

Ado Barker & Ruairi McGorman

This year's festival brings to the stage for the first time a collaboration between two fine traditional musicians on fiddle and Irish bouzouki.  Known as one of Ireland's finest young traditional players, Ruairi McGorman is from Co Meath, and hails from a famous musical family - his mother is the flute great Catherine McEvoy.  Brought to Australia in 2009 by the Gaelic Club in Sydney as a teacher of fiddle, bouzouki and guitar, he's showing no signs of heading home in a hurry!  Ado Barker, who picked up the music first in Canberra and later around Melbourne, honed his craft in the musical hothouse of Ennis, Co Clare. A member of seminal Australian-Irish trad band Trouble in the Kitchen, Ado has earned a reputation both at home and abroad as a fiddle player of rare class and depth. Together, these guys really light the fuse and their debut as a duo is an event definitely not to be missed.

Amanda Broberg

Delightful finger-style bouzouki player and guitarist with distinctive vocals Amanda Broberg crosses between folk and blues in an intriguing and stylish performance. Based in the Watagan Mountains, Amanda has performed at a number of folk initiatives in the Newcastle and Hunter regions including support act for international touring artists at the Newcastle folk club.

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.

Badja River Quartet

A chance meeting at the beautiful Numeralla Folk Festival at the confluence of the Numeralla and Badja Rivers in NSW led this group of friends to discover a shared passion for great music. Haunting harmonies on Irish low whistles, expressive and innovative concertina, sensitivity and richness on guitar and piano and passionate vocals. The Badja River Quartet will take you on a journey from Scotland to Brittany, from Ireland to Northumbria. This imaginative and beautiful music combines the talents of Lainey Balsdon, Steve MacDonald, Jo Cresswell and Jane Harding.

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.

Briege Murphy

"She paints pictures with her words" - Frances Black

Briege grew up on a farm within a large family steeped in musical tradition in the village of Forkhill in South Armagh, where she still lives with her husband and two daughters. Her mother Brigid was, unwittingly, a collector of songs and stories.  As a teenager Briege joined her local branch of Comhaltas and often sang in their renowned sessions which is so typical of the Irish scene today. Briege began to write her own contemporary folk/country ballads and when two of her songs were played on a weekly BBC Folk Programme, she was persuaded to get her collection of songs together and record her first album. “The Longest Road” was released to critical acclaim, followed by “The Sea and other Songs”, which was named as one of the albums of the year by Folk Roots magazine. Her third album “The Elm Wood” was welcomed and greatly appreciated by a steadily growing fan base. In 2004 Briege released an album entitled “From Now On” where she returns to her roots and sings songs that she grew up with, combining her love of Irish traditional and American folk. Briege has performed at festivals from Cambridge to Cork and Oslo to Ballyshannon. She continues to write and sing at festivals, art centres and folk clubs or anywhere a good ballad is appreciated. Her songs have been recorded by artists including Niamh Parsons and Frances Black.

Bruce Watson

An icon of the Australian folk scene, Bruce’s songs run deep, as well as tickle funny-bones. Sometimes hilarious, sometimes, confronting, sometimes both, but always entertaining and full of surprises. A well respected and often-covered songwriter with a concern for social justice and the environment but his satirical genius and sharp eye for the humorous are also ever present. Bruce will be launching his new CD “”Balance”.

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.

Cassidy's Ceili

Canberra's premiere pan-Celtic party band, Cassidy's Ceili play songs and fiddle tunes from traditional Irish favourites to all the songs you didn't know you knew: traditional Celtic favourites concerning drinking, murder, war, cross-dressing (while at war), robbery (cross-dressing optional) and the usual stuff about not being where you want to be with the one you would have liked to have been with plus, rare gems from the little known "Donegal tango tradition".     

Chris Duncan and Catherine Strutt

In their 20th year, Australia's award winning Scottish music duo, Chris Duncan and Catherine Strutt, will have you dancing in your seat one minute, and quietly shedding a tear the next. From deeply moving and plaintive simple tunes, to driving jigs and reels, this Newcastle based ARIA award winning duo draws from their extensive repertoire to delight you with a programme of music from the 1700's to the present day.

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. New CD Set Dancing Downunder Vol 2 is now avaialble.

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

The Corner House Ceili Band has a wealth of experience playing strict tempo dance music for Irish Set Dancing. The band has played at the National Folk Festival on many occasions as well as the Turning Wave Festival. The musicians have all been dedicated players of Irish traditional music for many years and have contributed to countless Irish music sessions here and overseas.

Cornerbrook

Cornerbrook  is Australia’s hottest new Traditional music act, blending the skills of some of this country’s best Irish musicians with the the exciting and little-heard music of Newfoundland. Featuring Ben Stephenson from Trouble in the Kitchen and Cory Clarke from the excellent Newfoundland band A Crowd of Bold Sharemen, with two of Sydney’s finest Irish players, Bridie Burke and Ben McAtamney, they are not to be missed!

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.

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. 

Geoffrey W Graham

Geoffrey combines music, verse and comedy into a package that can be adapted to just about any audience of any age and any venue. His themed shows continue to delight the Gundagai audiences, to the point where He has been introduced as one of Gundagai’s favourite sons, an accolade which Geoffrey humbly acknowledged. Geoffrey is passionate about our heritage, identity and bush poetry.

Gerry Faulkner 

A native of Galway, Gerry arrived in Sydney 16 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 hosted the long-running popular Sunday morning Irish radio show, Ireland Downunder and his services as MC are always in demand. An Irish event is not the same without him!

Harp Irish Set Dancers

The Harp Irish Set Dancers are a well known performance group and dance regularly at festivals, concerts, music events, weddings, parties, and various functions throughout Australia. They 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 at the Club.

Headland

North Coast band, “Headland” serve up a heady mix of traditional and more recent Irish songs, jigs and reels, as well as blues, original compositions and contemporary music. Headland’s music is built upon the rich voice of Dubliner Robbie Kirwan, Canadian John Gallagher’s vocals, compelling guitar and song writing skills. Kevin Tierney’s vocal and instrumental work, Mark Feeney’s Irish dance music on whistles, flute and cittern and Dane Clarke’s harmonica and mandolin playing. All the members have worked on their music skills for many years and bring their own dimension to the group.

Humbug

In just a couple of years Canberra's ‘Celtic big band’, Humbug, has established itself as a truly popular and accomplished performer of Celtic folk music. With distinctive vocal harmonies and rich instrumental backing, Humbug’s material ranges from poignant Robbie Burns’ songs, to haunting traditional Irish and Scottish ballads and rousing renditions of favourite Celtic ‘sing-a-longs'. Festival credits include Beechworth Celtic Festival, Music at the Creek, Turning Wave and the National Folk Festival.

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.

Jimmy Mullarkey Ceili Band

Jimmy Mullarkey from Co. Sligo is a well respected musician in the Australian Irish community and the experienced group of players he has gathered often play at ceilis, sessions and Irish festivals. The Ceili Band (accordion, flute, fiddle, banjo, guitar & bodhran) has a full, driving sound that’s very popular.

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.

All-Ireland Fleadh concertina champion Maura Walsh comes from Lixnaw Co Kerry. Maura is also an accomplished fiddle, whistle and accordion player and, a highly sort after teacher of Irish music. In 2009 she performed at the prestigious Masters of Tradition concerts in Bantry Co Cork and is a regular on the Comhaltas tour and festival circuit. Maura will share a wealth of knowledge and skill in the performance art of traditional Irish music.

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”

Mike and Thom 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. 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.

Miles to Go Trio

In this compact version of the 7 piece "Miles To Go band" line up, David Hyams is joined by members Jennifer Tingley on cello and Jenny M Thomas on fiddle and vocals. A Celtic infused mix that ranges from songs and lyrical guitar based pieces to blistering jigs and reels - described as 'a refreshing combination of imaginative new material with deep respect for source traditions that carves out a niche all its own'.

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.

Ophelia of the Spirits

Each of us inhabits many different characters over the course of a lifetime, weaving a delicate web of stories and half-told truths, treading a precarious path somewhere between the real and the imagined. Ophelia of the Spirits' creator - singer, composer & pianist Angela Little - stepped into the warm glow of the footlights with the release of her debut EP in 2008, which received airplay on Triple J, ABC, and community radio stations around Australia. In 2009 Angela was awarded a Jump Grant by the JB Seed for her album release, as well as being shortlisted for a prestigious APRA Professional Development Award (which recognises and develops outstanding young Australian musical talent) in the area of Composition for Film & Television, and nominated for several industry awards for her work on the film 'Australia', including an AFI Award for Best Original Score, and two APRA-AGSC Screen Music Awards for Best Original Song ('By The Boab Tree') and Contribution to Best Soundtrack Album.

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.

Phil Stormer

Out of the Blue-Mountains, west of Sydney, Phil Stormer presents to you, his unique lend of acoustic guitar music. Taking up the instrument at just 5 years old; hard work, dedication, practice and persistence have seen to it that close to 20 years on, the guitar remains in his hands, and to amazing result. From fiery flamenco, to light jazz, to classical to straight out blues-rock, Phil's live show has something for everyone. A passionate performer, dedicated to his craft and to bringing his crowd a good show.

Richard Perso

Richard Perso doesn’t seem to have enough arms, legs or lungs to pull off such a physically demanding performance but that doesn’t stop him from playing 3 didgeridoos, driving a weapons cache of 4 overdriven acoustic guitars and somehow managing to replace the roll of a drummer with little more than his 2 feet.

Riogh

Riogh is a newly formed ensemble specialising in Irish and Celtic music. Combining Classic ballads and upbeat favourites with a fresh take and a contemporary sound, but keeping within the roots of a strong traditional feel. For 'Music at the creek', Riogh hopes to mesmerize you with beautiful music, gradually awaken your senses, turn it up a notch and leave you with a 'Reel' in your step for the entire weekend.

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 & Colin

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.

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.

Squeebz

Squeebz is a new unit of young, Melbourne-based musicians with a wealth of experience performing in a number of other successful groups in concerts and festivals all across Australia. With a fresh and exciting approach to interpreting traditional Irish, Scottish, Old Time and Cape Breton music, this new configuration of talented and award-winning multi-instrumentalists promises to crank out some awesome music.

Strathmannan

“This band gives your feet wings”. 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 complemented by the contemporary jazz influenced piano playing of Niall. 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.

String Theory

Pria Schwall-Kearney (Fiddle, vocals), Lucy Wise (Vocals, fiddle, lap dulcimer), Claire Alleway (cello), and Evan Davies (banjo, guitar) bring new old time music to Turning Wave! They play the songs and tunes of the Appalachian mountains with a contemporary flair and groove combined with hundreds of years old soul; joyful harmonies, claw-hammer banjo and driving cello. Check it out!

Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers

The Sydney Irish Ceili Dancers, now in their 52nd year, continue to delight their audiences with fabulous presentations of traditional Irish dance in all its forms - solo step dancing, ceili dancing and set dancing. Their performances are full of energy and joyous to watch.

That's That

Ambient, New-Age duo That’s That create beautiful songs about environmental and spiritual consciousness. With their delicious vocal harmonies, they have been performing and spreading their message through festivals, concerts, community events and more recently at an international convention. Their songs speak of our inter-relationship with nature, the cosmos and our role as custodians of the land. Their central theme is that we are all planetary caretakers.

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”.

Tricia McGrath

Tricia has over 40 years experience in Irish dancing and is a highly regarded teacher and choreographer throughout the country. Tricia has a great love of Irish dancing in all its forms including Irish Set, Ceili, and solo dancing. Tricia’s lively steps, humour, and enthusiasm for Irish dancing in its many forms have attracted onlookers and students alike.

Vince Brophy & B Mc B

Take one guitarist, one fiddler, one singer and add; glorious vocal harmony, percussion, Celtic tunes, original songs and a large dollop of humour and you get Brophy, McDonald and Browne. B Mc B came together in 2008 to record and then tour Vince Brophy's newest album "Brophy's Road" but it was soon apparent that the sum was greater than the parts and so the new group was born.

Women in the House

This is a three acts in one featuring singer/song-writer Maureen O’Brien, new age/ambient Duo That’s That, and supported by Amanda Broberg who covers and re-arranges Australian and other music in her own distinctive style.

2010 Festival Theme

Ireland over here!

A celebration

of our Irish heritage

and all things Irish in Oz.

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