Festival of Irish and Australian Music & the Related Arts

Turning Wave Early Birds

Wed 17th to Sun 21st September 2008

Historic Gundagai NSW

e-News: September

ONE MIGHTY WEEKEND!       ONE BRILLIANT FESTIVAL!

ó A world of entertainment for only $75 ó

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Top Australian Irish Band heads list of Aussie talent

Popular Brisbane based Irish Band Tulca Mór will headline a brilliant showcase of Australian talent at this year's Turning Wave Festival. Regarded as one of Australia’s top Irish bands Tulca Mór presents traditional Irish music at its best – full of vitality, lilting rhythms and lyrical melodies.

Tulca mór’s outstanding line-up features Fred Graham on fiddle, Steve Cook on bouzouki, Andrew Heath on guitar and Kevin Higgins on flute, whistles and uilleann pipes.

Over 60 Acts and 300 Performers will descend on Gundagai for a truly memorable weekend.

Amy Williamson    FrenchamSmith          Jenny M Thomas       Raelene Bruinsma              (((Shhh!))) 

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Community Music - It's a Great Way to Get Involved 

Put yourself on the Programme at this year's Turning Wave Festival and be part of one of our Community Music events.

The Great Whistle Walk invites whistle players of all abilities to be part of the 2008 Festival Parade. All you need is a "D" whistle and be able to play two simple tunes in the key of G:

Roddy McCorley (Irish) and The Road to Gundagai (Australian).

There will be two practices in Gundagai before the Parade (Sat & Sun 9.15am - Mirrabooka) and we'll have the music and some simple harmonies for those who can't manage the full tune. Mitch Smith from Oz Whistles will also be on hand to help and will have some whistles available if needed.

Big Bush Orchestra tunes are already available as a download from our website and the group, led by Sydney fiddler Trish Barker will perform on the Carberry Park Stage as part of our Sunday programme.

The 2008 Festival Choir led by the Gundagai Community Choir and the Sydney Trade Union Choir. Each choir will prepare one song to teach at the workshops and the songs will be performed at the Spirit of Place Concert on Sunday at 1.30pm. Come along and be part of this great event and enjoy the opportunity to perform with these two experienced choirs.

    Sing Play Be part of the Action

Year of the Whistle!

The humble whistle is certainly a feature at this year's Turning Wave. Mitch Smith will be presenting a special workshop at 10am on Saturday morning on how to "tweak" your whistle. It's all about some simple modifications you can make to even the cheapest of whistle to make it play better. There are also two whistle workshops on the weekend, both on Saturday. One at 12.30pm especially for beginners given by Mitch, and then Johnny Spillane will be presenting a slightly more advanced class at 2.45pm. And don't forget the "Great Whistle Walk"! It's all about opportunities for YOU to get involved.

Mitch Smith

Punch & Judy Carnival 

Join the popular Wheeze and Suck Band, the Poi Pixies and Professor Prestoni and the Wizard for a unique and memorable event when they join forces for the Punch and Judy Carnival on the Saturday night of the Festival.

Keith Preston with Punch Wheeze and Suck

Irish Language at The Turning Wave 

This year the Festival will hold Irish language classes as part of the pre-weekend events. Enda Ó Catháin will be teaching Irish in a variety of interesting and engaging ways. You'll learn some basic words and phrases, how to communicate, and even how to order a pint in the local pub. He'll also be focusing on music aspects of the language, especially the texts of songs with common tunes, making them easy for you to learn. There'll also be an excursion around the town to identify places, people and things in Irish.

Enda will run these sessions on Wed 17, Thurs 18 and Fri 19

from 10am-1pm

Cost is $60 for the 3 days with pre-purchased weekend ticket

($25 per day)

or $75 full price ($30 per day)

Tel 02 9489 5786 to book or for more information

Intimate Performance Spaces

Concerts and festival events take place in a number of venues throughout the town and the festival is already renowned for providing festival-goers the opportunity to enjoy performances in quiet, friendly and intimate settings. We’re confident 2008 will deliver an event with all the ingredients to inspire, inform and entertain you.

  The Turning Wave Festival

Whether you’re a music fanatic or simply want to have a good time in Gundagai the Turning Wave has it on offer, catering for all tastes, and there’s an opportunity for everyone to participate with community music ensembles, blackboard concerts and, watch out for the street music, sessions and busking competition.

Visit

www.turningwave.org.au

for all the most up to date news and events.

2008 Festival Theme

Spirit of Place