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Majors Creek Festival has it all by Hannah Gillespie TN165 Sept 24 Something special happens in November in the lovely little gold mining village of Majors Creek, NSW. The Majors Creek Festival has been running for nearly 30 years, surviving volunteer burnout, bush fires, ground sogging rain and the pandemic, and it’s on again from Friday 8 to Sunday 10 November. When describing the village, words like idyllic, peaceful, picturesque, magical, come immediately to mind. It is located in a rural setting less than a half hour from Goulburn, an hour and a half from Canberra and just over an hour from Batemans Bay. The Festival has a reputation as a well run family friendly event with an interesting, varied program and an exceptional line up of performers. In a post festival survey, respondents said they like the Festival for its small, intimate nature, with a relaxed, welcoming and family/kid friendly atmosphere, good reputation, excellent program and because Majors Creek is such a beautiful place. There are five live performance venues, including the local hotel and the stunning St Stephens church, the hall for dances, poetry, roving entertainment, market stalls, food stalls and a bar. Much loved is our Kids Fest providing entertainment and activities for our younger people. Camping is free and no stinky horrible portaloos! Our environmental award winning composting toilets are serviced continually to make festival life that little bit more pleasant. The performance line up, with well over 40 artists/groups, is exceptional, covering traditional and contemporary folk, Americana, blue grass, blues, country and world music. At this year’s festival, we have national icons such as Shane Nicholson, who, with his thought-provoking, reflective and clever lyrics and soul stirring melodies, is one of the very best singer/songwriters in the business, and Keith Potger, presenting a solo tribute to The Seekers. And then there are all time festival favourites such as This Way North with their mix of incredible drumbeats, guitar licks and sweet vocal harmonies, and Above the Bit whose music skirts ‘the fringes of blues, country and outlaw folk, channelling the fire of Billy Bragg, the poetry and clang of Tom Waits and the spirit of Woody Guthrie. Karl S. Williams will join forces with renowned percussionist, Sally Wiggins, to bring a new dimension to his legendary folk, blues and gospel inflected songs. We have up and coming young artists such as Felicity Dowd who is a ‘nomadic troubadour and storyteller spinning tales and melodies across the country’. Young she might be, but her resume is impressive: 2024 Toyota Starmaker Grand Finalist, Youth Artist of the Year at the Australian Folk Music Awards (2023), NSW Folk Federation Young Artist of the Year (2020) and Gill Rees Memorial Award winner, National Folk Festival (2023). You will also be able to experience artists that you may not get to see often, such as Bret Mosely, who hails originally from Texas. Bret has earned a reputation as a must-see act for fans of real, honest music that speaks to the heart. Charles Maimarosia, a unique and extraordinary Solomon Islands singer and musician, renowned as a singer of important custom knowledge, drawing equally on traditional and contemporary musical styles will also be there. Get your fill of traditional folk with artists like The Whiskey Sippers, who sing and play Celtic and Breton tunes, or the Canberra Shanty Club with their sea shanties, working songs and rousing chorus antics urging you to sing without fear. Have a laugh and enjoy good happy vibes with The Other Noonans, a married duo with a twisted sense of humour and a love for music and story, blending genres such as satire, parody, traditional folk with humour and harmony. If you want to dance, there is: Paverty Bush Band, a leading folk/bush band; Matthew Harriage, a dance caller specialising in ceili and Irish set dancing; and, Gusto Gusto who play loud happy music that makes you dance. If you can’t dance, then let the Limestone Morris Dancers do it for you. The Kids Fest wouldn’t be the Kid’s Fest without Mr Tim and the Fuzzy Elbows. Super loved by the kids, they provide a family show for all ages. Their high energy rock/funk style, wacky jokes and hilarity will unleash your festival spirit. Visit www.majorscreekfestival.org for more information and a link to ticket sales.
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