The 30th Top Half Folk Festival
Queen's Birthday Weekend 2000
Proudly presented by the Top Half Folk Federation
Held at Mary River Park
Features were ~ Concerts - workshops - dance - camping - kids workshops
- music sessions - crocodile cruises - bush walks
Guest Artists
Bernard Bolan
Bernard
is an Englishman by birth, a solicitor by profession and a wordsmith by
choice. Bernard is one of Australia's most highly regarded singer/songwriters
and was in fact the first folk artist to perform at the Sydney Opera House.
His lyrics reflect his many moods and his compositions reveal his inherent
musical talent. His ability to take life as he finds it enables him to
mix the serious side of events with the sensuous.
Bernard's love songs are passionate and haunting,
while his comedy material has audiences literally gasping for breath with
laughter. The words of his songs reveal themselves as gems of poetry and
his all-original music has combined to produce many classics of our time.
Cathy Miller
Cathy
is known to her Canadian fans as a spectacular singer, songwriter and
guitarist. Her evocative interpretations get to the heart of any song
she sings.
New to Australia, Cathy has brought fresh eyes to the country and has
begun writing about her experiences and observations. The Australian Heritage
Commission gave her a special merit award in its 'Songs of Place' competition
for her song about the demise of the Darwin Hotel.
To quilters she is known as the singing quilter
and is currently working on songs about quilts, quilters and quilting
due for recording soon. Cathy's workshop is a must for all who aspire
to songwriting.
Bloodwood
All
four members of the band are long term residents of the Territory. When
Bloodwood formed in 1979, they aimed to stage a production for the Melbourne
National Folk Festival which was an instant success, establishing the
group's trademark at future festivals.
Bloodwood are a multi talented and enthusiastic band, who use many instruments
backed up with strong vocals. Their music is firmly based on the Australian
tradition, but includes contemporary styles and songs. Bush dances are
a major draw card, with Bloodwood injecting enthusiasm into the night
leaving you asking for more, but regretting it in the morning. 'Man Made
Music' was Bloodwood's first recording and has been followed by other
recordings, including a successful school kit, which was distributed through
the Territory.
In their 21st year Bloodwood are still proud, enthusiastic
participators in Australian Folk. Bloodwood will be assisting with the
presentation of an 'Australian Songs' workshop at the festival and will
also be performing in concerts.
Jack Kevans
Seeded in the Irish, Australian
tradition, Jack has been involved in collecting and performing Folklore
for nearly 50 years. An expert on accordion/concertina, Jack will be teaching
and presenting a wonderful selection of little heard tunes and songs from
Eastern Australia. Jack's accordion workshop is a must for all accordion
and concertina players. Jack will explain and demonstrate basic and advanced
techniques and how to apply them to individual instruments. A workshop
for all instruments and levels of expertise.
Paul Stewart - Train Songs
Paul is a well known and respected
NT folk laureate who feels it is timely to sing about trains as the anticipation
for a Top End rail link becomes more of a reality. Paul always provides
a wealth of information about the material he presents and is not to be
missed.
Keryn Randall, Jim Smith & Suzette Watkins - 'Sheilas'
This workshop is a compilation
of poetry, music and song and is a warm intimate look at the effect of
Australian Women's song on Australian society with songs from very early
years to contemporary, containing both humorous and serious songs.
Jim Smith
Is a regular Top End Festival
attendee, and hosted 'The Spoken Word' concert.
Mementos
Mary River Park
Bark Hut Inn

Children's workshop photo's
Final Concert
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