By Kath Gannaway
Healesville Musical Festival is almost here … with more than 30 performances on the bill set to provide non-stop music over the weekend of 10, 11 and 12 November.
Now in its eighth year, the family friendly festival aims to support the Yarra Valley’s diverse population of local musicians and its cultural diversity as well as showcasing world-class touring artists in a music festival atmosphere like no other.
With performances in multiple venues in beautiful Healesville town, street performers, a bush dance, Saturday community market, workshops, food stalls, camping at the beautiful Healesville racecourse, a fun children’s program and a poets’ breakfast, the festival is a feast of entertainment and fun.
Among a spectacular line-up are The Northern Folk, John Flanagan Trio, The Royal High Jinx, Yusupha Ngum and The Affia Band and Didirri. The Black Harrys, Strings N Things, Kurt Gentle, Red Raven Morris Dancers, The Humbuckin’ Pickups and The Anecdote … just a random pick of the total line-up of exceptional talent that includes international and major national artists, as well as the cream of local talent and up and coming young artists.
Workshops add to the festival experience with opportunities to actively participate in the festival, learn and have fun. This year they include singing, guitar, ukulele, harmony singing and songwriting. The calibre of the ‘tutors’ will astound you!
Other activities include a massed string band, Platypus Project activities, the creation by visual artist Paul Sonsie of an urban mural in real-time over the weekend, Shadow Dancing and two amazing community choirs.
Sounds exhausting! Don’t worry. The festival organisers want to make sure no-one misses a thing with McKenzie’s buses and the Rotary Club of Healesville providing a free shuttle bus between venues.
Tickets are through trybooking.com/QTZS.
Visit healesvillemusicfestival.com.au for a full line-up of acts along with information on all other aspects of the 2017 Healesville Music Festival.
