Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival

Description

Two hours drive from both Canberra and Sydney, we have one of the most beautiful and convenient locations in Australia and we look forward to sharing it with folk music enthusiasts.

 Excitement is mounting for this year's festival!

Super Earlybird Tickets on Sale Now! Click Here

To check out the performers Click Here

To see what's on the program Click Here

To Volunteer Click Here

Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival has an array of Australian and international folk performers.  The program includes musicians, buskers, dancers, poets, workshops, folk dances, blackboard venues and special school concerts.

Camping is available at several Valley locations, including the Glenmack Caravan Park, right next door to the showground. A wide range of accommodation is available throughout Kangaroo Valley to cater for every taste and budget.  Ample parking for day visitors is conveniently located on the roadside adjacent to the showground and in designated parking areas within easy walking distance.

A little bit of our festival history

Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival is operated by the Shoalhaven Folk Club Inc and first appeared on the festival calendar in 2006. All those who were present will never forget the spectacular rain which greeted the arrival of this new event and the good humour of all in the most trying conditions was endlessly appreciated by the local business people and townsfolk who claimed never to have met a happier and more pleasant crowd of people.

The 2007 festival, while starting with rain, gave us also some warm and beautiful spring sunshine. A feature event was the tribute concert to Denis Kevans which was organised by his daughter Sophia and was held in the Upper River Hall, a short walk from his beloved Kangaroo Valley retreat in the old Upper River Schoolhouse.

The 2008 festival started with beautiful weather (yay!).  We only ran three venues this year, with mostly local acts.  Some highlights were The Andi & George Band going off on Friday night, The Doomsday Preachers, the hardest working band of the weekend with 5 gigs and some lovely accoustic concerts in the church.

As festivals are expensive events to run, additional funds have been required and in March 2008 the Shoalhaven Folk Club began a monthly market which has grown to a healthy sixty stalls in only five months. The September market coincided with the festival and gave us a very lively market backdrop to this year's festival. 

Everyone knows Nick Rheinberger, presenter on our local ABC radio, but did you know he is also a performer? 

Nick will be at this year’s Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival and as a special treat will be performing on stage with the Kangaroo Valley School Choir. 

This special event will follow the official opening by Joanna Gash at 11am October 24.

Nick Rheinberger is probably the most versatile performer on the Australian Folk Festival scene, and will often perform as a solo artist, with his funky folk band, as a leader of big blues jams, an actor, a comedian, a poet, a children’s entertainer and an MC.

Nick has been performing with his theatrical family since he could walk, and formed the comedy barbershop buskers “The Pickled Herrings”, who went on to tour Australian with seasons at venues such as Le Joke and Wrest Point Casino. He then went on to a career in radio as a comedy writer, before falling into television with writing jobs for “BackBerner”, “Good News Week” and “Life Support”. Meanwhile, he formed the children’s group “Three Men in a Tub” and wrote series for ABC radio and a musical for teenagers.

Nick has been a presenter with ABC Illawarra for nearly five years, and continues to play at folk festivals throughout the country with various small instruments and his galvanised tricone resonator made from 1940’s Lysaght galvanised iron. He also has two small children, a teenage daughter and a wife who loves having him chop wood, so when he’s not on stage, he’s tired. 

Beds Still Needed For Homeless Musicians

This year’s Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival is hosting some of the best musicians, poets and dancers from around the country, but they need somewhere to stay.  In return for offering a bed and breakfast to one or more homeless performers, you will receive a free weekend ticket for your family.  It’s a great chance to be involved with the festival and to get to know some of the performers.  Accommodation is needed for the nights of Friday 23 and Saturday 24 Oct, with some possibly staying Sunday night as well.

If you are interested in billeting a performer, please contact Sally or Stuart Leslie, ph 44215538(h) 44221233(w) or email mail@kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au

Festival Volunteers Still Needed

Volunteers are the life-blood of community festivals. The organisers of Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival are all volunteers and the festival itself could not operate without the wonderful people who volunteer their  time , but need extra help during the weekend of the festival.  Volunteering gives a different perspective of the festival, enhances enjoyment and gives free admission.  Many volunteers have such a good time that they volunteer year after year.  If you are a first time volunteer, you are about to discover a wonderful, rewarding experience!   By volunteering, you will make new friends and obtain great satisfaction from ensuring everyone has an enjoyable and memorable time at the Festival.

To volunteer for the festival, contact Sheila McMillan, ph 44418356 mob 0418484611 or download the application form on our website www.kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au

Festival Highlights

Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival runs from Friday 23 to Sun 25 October.  It is a celebration of folk music, dancing, art & craft in Australia’s most beautiful valley.  Most of the action takes place in the showground, with dance workshops in the Anglican Church Hall and a Saturday night dance in the Upper River Hall.

A stellar array of local and visiting acts include Nick Rheinberger, Spooky Men’s Chorale, EcoBeaT, Fred Smith, Wheeze & Suck, Food of Love Choir, Torchsong Country Soul Band, Wongawilli and many more.

Other highlights:  Kid’s tent, Art & Craft, Poetry Competition, Youth Concert, Festival Bar, Saturday Night Bush Dance and Dance Party, Street performers, Chai Tent, Food and clothing stalls, School concert, Free music venue outside the Pizza Shop.

Earlybird discount weekend tickets are available now from Kangaroo Valley Fudge House or online at www.kangaroovalleyfolkfestival.com.au.  Day and evening tickets also available.

Kangaroo Valley Village Markets Are Growing

Word is getting out about Kangaroo Valley Markets, located under the trees in our beautiful showground.  What better way to spend a spring morning than to browse the stalls, sampling local produce or simply enjoying a coffee while listening to live music.

The markets are on the second Saturday of every month from 8.30am to 2.30pm.  We have some space available for new stalls.  Contact Jane Richter 02 44215887 or email kvmarkets@gmail.com

Proceeds from the markets support Kangaroo Valley Folk Festival, 23-25 October.