All posts by David Wanless

Miena Seisiún 2025

Uncategorised

The Miena Seisiún (formerly part of the Tasmanian Highlands Gathering) will be held on Saturday Feb 22, 2025 at the Great Lake Community Centre. Early birds can enjoy an informal session on the evening of Friday 21 Feb. Saturday begins with workshops on traditional instruments followed by a group workshop on “Playing Well Together”; an afternoon concert headlined by Luke Plumb and Dave McNamara; and a bush dance in the evening.

Come and enjoy playing, listening to, and dancing to some of Tasmania’s best traditional Celtic musicians in the heart of Tasmania’s beautiful Central Highlands.

Click here for the program.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/miena-seisiun-2025

The event is organised by the Miena Seisiún Subgroup of the Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc.

2023 Song and Tune Writing Award Winners

Concerts, Song and Tune Writing Awards,

We wish to thank all who submitted entries to the competition and to those who performed at the concert. The variety and breadth of composition and talent is what the Awards are really about and we acknowledge the efforts made on all the entries received. Congratulations to all the category winners (listed below). Thank you to the Kunanyi Folk Club team for helping present the concert and to the judges. Our appreciation goes to our Vice-President Peter Hicks who by running this competition continues to foster song and tune composers in the folk tradition and provides an introduction to new and inexperienced performers.

Winners are as follows:

Song: Ryan Garth for I Just Wanted to be With You Tonight 

Tune: Ross Smithard for Done

U19: Marguerite McClintock for Ode to Anxiety 

U19: Isabella Pearl for Lisa

People’s choice (shared)

Greg and Eden Wells for Dancing with the Wind

Isabella Pearl  for Lisa

2024 FolkTas Grant Awarded

Concerts, Music, Singing

At its August meeting the Folk Federation Committee assessed the applications for the 2024 FolkTas Grant. It was decided that for 2024 grants would be awarded to two strong applicants.

  • Flinders Singers, a community choir on Flinders Island, to enable them to offer a Youth Scholarship for the Flinders Island Singing Camp in November/December 2024. It is envisaged that the scholarship will be offered to an aspiring singing leader, aged between 13 and 30 and living in Tasmania, to attend the ‘Singing Leading’ arm of the camp facilitated by Fay White, a highly acclaimed Australian singer, songwriter and community singing facilitator.

The committee is delighted to support the transmission of skills, knowledge and passion for community music from one generation to the next and look forward to hearing about the choice of recipient.

  • Kentish Harp Combo, a group running children’s Harp and Ukulele ensemble activities in Sheffield, to support them running a children’s workshop in March 2025 with harpist Heather Downie, Principal Scottish Harp tutor at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland and an internationally renowned music/harp educator, to inspire and further encourage their young players.

The committee is extremely pleased to support this opportunity for young people to participate in such a learning opportunity with a world renowned and highly qualified harp teacher.

Best wishes to both groups for their very worthwhile community folk projects and we look forward to hearing about their progress and fulfillment.

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

The Folk Federation Committee

Derwent Regency Festival 2024

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

Session and discounted weekend tickets are available here: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival24.

Friday 29th November (5pm) – Monday 2nd December (9:30pm)

Hobart and surrounds, Van Diemen’s Land

Celebrate the Regency era in style and fun with events including a Regency evening at Narryna Heritage Museum, dance workshops and a Grand Regency Ball in the fine St James Church Hall in New Town, a Regency Assembly of dancing, music, games, history, a promenade and delicious period food in the historic town of Richmond, and a music and history sail on the majestic tall ship, the Lady Nelson. Four days of fun, food, fine music, dancing and general frivolity. This year we also have a bonus night of historically themed contra dancing on the Monday night.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival24, including discounted weekend tickets and tickets for individual events
Entry conditions, health and safety, inclusion: folktas.org/conditionshealthsafety

Draft programme – subject to minor changes. Download printable version of the weekend’s programme (here) and the Regency Assembly programme (here).

ACTIVITYTIMEDESCRIPTIONLOCATIONPRICE
Friday 29th November
Georgian and Regency Evening at Narryna Heritage Museum5-7:30pmRegency costume showings, exhibition, tours of Narryna house (1830s merchant house), refreshments in the garden, live music and dancing, meet and greet other festival goersNarryna Heritage Museum, 103 Hampden Rd, Battery Point$32
Saturday 30th November
Regency Dance Workshop11:15 for 11:30am-1:30pmWith live period music and Dancing Masters Katherine Tammaro and David Wanless. Learn or refresh the basics of Regency dancing for the evening ball, or just have fun with some easy Regency dances. No partner or dancing experience required. Note that you are welcome to attend the evening ball whether or not you have attended this workshop. BYO water bottle.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$12/$10
Intermediate Regency and Georgian Dances2:20 for 2:30-4:30pmWith live period music and Dancing Masters Katherine Tammaro and David Wanless. Have fun with a variety of lively dances, some for the evening ball and some just because they’re exciting dances. No partner or dancing experience required but if you can make it to the earlier workshop first that would be good. Learn a Quadrille for an informal display at the ball. BYO water bottle.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$12/$10
Grand Regency Ball7:15 for 7:30-11:30pmGrand Regency Ball – dance or enjoy the spectacle
Divine period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute)
Dancing Masters Katherine Tammaro and David Wanless will lead you through an evening of fun and lively dances. No partner or dancing experience required, though attending the morning workshop would make it even more fun. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant. Special guests: Historic Dance Delights from Canberra will provide inspiring dance displays including a magnificent Mazurka Quadrille.
BYO water bottle and supper to share.		St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$7-22
Sunday 1st December
Richmond Regency Assemblyc. 10:00am-5:30pm. Feel free to visit the goal or model village from 9am.A day of Regency activities, fine food and tea in the historic town of Richmond. Your ticket includes delicious lunch and afternoon tea of period sweet and savoury food and hot and cold drinks, as well as Regency country dancing, live music, visits to the historic Richmond gaol and Old Hobart Town model village, Maypole dancing, period games to play and a promenade along the banks of the picturesque Coal river and across the oldest bridge in Australia, admiring the ducks. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant.
See detailed programme (here)
Please book your (free) spots for visits to the gaol and the model village, if you wish to visit with other festival goers.		Richmond Town Hall Supper Room and surrounds, 54 Bridge St (cnr Forth St), Richmond$31-81
After Party6pm, Richmond Town Hall Supper RoomAn informal party. Includes vegetarian dinner and refreshments, more music and lively dancing without much teaching. Tickets only available for weekend or Sunday ticket holders.Richmond Town Hall Supper Room and surrounds as above$29 (not included in weekend ticket)
Monday 2nd December
Music and History Sail on the Lady Nelson12:40 for 1-3pm
or
3:10 for 3:30-5:30pm		An afternoon sail on the Derwent river on the magnificent tall ship, the Lady Nelson, with refreshments, live music, shanty singing and history. Regency, formal or nautical attire admired but not required. You will also have the opportunity to help haul on a line or two if you so wish.
Allow at least half an hour extra if parking a carriage – it is very hard to find a spot.		Elizabeth St Pier, Hobart waterfront$44/$22 (not included in weekend ticket)
Monday Night Folk Dance – Historically themed contra dances7:15 for 7:30pmOur regular Monday night folk dance, this time historical/chestnut Contra Dances, most from the 19th Century. Live music and lots of fun. St James Hall, as per the ball above$7-15 (not included in weekend ticket)

All ages and identities welcome.

Dressing up in period attire or some approximation thereof is highly admired. Think “dashing” or “elegant”. See But darling, I have nothing to wear for easy ideas.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival24

View information about the festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/517432143657533. Feel free to post your photos there.

Note: It is with great regret that we say goodbye to Glen Derwent, where we held our garden party in previous years. Sadly, Glen Derwent has closed. We offer a heartfelt sympathy and thanks to Liz and Rob who have been such wonderful hosts for years. We will still have a grand time at Richmond, but thank you so much for the wonderful times we had at Glen Derwent.

Information about finding the venues, and reducing our environmental impact in transport and at the events, is at folktas.org/venuesenv. If you’d like to share transport to the venues, feel free to post a request to our Facebook group, Dance Folk Tasmania, or to talk to other festival goers at the events. If you ask at an event, we can usually make an announcement for you.

We don’t have any relationship with any hotels, but if you look for something between St James in New Town (the Saturday venue) and Narryna in Battery Point (the Friday venue), you’ll be close. There are many buses going past St James to and from central Hobart, and Narryna is a walkable distance from the centre.

There are many other lovely things to do in Hobart and surrounds.  Some places to visit with some Regency relevance are Port Arthur, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery, the Shot Tower or simply wandering through Battery Point.

Cathy and David, 03 6273 2127, folkdancetas@gmail.com

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc, folktas.org/regency

Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania or FolkTas

Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania

Instagram: folktas

Your tickets support local folk music artists, as well as the venues who support us.

For portraits and details of the 2023 festival, see here.

Regency Events in Hobart – January 2024

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

For the Derwent Regency Festival, 2024 see this page.

The dates for the next Derwent Regency Festival are 29th November – 2nd December, 2024.

After the 2023 festival there were requests for more Regency music and dancing events, so we have organised some additional delights.

Runnymede Regency Picnic with live music and dance, Sunday 7th January + National Trust

Come and enjoy a Regency-era picnic in Runnymede’s garden on Sunday 7th January, Noon to 3.00 pm.

Enjoy sitting on the lawn, listening to beautiful music including harp and flute.

Join in the dancing if you wish. All dances will be taught on the day, no experience nor partner needed. Children welcome.

Costume admired but not required.

BYO everything for your own picnic, including rugs/chairs.

Cost: entry fee to Runnymede (Adult $15 | Concession $12 | Child aged 7-16 yrs $5 | National Trust Members & children 6 yrs and under free)

Runnymede is at 61 Bay Rd, New Town and is open from 10am – 3pm. See https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/runnymede/. Tours are available.

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc.

A word from the National Trust, who manage Runnymede:
National Trust Tasmania aims to create a welcoming environment for all staff, volunteers and visitors.

Volunteering for the National Trust enables people to give back to their community, while meeting like-minded visitors from around the world. We also aim to take an inclusive approach to Tasmania’s cultural history including its problematic aspects. Volunteers are at the frontline of caring for aspects of Tasmania’s cultural history and sharing it with visitors.

Volunteers support the National Trust’s museum properties through a range of roles including visitor services, running education tours, events, gardening, research, transcription of historic documents, collection management and conservation housekeeping.

National Trust Tasmania museum properties include:

  •        Unshackled – Hobart Penitentiary (cnr of Campbell and Brisbane Street Hobart)
  •        Runnymede, New Town
  •        Oak Lodge, Richmond
  •        Franklin House, Youngtown, Launceston
  •        Clarendon, south of Evandale
  •        Home Hill at Devonport

Historic Dance Party – A Regency Ball at Lenah Valley Country Manor

We’re going to have a ball, literally – a Regency Ball in Lenah Valley.

What is a ball, but a dance party? They were all the rage during the Regency era, their version of a dance party, with exciting music, lots of fun and a chance to meet people.

After all the fun we had at our Derwent Regency Festival, there were calls for more Regency dancing, so here’s an opportunity.

Wednesday, 17th January, 2024, 7-10pm. Doors open 6:45pm.

Divine and exciting period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute)

Lively dances from the Regency era, including some Scottish ones and some predecessors of today’s contra dances. Expect to work up a thirst and smile a lot.

All ages and identities are welcome. All dances taught. No partner or dancing experience is required.

Period attire admired but not required. It’s not essential, but it is fun. See https://folktas.org/but-darling-i-have-nothing-to-wear/ for ideas. Alternatively, just wear something nice or fancy.

Lenah Valley Community Hall, 18 Creek Rd, Lenah Valley, Hobart
No pre-bookings. Tickets at the door: $15 adults, $7 children u/12.
Please bring a plate of finger food for supper.
Tea and coffee available.

The picnic proposed to precede the ball will not be proceeding.

Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania
folktas.org/regency
folkdancetas@gmail.com
6273 2127
Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc

Additional Information

All ages and identities welcome.

See “But darling, I have nothing to wear” for hints on costumes (which are admired but not required).

Information about finding the venues, and reducing our environmental impact in transport and at the events, is at folktas.org/venuesenv. If you’d like to share transport to the venues, feel free to post a request to our Facebook group, Dance Folk Tasmania, or to talk to other people at the events. If you ask at an event, we can usually make an announcement for you.

There are many other lovely things to do in Hobart and surrounds.  Some places to visit with some Regency relevance are Port Arthur, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or simply wandering through Battery Point.

Cathy and David, 03 6273 2127, folkdancetas@gmail.com

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc, folktas.org/regency

Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania

Instagram: folktas

Your tickets support local folk music artists, as well as the venues who support us.

Old-time Fiddle and Banjo Workshops with Craig Woodward (Melb), Sat 30th Sept ’23

Music

Fiddle workshop: 2-3:30pm

Clawhammer banjo workshop: 3:45-5:15pm

Old-time Dance Party: 7:30pm. With Ross Smithard and Up Jumped Trouble

All at ST JAMES HALL, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/oldtimedanceparty23

Old-time instrumental workshops

Old-time fiddle & Clawhammer banjo workshops with Melbourne based multi instrumentalist and American ‘Southern’ roots music specialist Craig Woodward.

Oldtime Fiddler, banjoist, Cajun accordionist, singer and front man of ‘Flying Engine Stringband’, Old-time and Country Blues duo acts ‘Woodward & Rough’, Craig Woodward & Kat Mear and The ‘Johnny Can’t Dance’ Cajun Band.

Separate 90 minute practical instrumental workshops for beginner level through to advanced players on Old-time fiddle and clawhammer banjo (5-string)

I’ll be teaching a couple of simple Old-time tunes (US American Southern) in each class with particular focus on Old-time specific technique, rhythm and phrasing.

Craig Woodward, Musician/performer Bio

2023 FolkTas Grant Awarded

Dancing, Music, Singing

The Folk Federation Committee has decided to award the 2023 Folk Tas Grant to Kate Fraser and The Kentish Harp Combo. Kate is a folk musician who plays celtic harp, fiddle, whistle, ukulele and djembe. The grant money will assist the Kentish Harp Combo run children’s Harp and Ukulele Holiday and term time ensemble activities, adult beginner harp classes, weekend workshops and care home activities. The first workshops for children will be held from 15th – 19th January 2024 at the Sheffield Town Hall with the intention of having the children’s group perform at the adult harp weekend’s Sunday afternoon concert. From February 2024 the group intend to run ongoing children’s ensemble classes, beginner adult classes and weekend workshops in Kentish and use harps and ukuleles in local care homes.

The committee look forward to hearing about the progress of all these activities and are very happy to support folk music development in the Kentish municipality.

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

The Folk Federation Committee

Prithee, how may I attire myself?

Uncategorised

My lords and ladies (of any gender), prithee, are you wondering what to wear to the mediaeval and renaissance ball? Fear not. Any attempt at period attire will be admired, and can be great fun, but is not required. There are many easy ways to dress oneself in something apt. See, for example:

Mediaeval costume in under 4 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XaH6v70h3ys
https://costumes.lovetoknow.com/How_to_Make_Easy_Medieval_Costumes
https://www.facebook.com/Medieval-Mask-Making-1676533352676701/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=botZOEBoLDQ (very easy guide to a dark ages cloak)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ykhqMydeSdA (how to make a basic renaissance outfit)
https://www.tiktok.com/@mossy_socks/video/7244563917064752426
Renaissance costumes with things you already have (at 5m50s they say corsets and stays can be replaced by a vest so don’t put off by all the handmade stuff):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avXgeM8ZATs
Renaissance (Ren) Fair outfits using everyday clothes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=utnK5tuyLzA

   

Of course, there are diverse merchants who will, for a small fee, attire one.

For masks, party shops, fabric shops, markets and the like have many options. You can also hire them, and there are many ways to make your own. E.g., see
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bKJbxr75quM
https://www.ehow.com/how_6399582_make-paper-mache-masks-face.html
https://www.wikihow.com/Make-a-Masquerade-Mask
https://feltmagnet.com/crafts/How-to-make-a-plague-doctors-mask-Black-death-dead-diseased-middle-ages-Tudor-times
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6evWdJeIbU
https://www.fleecefun.com/how-to-make-a-knight-helmet-free-template-file/
https://www.fantasycostumes.com/cosplay-guide/dread-pirate-roberts/

Satinwood Creations makes beautiful hand-made leather masks. Contact 0428 396 995 or satinwoodcreations@outlook.com.au

There are many other online resources for dressing up in period outfits. Search for something like “easy medieval outfit” or “make renaissance costume”.

Of course, feel free to come in any attire you like, but if you do make an effort on a period outfit, it will be admired, and many people do. It all adds to the fun.

Derwent Regency Festival 2023

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

For the 2024 festival, see this page.

For Regency events in Hobart, January 2024, see this page.

The Derwent Regency festival is over for another year, and what a grand and festive occasion it was. Thanks so much to everyone who attended for your enthusiastic dancing, splendid outfits, help, smiles, music, singing, games, conversation and company. We are also extremely grateful to the folk of Narryna, St James, Glen Derwent, Annapurna’s, the Lady Nelson and Zafira’s, for the lovely venues, historic information and fine food and drinks.

You may find some interesting portraits at
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1096303394999945&type=3

Thanks to those who contributed portraits. If anyone has any concerns about any of the portraits, please contact us on folkdancetas@gmail.com.

Next year’s festival will be on 29th November – 2nd December, 2024.

Details for 2023 follow.

Friday 24th November (5pm) – Monday 27th November (5:30pm)

Hobart and New Norfolk, Van Diemen’s Land

Celebrate the Regency era in style and fun with a Regency evening at Narryna Heritage Museum, dance workshops and a Grand Regency Ball in the fine St James Church Hall in New Town, a Garden Party of Regency activities at the historic Glen Derwent Estate, New Norfolk, and a music and history sail on the majestic tall ship, the Lady Nelson. Four days of fun, food, fine music, dancing and general frivolity.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival
Entry conditions, health and safety, inclusion: folktas.org/conditions

What a wonderful weekend we had in 2022. You can see some photos here and here.

Here are the details for 2023.

Draft programme – subject to minor changes. Download printable version of the weekend’s programme (here) and the Regency Garden Party programme (here).

ACTIVITYTIMEDESCRIPTIONLOCATIONPRICE
Friday 24th November
Georgian and Regency Evening at Narryna Heritage Museum5-7:30pmRegency costume showings, exhibition, tours of Narryna house (1830s merchant house), refreshments in the garden, live music, meet and greet other festival goersNarryna Heritage Museum, 103 Hampden Rd, Battery Point$30
Possible communal dinner in Battery Point7:30pm+No longer happeningN/APay the venue, $TBA
Saturday 25th November
Regency Dance Workshop11:15 for 11:30am-1:30pm (time to visit Salamanca Markets beforehand)With live period music and Dancing Master David Wanless. Learn or refresh the basics of Regency dancing for the evening ball, or just have fun with some easy Regency dances. No partner or dancing experience required. Note that you are welcome to attend the evening ball whether or not you have attended this workshop. BYO water bottle.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$12/$10
Intermediate Regency and Georgian Dances2:20 for 2:30-4:30pmWith live period music and Dancing Master David Wanless. Have fun with a variety of lively dances, some for the evening ball and some just because they’re exciting dances. No partner or dancing experience required but if you can make it to the earlier workshop first that would be good. Learn Mundy’s Quadrille for an informal display at the ball. BYO water bottle.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$12/$10
Grand Regency Ball7:15 for 7:30-11:30pmGrand Regency Ball – dance or enjoy the spectacle
Divine period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute)
Dancing Master David Wanless will lead you through an evening of fun and lively dances. No partner or dancing experience required, though attending the morning workshop would make it even more fun. Dress in something period or formal if you can.
BYO water bottle and supper to share.		St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)$7-$22
Sunday 26th November
Regency Garden Party10:30am-4pmA day of Regency activities, fine food and tea at the historic Glen Derwent Heritage Retreat in the lovely Derwent valley. Your ticket includes delicious lunch and afternoon tea of period sweet and savoury food and hot and cold drinks, as well as Regency dancing, live music, croquet, a historic tour, maypole dancing, roses, peacocks and heritage sheep to view in the gorgeous grounds and period games to play. Period attire admired but not required.
See detailed programme (TBC).		Glen Derwent Heritage Retreat, 44 Hamilton Rd, New Norfolk$31-73
After Party4pm onwards, Glen Derwent, then 6pm in townWind down at Glen Derwent, then at 6pm, an informal party in Hobart. Includes vegetarian dinner and refreshments, more music and lively dancing without much teaching. Tickets only available for weekend or Sunday ticket holders.Glen Derwent, then St James Hall, as per the ball above$25 (not included in weekend ticket)
Monday 27th November
Music and History Sail on the Lady Nelson12:40 for 1-3pm
or
3:10 for 3:30-5:30pm		An afternoon sail on the Derwent river on the magnificent tall ship, the Lady Nelson, with refreshments, live music, singing (including sea shanties) and history. Regency, formal or nautical attire admired but not required. You will also have the opportunity to help haul on a line or two if you so wish.
Allow at least half an hour extra if parking a car – it is very hard to find a spot.		Elizabeth St Pier, Hobart waterfront$42/$21 (not included in weekend ticket)
Communal Dinner7pmMonday evening: Monday evening: Communal dinner at Zafira’s – delicious Afghan food supporting the local Afghani community. Please book here so we know numbers for catering. Pay the venue.Zafira Fine Foods, 35 Gormanston Rd, Moonah$30. Pay the venue on arrival.

All ages and identities welcome.

See “But darling, I have nothing to wear” for hints on costumes (which are admired but not required).

View information about the festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/517432143657533. Feel free to post your photos there.

Information about finding the venues, and reducing our environmental impact in transport and at the events, is at folktas.org/venuesenv. If you’d like to share transport to the venues, feel free to post a request to our Facebook group, Dance Folk Tasmania, or to talk to other festival goers at the events. If you ask at an event, we can usually make an announcement for you.

We don’t have any relationship with any hotels, but if you look for something between St James in New Town (the Saturday venue) and Narryna in Battery Point (the Friday venue), you’ll be close. There are many buses going past St James to and from central Hobart, and Narryna is a walkable distance from the centre.

There are many other lovely things to do in Hobart and surrounds.  Some places to visit with some Regency relevance are Port Arthur, the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery or simply wandering through Battery Point.

Cathy and David, 03 6273 2127, folkdancetas@gmail.com

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc, folktas.org/regency

Facebook/Meetup: Dance Folk Tasmania

Instagram: folktas

Your tickets support local folk music artists, as well as the venues who support us.

2022 FolkTas Grant Awarded

Dancing, Music, Singing

The Folk Federation Committee is happy to announce that the 2022 FolkTas Grant has been awarded to The Unknown, a band made-up of teenagers Fergus and Reuben Page-Brown, Callum Waller and Charlie Wilkinson. The Unknown wish to use the grant to record and mix their original song “Open Your Eyes”, which was written for the 2019 School Strike for Climate rally and first performed at that rally.

The Unknown also plan to create a music video using their own funds, which they want to use to gain publicity for the song’s message that action must be taken on climate change. The Folk Federation Committee felt that this fitted in well with our signing of the Music Declares Emergency declaration and felt it is a message we also want to promote. We were also pleased to be able to support some very young musicians.

The Committee also decided to award a smaller supplementary grant to another worthy applicant, Isabel Rumble. She has just recorded her debut album and will put the supplementary grant money towards printing the CDs.

We wish best of luck to The Unknown and Isabel Rumble!

We would like to give a huge thanks to all the applicants and to you, our Folk Federation members, who enabled this to happen.

Thanks,

The Folk Federation Committee