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.

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 Roger Joseph and Dom McAlinden. 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:

Mike Silverwood Award (Song):  Greg Wells – “The Lake”

Tune:  Michael Horton – “Sand Hopper”   

U19: Marguerite McClintock – “The Hunt for the Bandicoot”

U19: Samantha McMeekin – “When the World Stops”

People’s Choice: Mia Aplin “Endings and Beginnings”

Hi Everyone in Folk Tas,

Thanks to all who participated in and made happen the 2021 Mike Silverwood Song and Tune awards.  A great night of sharing songs and tunes and celebrating creativity and originality in song with some terrific themes, reflecting a diverse range of reflections on life in Tasmania. 

Highlight was everyone spontaneously singing Aimee Butlers’s “Anthem to Tasmania” – ably conducted by our MC David Mac.

Judging particularly difficult but winners this year were…
Isabel Rumble – for Song – Warm Wind
Emily Wolfe – for tune – Flying Fox
u-19 Will Squires for song – Tracing Time  
u-19 Gabby Cousins for song – Edge of the Universe

Once again thanks to all who participated on the night and made their contributions.
Peter Hicks, 2021 Co-ordinator.

Are you interested in attending the Derwent Regency Festival, where there’ll be wonderful live music, lively dancing, interesting history, fine food, games and fun for all, over four days of diverse entertainment, but worried about what to wear?

Fear not! Regency attire will be admired but is not required. You’re welcome in whatever you like, ‘though for the Grand Ball and the Sunday Garden Party in particular, neat evening dress would be preferable.

If you do want to make an attempt at a period outfit, you can go a long way with some simple op-shop or reuse finds.

Gentlemen, want to make the ladies swoon with your Mr Darcy look? Here are some videos for you:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvIzhgcgX5s

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLTQtgsM1CI

Ladies, if you fancy creating your own Regency outfit from op-shop items, here’s a handy video link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KKViqeaD9c

See also

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4T1D_C2Zmak

https://cationdesigns.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-regency-day-dress-made-from-sheets.html

https://www.janeaustenfestivalbath.co.uk/booking-and-tickets/regency-clothes/

https://www.colonialdance.com.au/what-to-wear-at-a-jane…

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2gJhck0PmwwfwSnGMR21B4y/how-to-dress-like-a-jane-austen-character

There are many other online resources for dressing up in period outfits. Search for “easy regency outfit”.

There are also some establishments in Hobart which hire out costumes.

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.

Performers Compose Themselves For Awards Night

(Article from the Folk Federation’s Drumbeat Magazine, Feb 2021)

A Covid 19 year set a grim picture for the Folk Federation’s Song and Tune Writing Awards in 2020. But with courage in the face of adversity and all that – the competition forged ahead and culminated on Saturday November 21^st in a brilliant concert celebrating Tasmanian talent, creativity and originality.

Whilst we had expected a “bumper crop” of songs as people may have hunkered down during lockdown periods the actual number of entries was down slightly from last year.   However the standard was high with 15 separate acts performing on the night, each allocated 2 songs. All of the entrants into the competition this year attended the concert which may also be a first (although one was via pre-recorded video, not for any pandemic-related reasons, simply by virtue of being an in-demand professional musician).

The concert featured performers from right across the state including Louise Conroy and Michael Horton from Launceston and Chris Okunbor from Wynyard and the organisers would particularly like to thank these performers for making the huge effort to be there on the night.

A special feature of the night was the younger talents of Jess Earney – who won the Under-19 award (best composition – song or tune), while Jemma Rose Sweeny and Rosie Cann also wowed the audience with fantastic performances. A special moment was when Jemma performed on the piano unassisted by sound technology creating the perfect lounge room atmosphere.

The winner of the Mike Silverwood Award -Song category was Dave McNamara for his song “Three Loves” while Dave also shared the honours of the best tune this year with Rachel Meyers for their tune – “Nipaluna Sky”.

At the eleventh hour, the organisers also chose to award a $100 prize each for a Highly Commended song and tune, the winners of which were Louise Conroy for her song Red Dancing Shoes, and CC Thornley for his tune Queenstown Rains. CC couldn’t be there on the night but in a Song Comp first he pre-recorded a spiffing YouTube track featuring his song which was played for the crowd.

The judges must have gotten something right because Dave and Rachel shared the prize of the People’s Choice award in a tie for best Performer/Act with Stephanie Katz – a repeat of a previous year when the result for the People’s Choice was tied. Each year the fact that every artist gains a number of votes in the People’s Choice confirms the variety, appeal and talent on offer at the Awards concert.

A lovely aspect of the competition was the emerging use of Tasmanian indigenous language – palawakani in song lyrics with Sally Brown and Té Sman featuring songs with many indigenous references. Thanks to our other performers who all gave very credible renditions of their songs – Matthew Valentyne, Cheryle Holmes and Brendan Wakely who kicked the night off with his moving song about Tassie’s environment – Mountain Peak.

Once again a huge thanks to the Folk Federation Team, the Fern Tree Tavern and especially David Beniuk who mixed and set up sound requirements with ease and managed the Covid safe procedures nimbly in between. Thanks also to those regulars who “keep coming back” to support the night and check out the songs and stories that Tasmanian folk artists are telling.

All in all it was a terrific concert and bodes well for forthcoming competitions and concerts.

“Apologies for the belated thank you for giving me the opportunity to hear and experience the wonderful music and songs at last Saturdays showcase concert for Mike Silverwood Memorial Song Writing Award.  And to contribute my little bit.

Some great songs and lovely performances. Congratulations to the winners, John and Floyd, and to the winner of the ‘tunes’ prize (whose name I didn’t quite catch).

Over-all a fantastic night with a beautifully supportive audience. Thank you to the David’s, Peter, Roger, “Elizabeth” (?) and all who contributed to making it happen. May it go from strength to strength.”

— Ian Paulin

The Folk Federation’s annual Song and Tune Writing Awards for 2018 are over.  The awards were announced at a wonderful concert on October 20th at Wesley Hall, with a wide range of acts and tunes and songs in a variety of styles and covering many and varied topics, including some important issues such as Nauru, gambling, race relations in Tasmania, social justice and the rights of working people. The concert included seasoned performers and composers as well as “newcomers” stepping up and producing high quality performances.  We hope they are all encouraged in their future endeavours.

The results for 2018 are:

• Mike Silverwood Songwriting Award – John Hughes – “Only Weeds”
• Tune Award – CC Thornley – “Sentimental Rag”
• U-19 Award – Equal 1st – Floyd Taylor – “Wonder”
• U-19 Award – Equal 1st – Eve Cooper and Rupert Bullard – “Glow”
• People’s Choice Award – Floyd Taylor

Well done to all those who submitted entries and thank you for supporting this competition. Congratulations to the winners and thank you very much to those who make it all happen, particularly our Competition Co-ordinator, Peter Hicks, this year’s judges, Anna Graham and David Beniuk, Cathy Hutchinson, David Wanless and their team of helpers who organised and set up the hall for the concert and Roger Joseph for sound engineering and lights on the night.

The Folk Federation’s annual Song and Tune Writing Awards for 2017 have concluded with a fine concert on October 21st at Wesley Hall, with a great range of acts and standard of performance. This included seasoned performers and composers as well as “newcomers” to the genre stepping up and producing high quality performances.  We hope they are all encouraged in their future endeavours.

The results for 2017 are:

• Tune Award – CC Thornley – “Doin’ Stuff”
• Song Award – Jackie Gregory – “Hammett”
• U-19 Award – Callum Roberts – “Out of Time”
• People’s Choice Award equal 1st – Callum Roberts and Jane Palfreyman

Well done to all those who submitted entries and thank you for supporting this competition. Congratulations to the winners and thank you very much to those who make it all happen, particularly our Competition Co-ordinator, Peter Hicks, this year’s judges, Anna Graham and David Beniuk, Cathy Hutchinson and her team of helpers who organised and set up the hall for the concert and Graeme Beer for sound engineering on the night.

2017 FolkTas Grant Award

The 2017 FolkTas grant was awarded to Rachel Meyers for her project “A Jew in Tasmania: diaspora to home” which is a deeply personal musical project considering the experience of diaspora, emigration and Jewish culture as the basis for Rachel’s own musical practice.

Rachel is an accomplished musician herself and performs as an experimental Klezmer duo with Dave McNamara as “Meyers & McNamara” who are currently working towards their debut album. They have performed with several bands, such as The Tinderbox Collective, The Counterfeit Gypsies and Duo Swango. Rachel has also completed a postgraduate research degree in musicology and worked on various other research projects.

The Folk Federation of Tasmania’s committee wishes Rachel well with her ambitious CD and performance project and looks forward to the full lecture/ recital and accompanying album launch at Hobart’s historic Synagogue in 2018.  Benefits will flow to the folk community and beyond with Rachel’s themes and musical collaborations, beginning with an early presentation at the Cygnet Folk Festival 2018.

The 2016 FolkTas grant was awarded to Theresa Young for her series of three bushdances, to be held at the Orford Town Hall (later changed to Buckland).  The purpose of this proposal, Theresa wrote, was to give some more community dancing opportunities to those living on the South East Coast of Tasmania. It would be an opportunity for everyone to meet new people, be active and be joyful!

After the events, Theresa wrote in Drumbeat, the Folk Federation’s regular magazine:

The town of Buckland played host to three sweet and lively bushdances in the months of August, September and October. People of all ages filled the dance-floor of the charming Buckland Hall at each dance, travelling from all over the South-Eastcoast, Midlands, and
Hobart areas.  

We were privileged to have stages full of musos playing and singing celtic, Tasmanian and American tunes on banjos, mandolins, accordians, guitars and fiddles. The first dance was played and called by Moonshine Whiskers and the Ragged Pony; the second, by Tasmania’s Devil’s Own; and the third was played by the enormous and delightful Hobart Old Time String Band, called by David Wanless and sound engineered by Glenn Warland.

We danced traditional dances like the beloved heel-and-toe, and were thrown into some wild and beautiful newer ones too. On the final night,  we even learnt some lovely dances
of David Wanless’ own creation. Suppertimes were also a mix of tradition and novelty, with tables filled with old favourites like savoury toast, as well as innovative creations like
falafel and bocconcini kebabs.

Thank you to the Folk Federation of Tasmania for supporting the dances with their annual FolkTas grant, as well as to the local Glamorgan Spring Bay Council for a community grant. These wonderful events would not have been possible without this backing.

Theresa Young

FolkTas Grants Announced, August 2015

Well, the Folk Federation of Tasmania committee has made a song and dance about the FolkTas Grant and is pleased to announce that the Folk Tas Grant has been awarded to two quality applicants! Both projects will support and enhance our folk community, but in different ways.

The Folk Federation is proud to give support to the Ethereal Ensemble’s book of Tasmanian original music, poetry and images inspired by Tasmania’s natural world. This unique and affordable book will have a wide appeal for Tasmanians and has the potential to reach beyond, with its easy to read music scores, elegant colour images and beautiful poetry.

The committee was privy to seeing some examples of the work to be included and believe that the book will be a long lasting resource which will bring people together to play the music and still hold appeal to others with its poetry and images. The committee is very much looking forward to seeing the final product early next year. The book will be launched at a special Ethereal Ensemble concert and details will be posted as they come to hand or see www.etherealensemble.com

The other successful applicant is the Harp Society of Tasmania with an equally inspiring, but different project of folk fusion into the wider community. The Harp Society will run a free weekend of all things harp; open to the general public and held in Spring 2015. Westbury has been chosen as it is central, particularly to those in the north of the state, and is home to one of the Harp groups. Proposed are free teaching sessions, introductions to regional harp groups, a harp healing workshop, showcases of local harp makers and performers and possibly some catering.

On the Saturday evening, there will be a fundraising concert featuring the Tasmanian Harp Ensemble who will present a repertoire of Tasmanian traditional tunes at the Westbury Hall. The fundraising goes towards their trip to France in May next year to present these Tasmanian tunes at a harp festival. Further details will be posted on the FolkTas email list or contact Jenny Smith…