Tag Archives: live music

2026 Song and Tune Writing Award Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards, Uncategorised,

Thank you to all the performers and audience members at the Awards night at last night’s Kunanyi Folk Club.

The evening was a fabulous showcase of many of the entries. The audience sang along, laughed along, listened with intent and deliberation, awaiting to find out who the judges had decided (previously) were the winners . Finally at the end of the night the audience gave their collective judgement. In the words of the Awards co-ordinator himself, Peter Hicks, “there were many really good ones to choose from” making it a tough job for our judges. Thank you very much to our judges (one of whom stepped in at relatively short notice) for all their time, consideration and decision-making.

Most importantly the committee gives its appreciation to the co-ordinator and driver of the Awards, Peter Hicks.

The results are as follows:

2026 FFT Inc Song and Tune Award Winners

Song Category (The Mike Silverwood Award): Take Me Home by Audrey Rowe and Rose Lonergan

Tune: Grafton Street by Greg Woodward

Under 19 (1 of 2): Words By Words by Minna Pribac

Under 19 (2 of 2) : Paint the Light by August Walter

Social and Environmental Justice Award: Toogelow Whale Song by Greg Wells

People’s Choice: The Franklin Set by Tiger Myrtle (a composite set of Anna Ritchie’s tune Storm Bay and Jonathan Duddles’ On the Wild Franklin)

All well deserved. Everyone was a winner Saturday night (including the audience), but some got an award too!

See https://folktas.org/tunes/song-and-tune-competition/ if you’d like more info about the Awards. Currently they’re run annually – it’s never too late to start composing…

2025 Song and Tune Writing Award Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards, Uncategorised,

A big thanks to all who participated in what was a bumper year for entries.  The standard of entries was very high in all categories.  Congratulations to Greg Wells for his efforts and receiving two awards in separate categories.  The evening of the concert was well attended while the votes for “People’s Choice” went to Ella Bridges-Thomson.

CategoryWinnerTitle
Mike Silverwood Memorial Song Writing AwardGreg WellsThe Wild Side
Instrumental (Tune) AwardJohn BushbyMrs Catherine Bridget Bonthrone of Peebles
Under 19 Song AwardWilla JohnsonYou Ain’t A King
Under 19 Tune Award Marguerite McClintockTip the Wagon
Social and Environmental Justice AwardGreg WellsOde to Mick
Young Songwriter EncouragementAugust Walter
Daisy Walter
Rui Walter		Flying
When You Go Away
Hon Yon Yu
People’s ChoiceElla Bridges-ThomsonBeautiful Mysteries

Derwent Regency Festival 2026

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

See here for the 2025 festival, including some photos.

This year’s festival will, as usual, encompass the last Saturday of November, so will be on Friday 27th November – Monday 30th November.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival26

Friday 27th November (5pm) – Monday 30th November (9:30pm)

Nipaluna/Hobart Town, Lutruwita/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 Garden Party of dancing, music, history and delicious period food in the fine garden of historic Runnymede, 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/derwentregencyfestival26, including discounted weekend tickets and tickets for individual events
Entry conditions, health and safety, inclusion: folktas.org/conditionshealthsafety

See photos of previous years festivals at https://folktas.org/derwent-regency-festival-photo-album/ and https://folktas.org/derwent-regency-festival-2025

Download printable versions of the programmes for the whole festival (here) and the Regency Garden Party (here).

ACTIVITYTIMEDESCRIPTIONLOCATION
Friday 27th November
Georgian and Regency Evening at Narryna Heritage Museum5-7:30pm. Arrive from 4:45pm.Regency costume showings, exhibition of historic furniture, tours of Narryna house (1830s merchant house), refreshments in the garden, live music and Maypole dancing, walking cane self-defence display, meet and greet other festival goersNarryna Heritage Museum, 103 Hampden Rd, Battery Point
Saturday 28th November
Regency Dance Workshop11:15 for 11:30am-1:30pmWith 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)
Intermediate Regency and Georgian Dances2:20 for 2:30-4:30pmWith live period music and Dancing Master 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)
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).
Thrill to dances which Jane Austen and her characters enjoyed and other joyful dances of the Regency era.
Dancing Master David Wanless will lead you through an evening of fun and lively dances. Special guests, Historic Dance Delights from Canberra will provide inspiring dance displays. 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.
BYO water bottle and supper to share.		St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)
Sunday 29th November
Runnymede Garden Party10:30am-4pmA day of Regency activities, fine food and tea in the fine garden of historic Runnymede. 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, Maypole dancing, period games to play and historic tours. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant. See detailed programme here.Runnymede House, 61 Bay Road, New Town, Hobart (not in the town of Runnymede towards the east coast)
After Party5pmAn informal party. Includes vegetarian dinner and refreshments, more music and lively dancing without much teaching. Tickets only available for weekend or Sunday ticket holders.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town
Monday 30th 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, 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
Monday Night Folk Dance – Historically themed contra dances7:15 for 7:30pmHistorical/chestnut Contra Dances, most from the 19th Century. Live music and lots of fun.St James Hall, as per the ball above

All ages and identities welcome.

Dressing up in period attire or some approximation thereof will be admired and can be lots of fun. Think “dashing” or “elegant”. Most people will dress up. See But darling, I have nothing to wear for easy ideas.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival26

View information about the festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/944001788289261. 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, the Shot Tower or simply wandering through Battery Point.

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

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc, folktas.org/regency

Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania or Folk Federation of Tasmania

Instagram: folktas

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

For portraits and details of the 2025 festival, see here.

Dare to be Square Down Under

Concerts, Dancing, Music, Singing, , ,

A weekend of old-time US square dancing, flatfooting, music, history and more, with Phil Jamison – dance caller, old-time musician, flatfoot dancer, author, scholar of traditional Appalachian dance and music (USA).

Friday 10th April – Sunday 12th April, 2026

Nipaluna/Hobart, Lutruwita/Tasmania, Australia

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/daretobesquare

Weekend programme: here or see details below.

Events: concert of old-time music, ballads and dancing, presentation on the history of old-time dancing and music, flatfooting workshop, traditional old-time square dances, dance callers’ workshop, old-time fiddle workshop and old-time music session. Weekend ticket covers all events, or you can buy tickets for individual events.

Most events will be held at St James Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town TAS 7000, but the concert and presentation will be at Mathers House, and check the programme for the location of the dance callers’ workshop.

Phil Jamison is nationally-known within the USA as a dance caller, old-time musician, and flatfoot dancer. He has called dances, performed, and taught at music festivals and dance events throughout the U.S. and overseas since the early 1970s, including over forty years as a member of the Green Grass Cloggers. His flatfoot dancing was featured in the film, Songcatcher, for which he also served as Traditional Dance consultant. From 1982 through 2004, he toured and played guitar with Ralph Blizard and the New Southern Ramblers. He also plays old-time fiddle and banjo. Over the last thirty years, Phil has done extensive research in the area of Appalachian dance, and his book Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance (University of Illinois Press, 2015) tells the story behind the square dances, step dances, reels, and other forms of dance practiced in southern Appalachia. A 2017 inductee to the Blue Ridge Music Hall of Fame and a 2022 inductee to America’s Clogging Hall of Fame, Phil taught traditional music and dance at Warren Wilson College in Asheville, North Carolina for close to thirty years, where he also served as coordinator of the Old-Time Music and Dance Week at the Swannanoa Gathering.

Now he’s coming to Lutruwita/Tasmania for a weekend of dancing, music and history. He’ll give a presentation on the roots and development of Appalachian music and dancing, a concert of old-time music, ballads and dancing, run dance workshops in flatfooting and southern square dancing, run a dance callers’ workshop, call for several square dances, lead an old-time music workshop and an old-time session. He likes to be busy!

Phil’s dances are always great fun, accessible, family friendly and there’s plenty to learn if you wish.

He’ll be joined by experienced local dance callers Sarah “Twinkletoes” Lewis and David “Oddsocks” Wanless, and plus veteran local old-time musicians Ross Smithard and Up Jumped Trouble and the Rusticators.

Phil’s the real deal when it comes to Appalachian music and dance.  He’s done extensive research in the area of Appalachian dance, and his book Hoedowns, Reels, and Frolics: Roots and Branches of Southern Appalachian Dance tells the story behind the square dances, step dances, reels, and other forms of dance practiced in southern Appalachia. Experiencing a Southern US dance and music aficionado like this really is an immensely special opportunity that doesn’t come round often so don’t miss it!

Weekend programme (or download PDF here):

Please note that the dance callers’ workshop is at North Hobart Uniting Church, opposite the State Cinema.

Tickets: https://events.humanitix.com/daretobesquare

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc
folktas.org/daretobesquare
Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania
Instagram: folktas
03 6273 2127
folkdancetas@gmail.com

Runnymede Regency Picnic 2026

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

For the Derwent Regency Festival, 2025 see this page. The dates for the Derwent Regency Festival are 28th November – 1st December, 2025.

Enjoy a Regency-era picnic in Runnymede’s beautiful historic garden on Sunday 18th January, 10am to 2:00pm.

Take pleasure sitting on the lawn, listening to beautiful music including harp, fiddle and flute.

Join in lively period country dancing if you wish. All dances will be taught on the day. Neither dancing experience nor partner required. All ages and identities welcome.

Croquet and graces available for playing.

Includes an optional tour of the historic Runnymede house. Tours have limited capacity and will be at 11am and 1:15pm sharp. Book in upon arrival.

Period or fine attire admired but not required.

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

Cost: $20 – paid to Runnymede on arrival.

Runnymede is at 61 Bay Rd, New Town and is open from 10am – 3pm. See https://www.nationaltrust.org.au/places/runnymede/. Ph: 03 6278 1269.

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.

Folk Federation of Tasmania Inc
folktas.org/regencypicnic
Facebook: Dance Folk Tasmania
Instagram: folktas
03 6273 2127
folkdancetas@gmail.com

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

Derwent Regency Festival 2025

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

For the 2026 festival, see here.

Our little Regency Festival is over for another year, and what a splendid time we had.  Thanks for your energy, enthusiasm, willingness to try new things and to share your existing knowledge and skills, costumes, inclusiveness and preparedness to just have fun.  It was lovely to spend time with you all – a refuge of magic, joy and community which warmed our hearts and bodies, even on a ship in the rain (which was very atmospheric for singing sea shanties). 

We have posted some photos here. Thanks to those who contributed photos and videos.

Next year’s festival will, as usual, encompass the last Saturday of November, so will be on Friday 27th November – Monday 30th November.

Here’s the information for the 2025 festival:

Marking the 250th anniversary of Jane Austen’s birth

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival25.

Friday 28th November (5pm) – Monday 1st December (9:30pm)

Hobart, 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 Jane Austen Grand Regency Ball in the fine St James Church Hall in New Town, a Garden Party of dancing, music, history and delicious period food in the fine garden of historic Runnymede, 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/derwentregencyfestival25, including discounted weekend tickets and tickets for individual events
Entry conditions, health and safety, inclusion: folktas.org/conditionshealthsafety

See photos of last year’s festival at https://ausact.com/DRFphotos.html, https://hewenn.smugmug.com/2024/Derwent-Regency-Festival/n-qJrM3G and https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1374017077228574&type=3

Download printable versions of the programmes for the whole festival here and the Regency Garden Party here.

ACTIVITYTIMEDESCRIPTIONLOCATION
Friday 28th 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 Maypole dancing, walking stick self-defence display, meet and greet other festival goersNarryna Heritage Museum, 103 Hampden Rd, Battery Point
Saturday 29th November
Regency Dance Workshop11:15 for 11:30am-1:30pmWith 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)
Intermediate Regency and Georgian Dances2:20 for 2:30-4:30pmWith live period music and Dancing Master 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)
Jane Austen Grand Regency Ball7:15 for 7:30-11:30pmJane Austen Grand Regency Ball – dance or enjoy the spectacle.
Divine period music including many Tasmanian pieces, by Van Diemen’s Angels (harp, piano, fiddle and flute).
Thrill to dances which Jane and her characters enjoyed and other joyful dances of the Regency era. Dance a cotillon – a dance of Jane Austen’s youth, a quadrille, country dances including La Boulangere and the popular and vigorous Scotch Reel, so disdained by Mr Darcy.
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. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant.
BYO water bottle and supper to share.		St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St (off Rupert Ave, enter behind church)
Sunday 30th November
Runnymede Garden Party10:30am-4pmA day of Regency activities, fine food and tea in the fine garden of historic Runnymede. 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, Maypole dancing, period games to play and historic tours. There will also be an opportunity to make a reticule or purchase a Regency hat. Period attire encouraged, otherwise something dashing or elegant.
See detailed programme here.		Runnymede, 61 Bay Road, New Town, Hobart
After Party5pmAn informal party. Includes vegetarian dinner and refreshments, more music and lively dancing without much teaching. Tickets only available for weekend or Sunday ticket holders.St James Church Hall, 462 Elizabeth St, New Town
Monday 1st 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
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

All ages and identities welcome.

Dressing up in period attire or some approximation thereof will be admired and can be lots of fun. Think “dashing” or “elegant”. Most people will dress up. See But darling, I have nothing to wear for easy ideas.

Tickets: events.humanitix.com/derwentregencyfestival25

View information about the festival on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/events/1035822248397193. 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, 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

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.

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 Song and Tune Writing Award Winners

Song and Tune Writing Awards, Uncategorised,

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 Chris Okunbar. 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.

Peter writes:

Hi All,  

Just a public mention of the winners of the 2024 FFT Folk Song and Tune Awards 

Thanks again to all contributors / entrants and concert participants

The judges had a very difficult job with so many worthy offerings and some contested decisions amongst judges before they were able to settle on their compromise.  So the winners were:

Song

1. Tamar River Men – Vince Brophy

Honourable Mention Poets Breakfast – John Hughes

Tune

1. Missing Home – Montz Matsumoto

Honourable mention – Moving On – John Hughes

U19

In Botany Bay – Marguerite McClintock

If I’m falling – Miri McNamarra

The winners of the Peoples Choice awards on the night was

Sheoak – jointly written by Jonathan Duddles and Anna Ritchie

Derwent Regency Festival 2024

Dancing, Music, Regency, , ,

For the 2025 festival, see this page.

For photos of the 2024 festival, see https://ausact.com/DRFphotos.html, https://hewenn.smugmug.com/2024/Derwent-Regency-Festival/n-qJrM3G and https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.1374017077228574&type=3

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.