Fairbridge Festival of World and Folk Music 2012

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Fri 13 Apr 2012 - Sun 15 Apr 2012

The 20th Fairbridge Festival of World and Folk Music from 13th - 15th April is the largest annual camping happening this side of the black stump, in a 30 hectare historic bush setting 50k south of Perth on the South West Highway just before Pinjarra, and although it is not Woodstock, it is far better organised.

Unlike the 60s icon, Fairbridge Festival certainly won't run out of food and drink with plenty of food kiosks, a dining room, many eating areas and three bars to keep up one's sustenance in a traffic free zone. The three licensed venues are Gus's Bar, the Wine Bar and the Dining Hall which is run by the Fairbridge Village Staff.



With one hundred international, national and local artists performing folk, blues, acoustic, celtic and a capella including the very popular Australian artists the Stiff Gins, Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs who will be wooing the crowd with their beautiful harmonies and cheeky, spirited style, the only problem you might have over the weekend is how to choose which of the non-stop entertainment you listen to before you fall asleep under the stars.

Award-winning artists from overseas who are performing at Fairbridge include legendary blues ragtime guitar picker Stefan Grossman, virtuoso fiddler, April Verch, traditional folk artist Seth Lakeman and folk singers Chris White and Julie Matthews, and Canadian Nathan Rogers will be there with his trio Dry Bones. Kaela Rowan from the Scottish band Mouth Music will be singing rhythmic Gaelic working songs of the Western Isles and in a totally different style Su Hart from Baka Beyond presents the vocal music of the southern African Bushmen. The Chipolatas will entertain the crowd with their acrobatics, circus routines and street theatre.



The now-legendary Gospel Service will take place on Sunday morning and other a capella choirs will be singing true to style in the historic Fairbridge chapel. The unique Spooky Men of the West are scheduled to sing at the church on the Saturday evening. James Lush and crew from 720 ABC, Partners of the
Festival, will be broadcasting live from the Festival from 6am on Saturday morning.



Fairbridge Festival is building up a large following who relish its unique atmosphere. Numbers generally peak at about 5000 mark but organisers assure patrons that the place will not seem overcrowded as there is so much open space, venues and just a lot room to move. The friendships made and maintained are something that I have noticed about the weekend, with friends and families organising to book again in the "north east corner" or "near that particular landmark" and sharing in the whole camping experience.

Fairbridge has it all over the Woodstock memory too, with what is billed on the website as the biggest children and youth component for a festival of its size anywhere in Australia. There will be non-stop workshops, activities and fun in a safe environment. Artists have a chance to exhibit and sell their work at the many shady market stalls with the beautiful bush back-drop.



The large venue will be used in addition to a range of smaller venues, making for a more cosy and personal way to appreciate the performances. The Samba parade usually held on the Sunday evening will now take place on Saturday evening. The Lantern parade will now be opening the Sunday evening finale, which will be an interactive musical happening with instruments being handed out all weekend to encourage full crowd participation in a one of a kind performance as the finale choir and orchestra sings and beats the close of the Festival.

Check the website www.fairbridgefestival.com.au for a complete list of artists, times, venues, costs, off-site accommodation and a detailed map showing where your favourite act is performing.

The present Fairbridge Farm site was established in 1918 by Kingsley Fairbridge who, with his wife Ruby, envisioned a grand scheme to help young orphans from the UK and help to provide workers for the new colony, but he did not envisage the farm as a workhouse. He wanted to give young disadvantaged children a chance to have a new life and new experiences. He died only a few years later aged 39 but while he and his wife Ruby ran the farm he was often "digging in the dirt with his charges". (The Australian June 23 2007)

The venture was not entirely successful but his vision for youth has continued as even though it closed in 1981 through the charitable Fairbridge Western Australia Inc. it has continued to provide support for children. Disadvantaged, disabled, gifted, indigenous, achievers, unemployed, adventurous - all children and youth are catered for in nationally accredited training schemes, accommodation and care.

Fairbridge is also an award winning tourist site with a coffee shop, tours, an art gallery, adventure activities and accommodation. The farm site is now heritage listed and with its myriad of small venues, its quaint church and a wonderful bush setting Western Australians now have a unique venue in which to enjoy the annual Fairbridge Festival of World and Folk Music. Thank you, Mr and Mrs Fairbridge.

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!date 13/04/2012 -- 15/04/2012
%wnperth