An evening spent with the NFFC in an evening well spent.
The club celebrates the traditional, the original, the classic, the folk, the beginner and the maestro. Storytelling as anecdote, bush ballad, Shakespeare … are all shared and aired in the mix of fiddles, guitars, banjos and tin whistles.
Creative collisions and collaborations are frequent. Here’s a fine example …
As one of the club’s storytellers, I just happened to mention to fellow clubber, Ted Smith (guitarist, reciter, humourist), that I was interested in the Japanese art of Kamishibai storytelling. Kamishibai means ‘paper theatre’. The theatre is an exquisite wooden box that opens out into a picture frame. The storyteller needs a story and a set of illustrations to slide in and out of the frame as they tell the story.
Ted generously set about making a Kamishibai. After studying many images from the internet and drawing his own plan, he built the theatre using recycled Australian Eucalyptus. While the building was taking place I, with the help of partner John Kean, worked on the first story and set of picture cards.
For a while now I’ve been interested in breathing life into the Aussie Tall Story and this seemed like the perfect way to enliven an old genre.
On Friday night, the tale of Split Dog was launched to great applause and smiles all round. I’m in no doubt, that we have created something new to share with you all. And now I look forward to developing more stories and more creative collisions.
As I type, NFFC’s Leonie Kervin (artist, bush orchestra, songwriter) is creating a set of cards for the Kamishibai. Watch this space!
You can see Ted/Jackie's/Leonie's Kamishibai in action during the Newport Folk Festival in July.
Jackie Kerin (Ukulele, Choir, storyteller)
Our second regular gig for the year went swimmingly. Loads of local talent graced the stage of the Community Hall, along with a new voice.
Ted held us all captive with his mighty fine finger-pickin' and humour. My feet start dancing of their own accord when Ted takes the stage.
Raymond knocked us all sideways with his acapella performance. He followed with an original and then a traditional Scottish song.
Phil also treated us to three of his original songs. Great voice! 
It just wouldn't be a folk club night if we didn't hear at least one of Dave's bush ballads. When Dave takes the stage you can just step back in time and smell the gum trees.
After that Bruce was hijacked and dragged up onto the stage to support Leonie, who sang some songs. 
And as if that wasn't enough, Greg J finished off the evenings with tales of his recent trip to South America, through to the Galapagus Islands. (is that how you spell it?)
If you haven't been to theYarraville Festival before, try and make it along. There will be loads of fun for everyone. It is a fabulous showcase of all the amazing talent that we have here in the West.
After our spot, I have to make a mad dash back to Newport for Life Drawing. But hang around, there are lots of fabulous acts.
The Newport Bush Orchestra settled into their first practice session for 2011 last night (Monday Feb 7). The have moved residence and now practice in the Newport Community Hall (17 Mason St, Newport). This is a bigger room than at Outlets and so suits the growth of the NBO - who had a roll call of 20 players last night. As always the music and the vibe was lively and upbeat - not surprising after having kicked off the year with 2 triumphs (Logan Reserve and the Shenandoah launch). There is a trip up to Maryborough coming up soon, followed by performances at the National Folk Festival in Canberra and no doubt other gigs that will come along. Its worth noting that the Bush Orchestra was established in early 2006 - and so this is the beginning of the NBO's 6th year - time flies when your having fun! Its now fair to say that the NBO is a local institution that contributes to the cultural life of our community. Let's see what the year brings. 
Posts
All Comments
