Newport Bush Orchestra Takes to the High Seas!

The Newport Bush Orchestra gets around quite a bit these days. Not content with a weekly gathering in Newport, a few bush dances and the occasional festival, the NBO has now officially launched itself from land to water. The Polly Woodside was having a celebration of nautical life and so called the NBO to provide the vibe and the music. With a week's notice Captain Greg and his crew learned 'Sailors' Hornpipe', 'Drunken Sailor' and a set of hearty seafaring songs, got their sailors's garb from the closet (or opshop) and off they went. The 2 hours of music they played provided the perfect backdrop for all the visitors to this historic sailing vessell. A bit of ocean swell didn't deter the crew whose sealegs enabled them to take up a commanding position on old Polly. A great day was had by all - and the fame of the Newport Bush Orchestra keeps spreading further and further afield. The Colonial Dance at the Festival is coming up - Saturday July 4, 7.30 at the Substation - will be a piece of cake after this rollicking performace. (Thanks Leonie for the top shot!)

NEWPORT BUSH ORCHESTRA circa 1886?

The Newport Bush Orchestra have a reputation that is spreading far and wide. After a successful year - appearing at 3 festivals, 2 bush dances and lots of smaller gigs, the NBO looks set to enhance it reputation as a truly international bush orchestra this year. Apart from playing at the Colonial Bush Dance at the Substation as part of the festival (Saturday July 4, 7.30 - dress 1880's style) they are now fielding enquiries from the other side of the globe. Yesterday they got an email from Anjo, Japan (Hobsons Bay's sister city) asking for a cd of their music and an instuctional video so that the good citizens of Anjo can learn the steps of the Australian bush dances. Bloody marvellous - we can just imagine the revellers hunting down their op shops to find appropriate gear and then get into the heel and toe polka. Neil Jolly is not in the photo - apparently he was heading off to Japan to call a dance next week (actually it might be next month by the time he swims all the way there (without a gps). Remember to say Konichiwa before each dance Neil. For those of you who can't get the Japan, the NBO will be at Polly Woodside this weekend, Federation square in June and of course at the the big Newport Folk Festival . The organisers of the event are pretty confident of getting a crowd - the Bush ORchestra is the crowd? Anyone interested in joining this now internationally recognised group can contact Greg O'Leary on greganol@optushome.com.au. Its good clean fun and you get to choose your own outfit!

Both Sides of the Newport Bush Orchestra

Monday nights in Newport seems to work beautifully for people who want to play music. The Newport Bush Orchestra has been going from strenght to strenght - 3 years after being established the group has performed at Folk Festivals, Bush Dances, Historic Celebrations for Steam Train, at the Folk Club and of course on the internet at youtube. While building a now substatial repertoire (with not a piece of sheet music in sight) the group has just quietly been attracting a couple of new players (a flautist here, a guitarist there, and a few more fiddles just for fun). Now whereever they go they are guaranteed a crowd (they are the crowd) and a heck of lot of fun in the bargain.

Greg O'Leary (with banjo) has been developing and refining their performance skills and Bruce WIlliams (mando - centre) has taken over the role of sound engineer as the NBO work on their first CD. Apart from having fun the group is getting seriously prepared to have more fun at the Newport Folk Festival in July this year, where they are centre stage at the Colonial Ball at the Substation (pictured right - check it out at thesubstation.org.au). This will be a highlight of the festival but also a great highlight for all of the people who have been working so hard to turn the building from a derelict shell to the Arts and Performance Centre that it now is.

The building has had its official opening (last December, has had art festivals and show, and now has its monthly Arts Market (first Saturday of the Month) but this will be the first time the place will be a venue for a community dance. So the Bush Orchestra will provide the vibe, Neil Jolly will call the steps and the place will be rocking!

So both sides of the Newport Bush ORchestra? One is the quiet, sit around and have a play, life is easy and mellow side. The other is High Performance, Dress Up and Entertain. Indeed the group has the Ying and Yang of Australian Bush Music well and truly covered. If you are interested in joining email Greg O'Leary at greganol@optushome.com.au. Also have a look at this blog next week - another picture of the group who will be dressed in full colonial gear (with Simon Dew who missed this week's photo shoot!)

NBO @ Echuca Festival

NEWPORT BUSH ORCHESTRA @ ECHUCA

The Newport Bush Orchestra had a very successful weekend of playing at the first Echuca Celtic Festival. Vern Beasley the organizer was more than pleased with the Orchestra's efforts at the
festival. He was present when we revved up in the High St outside Cocos when we did our rolliking ,devil may care, happy go lucky street performance. Ross , his sidekick, was just as happy with our efforts in the street at Moama and in the bar at the Caledonian. The Echuca Workers club was at best survived, but even there there was a small but very attentive group of listeners (particulary a star struck 10yo girl) who enjoyed every moment. This will not be the last Echuca sojourne as Vern is already talking about next year. Next year we will be looking for more street performances under the shade - a great way for us to play and share our music.
By now you must be aware that although there is no none really strong player in our group, our combined sound is very impressive.It can only get even better. I was pleased to see people taking on useful roles, Annette preparing maps and ringing to confirm times and places,
Chris running interference for me and chatting to organizers, Bruce gently organizing tune sets and repertoire on the fly, and others finding, food and locating venues and the motel, etc.
We also were able to put on a 2 hour performance, pretty good considering our limited rep and this without the full crew! Overall things worked out pretty well.
Next thing to think about is a CD to sell at gigs like this!