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!)