A Week in Newport: What happened to Days 5 and 6?

Time travels so quickly some times that the end of the week whizzed by. Thursday in Newport is the night for the Newport Barbershop Chorus. The hearty, lusty sound of 8 mature lads testing learning new songs, new harmonies to old songs, and telling stories from life at land and sea is always a source of great pleasure and entertainment (that was day 5). Day 6 started with council workers erecting flags at the Melbourne Rd end of the Westgate Bridge, and at the west end of North Rd, advertising the Newport Folk Festival (July 2 3 4). The last 2 years many people said after the festival "We didn't know it was on'. This year it won't be the case for anyone who crosses the bridge in the next month. Waiting at the lights there is nothing better to do than look at the billowing flags proudly announcing the folk festival (we will see).
Anyway Friday night (day 6) was down at the community hall -must have been about 40 people all ready with songs and instruments at hand to play and sing together. Some solo artists, a young fiddler (Jack) of note who lead the session, some stories and jokes, tea and a couple of biscuits were all the ingredients needed to entertain one and all. Gone are the days when each person got to sing 4 songs - with the growing crowd there is time for one tune each, and then it is a case of take any opportunity to join in the spontaneous outpourings of the spirit through music. Good for the soul. By 11 pm all had had their fill and time for the caravan to move on to ..................

A Week in Newport - Day 7 Saturday at the Scout Hall

Fast forward to Saturday - morning committee meeting, midday Newport Choir singing in Paine Res as part of the Thankgiving celebration with the Baptist Church, and then on to the Scout Hall for the Gypsy Workshop lead by Sarah Busuttil. There were 30 enthusiastic players from all over Melbourne and within 10 minutes Sarah had taught the group some tunes and they were playing. It is highly likely that the scout hall has never had an orchestra of this kind play there before (probably no orchestra at all) and so it wasn't surprising that during the afternoon people wandered in off the street to find out what was going on. Sarah taught the group the Miserlou, The Basso, Masl Tov, the Romanian Train Song and Khusidlekh (all pronunciations accepted). Having mastered the tunes, the players were then sent off to form smaller groups to prepare a performance of one of the tunes - with their own arrangements. Have a look at pics of these groups as they perform (Steve will get the video of the whole group playing on youtube one day - it was a hoot). Sarah is running a workshop at the festival (Saturday July 3) so you will get a chance to join in the fun - either playing, dancing or just smiling to see such wonderful music being played live in the Scout Hall. See you there..

A Week in Newport - Day 4: Wednesday at the Community Centre

Wednesday nights are at the Newport Community Centre where the Newport Choir, under the direction of Alan Davies, are alway hard at work enjoying themselves. The choir is busy practicising for their gig on Saturday in Paine Reserve (11am, Sat May 27) and also preparing for their contribution to the Great West Choir Fest at the Substation on Sunday July 4, 1-4pm, as part of the Newport Folk Festival. Lots of do, so little time.

A week in Newport - Day 3: Tuesday at Newport North (Y'ville)

Tuesdays is Newport Gypsy Djangos at Yarraville. The group formed after meeting at the folk club 3 years ago, and includes Brendan, Greg, Rob, Michael, Steve, and Greg. Apart from the practice sessions the group were the resident band at the lovely NOSH cafe in Newport (until someone complained about the 'noise'!!) have played at festivals around the west, and of course at our own Newport Folk Festival. Here (above) we can see Brendan providing a bit of thoughtful musical advice to Greg and Rob. The Newport Gypsy Djangos will be performing (with friends) at the Newport Folk Festival from 6 - 8 pm at the Newport Bowling Club. As always it will be a very entertaining session - good swing music played well.

A Week in Newport Day 2: Monday Night at the Community Centre

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The caravan moves on and tonight the action and the music is at the Newport Community Centre with the Newport Bush Orchestra. Can't see anyone playing but its a very convivial atmosphere. Every picture tells a story ........

A week in Newport - Day 1: Sunday @ Newport East (far east!)

Dear Blog

Unfortunately no pictures taken this afternoon (we were all too busy playing), but a very good turn out at "East Newport" (i.e. Selby).

Marilla's sister, Anna - a member of the 'Hills Angels' harp group - brought her harp along & played some fantastic airs.

Bruce, Pam, Anette, Alistair, Christine and Chris from the bush orchestra were there. Also half a dozen locals from Maggie Duncan's monthly Upwey session who are planning to come to the Newport Folk festival & play with the NBO for the bush dance.

Bush orchestra favourites such as the jigs, Black Cat, Old Schoolmaster, Jack and Lil, Brown Jug, Gallopede, Railway Hotel, and Cock of the North got a good work out. A few of the less commonly played tunes such as Frank Collins Polka and God Bless YOu and Bugger Me got a dust off too. Also some of the old timey tunes like Over the Waterfall and Bonepart's Retreat.

Young Jack's fiddling is progressing and he joined us on fiddle for harmonies before starting us off into a version of 'Shortening Bread.'

Late in the afternoon. Tiya and Adrian arrived and we went over a few songs which may appear at a future folk club meeting.

Looking forward to a big weekend of music in July - will be there with bells on.

Hillbilly Michael

Banjo Workshop Pics

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It took a while for the developing process but here they are - the photos of the Banjo workshop. All of the team standing behind Peter and full of their new found knowledge of frailing.