The Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music kicks into full gear this weekend with three days of amazing music and fun starting on Friday and culminating in the Community Spring Fair and Music Carnivale on Sunday, September 9.
The Tyalgum Festival’s fringe program incorporates a number of free events inspired by the theme of ‘Music, Art and Nature in Australia’s Green Cauldron’, including the Caldera Art exhibition at Tyalgum Hall, the Caldera Artists-in-Residence program which in 2012 will include five artists working at venues around the village, morning nature walks with Dr Jean-Marc Hero from Griffith University and local frog expert, John Pumpurs; and talks by specialists in the fields of biodiversity, sustainability and eco-tourism at Tyalgum School during the Essential Energy Community Spring Fair on Sunday.
“Thanks to the continued generosity of Essential Energy, we have been able to transform the Festival’s traditional family picnic day into a fully-fledged free community event, showcasing the musical talent and creativity from the entire Tweed Valley,” said Tyalgum Festival Coordinator, Alexsandra Deen-Wilkinson.
“Working with the Tyalgum School P&C Association, the expanded program runs from 10 am to 2 pm in the Tyalgum School grounds includes live music and performance, mini-fete, circus activities and laser skirmish for the kids, market stalls, community and environmentally focussed information stands, food outlets and more.”
Essential Energy’s Manager Community Relations North Coast, Rachel Hussell, said “By supporting events such as this, Essential Energy is also investing in the spirit of community that is engendered by quality events like the Tyalgum Festival of Classical Music.”
The Essential Energy Community Spring Fair & Music Carnivale will be held at the Tyalgum School grounds from 10 am to 2 pm on the final day of the 21st annual Tyalgum Festival. Entry to the Spring Fair is free, with any monies raised on the day going towards helping local school and community group initiatives.
Community Spring Fair & Music Carnivale Stage Program
10 am Welcome to Country & Ginibi Dancers: The Ginibi Dancers are a family dance troupe, descendants of the Ngundawal/Minjungbul people, part of the Bundjalung nation, performing traditional and contemporary dance.
10.25 Official Opening by 2012 Tweed Valley Banana Festival Queen
10.40 Soolaba Indian Ensemble: Soolaba, a soulful and inventive sitar player and singer, has teamed up with esraj player, Brajaraja, and two sisters, mridanga player Lila, and vocalist Candramukhi. Together they weave a magical tapestry of instrumental improvisations and traditional Indian devotional chants.
11.15 Invitation open mic : in association with Murwillumbah High School and Wollumbin High School
11.35 Krishnaya Kuchipudi classical Indian dance: Based in Murwillumbah, the Krishnaya dance group consists of Gopali Nissen and her students. This troupe of Australian girls performs classical Indian dance and colourful Bollywood folk style dance.
12.15 Tweed Small Schools and Uki Public School Choir conducted by Vikki Armour and accompanied by Valerie Newell: The Tweed Small Schools Choir was formed by Vikki Armour in 2011 to give gifted and talented students from our local public Small Schools the opportunity to sing in a choir. The students come from nine different schools and enjoy rehearsing together each week. Uki Public School Choir are a vibrant children’s choir who just love to perform and share their music with their audience. Together, they sing a wide variety of children’s choral music and have a busy performance schedule. The highlight of their performances will be in the Concert Hall of the Sydney Opera House on 16 October 2012.
12.45 SENW Morris Dancers: Based in Brisbane, the SENW Morris dance troupe presents a colourful, lively and entertaining style of dancing dating back to the 18th century in North-West England.
1.10 David Fielding & Liam Latham: Two outstanding young guitarists, David and Liam are Year 10 students at Tweed River High School and have both been playing guitar for three years. They were recent winners of the Instrumental Section in the 2012 Murwillumbah Festival of Performing Arts.
1.30 Chillingham Bellydancers: The Chillingham Bellydance For Fun troupe are a local group formed in Chillingham in 2004 by local bellydancing teacher, Sandi Martin. They celebrate the ancient art of bellydance, creating individual performance using colour, themes and fantasy.
Nature Talks @ Tyalgum Public School
10.30 John Turnbull “Native Species – What to Plant, Where”
12.00 Syd Welling “Solar Thermal Technology & Rooftop Solutions”
Jim Grohn “Beyond Zero Emissions”
1.30 Michael McNamara “Coal Seam Gas & Empowering Communities”
Kids’ Activities
10.00 – 2.00 Mini Fete
10.00 – 2.00 Laser Skirmish, Bruce Bartrim Cricket Oval
11.00 – 1.00 Hoopla Circus
