Snowy Mountains of Music Festival

[zondrae]

Notice:

There is a new folk music festival to be held this coming June long weekend (5th - 8th) at Perisher/Smiggins. To mark the start of the snow season. The festival has a heavy stress on poetry. Prominent Poets featured are Carol Heuchan, Jim Haynes and Peter Mace. There is a competition with a trophy prize. "The Broken Ski" is for written poems, and "The Snowy Poetry Cup" for  performance. For further information please go to www.snowymountainsofmusic.com.au/poetry

There will be music, as usual, held at several venues across the snow fields. Transport will be available from Venue to Venue.

[zondrae]

What a great little Festival. I'm sure the organisers were happy with the turn out. The venues were intimate and it was 'up close' to the performers all weekend.

Friday was spent travelling. We woke on Saturday to the first snow falls of the season and it got heavier and continued to fall all day and night and was still coming down on Monday when we left. Saturday Sunday and most of Monday were spent frolicking in the snow. (well getting from venue to venue through the cold wet white stuff) and from 5pm Monday til 1.30 am Tuesday, we were on that dreaded bus again. There were 68 of us on a double decker, what a trip.

There were over 30 entries in the written poetry section (much to the organisers delight) and it was won by Lee Taylor Friend.  A beautifully crafted poem about the dying Snowy River.

There were 10 entrants in the performance section. I did my "Uncle Clyde" and was judges the winner of the inaugural Snowy Cup. As the trophy is not quite ready, they let me hold up one of their ski trophies for the purpose of photos etc.  Jennifer Lees was placed second and Mike Martin came in third.

[zondrae]

Hang about,

I forgot to mention.....  Sincere wishes to Peter Mace who had to pull out of the festival at the last minute due to his mother taking very ill. My prayers are with you Peter.

Jim Haynes also had to pull out as he has done a mischief to his back and couldn't get off his bed. Hope your feeling a bit better Jim.

I was more than happy (in my small way) to assist in filling the very large gap these two absentees left.