National Folk Festival

[zondrae]

Hi all,  By way of a report on the Poetry at the National I would like to offer this brief wrap up:

Being last years winner, Barry Lake had the most difficult task of naming a winner of the Champion reciter at this years National.
Day one Good Friday. Began at 8.30am with Keith McKenry as compare and Viv Sawyer his off sider. A total of 26 poets performed including such well known names as: 'H', Campbell the Swaggie, Laurie McDonald, David Myers, Peter Mace, (winner of the reciters award at Tamworth) Frank Daniel, Vic Jefferies, Lorraine McCrimmon, Shirly Drake, Shirly Hotchkis, Carol Reffold, and many others.

Day two Saturday. Began again at 8.30, (though by 8am 30 names had already been listed) A total of 46 put their name down to perform but time ran out and some had to be held over to the next day. They got through 30.  New to the previous day were: Peter Capp (from WA) Greg North, Jim Smith, Brian Bell, Bill Quinn, and my mate John Peel among others.

Day three Sunday, I had stopped writing names by this time. I was lost in the crowd somewhere. There were such outstanding performances that I would never be able to choose a winner. I'm glad I didn't have the task. Some of the most outstanding were: Peter Mace, Frank Daniel, Vic Jefferies, Greg North, and the winner Laurie McDonald. There were many other poets who performed their own works and I was, as always, astounded by the talent and variety of topics chosen.

We still recited on Monday and had a full venue at every sitting. A most appreciative crowd packed the tent at every session. Tuesday morning and a few die hards lingered and did a few poems before heading home.

We also had 'The Stock Camp', which is a mock up of a tucker tent, where an open mike allows poets, musos and singers to have a go. I took the spot on Friday afternoon and presented my Lightning Ridge set of 5 poems, to an audience on about 6. Later that day an asian lady who had been attentive, stopped me in the street and said how she enjoyed my tales. (Nice to know someone was listening.)

All in all a great banquet of true Aussie Bush Poetry. I'm already counting the days til next Easter. As their slogan says "The National Folk Festival, what a way to spend Easter".

The spoken word is certainly alive and well. I hope I didn't leave anything or anyone out and if I have it was through fatiugue not intent.

[manfredvijars]

Hey Zondrae, may I broadcast your report on air this weekend

Cheers,

Manfred

(book on it's way) 

[zondrae]

Hi  Manfred,

I believe I have got it all right. It's ok by me to use it. I can't see why anyone would object to the facts being broadcast. I think that Greg North won the yarn spinning but I was not there, and I didn't get it from a very reliable source, so better not mention this.

[the mad mare]

Yes, he did win it, he told me so himself!

Kym.

[zondrae]

  Thanks Kym,

I do like to be accurate. Greg is such a unique talent. Just a matter of the right judge til he adds the National to his long list of wins.