Festival of Small Halls Tour brings music and community to Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall
INTERNATIONAL acts will converge on Barnawartha next month for the Festival of Small Halls Tour.
With 25 stops, the 14th annual tour, produced by the Woodford Festival in collaboration with Port Fairy Folk Festival and National Folk Festival, comes to Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall for the first time on April 6.
Award-winning trio from Canada, The Once, will return to Australia after a national arena tour, opening for Passenger in 2015.
Their songs have featured in international film and television, they have YouTube videos with millions of hits and a trail of trophy nominations and awards from the East Coast Music Awards, the Canadian Folk Awards and the JUNO Awards.
Already part of the Halls family, John Flanagan combines 1970s folk influences with a contemporary Americana/bluegrass sound.
He has drawn comparisons to James Taylor and Paul Kelly.
OTHER ENTERTAINMENT NEWS:
Rutherglen's Katie Gaston, who has performed at Yackandandah Folk Festival, completes the lineup.
She recently won the Regional Final of the FReeZA Push Start Battle of the Bands and performed at the St Kilda Festival in February.
Barnawartha Soldiers Memorial Hall committee member Richard Hull said the tour was a great chance to breathe fresh life and energy into the historic hall, which opened in 1921
"If you think about the tales it can tell - dances, bands, weddings, meetings and exhibitions - and all the friendships made, I really feel it is our duty to continue the story," he said.
"It's thrilling to welcome international acts here to Barnawartha as part of an evening of outstanding musical artistry. I hope as many local people as possible come out to support and enjoy the night, and make our visitors feel it was worth the trip!"
THE LOWDOWN:
WHAT: Festival of Small Halls Tour, Barnawartha Hall
WHEN: Saturday, April 6, barbecue and bar from 6pm, show from 7pm
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