The months seem to go so quickly, and it just doesn’t seem that long since I last wrote for Cornstalk. Nonetheless over the last two months we have enjoyed a number of successful events not the least of which was our ‘Picnic at Parramatta Park’ the second of our socials for the year, the first of which was ‘Folk Feed, The Barbecue’. As you can see we don’t just hold fun events but strive for catchy alliteration too. Thinking ahead, at least our end of year bash ‘Christmas Concert’ lends itself easily to the latter.

But I digress, said Picnic was a roaring success. Almost fifty folkies and families braved a cold, gusty, but sunny, Sydney day and warmed to tunes, songs and poetry into the late afternoon. There were singers, poets, yarn spinners and all manner of musical things, guitars, banjo, accordion, ukes, someone even brought a piano, electric of course; and let’s not forget the cakes and sandwiches, they were really good too.

Also since last writing, committee members, and sometime Fossickers, Ruby Foster and Sophie Moore led the first two of their regular monthly traditional song sessions at ‘The Old Fitzroy Hotel’ Woolloomooloo. True to the tradition these highly enjoyable rousing sessions were nicely complimented by the good food and cheer available at the venue.

Singer-songwriters are also warmly invited to attend our monthly ‘Singer-Songwriter Circle’ three of which have so far been held at ‘The Old Fitz’. If you have one or more songs you’ve written and want to participate please contact me for details.

I’m also pleased to announce that vice-president Max Gregory has organised an afternoon songwriting workshop with renowned singer-songwriter Bruce Watson to be held on Saturday 18th August Fanlight Acoustic Lounge 3 William St Fanlight, cost $30. Later that evening Bruce will be performing at the venue, supported by The Dixie Chooks and Jeremy Smith, and there is a package deal available for both workshop and concert plus a light meal. Visit our website for further details.

I’d also like to remind everyone that entries for our ‘Young Folk Music Artists & Junior Awards’ close on August 31^st 2018. For online applications or to learn more about the awards please go to the link on this site. You can also check out my article on the awards, elsewhere in this edition of Cornstalk,

Though most readers will be a tad over the qualifying age, please pass on news of these great awards to kids, grandkids and any talented young musicians you might know and encourage them to have a go. Please also consider publicising them at your local folk club, community centre, school etc. and if you’d like a pdf publicity poster to facilitate this please email me at brianjonathon1@gmail.com

Lastly I would like to thank all who have participated in our events over recent months and hope you will continuing to enjoy our ongoing activities. And please also let me know, at the above email address, if you have any suggestions for events you would like us to consider organising in the future,

With Very Best Wishes,

Brian Jonathon