I’m pleased to say there’s heaps of new FFNSW initiatives to report.

First though, a message to lapsed members PLEASE REJOIN!
It’s not just that subscriptions help us develop folk in NSW, they help us feel our work
is valued and appreciated. Individual membership is still only $25. It’s easy to join
online or by mailing the form in this issue.

Latest developments include two new monthly song sessions, regular musicians’
workshops, including a songwriting workshop in August, with Bruce Watson, and the
establishment of three folk fed awards for young artists, detailed below.

Also, following the success of our recent barbecue, we’re holding a picnic for members
and friends, and their guests, at the Garraway picnic shelter in Parramatta Park on Sunday
June 17th at 11 30 am, more details elsewhere on the website.

Our new monthly ‘Trad Singing Session’ will be hosted by two brilliant young singers
from the Fossickers, committee members Ruby Foster and Sophie Moore. The theme for the first session on Sunday 3rd June,
pm-pm at The Old Fitz Hotel, Woolloomooloo is ‘Songs of the Watersons’. Also our ‘Singer-Songwriter Circle’, is being held monthly also at the above venue, hosted by myself. If you are a singer songwriter and would like to join in, please contact me at president@folkfednsw.org.au.
Please keep an eye out on Folkmail our weekly what’s on in folk in NSW, our Facebook page or website for details of all forthcoming events.Musicians members, don’t forget to put up your gigs and events on this website, where in addition you can, if you’re a member, create
a free ‘linkable’ mini website for yourself or your band/club/organisation.

Notwithstanding all these developments, for me the jewel in the crown is our ‘Young Folk Artists Awards 2019’. There is one
award each for solo performer and group or band under 25 years, and another for either a solo artists or group under 17years.
Under 17’s are also eligible for the other awards. Entrants must be resident in NSW and need not be FFNSW members.
Please note the closing date is 31st August 2018. It is hoped short listed contestants will appear at a pre-award concert and winners will
receive mentoring over the year of the award, and a guest appearance at a special concert organised by us. We will also try to
organise spots for the winners at festivals and folk clubs and hope the awards will encourage young musicians in our state to be
involved with folk and the folk community.

Please all encourage talented young artists you know to enter. All they need do is complete the online application form elsewhere on this website. This
must include a link to a video of them performing one number they consider folk, which can be recorded at home etc.and need
not be a public performance.

Last but not least, please consider a tax deductible donation, no matter how small, to ‘Folk Federation Fund’ via the section on this site.

Warm Regards, and Happy Gigging, Digging ‘n Jigging,
Brian Jonathon