‘Festival of Small Halls’ Comes to Willaura

The Festival of Small Halls is coming to Willaura and promises to be an enjoyable night for all. The evening is part of a national tour that takes the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists performing at both the Port Fairy and National Folk Festivals and sends them on the road to tiny halls in communities all over Australia.

This year’s performers are Iceland’s Svavar Knútur and Australian duo The Maes. In addition, concert goers will be treated to a performance by members of Ararat’s Karen community.

Svavar Knútur said of the tour, “I visited Australia in 2007 and again in 2010 and I met so many awesome people. I had the most wonderful time, and I wrote some of my favourite songs while on tour in Australia. I've been itching to come back and see some of my wonderful friends again, and enjoying a nice and crisp Australian autumn while Iceland recovers from deep winter. I feel extremely honoured to be invited to visit Australia again and meet new people and sing my songs and tell my stories, and maybe get some new stories.”

The Maes (sisters Maggie and Elsie Rigby) grew up the children of folk musicians, immersed in folk festivals, choir rehearsals and campfire sessions. This formative experience helped to shape two of Australian folk music’s most respected songwriters, singers and instrumentalists.

The sisters said, “We can't wait to head out to some Victorian communities with Festival of Small Halls.

Playing in regional places is something close to our hearts. We never tire of a new highway, a new country bakery pie. On a personal note, the first full tour we did as a band was Festival of Small Halls ten years ago! It feels fitting and healing to return to Small Halls, as we re-emerge from the quiet years of the pandemic, with new music in a new era.”

The Karen community from Ararat will also perform, and its members are looking forward to singing traditional songs from their homeland.

‘K’nyaw’, also known as ‘Karen’, is one of the largest ethnic groups in Myanmar. Due to civil war in their homeland many Karen people fled their homes and sought asylum in Thai- Myanmar Border refugee camps in Thailand. From there many have come to Australia seeking a new life here.

After COVID-19 in 2022 and due to the labour force shortage in Ararat, the Ararat Rural City Council launched a New Settlement Program & Work Force Pilot Program, which has supported Karen families relocating to Ararat.

The Karen community will wear traditional dress and sing songs from their homeland. In addition, they will present a mini traditional ‘Done Dance’.

The audience will no doubt be inspired by their music and enjoy the opportunity to learn a little of the Karen culture.

The Festival of Small Halls concert in Willaura will be held on Wednesday March 6th at the Memorial Hall. Doors will open at 7pm for a 7.30pm start, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own drinks and nibbles. Tea and coffee will be provided.

Tickets are adults $35, children $10 and may be purchased online at www.festivalofsmallhalls.com or through Community Bank Willaura Lake Bolac. For more information, please contact Jo Byron on 0427 503 247.