The 38th Cygnet Folk Festival, Tasmania. 10th - 12th January 2020
Over the long weekend of 10-12 January, the historic country town of Cygnet on the banks of the Huon estuary will play host to its annual Folk Festival. Billed as Tasmania's leading celebration of folk and world music, dance, poetry, performance art, food and culture the festival is in its 38th year, and is, say the organisers, bigger and better than ever.
Deline Briscoe
“Folk festivals have a reputation of being friendly and inclusive events, but like all in the music industry we are also acutely aware of our responsibilities in supporting our Australian artists,” says artistic director Erin Collins. “We have the opportunity to showcase great Australian acts to our audiences alongside possibly more well-known international peers.”
In support of this aim, the organisers have gathered together dozens of talented local, interstate and international artists to bolster the reputation of the event already highly regarded by musicians and festival-goers from the region and overseas.
Will Alexander
Set in the picturesque Huon Valley, the Festival is being held about 50km outside the Tasmanian capital of Hobart. As well as keeping songs in the air it aims to provide a springboard for young musicians, and opportunities for local businesses to showcase the region's superb homegrown produce and artisan skills.
This year will see 16 international acts such as the Carlo Aonzo Trio, Catherine MacLellan, Amistat and Teatro Matita. From the Australian mainland come almost 50 well-recognised players and bands including Deline Briscoe, Ballpoint Penguins, William Alexander. And with almost 60 local Tasmanian acts crowding out the various venues, the options for attendees are bound to please all tastes.
Fancy camping? Do it in style at Cygnet.
“Cygnet has a reputation for providing a space for local Tasmanian artists, who face challenges due to the remote nature of the island. The opportunity to perform at such a well regarded festival assists in buoying the local and national music scene,” says Collins.
If you intend staying local there are plenty of local hotels, B&Bs and other offerings online. And for the top of town set, this year sees the Glamping Company Tasmania offering onsite festival luxury camping right in the heart of Cygnet.
Each tent includes a hotel style queen bed, fresh linen, locally made cushions, Willie Smiths cider welcome pack, coffee and food delivered to the tent door, hot shower access, security and more all within one minute’s walk of the festival itself.
And, as Huon Folk president Anne Foale says, the organisers are actively “already making inroads in reducing the number of cars on the site and will continue to pursue this, as will we continue to find as many ways as we can to make the Festival sustainable and reduce its impact environmentally.” We have to support that - see you there! http://www.cygnetfolkfestival.org/