Old Hydro village, a new folk festival

THE MOUNT Roland Folk Festival is a brand new folk festival grown out of the rich cultural soil of North West Tasmania. It will be held just outside Sheffield at Gowrie Park Wilderness Village and The Old Black Stump restaurant from October 11–13.

Over 50 musicians and 30 volunteers from around Tasmania and Australia will fill the quaint timber caravan park, which is a decommissioned Tas Hydro Village.

There will be a mix of veteran and emerging Tasmanian performers, including Ben Salter, Claire Anne Taylor, The Stragglers, New Holland Honey Eaters, Luke Plumb and Jane McArthur.

Interstate artists will include Celtic rock band Dalriada, and acclaimed social justice songwriter Little Foot. One of the festival organisers, musician Teri Young, says that the focus will be as much on the festival goers as the performers. ‘It's not intended to be a passive entertainment experience, but to encourage active engagement from everybody who comes.’

The program of activities includes an open mic stage, allin sing-along sessions, choir rehearsals, daily yoga, bushwalks, and a poets’ breakfast for anyone to recite at.

There are craft workshops and a bushdance, kids’ shows and youth activities, including a Youth Blackboard Concert for under 20s to perform at.

The festival is capped at 200 tickets this year, which can be bought at www.mountroland folkfest.org.