From Yackandandah via the US, Japan and now Wonthaggi ... five times Golden Guitar winner
Pete Denahy headlines the third Wonthaggi Acoustic Music festival.
Pete Denahy headlines the third Wonthaggi Acoustic Music festival.
By Ellen Hubble
WONTHAGGI town hall will once again come alive with the sound of strings, voices, drums and shared stories as the Wonthaggi Acoustic Music (WAM) Festival returns for a third year on July 3-5.
The three-day celebration of acoustic music promises to warm the heart and soul, with a bush dance, headline concert, street band, a dozen acoustic music performances, singing workshops, and stalls over three days, all wrapped in Wonthaggi's distinctly local and welcoming spirit.
WONTHAGGI town hall will once again come alive with the sound of strings, voices, drums and shared stories as the Wonthaggi Acoustic Music (WAM) Festival returns for a third year on July 3-5.
The three-day celebration of acoustic music promises to warm the heart and soul, with a bush dance, headline concert, street band, a dozen acoustic music performances, singing workshops, and stalls over three days, all wrapped in Wonthaggi's distinctly local and welcoming spirit.
The Invy Horn Jam kick off the festivities on Saturday morning with a street parade.
Photo: Dyonn Dimmock
Photo: Dyonn Dimmock
One of the most rewarding lessons from the first two festivals has been seeing the wider community embrace the event. Musicians, community groups, local organisations and residents have increasingly stepped forward to support and promote what they now see as their festival. That's exactly what we hoped would happen.
| WAM is committed to supporting local musicians and providing affordable, family friendly, live entertainment in Bass Coast today. Acoustic music sits at the heart of many traditions – folk, country, bush dance and gospel. Long before electricity, families and communities gathered to sing, dance and play together. Songs were shared by ear from one generation to the next. In many ways, acoustic music remains the most accessible form of music-making because it is portable, inclusive and can happen almost anywhere. While our stage performances use microphones so audiences can hear clearly, some festival events rely entirely on the natural acoustics of the venue. The gospel singing sessions in the Wonthaggi Town Hall are a good example. The hall was designed to carry voices naturally, creating an uplifting experience that has to be heard to be appreciated. |  |
The joy of music for me is that it can carry us along on a wave where the rest of our obligations and daily responsibilities are dissolved while we’re in that space and time. That's what WAM hopes to share with the community again this year.
While we love bringing quality live music to Bass Coast, WAM is about more than sitting and listening. You don't need to be a professional performer to be part of it. Whether it's joining a singing workshop, learning a few dance steps, bringing an instrument along for an informal jam session or simply having a go, the festival is designed to encourage participation.
Bring your family, bring some food and drinks, and if you play an instrument, bring that too. Join a jam session, sing along, dance, listen and enjoy.
And if you've always thought about learning an instrument or joining a choir, perhaps this is the year to start. Because music belongs to everyone.
Ellen Hubble is a member of the WAM organising committee. She also plays fiddle with the band Keachange.
Bring your family, bring some food and drinks, and if you play an instrument, bring that too. Join a jam session, sing along, dance, listen and enjoy.
And if you've always thought about learning an instrument or joining a choir, perhaps this is the year to start. Because music belongs to everyone.
Ellen Hubble is a member of the WAM organising committee. She also plays fiddle with the band Keachange.
 Inverloch jazz trio The Black Notes, from left, Chris Rossouw, Neville Drummond and Tarnya Wilson  Smiley Doherty, a talented local band with original songs and captivating moods. From left, Colin Matthews, EJ Van Geest, Jamie Cummins, Kate Smiley and Peter Doherty | THE PROGRAM Friday, July 3
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