General Things

Wrap-up – Moruya Jazz Festival Fun

Posted on by Cat Sheely

What a fun weekend!  The music was absolutely fantastic, the crowds were good, there were wonderful people to meet and the variety of music was amazing.  So lots of great descriptors for the Festival.  Here is a blow by blow description of my experiences.

Friday 21 October 2011:  Picked up my white wrist band from the Festival office and found myself in possession of a Festival Back Pack which turned out to be really handy.  It carried singing books, water bottle, sunnies, purse, festival guide and a list of what I had to do.  Then we sat in the Monarch Hotel Beer Garden from about 10pm listening to Captain Bob’s Stationhouse 7, a great jazz sound with some additional vocals by Shelley Rae King.  Then we got a jam session with Capt Bob’s band and DJ Gosper.  That lady can sing and plays a mean harmonica.  Home just after midnight.

Saturday 22 October 2011:  Up and dressed in the Sing Australia uniform for the Parade.  We met in Apex Park and I handed out choir wristbands and festival packs, then with Heidi, headed up the parade behind the Mayor Fergus Thompson and his lovely wife and in step with the Moruya Town Band between the Mayor and the Choir. We marched down Vulcan Street then turned at the Monarch to Riverside Park.

After arrival at Riverside Park the choir waited until Mayor Thompson had officially opened the Festival and we did our first gig.  The choir doesn’t particularly like open air gigs, but this time the sound equipment was well set up and we got the job done very well.

At 1pm we all gathered at the RSL Hall for our part in the Festival of Voice.  Here there were wonderful acts including:

  • The Strange Weather Gospel Choir
  • The Canberra Chordsmen
  • The U3A choir
  • Raw Honey
  • The Cleftomaniacs
  • Gracenotes and
  • The Wollongong Gospel Choir.
I loved Raw Honey and found the Cleftomaniacs harmony wonderful.  A great afternoon of vocals both with music and a’capella.
Then on to the Moruya Golf Club to listen to Jan Preston – that lady has the most amazing talent – she plays classical pieces as boogie woogie – even Tchiakovski and Flight of the Bumblebee.  Now that is a brilliant New Zealand import.  Then Capt Bob and his team.  We had dinner (several of the choir ladies and I), and waited for the RMC All Stars.  They did not disappoint.   Tired and happy we headed home about 10.30pm.
Sunday 23 October 2011:  Up early to drop hubby at SES and then to help set up the RSL Hall for the Gospel Service.  The Strange Weather Gospel Choir and Sing Australia along with music from Capt Bob’s Stationhouse 7, choir pianists and Shelley Rae King. What an uplifting Sunday morning.
Finally I got home just after midday, my head still jazzing with wonderful tunes and ready to do it again next year.  I think I remember volunteering to be on the organising committee – :-/.
Advertisements