NOTE: This archived newsletter may refer to events, links etc that have since been updated and may no longer be valid. Please read this article as a historical record rather than a source of current information.
NEWSLETTER 1 - Date January 8th 2008
Hello Folks,
Welcome to the mailing list for the Frances Folk Gathering. You’re receiving this because we have your email address on our list of ‘friends’ who wish to keep abreast of the happenings, planning, news etc for the Gathering. If you have not agreed to join the list, please accept our apologies and unsubscribe by hitting the link below. If you unsubscribe, we will not email you any more - promise!....
But we know you’d be miserable if you didn’t hear from us from time to time, so if you later change your mind, or if you have friends who would like to subscribe, go to www.francesfolkgathering.com.au/mailinglist and follow the instructions there to re-subscribe.
Right now we’re in the frenetic stage of setting up for the festival with events, competitions, venues, dances etc. and we reckon we’re pretty well on track!
As you probably know, the Gathering is in the hands of a new committee who is experiencing the steep learning curve required to take over such a successful event. We have had wonderful support from the outgoing committee and words are not enough to thank them for their efforts over the years that Frances has been running.
Tell your friends... Now is the time to get your friends informed about the Gathering. It’s a great little get-together with the locals well and truly on board. It’s a very ‘participating’ festival that you feel ‘in’ rather than ‘at’. And remember too, it’s FREE! It’s about a 4-hour drive from Adelaide, a bit longer from Melbourne. Plan to camp in pleasant surroundings among the pines next to the bowling club, or van it.
Naracoorte is not too far away and many people commute to the Gathering from there. We have it on good authority that the motel at Frances is booked out! Little wonder, really.
Camping
If you're planning to camp at the site, have a look at the website (click "camping") and familiarise yourself with the latest information. Since the Gathering has become so popular, some things (for example, electricity) have come under some stress and we have had to place some restrictions on some of the camping practices.
New This Year
Included this year will be the Future Folk Youth Marquee, a place at the festival for our younger (under 18) folk to meet, jam, perform etc. Have a look on the website for more details. While you're on the site, download a printable flyer for the Youth marquee and put it up on your local shop window, school noticeboard and your fridge door!
Website
We’ve been taking a look at the website (www.francesfolkgathering.com.au) and updating it as things become more organised. All the information you need is there and we’re updating it all the time. Keep an eye on it – in fact bookmark it in your ‘favourites’. Remember too, it’s a ‘work in progress’ (aren’t they all?) and if you have any suggestions please hit one of the feedback links to let us know.
Competitions
The entry forms for the competitions are now available on the website (click ‘competitions’). This year the categories are, Open vocal, Open Instrumental, Intermediate Vocal, 18 and Under, 13 and Under, Learners Encouragement (for people with less than 12 month’s playing experience), 5 string Bluegrass Banjo, Bluegrass guitar (as many strings as you want), Bluegrass Banjo/Guitar duo, Fiddle, 4 person band and under 15 Busking. You’ll be able to enter on-line or else download a form you can print and post to us.
No Internet? write to us... If you don’t have Internet access (yes, I know, you need Internet access to get this email – but you might pass a printed copy to someone who isn’t on the ‘net) write to us at Frances Folk Gathering, PO Box 300 Seaford SA 5169 – enclosing a stamped, self addressed envelope and we’ll send a competition entry form out to you.
That’s all we’ve got for you at the moment. We’re still looking for volunteers. These include people to MC, ‘gophers’, helpers for the competitions, the bush dance, the mixed grill – in fact anything you feel you might like to do, please drop us a line (info@francesfolkgathering.com.au) . We’d love to hear from you.
See you there
Steve Keirl
Coordinator – Frances Folk Gathering info@francesfolkgathering.com.au