The annual Australian Blues Music Festival may have been postponed until November, but the Goulburn Club have decided to hold a similar event of their own.
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The Blues Weekend on February 10 to 13 at the Goulburn Club will feature 10 artists as well as performances from Youth in the Blues, the Hume Conservatorium students and a Blues open mic session.
Organiser Ron McLaughlin, who is one of the performers, said he thought this was a great time to host the event.
"We're normally involved with the Blues Festival, but since that's been postponed, we thought we'd host our Blues Weekend to fill the void," McLaughlin said.
Although blues music isn't too popular in Goulburn, McLaughlin is hoping for a good attendance.
"I think it's a limited market in town because most people in the community go to the pubs and clubs for the usual pop music and hits," he said.
"However, there is still a group of people who enjoy blues music.
"The beauty of this weekend is that hopefully, we'll attract people from Canberra, Wollongong and Sydney."
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The featured artists are:
- Stephanie Marchant and the Monster Band which came together in 2013 with Illya Szwec on guitar, the late Vito Portolesi on bass, and George Brugmans on drums. They performed at a residency at The Merton Hotel in Rozelle for over five years with a repertoire of blues, soul, R and B and the odd re-gram of modern classics. Mike Rix has joined the monsters on bass and they are currently recording some original songs. Stephanie's voice has been likened to Aretha Franklin, Janis Joplin, Linda Ronstadt, Amy Winehouse, Tracy Chapman and, most recently, a wayward angel.
- George Washingmachine has been involved in the entertainment industry since last century. He has worked in television, theatre and film. He finds the greatest pleasure though in travelling around Australia and various parts of the world playing music and making art. He continues to appear at all the major jazz and arts festivals in Australia. In 1997 he toured France and Holland and appeared at the Edinburgh Jazz Festival. In 1998 he toured Germany, Holland, Sweden and Finland with Ian Date.
- Moondog is a master of the blues harmonica and a formidable guitarist, singer and song writer. His voice holds a deep authenticity reminiscent of the great Blues/Soul singers of old. Get set for some foot-stompin' tunes as Moon Dog brings the place to life with vocals, harmonica and guitar.
- Jeff and Deej are a Canberra based traditional and contemporary acoustic roots music duo. Cool ballads and cruisy Blues vibes from the bars of New Orleans to the swamps of southern Texas. Canberra's Blues force of nature, DJ (Dorothy-Jane 'Deej' 'DJ' Gosper) is recognised nationally for her gutsy vocal, honest lyrics, outstanding harmonica and captivating stage presence. Add Jeff's "steeped in the Blues" resonator and wooden guitar accompaniment and you have an organic sophisticated powerhouse duo that is Jeff and Deej.
Tickets are available for Saturday and Sunday at $25 per day or $40 for a weekend package while Thursday and Friday evenings are free events for members and guests.
Some performances will be in the club's outdoor courtyard (weather permitting) while others will be in the club's Durack Room.
All attendees must be double vaccinated. They must also obey the rules outlined by the NSW government which includes no dancing or singing in the audience.
Here is the full schedule:
Thursday, February 10 - Free
7pm - 10pm, Youth in the Blues
Friday, February 11 - Free
6pm - 9pm, Blues Open Mic
9pm - 11pm, Hume Conservatorium student showcase (with house band comprising tutors)
Saturday, February 12 - Ticketed $25
1pm - 2pm, Ron McLaughlin
2pm - 4pm, George Washingmachine with Jim Pennell
4.15pm - 6.15pm, Mike Baker Organ Trio
6.30pm - 7.30pm, Boogie and Blues piano with Mikki Dunne
8pm - 11pm, Stephanie Marchant and her Monster Band
Sunday, February 13 - Ticketed $25
12pm - 1pm, GRUB
1pm- 2pm, Market Street Moochers
2pm - 3pm, Boogie & Blues piano with Mikki Dunne
3pm - 5pm, Moondog
5.30pm - 7.30pm, Jeff and Deej Trio
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Burney Wong
I love sport. You can reach me at burney.wong@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 291 518.
I love sport. You can reach me at burney.wong@austcommunitymedia.com.au or on 0437 291 518.
