Local singer/songwriter Bonnie Anderson is in an amazing line-up of Australian talent taking part in Music at the Healesville Track 2010.
By Kath Gannaway
OVER the past decade Yarra Valley audiences have had the inside running when it comes to seeing the best of Australian and local musicians.
The popularity of the Yarra Valley as a tourist region, its proximity to Melbourne, and a re-energised local music scene have come together to provide locals with some amazing opportunities to see outstanding musicians.
Music at the Healesville Track on Saturday will bring many of those musicians and bands together for 12 hours of entertainment under the magnificent pin oaks at Healesville racecourse.
The festival will provide a new benchmark in community music festivals in the valley – for the scope and calibre of the acts and for affordability.
Jeff Lang will headline the inaugural festival, put together by the Healesville Amateur Racing Club to celebrate community, family and music.
“We’re thrilled at the fantastic line-up we’ve assembled for the inaugural event,” organiser Chris Young said.
“There’s a range of musical styles over the 12 hours from the Bushwackers and the country stylings of Steve Eales to the blues/roots vibe of Jeff Lang, to the amazing story songs from Australian music legends Shane Howard and Mick Thomas.”
Peter Denahy, also a recent visitor to Healesville, Greg Champion, Damian Howard and the Ploughboys are among the feature artists.
Regular Healesville visitors Tinpan Orange have established a loyal local fan base, who will be thrilled to see them performing their captivating gypsy-style music al fresco.
Another local favourite is Yarra Glen teenager Bonnie Anderson. Bonnie shot to fame as the winner of Australia’s Got Talent in 2007 and, as a 16-year-old, is getting back into the music scene in Melbourne with her own band.
“The time feels right,” she said of her return to the stage after concentrating on school, song writing and musicianship for three years.
She will do two sets, afternoon and night, of originals in the soul/pop/rhythm andblues genre with a couple of jazz covers.
Add to the line-up Looking for Jude, The Blue Moon Lodge, Ewan Cloonan Union, Dukes of Despair, TK & Rose, the Hannafords, Richie Langford and the Engine Room, Balladry, Shoeshine, guitarist David Knight and Tank Dilemma, and the only other dilemma will be picking a favourite.
HARC president John O’Neill said the Healesville racecourse is the ideal venue for the festival, which is at the core of the club’s mandate.
“It’s what we’re all about, providing great value family entertainment for locals and visitors and working to promote the Yarra Valley to the wider public as an ongoing community service,” he said.
As well as continuous music from noon to midnight, there are lots of kids activities planned.
In keeping with the HARC’s family-friendly approach, ticket prices have been kept at $27.50 for adults (with concessions available), children 14 to 18 $10 each and children under 14 get in free with an adult. A family ticket is $57.50.
BYO food and drink is allowed, but there will also be reasonably-priced food and drink available. Tickets can be purchased on-line through Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.com.au (booking fee applies), at the Yarra Junction Post Office, Sanctuary Lotto at Healesville Walk or Grind n Groove, Healesville or by phoning 0417 380 298.
For further details, and to check artist profiles, go to www.musicatthehealesvilletrack.com.au.
