Presented by
director’s message
music for the people
Welcome to the 23rd Brunswick Music Festival and the 17th Sydney Road Street Party. The 2011 program is looking good, with some exceptional International and Australian shows including some important CD launches, special one off festival collaborations, and some excellent new artists appearing at the festival for the first time. Our tickets sales last year made it one of our most successful, and it would be wonderful indeed if we could at least equal that set of figures. We are however subject to the same rising costs as everybody else in the community and therefore you will notice a slight increase in a few ticket prices, although overall our average ticket price will be approximately the same as in 2010. I’d like to emphasise that we do exist in a growing festival market, and direct competition for ticket sales in Melbourne and Victoria are at an all time high, and while we do present a somewhat specialised range of genres, I would ask you all to play a small part in our marketing strategy by using that most reliable of marketing methods – word of mouth. Spread the word, and please feel free to request an extra couple of programs if you can distribute in your individual networks. The 2011 program as always is rich in diversity; we continue to support tradition and its many roots and branches, new and emerging artists in all genres, and new collaborations. There’s a comprehensive sound lounge facility on our web site where you can spend some time and browse the wonderful selection of music we have on offer in this year’s program. Please take advantage and check out some acts you may not be familiar with, its finding the gems that make for a full festival experience as well as revisiting your old favourites. Our 17th Sydney Road Street Party will again deliver a fabulous showcase of our vibrant Moreland music, the focus of the day however remains our community. The community stalls are the heart of the event and we are determined that the community will remain the priority in our endeavours. Also I ask you to look after our streetscape and ‘bin it don’t fling it’, and if you can’t find a bin carry it with you until you do. It does make a difference. I would like to conclude as always by thanking the many people who make this festival a reality each year; our major public partners, our advertisers and supporters, our staff and crew and especially the fabulous performers, many of who have traveled many miles to be here. On behalf of all I would like to welcome you to our 23rd Festival and as always urge you to enjoy a program dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural diversity. John McAuslan
In 2011 Music for the People will be held in a beautiful new outdoor location, Bridges Reserve. Opening the afternoon, and performing as part of the Melbourne Ukulele Festival, The Desperadoes are six ukulele players dedicated to strumming lush harmonies on this intricately crafted musical gem: think a little bit country a little bit lowdown. Next are five piece up-tempo group Flap! who turn ordinary shoes into dancing ones mixing 1920’s jazz, English Folk and Trinidadian Calypso. The afternoon continues shifting briefly from jazz to afro-beat rhythm-driven grooves of dance floor pleasers Papa Chango. Finally overdressed barrelhouse jazzbos The Jelly Tub Rollers will complete this high energy afternoon playing righteous foxy swing; preaching down and out blues & thigh slappin’ 1930s party jazz. Enjoy a picnic on the lawn, bring family and friends and don’t forget your dancing shoes!
Saturday 26 February 2011, 1 pm – 5 pm Bridges Reserve, Bell Street Coburg (Opposite the Coburg Town Hall, 90 Bell Street Coburg)
The opening event of the festival is a free performance
The Desperados 4
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