Festival Director’s Welcome ‘Do not fear mistakes. There are none’. Miles Davis Welcome to the 4th annual Bello Winter Music, an intimate, family friendly event that spreads across the venues of Bellingen over four wonderful days. This is a festival where you go to discover new music from across the globe and Australia in a village setting. The program is diverse, quirky and full of surprises including one-off performances that encourage collaboration between artists. The emphasis is on great live music and a friendly, inclusive, community atmosphere. In programming the event we don’t limit it to one genre. We truly believe there is something for everybody. We love that in one venue there can be three singers huddled around a single mic singing gorgeous harmonies to an entranced crowd, and in a venue up the road there is an absolutely thumping eight piece funk and soul band. The festival is about music and fun, and the greatest experience is gained with an open mind. So give new and interesting bands a go, you might be surprised. There are no mistakes, and if you don’t like a gig then there is another gig just across the road or down the street.
It’s with great pleasure that I welcome all the visitors to the shire who are attending the fourth Bello Winter Music festival. We are once again all look-
ing forward to seeing the amazing music and performances that this fabulous event brings to our region. The line up of highly talented international and local musicians will guarantee an incredible four days of entertainment and fun. I personally always enjoy absorbing the buzz and good will that emanates throughout the festival and can’t wait to get amongst it. I would also encourage any visitors to take the time to discover the rest of the Shire. We locals are blessed to live in one of the most biodiverse and naturally beautiful places on the planet and encourage you to go and enjoy our clean beaches, forests, rivers and mountains while your here. For details on scenic drives, arts and crafts, trails or local markets drop into our Visitor Centres or download our Discovery Apps for the latest on other events and attractions. See you at the festival! Cr Dominic King
Hit picks for me include checking out Tangents, Satsuki Odamura and the Sydney Koto Ensemble, Lillie Mae, Fraser A. Gorman and Deborah Conway with Willy Zygier. I’m also thrilled Jack Carty is back again as our festival patron. The Street Parade, Youth Mentorship Program and LeaF sustainable festival all return. Mandy Nolan, Brian Nankervis and Seth Jordan also appear at the festival, providing fun insights into the many amazing performers of the 2018 lineup. In 2018 with the help of Waste Not Bellingen, and supported by Bellingen Solar and The Bellingen Brewery, we are moving towards a Waste Free festival. More details are found in the LeaF program on page 23. BWM is a ticketed event and takes place in the official venues of the festival in the town of Bellingen. Inevitably some performers will be more popular than others, and venues have their individual capacity numbers. Please, if you are concerned you might not get into a ‘must see’ act, get there early. If you miss out then there is another great gig nearby. Glenn Wright Director
From the Mayor