Mark Whalan
23 September 2023, 11:25 PM
Folk by the Sea showcased performers at the Kiama Pavilion, Kiama Anglican Church hall, Kiama Rugby Club and Kiama Uniting Church hall on Saturday.
One of the highlights of the Kiama Folk by the Sea Festival was The Water Runners on the main stage in the Norfolk room of the Kiama Pavilion. Their current line up has John Littrich on guitar, vocals and harmonica, Danita Harris on violin, and backing vocals Neil McCann on mandolin, banjo, and backing vocals and James Turk on double bass
The Water Runners sing a number of songs that tell the local history of the Kiama area, including stories of massacres, murders and mayhem.
Aljamia are an interesting meld of songs and instruments from Portugal that blend European medieval music with the golden age of La Convivencia with musical influences for Christianity, Islam and Judaism.
Peter Willey at the Kiama Rugby Club performing his version of the hilarious comic classic ‘The Kitchen Tea Tupperware Massacre of 1965.’
Downstairs at the Pavilion in the Saddleback Room, Rusty vs The Redfern Shanty Club had the room singing along to shanty classics with the aid of lyric sheets. They were introduced by local festival organiser legend, Russel Hannah who has been organising local festivals for over 30 years.
The Kiama Anglican Hall had a novel live microphone option for new singers, with 2 songs round robin for new voices to try out for the first time the experience of singing at a folk festival.
Check out a taster of some of this afternoon's sounds here.