Troubadour Central Coast

                       Folk, Spoken Word and Acoustic Music

       
Don't forget to go to our Events Page to see what is coming up next.......

Saturday 17th March, 2012 7pm

CWA Hall , (opposite Fisherman's Wharf)

The Boulevarde, Woy Woy

Bowen & Claire

Australiana Music duo from Richmond Area will wow us with a mixture of Australiana and Irish music.

Bowen & Clare are down to earth singer/songwriters of what they

call ‘Croak Music’ They’re like sugar and spice, she’s soft and sweet, he’s bold and earthy.

If they’re not singing songs you know and love, they’re singing songs you’ll grow to love!

Their music is catchy and energetic with an authentic sound and a

raw edge that conjures up who they are, simple folk, simply living.

Engaging and moving audiences with toe tappin’ guitar, mandolin and harmonica in a fusion of country, folk, bluegrass and more!

An Aussie of Irish decent Darryl Bowen performed Irish and Australian music for well over a decade, whilst front man for Sydney bush band ‘Barbwire’

He penned a few tracks on their album ‘Come to Dinner’ and in 2003 he produced a solo album ‘Just a Sniff’ a mix originals and covers

Lydia Clare is a 10 pound pom, with a musical background, her father Norm and brother Gary Clare are well known brass and woodwind technicians.

Lydia began performing in the late 90’s as an original member of Sydney folk band ‘Wild Honey” It was then that she began writing songs and hasn’t stopped since!

Bowen & Clare came together in 2007 producing their debut album ‘Hillbilly Hippy’ in 2011 with Bill Chambers; it’s a musical patchwork, 14 earthy tracks that colorfully piece together stories, memories, hopes and dreams. Inspired by the peace of the bush and the pioneer spirit that permeates their home in Wheeny Creek NSW.

They have released 2 singles off the album to radio that have been well received throughout Australia. The title track Hillbilly Hippy was awarded the mountain / bluegrass section at the 2011 Canberra Country Music Awards.

for more information visit their website on www.bowenandclare.com

St Patrick's Day Theme night, so wear your greens.

Sunday 19th February , 2012 - 3pm

CWA Hall , (opposite Fisherman's Wharf)

The Boulevarde, Woy Woy

Special Guest Artist on tour from the U.S.A.

George Mann

US folksinger and singer/songwriter George Mann (www.georgemann.org) sings songs from the last century of labour and social activism, and his own songs are powerful and funny takes on the state of the nation.  His concerts are part sing-along, part history lesson, and he can make you shout for joy, send chills down your spine or bring tears to your eyes in the same set.

George created and produced the “Hail to the Thief!” anti-Bush CD series, which featured such folk legends as Tom Paxton, Utah Phillips, Billy Bragg and Magpie, and his work with veterans, unions and anti-war groups has kept him on the front lines for 20 years. For ten years, George toured and recorded with Julius Margolin, who lived to 93 before passing in 2009, and in 2008 George directed 
and produced “A Union Man: The Life and Work of Julius Margolin,” a one-hour documentary about Julius. 

While maintaining a touring schedule of some 150 gigs each year, he has recently turned his eyes toward the nation's veterans and the effects of two long wars on soldiers and their families. George produced a compilation CD of songs focusing on post-traumatic stress disorder and the cost of war to our military families, 
“Until You Come Home: Songs for Veterans and Their Kin” and his latest solo CD, “Songs for Jules and Bruce,” in 2010. He has shared stages with Pete Seeger, Utah Phillips and Faith Petric, among others, and his compilations have featured folk legends like Tom Paxton, Utah Phillips, Billy Bragg and Holly Near.

After nearly 15 years in New York City, George moved upstate in 2010 and has been writing and performing steadily,  including much work with veterans’ homes and organizations. He is currently finishing his next solo CD, due for release in February 2012. George will be touring Australia February and performing at the Cobargo Folk Festival in late February.

and Australia’s own…   John Broomhall

"Listening to the songs of John Broomhall is like taking a draft of fresh air," Sue Jarvis once observed in Sydney's Sun Herald.  John was born in the mining town of Broken Hill and his early albums reflect on the working life and landscape of Australia's outback.  His songs have been recorded by Alan Scott, Penny Davies and Roger Ilott, Vince Brophy, Wongawilli, The Loaded Dog, and Gordon Bok, among others. John is currently completing a collection of maritime songs: "Shorelines: Australian Songs of the Sea.”

December 17,  2011 - 7pm

Christmas Theme Variety Concert

November 26,  2011 - 7pm

Margaret and Bob Fagan

Margaret and Bob Fagan are the original members of Australia's pre-eminent folk music family, The Fagans, and have been delighting audiences both here and abroad for many years with their strong blend of politically-edged traditional and contemporary songs coupled with lyrical ballads and great choruses. Margaret's beautiful voice, Bob's superb guitar playing and their great harmony singing have earned them many accolades. - "Their names are synonymous with excellence"

For more information visit their website http://www.thefagans.com.au/

October 15,  2011 - 7pm

Variety Concert 

“Eve of Destruction”

 Protest Songs From the Sixties

Bring along your best complaints!

September 24,  2011 

"The Rhymer from Ryde" 

Graeme Johnson

Graeme Johnson is a Poet who writes and performs both traditional and original verse following in the footsteps of Australia's rich heritage of rhyme and meter. Known as "The Rhymer from Ryde", Graeme hails from country NSW and has lived in inner city Sydney since 1991.After meeting some colourful characters called "Bush Poets" in 1994, Graeme was inspired to combine his love of language with 25 years of theatrical experience to take his poetry "back to the people".Often described as "painting pictures with words", Graeme uses his skills to draw his audience into his stories about our Great Southern Land and its people.Whether it is his recollections of travels in the countryside, his love of our colonial history, or reliving the experiences of the bohemian residents of Sydney's past, Graeme is drawn with fierce patriotism to embrace the virtues that makes us the "Aussies" that we are today. Since dedicating himself to a life of poverty (being a folk artist) some 5 years ago, Graeme's bookings have taken him right around the Country. Also a popular Master of Ceremonies, Graeme's standing in the arts community has also seen him invited to judge both written and spoken poetry competitions (such as the NSW, VIC & Sth Aust Bush Poetry Championships) on a regular basis. In recent years Graeme has combined his performing versatility with his managerial experience to branch out into directing/organising various Poetry events for clients well outside the Folk Festival genre. These include the Galston Country Music Festival (1999-2005), The South Coast Country Music Festival (2000 & 2002-05) and Hornsby Shire Council's Australia Day Bush Picnic and Olympic Torch Relay Day (2000). He has won the prestigious Banjo Paterson Writing Awards 2004 (for Bush Poetry), the John Dunmore Lang Poetry Prize and been runner up in both the Henry Lawson Society of NSW Adult Literary Prize and Leonard Teal Memorial Spoken Word Award. He has also been a top 10 finalist in the Australian Bush Poetry Championships on many occasions. In the last 10 years Graeme has received over 70 awards (across written & spoken word competitions) for his Bush Poetry, Free verse, Limericks & Yarnspinning. He is published both in magazine and book form, has appeared in 17 Anthologies of Australian poetry and appears regularly on radio. He has produced two books of original verse:"Selected Irregular" in 1980;"Just the Way It is" in 1997; One cassette "The Rhymer from Ryde" in 1999 and Two CD's; "Land Ho" in 2001 and "Lager, Laughs & Lies-Live!" in 2004

Visit Graeme's Website for more information

Supported by "Slightly Off"

Slightly Off is a refreshingly different Central Coast musical act, presenting a 'deranged cabaret' style of entertainment. With their collection of obscure and original murder songs and manic ballads, they love to make the audience laugh and keep them wondering what will happen next. Carl plays guitar and sings in a none-too-delicate style while Leila plays an assortment of instruments, including the tenor banjo, clarinet and musical saw, sings and acts up. Cec has recently added his voice and mandolin to the slightly askew mix. For Slightly Off, the most important aspect of any performance is for the audience to have a good time.

September 11, 2011

Acoustic Music Session

The Troubadour welcomed members of the Troubadour and other folk clubs and invited guests (contact me) to our monthly session and get together at the CWA Hall on the 2nd Sunday of each month (unless otherwise noted) from 2 pm until 6 pm. We will provide coffee and tea. There is a $3 charge to cover the cost of the hall and other related expenses.

August 27,  2011 - Fred Smith 

Smith joined the Australian Department of Foreigh Affairs and Trade in 1997. In July 2009 he was the first civilian to be posted to Uruzgan as part of the second Mentoring and Reconstruction Task Force. He served most of his 18 month tour of the province living and working on the Multinational Base in Tarin Kowt and at a Forward Operating Base in the Chora Valley.

While working in Uruzgan, Fred entertained the Dutch and Australian troops stationed there. On his return to Australia from Afghanistan he released an album entitled "Dust of Uruzgan", consisting of songs responding to the war in Afghanistan.  This will be one of those special opportunities not to be missed. More information about Fred Smith can be found on his website www.fredsmith.com.au

September 10, 2011

Troubadour at the Bays Community Hall

Get involved in your community and share a night of music and fun. Starting with a sausage sizzle at 5:30 and then a performance by  invited members of the Troubadour. After a break for refreshments we will then get the audience to join in the Troubadours with a sing-along where they will get their chance to perform with a live band or just sing along from their seats. We would love to encourage all ages to come along and be part of the performance.

Come and be part of it!!

Our First Ukulele group will be held at Ken's place (please email or phone for details if you are wanting to come along as we can only cater for a small group this month). We plan to share and learn some songs suitable for ukulele. Then, starting from September, we will be holding our Ukulele group on the 4th Monday night of the month at Everglades Country Club from 6.30pm for Dinner, followed by a Uke Session from 7pm to 9pm. You do not need to know how to play ukulele to join in, and some instruction will be given for beginners. Music will be supplied and if you don't have a uke, there will be ukes available to use on the night and some for sale as well. There will be a small cost of around $2 to pay for photocopying and printing expenses.

Last modified: April 08, 2012