Billed as ‘one mighty weekend, one brilliant festival’, the fifth Turning Wave Festival held in Yass town was hailed a success by festival organisers after nearly 500 online tickets were purchased to see local, national and international Irish and folk artists perform.
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Event coordinator Janno Scanes said she received positive feedback from attendees and all performers, including the many from the Emerald Isle, England and New Zealand.
“We still need to collate and finalise the numbers, but the quality of performers in every genre were exceptional across all ages,” Ms Scanes said.
The weekend celebrated traditional and contemporary Irish and Australian music and related arts, including poetry and dancing - all held at the Memorial Hall, churches, bars and cafes.
“There was also a lot of vibrancy this year,” Ms Scanes said.
The special this year was Tara Finn from Sligo, Ireland. She was joined by Maggie Carty from Galway.
The opening of the festival was held at Yazzbar on September 14 by Ms Scanes, Ambassador of Ireland His Excellency Mr Breandán Ó Caollaí, Elder Ken Bell and event director Norman Merrigan.
Special concerts this year included Geoffrey Graham and ‘Unsung Heroes of Australian History’ - a trio who shine a light on some lesser known characters who have shaped Australia’s history.
In the poetry, Allan Wright was annointed the festival’s reciter of the year by 2016’s winner, Gail Copley.
He received an individual trophy and had his name recorded on a perpetual trophy, displayed each year during the festival’s poetry events.
Dancing included the Scratch Ceili Band and Irish social dancing workshops at St Clements Church.
New to 2017 was Light up the Valley, the Youth Valley Council’s talent show, that was held across three weekends and culminated in the final session at Oddfellows Hall on Friday, September 15.
Mr Merrigan said the event was an acknowledgement of the Australian-Irish relationship.
“We bring Irish guests because in 1823, 75 per cent of the Australian population was Irish. This event helps keep the tradition going,” Mr Merrigan said.
“The event is about passing on the traditions and keeping them alive in the community,” he said.
The festival was closed at the Memorial Hall by the ‘Yass Showcase’ concert, led by Tara Finn, Kirks and Company, Greenshoes on a Bender and Good Vibes Choir.
