I arrived at the Badges on the Thursday, a day in advance and opened up. Then it was off to dialysis in Maryborough at the crack of dawn next morning. That has been another significant factor that has enabled me to keep coming, being able to go there and dialyse for the last 10 years with only one exception. Later in the day I was back in Maldon and the Badges had arrived.
Once they had settled in we went down before the rush to get our armbands, to become fighters of the revolution or to become inmates, only the weekend ahead would tell. Lady Bear was there too, playing out the front with Odds N Sods.
Locals gathering outside the Kangaroo |
The Primary School Market was a washout |
The Snakepit was the hilight for the kids! |
From there I made my way to the Penny School to see Maldon perennials, Jeanette Gillespie and Duncan Brown. Kristin from the Blues Club was volunteering on the door and had certainly picked a good venue to be "stuck at".
The Instrument Makers Display |
Crowd Ready and waiting for Uncle Bill |
To keep the kids entertained the break between each act was taken up by Hannacrobatics performing her amazing contortions with small hoops etc.
The Legendary Shane Howard |
We made our way to the traditional Blues Concert at the Football Club rooms via the Kangaroo where I espied a delicious looking rhubarb and apple tart do a complete loop of the Hotel before it found an owner. I was smitten.
The Concert commenced with lap steel guitarist Dan Musil in the Bill Woodville Pavilion. He sounded great from the toilets, but didn't seem to come across on stage in person where he lacked stage presence.
In the weeks leading up to the Festival I had been anticipating Tabasco Tom & Doc White, but found they were very disappointing. Like a poor man's Dutch Tilders.
Next came Rosie Haden, but I felt I could leave this act, that rhubarb and apple tart was calling - to be served with a dolop of cream and double scoop of ice cream as my tea.
Back at the Blues Concert the best act of the night was the roots band Jed Rowe Band.
The Goodtime Medicine Band |
Matty Wilson in the Guinness Tent |
Sol Nation in the Guinness Tent |
Earl Grey Policy in the Wine Tent |
In the early hours of Sunday morning I made my way back to the Badges, with a good sleep in to follow.
Much later Sunday morning I cooked us all snags, tomatoes, bacon and eggs on toast for breakfast.
By the time we got back down town it was midday. An amazing Javanese band and dancers, Mugi Rahayu, was performing in the rotunda in the park, so we watched them before moving off to catch the bus back up to the Butts.
Dannie McKenzie of Woohoo Revue at the Butts, Case in Hand |
Traditional Bolivian band, Acequia, were playing in the Guinness Tent with instruments from their homeland.
Lunch was from Jerry the Veggies Burger King, scrumpuous as always. My other favourite is the Indian stall. The food is always a good array at Maldon and of a good quality.
Uncle Bill was on again at the Guinness Tent and this was followed by the Roaring Forties singing unaccompanied traditional songs in the Wine Tent. I also caught a little of folk guitarist and singer, Chris Aronsten, here too.
Dya Singh in Guinness the Tent |
Stevie Wilson in the Guinness Tent |
Colonial folk band, The Currency, were in the Guinness Tent but they were nothing to get excited about.
Crowd Watching Shane Howard in Guinness Tent |
Young guitarist Stephen O'Hern was next strutting his stuff in the Wine Tent.
Matiss at the Butts |
Atmosphere at The Butts |
Leary at Blues Club Camp at Butts |
More in the folk pop vein, Damian Howard with The Ploughboys was on today as well in the Guinness Tent.
Over at the Wine Tent was Jan Preston but she was still going on ad nauseum about how she wrote the theme song for "Australian Story" so I didn't hang around for long.
Celtic folk band, Saoirse, played next in Wine Tent. Tony O'Neill on guitar, mandolin and fiddle has been the stalwart of many a band that has played at Maldon for as long as I can remember.
The Molly Maguires in Guinness Tent |
I did quite enjoy Pablo, an unaccompanied choir, back in the Wine Tent.
I found two very amusing young children who have made up a collection of stones and was selling them.
Tiny Lounge Session with waitress singing at Kangaroo Hotel |
Monday morning and off to dialysis again.
By the time I got back Helen Begley was on in the Maldon Hotel followed by Mark Cryle and the Redeemers who seemed to be just another incarnation of Spot the Dog?
Edward Badge suffering for the Error of His Ways |
The Abbie Cardwell entourage heading for the Maldon Hotel |
Atmosphere on Final Day in Maldon Hotel |
Jan Badge remonstrating with Megs, from the Rhys Crimmins Band, and her partner Ben |
Next was The Wildes; not bad for a country band.
Edward by now had discovered a remedy for his malaise and was dancing merrily with Jan as the the Molly Maguires fired up, or rather didn't fire up. It would have been good to go out with a bang, but instead of their normal lively performance they started doing these laid back numbers.
The Festival was definitely over, it was time to go home.
[Og Bear]
For more photos go to:
http://picasaweb.google.com/OgBear/MaldonFolkFestival2010#
For a slideshow go to:
https://picasaweb.google.com/OgBear/MaldonFolkFestival2010#slideshow/