Approaching its 21st year, the Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival knows a thing or two about putting on a great community festival. Spread across two and a half days, the festival boasts a huge line up of blues, roots and soul performers as well as a market, several workshops and exhibitions over the weekend.
Performances happen across the town at various locations, with several free events to be enjoyed. The first night of the festival starts off with a bang with the Friday Night Jam held at the Bruthen Inn Hotel. Jammers come from all corners of Australia for the chance to perform and win prizes on the night – entries are open for those who may want to still get involved.
A special event to feature at the festival this year is the Walk Your Blues Away event that hopes to raise awareness around positive mental health. Those taking part of the event will be taken on a slow paced journey filled with original blues music, interesting characters, a choir, poetry and more. In honour of the milestone and importance of the event, Mike Elrington has written an original song titled ‘There Is a Light’ which he will perform for the first time in the rail trail tunnel at the beginning of the walk.
Saturday will also see free entertainment in the Main Street Gardens, family friendly music at the Bruthen Mechanics Hall and a Big Blues Bash at the Bruthen Inn Hotel.
The highlight on Sunday comes with the closing event of the Sunday Recovery at the Bruthen Inn Hotel. Featuring Jed Rowe, Mike Elrington & Rod McLeod, The Justin Yap Band and John-Luke Shelley & the High Speed Steel, it’s set to be the perfect way to close the weekend.
Various workshops will be held across the weekend covering everything from drumming to ukuleles.
There are many free events at the festival, though for ticketed events prices begin at $15 for adults. To find out more or to purchase tickets visit the website: www.bruthenblues.org.au.
THE LINE UP
Freshwater Funklords, Tony J King, Brody Young, Miss Whiskey, Wilson & White, Robin Johnson, Amnesia Blues Band, Mission Brown, Dan Dinnen, Warwick Dean, The Blues Lizards, Matt Borg Trio, Safari Motel, Blue Eyes Cry, Mike Elrington Band, Riley Walsh, East Gippsland Brass, The Rogues, Organic Joe, Joshua Novak, Jed Rowe, Justin Yap Band, John Luke Shelley & High Speed Steel.
When & Where: Various locations, Bruthen – February 19, 20 & 21
