EVENTS DIARY

The “Magic of Morocco” is coming to Nyindamurra Family School in Margaret River on Saturday, OCTOBER 4, 2008.

The 26 year old primary school is celebrating all things Morrocan as part of it Open Day/Fete from 10am to 2pm.

To be held in the school grounds, this fun-filled day will feature fantastic Moroccan foods, free activities for children, puppet shows, live music, belly dancing, local produce, stalls, games and prizes.

If you’re looking for some family fun these school holidays make sure you come along.
Look out for the signs on Bussell Highway, 5kms south of Witchliffe.

Well known West Australian artist Bob Booth will launch his latest exhibition at the margaret river gallery on October 4 at 6pm.

The exhibition, titled The Unfinished Painter, will run until October 18.

Booth has a painterly style and is best described as a figurative, gestural colourist.

His considerable versatility is evident in his very varied choice of subject matter.

Over the last five or six years, he has painted predominately land and sea scapes, often featuring parrots and cows. More recently his work has included city scapes, portraiture, some still life and a few nudes.

To date, he uses oils more than acrylics and favors heavy application of thick textured paint on the canvas.

He said he has distilled his aim to simply wanting to paint better, hence the title.

Read Bob Booth’s CV

The first Nanga Music Festival is happening over the weekend of 12-14 September.

Headlining is USA-based singer-songwriter Kristina Olsen, who flies into WA from the east specially for the festival. She will not be playing any other public gigs during her visit.

Olsen’s unique, laid-back acoustic style made her an obvious choice as a headline act. “Kristina epitomises what we’re trying to do at Nanga,” says Artistic Director Jane Cornes.

“She creates this amazingly beautiful, honed-back sound with very little, and has a very strong, warm on-stage persona. She’s everything that we love about live acoustic music.”

Gal duo Doris, blues trio Djangle and Fremantle singer/songwriter Brenda Chapman are just three of a mixed bag of contemporary acoustic and folk acts from WA and interstate to take part.

“There’s something for everyone,” says festival director Rob Phillips. “As well as musical performances, we’ll have dance workshops, musical workshops and campfire singalongs.”

Dubbed “The Friendly Festival” by those who attended its previous incarnation, The Araluen Folk Festival, Nanga promises to be an intimate but dynamic weekend of fine music and entertainment.

The venue is Nanga Bush Camp, an hour’s drive south of Perth near the old mill settlement of Dwellingup. Festival-goers stay deep in the forest, in large, jarrah cabins and mingle at meal times. An on-site canteen and self-catering facilities are available.

EASY STATS:
When: 12-14 September
What: A weekend of contemporary acoustic and folk music in the forest, at the Nanga Bush Camp near Dwellingup.
Key info: The festival brings with it some of the best features of the now defunct Araluen Music Festival, including the famous blind date concert, campfire singalongs and a small, intimate atmosphere designed to let patrons mingle with artists.
Other confirmed acts: Doris, Craig Sinclair & Lara Norman, Saz Lockyer, Paul Gioia Trio, Brenda Chapman, Djangle, Jonathan Brain, Tangled Reel, Simon Nield, Rachel Taylor, Rambling Bilbies, Bob Eden, Danielle Pender.
Meals: Available from an on-site canteen, or festival-goers can choose to self-cater.
Weekend ticket pass: $110, children 17yrs and under free.
Accommodation: $64 per person for two nights. Limited unpowered campsite available at the same cost.
Contact info: Visit www.nangamusic.org.au . Bookings email bookings@nangamusic.org.au or visit www.bocsticketing.com.au. Enquiries ph 0414 862 306.