A hoedown - yee ha

BY CAROLYN THOMAS

It won't just be international performers making music at the 37th annual Auckland Folk Festival at the Kumeu Showgrounds this weekend.

Bring your banjo or mandolin and join in.

About 1500 people are expected to attend the family friendly event with 700 camping from Friday to Sunday night.

Organisers Keith and Cheryl Hollis of Te Atatu Peninsula expect some of the best sounds to come from festival goers.

"The beauty is we've got all these concerts and performers but some of the best stuff is from the campsites," Keith, 65, says.

"People just join in jam sessions."

American guitarist Stefan Grossman, Scottish songstress Emily Smith and wacky Melbourne band Coolgrass are part of the lineup.

Grossman has strummed alongside music legend Eric Clapton and will also be running workshops.

The Hollises, who are grandparents, will take to the stage with their own bluegrass band Shotgun.

"Bluegrass came from the mountains in America," Keith says.

"It's Scottish and Irish music with a twist. It's fast and it's furious."

Keith's involvement with the festival began shortly after it moved to the show- ground in 1993.

It was started by music enthusiast Frank Winter at Mollers Farm in Oratia in 1973.

An award is given each year in memorial of Mr Winter who died in 2003. The 2009 Folk Tui Award will also be presented.

Keith is pleased younger generations have started to come.

"I'm talking about people in their 20s, 30s and even
40s.

"We actively encourage it because it would be a shame for it all to stop."

Keith was president of the Auckland Bluegrass and Traditional Old Time Country Music Club for nine years and is still a member.

He says the festival's small size appeals to international performers.

"We're going to pick up Coolgrass from the airport and they'll stay with us for a night," Keith says. "You just don't get that overseas."

The event goes ahead rain or shine but Cheryl is hoping for something in between.

"Not too hot," says Cheryl. "If it rains it just means we have to jam closer together."

Other volunteers organising the festival include members of Devonport Folk Music, Titirangi Folk Music, Tir Na Nog and the City of Auckland Morris Dancers.

Auckland-based folk band Forbidden Joe, a cappella group Rhonda and The Ravers, and husband and wife team Mary Kippenberger and Peter Charlton-Jones are also performing.

Tickets at the gate or visit www.aucklandfolkfestival.co.nz.

- © Fairfax NZ News