Dear <<First Name>>,

Well, as with almost all events, (bar online ones), this pandemic has, as you know, put paid to our major event in 2021.

We are also, sadly having to deal with the closure (also due to COVID) of our festival database, marcato. The team are working to find a suitable replacement before our next festival in 2022, but in the meantime, forms via the website may look a little different for now.

Our team have, however, been squirrelling away behind the scenes, working towards our 40th anniversary and seeking funding and other measures to have us ready to spring into action as soon as possible.

So (drum roll….) we are thrilled to announce that we’ve been very generously funded by APRA AMCOS to produce our song and tune competition entirely online this year.

For 2020 only (as a COVID support) we are able to offer prizes for best song and best tune of up to $1500.00 (first prize unless a tied result)

As always, entries will be entered online as mp3s only to ensure anonymity and fairness of judging.

You can submit up to two entries via the online form. Entries will be judged, not on performance, but on melody and lyrics (for songs) so no problem if you can’t get together with your band mates to produce a whizz bang sound during a pandemic!!

Entries are only open for the month of October, to give our four wonderful judges ample time to make those hard decisions!

In other news, a shout out goes to a couple of fabulous women in the folk world who are making extraordinary use of their time while unable to play gigs.

Ruth Hazelton, who wrote and produced her brand-new album “Daisywheel” just before lockdown (all those many months ago!) has since, not only been advocating to Govt on behalf of all musicians but has also found time to start an online resource for all things music - add your name and projects where appropriate.

And Christina Mimmocchi is starting a “National Folk Choir”, starting Friday evenings in mid-October. Christina is a stellar choir leader and for those missing the opportunity to sing; be it in a festival or regular choir, here’s an opportunity to do so safely!

Finally, don’t forget that we’re still seeking LOTS of contributions for our 40th anniversary in 2022

We need you to upload photos, stories and even record a three-minute musing about past Cygnet Folk Festivals. We would truly LOVE to hear from you!

Upload Form

In the meantime, stay safe and stay singing, playing or listening and we’ll very gladly gather again when it’s safe to do so.

Erin Collins
Artistic Director

History Project

As you may already be aware, we are collecting memorabilia to celebrate our 40th anniversary in 2022!

Thanks to a grant from Huon Valley Council, we have set up a form on our website where you can upload photos and stories; either in print or a short audio. We’d love to hear from you, especially if you attended some of the very early festivals!

Also, thanks to a very generous offer from our friends and regular festival goers, Pam and Paul Huxtable, we are able to purchase a large hard drive to store these memorabilia for posterity!

As well as a few photos we’ve received-here’s a lovely early story we’ve been gifted from lovely Uta and family! Exactly what we’re after, so please do add yours!!

“When I attended the folk festival for the first time in 2003 as a tourist, I met a young gentleman in a Jigzag concert in the town hall… We have made the pilgrimage down to Cygnet every year since as a married couple.

Five years later we brought our first baby with us; but on the drive down the strong wind uprooted a large gum tree, which smashed our car…

Miraculously, we made it out alive and unscathed – a split-second would have made all the difference. We were deeply shaken, but the happiest people on earth for coming so close to disaster and being given a second chance.

When we eventually made it to the festival it didn’t matter that we’d missed half of it – we did get the whole of our lives. We have learned to enjoy every moment…”

Upload your memory of the past festivals, images or documents via the History Project Upload Form.

Mick Flanagan, one of the founders of the Cygnet Folk Festival, playing button accordion during a session in what looks like the old Middle Pub!

Listen to the Cygnet Folk Festival 2020 Spotify Playlist

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