The National Folk Festival is set to host an A-list of over 200 international and national artists across 18 venues for its massive 50th anniversary over the Easter weekend. As part of the celebrations, the festival will feature performances byacclaimed and award-winning Aboriginal artists, musicians, dancers and storytellers.
Leading the program is Stephen Baamba Albert, the singer, storyteller and star of Bran Nue Dae, Corrugation Rd,The Circuit and Mary G. Baamba will be performing tracks from his debut album Baad, including classic Cole Porter and Engelbert Humperdinksongs.
Also joining the festival lineup are Rayella, Mudburra hailing from one of the most remote locations in Australia, in the Northern Territory’s Marlinja community. Their music is sung in both Mudburra and English with a style that ranges from pop to country, rock and reggae.
Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse will make their festival return, as will 2011 NAIDOC Artist of the Year Jacinta Price, a crowd favourite whose songs conjure up a Tracy Chapman feel.
Apart from the music itself, The Djaadjawan Dancers will be back at the National Folk Festival, and the fascinating presentation Black And White Tanglewill follow ther story of early indigenous musicians in Australia, featuring Kamilaroi man Col Hardy, who began his career in the 1960s as a member of the Opals.
The 2016National Folk Festival takes over Exhibition Park, Canberra Thursday March 24 to Monday March 28.
