Fans declare: best yet
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- Gone places: Saskwatch guitarist Robert Muinos with lead singer Nkechi Anele. Robert attended South Gippsland and Leongatha secondary colleges.
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- Moving artist: Saskwatch lead singer Nkechi Anele seizes the stage with her emotional renditions.
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- Summer fun: Warren Reed and daughter Patika of Cape Woolamai love the music.
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- Friends’ time: Lou Curtis-Smith of San Remo and son Toliman Harrison with Tanya Fry from Dromana and Patika Reed of Cape Woolamai.
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- Mates’ day: Glen O’Neill of Leongatha with Martin Forster of Brunswick and his daughter Grace Eagleson-Forster. Martin is formerly of Inverloch.
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- All relative: family members Jocelyn Ashley of Dumbalk, Julia Enter of Stony Creek, Emily Wrath of Wonga Park, Harry Blair-Wrath of Sydney, Ben Wrath of Wonga Park and Oscar Wrath of Wonga Park visit the festival every year.
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- Twirling king: Orlando Kane-Gillard of Cape Woolamai added to the atmosphere with his own party tricks.
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- Elegant picture: sisters Georgie and Charlotte Huntington travelled from their holiday spot at Waratah Bay to savour the music.
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- Friendly fun: John O’Loughlin of Berrys Creek has a laugh with Tarnya Wilson of Meeniyan on a couch courtesy of Berrys Creek CFA.
ONE magical venue, 72 musicians, 2500 appreciative fans.
That summed up the Summer of Soul music festival at the majestic Mossvale Park at Berrys Creek on Sunday.
Leading Australian acts mixed with American sensations Sharon Jones and the Dapkings, straight off the plane that morning from performing at the Sydney Festival the previous night.
Melbourne band Saskwatch was a crowd pleaser, featuring former South Gippsland and Leongatha secondary colleges’ student Robert Muinos on guitar.
“He came to Mossvale as a kid and he was just stoked to be able to get on stage where some of his favourite artists have played,” said Ian Bevington of festival organisers, Lyrebird Arts Council.
Fans travelled from across South Gippsland and as far as Melbourne for the thirteenth annual event, staged by more than 100 volunteers and generously supported by the Berrys Creek CFA, Prom Coast Arts and local businesses.
“The festival had one of the best presales (of tickets) that we have ever had. We have built up a regular base of people because they love the park and love what we do,” Ian said.
“A lot of people have rung me and said it was just the best we had ever done.
“There were a lot of children there. I’ve never seen so many children there.”
Lyrebird Arts Council pursued the soul theme this year to reflect the rise of the style and acknowledge the fact this generation appreciated a variety of music, Ian said.
Sharon Jones and the Dapkings travelled from New York to Australia, and were invited to Mossvale by Lyrebird through a contact at the Sydney Festival.
The line-up also featured Los Coronas, Clairy Browne and the Banging Rackettes, Chris Wilson and Steve Smyth.
Many music fans wanted to camp at the park post festival and Ian said organisers are working with a nearby farmer to offer camping next year.
The festival is usually held in March but was brought forward after Mossvale was flooded three days after the 2012 concert, prompting concern about the reliability of weather during that month.
Short URL: http://thestar.com.au/?p=6001
Posted by brad
on Jan 7 2013. Filed under Arts & Entertainment, Community, Featured.
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