Bluegrass Music and Food Festival for Catlins
The South Catlins will once again be alive with the sound of music when the Niagara Falls Bluegrass Music Festival returns for a third year on January 22 and 23.
The weekend festival is a chance to hear genuine blue grass at grass roots level, with the Niagara Falls Café venue just a stone’s throw from the hall which is the official home of the Progress Valley Possum Pickers.
Organizers Amanda Banhidi and Trevor Leonard said the relaxed nature of the outdoor festival had struck a chord with musos and festival goers.
“People just loved the fact it was family-friendly and relaxed,” Ms Banhidi said. “The music was amazing and it just carried on all day and all night – it was just great fun.
“Southland seems to embrace bluegrass music because there’s a lot of Irish and Scottish backgrounds among us so they appreciate the styles infused,” she said.
“It has no boundaries and overlaps a lot of other music – there’s something for everyone.”
Variety is the spice of this festival theme – Niagara Falls Café itself will be open and offering a full restaurant service – with other stalls about the grounds offering everything from kebabs to icecream to a award winning boutique beers and home-grown cider.
“We’re not licensed for BYO so we’ve made a real commitment to ensure there’s a good range of products – from boutique to mainstream – at festival prices,” Ms Banhidi said.
Iconic musicians Steven Hayes and Elton McDonald have enlisted a host of talented artists to take the stage for a set during the weekend.
The pair are passionate fans of the bluegrass genre.
“Even though I love screaming electric guitars and drums normally too, bluegrass is performed in the acoustic style and allows instruments like the banjo and violin to really be heard,” Hayes said.
Often described as `the musicians’ music’, bluegrass is characterised by improvisation and unmistakable originality with elements of country, folk, jazz and blues.
After two years behind the bar, Invercargill Brewery owner Steve Nally, has this year enlisted his staff so he can spend more savouring the atmosphere.
“I enjoy the local aspect of it – everything from the musicians to the food is local and that provides a unique flavor,” Mr Nally said.
Freedom Camping is available next door to the cafe at a cost of $10 per camp with proceeds going toward the upkeep of the Niagara Community Hall.