HEALESVILLE may be synonymous with wineries and wildlife, but over the past six years another element has been drawing crowds to the town.
Once a year, local, national and international musicians come to the Yarra Valley for the Healesville Music Festival.
It’s an event that had humble beginnings, but is now drawing top-shelf artists from across Australia and beyond.
The Healesville Music Festival began in 2010 as a one-day, one-stage affair.
It may have only been a word-of-mouth, eight-ensemble occasion, but the grassroots crew that organised that first event – held in Healesville’s leafy Queens Park under a full moon – knew they were on to something.
Since then, the festival has spread across the town.
This year’s festival will be held in a variety of venues, from well-stocked warm bars to the town’s own world-standard performance space known as the Memo.
This year, the festival will be held from Friday 11 November, through to Sunday the 13th.
Event organisers – a tightknit group of locals with a passion for music – are making sure visitors will have an experience that goes far beyond the tunes.
And as to the music … in 2016, the Healesville Music Festival will feature bands such as the Haywood Billy Goats, a traditional string band which hails from North Carolina.
Other musicians who will perform across the weekend include the Tek Tek Ensemble (evoking tropical jungles, late night Balkan weddings), Suzannah Espie (who brings an intoxicating mix of country, folk, blues, and soul) and the Mae Trio (cello, banjo, fiddle, mandolin, guitar, ukulele and three-part harmonies).
For those who want to do more than listen, the festival features workshops, open-mic sessions, as well as a high-octane all-in bush dance.
The quality of performers, the beauty of the region and its proximity to Melbourne means that the Healesville Music Festival is fast becoming a key calendar event.
This year’s performance schedule, ticketing information and other essential details can all be found at healesvillemusicfestival.com.au.
