In Australia, we have folk festivals happening almost every weekend, somewhere all over the country.

The National Folk Festival in Canberra at Easter is a good one to check out. Big enough to have some of our best acts, and truly folk. Its well planned, all sites are within walking distance, facilities are good (hot showers, good camping on site). if you're interested, check out:

http://www.folkfestival.asn.au/

National Folk Festival
8 April to 12 April 2004, Exhibition Park in Canberra, Australia
Dissent, Victoria, and the High Country
The National has concerts, spoken word events, dances, classes in all sorts of performance (and sometimes home-brewing), and 2004 looks like being the best year yet, with a strong turn-out from Victoria, Western Australian, and some special guests from all over, including the USA, New Zealand, Sweden and Finland.

The National Folk Festival accepts applications year round. We give preference to Australian performers and usually do not accept an international band unless they are a unique performer or can add an unusual musicality to the Festival. We offer 16 venues, from large concert and dance halls to intimate wine bars and everywhere in between - so every performer can find a niche. We carefully balance performers from across Australia in the program.
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regards

freda