Dear Port Fairy Folk Festival Friend,
 

Last night was the opening night of The ExChange, a boutique micro conference presented by Folk Alliance International in the shining regional City of Geelong, opened with a beautiful ceremony by proud Wadawurrung Woman Corrina Eccles and Norman Stanley. They also welcomed Hubert Francis, Elder, Elsipogtog, New Brunswick, Canada. It set the tone for a magnificent night.

 

The Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Jamie McKew, and the audience filled with national and international delegates was bursting with pride, love and respect for our wonderful founding director. 

 

Previous recipients of the award include Pete Seeger, Joni Mitchell, Alan Lomax and Smithsonian Folkways.

In 1977, Jamie established the Port Fairy Folk Festival and for more than 40 years he has been committed to the presentation, promotion and celebration of great folk music on a global level. For 44 years, Jamie has been instrumental in creating opportunities for thousands of artists in Australia and abroad.
On receiving the Folk Alliance International award, Jamie said he was totally surprised, confessing he was lost for words. 

“It is very life affirming to be embraced by the wonderful folk music community both nationally and internationally. Personally, this award is a great privilege, and also a challenge. It is a privilege to receive an award such as this because it also recognises all who contribute to the vast and complex folk music world. We acknowledge all artists, volunteers, crews, media, other festivals and all who have supported us over 40 plus years. The award is really a recognition for the booming Geelong music scene and the Port Fairy Folk Festival which was dreamed up here in 1977,’’ said Dr McKew.

Board President of Folk Alliance International, Lisa Schwartz said:

‘’Folk Alliance International was established over 30 years to preserve, present and promote all iterations of folk music. We celebrate the significance it plays politically, socially and culturally, and we are committed to advancing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion within the music industry. Each year we present the Elaine Weissman Lifetime Achievement Award to people and organisations that have had a tremendous impact in the field, and we are thrilled to now present the award to our first Australian recipient, the founding Director of the Port Fairy Folk Festival, Jamie McKew.”

Another highlight was the opening of The Force of Folk Exhibition at Platform Arts Gallery. The Exhibition is for three days only and closes on Wednesday night after the Liz Stringer and John Smith concert.

During the next 48 hours some brilliant showcase concerts are open to the public at a wonderful selection of Geelong venues: