Special Events
JOIN THE CRAIC IN YASS
Poetry Program 2023
Feature poets:
Luke Robinson, Gabrielle Journey Jones, Allan Stone, Jason Roweth, Oliver Roweth, Robyn Sykes
Poetry events held at St Clements Anglican Hall except One Minute Wonders/Poets Farewell
Poetry Competitions:
Reciter of the Year Award: Judged over the Poets Breakfasts on Saturday (8-10am) and Sunday (8.30-10.30). Winner receives a free ticket to the next ICMF to judge the Reciter of the Year, and has their name inscribed on the perpetual trophy, plus takes home small trophy. Performers featured on festival program not eligible. Time limit for poems: 8 minutes
Poets’ Debate:
Locals vs Visitors. Showcasing local Junior talent. MC: Gabrielle Journey Jones.
Winner decided by audience acclamation. Prizes.
U18 Open Mic:
Open mic poetry, all styles welcome, ages 5-18. Winner: trophy plus $50. Second: Poetry supporter’s T-shirt. Thank you to Southern Tablelands Arts for kind support.
One Minute Wonder:
Channel your creativity into a One Minute Wonder! Write a poem over the weekend, containing the topic words, which are available at all poetry events from Friday. Come to the Lovat Chapel on Sunday afternoon, 2-3pm, and present your poem in one minute or less. Winner decided by audience acclamation. Prize $100.
Entry to poetry events is by festival wristband or $5 tickets at the door.
Events
Friday
Poetry Soirée, St Clements Anglican Hall
20 - 22 Church St, Yass.
Doors open 5.30. Dinner by Anglican Ladies $25. Served 6pm. Bookings essential (for catering). Please confirm bookings for dinner and dietary requirements to Robyn Sykes by Monday September 11th. 0401 289 178.
All ages welcome. MC: Allan Stone.
Music 5.45-6.30pm. Poetry starts 6.30pm with an Open Mic, then Festival poets.
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
Saturday
Poets' Breakfast 8 -10am. St Clements Anglican Hall
Open mic, all ages welcome. MCs: Robyn Sykes and Oliver Roweth.
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
U18 Poetry Performance Workshop 11am -12pm St Clements Anglican Hall
Join award-winning performer Robyn Sykes for ideas and exercises to improve your poetry and other presentations. Free event. Thank you to the NSW Government and Southern Tablelands Arts for funding this workshop via a Country Area Support Program grant.
U18 Open mic event, 2 - 3pm. St Clements Anglican Hall
Open mic poetry, all styles welcome, ages 5-18. Costumes/props welcome but not necessary. Youth poetry supported by Southern Tablelands Arts.
MC: Allan Stone. Judges: Luke Robinson /Gabrielle Journey Jones. Free event. Winner: trophy plus $50.
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
NB: We also encourage young people to participate in the Poets Breakfasts, Poetry Debate, One Minute Poems and other poetry events.
Poets’ Debate 3 - 4pm. St Clements Anglican Hall
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
Sunday
Poets’ Breakfast 8.30 - 10.30am. St Clements Anglican Hall
MCs: Luke Robinson, Jason Roweth. All ages welcome. Reciter of the Year announced. Judge: Ric Ahearn.
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
Poets' Farewell, 2.30 - 4.00pm. Lovat Chapel
Featuring One Minute Wonders (winner $100). Reciter of the Year performance and Festival Poets. MC Robyn Sykes.
Entry by wristband or $5 per session.
A big thank you to Jeffrey Brown for providing sound to all poetry events.
This project is supported by the Country Arts Support Program, a devolved funding program administered by Southern Tablelands Arts on behalf of the NSW Government.
Junior Fleadh
Free youth workshops in irish music and dance!
Come and join the Junior Fleadh at the Irish and Celtic Music Festival. All musical abilities welcome.
Mt Carmel School, via the Hartigan Centre, Meehan St Yass
Saturday 16th & Sunday 17th September 9.30am to 11.30am.
Following the Sunday program lunch will be provided then students will present a showcase concert at 12:30pm.
Bring your own instrument if you have one. D whistles available for the total beginners or kids who do not have an instrument of their own.
REGISTRATION
Dance Program
Irish Set Dancing Workshops and Ceilis
SATURDAY 16th September 2023
St Augustine's Hall - 10am - 12pm
Workshop 1 - Irish Set Dancing with Paul & Leslie Carr.
Riverbank Park (Celtic Markets) 2pm - 2.30pm
Display by ‘Set In Their Ways’ led by Paul & Leslie Carr.
St Augustine's Hall - 7.30pm - 10.30pm
Festival Ceili
SUNDAY 17th September 2023
St Augustine's Hall - 10am - 12pm
Workshop 2 - Irish Set Dancing with Paul & Leslie Carr.
St Augustine's Hall - 12.30pm - 2.30pm
Farewell Ceili
Both Ceilis will be dancing to some of Australia's finest dance musicians lead by Ian Hayden.
Entry to dance workshops is by festival wristband or $10.00 at the door!
Entry to each Ceili is by festival wristband or $15.00 at the door.
ENJOY THE CRAIC. Light refreshments available.
IRISH LANGUAGE, CONVERSATION & MUSIC
Kaffeine Coffee Shop, 1/175 Comur St, Yass
11am, Saturday 16th September 2023
“Maidin Caifé agus Ceol”
(Morning Coffee and Music)
Come along, enjoy a cuppa and a cake with some
Irish speakers, students, enthusiasts and friends.
Speak a bit of Irish, learn a few phrases, or just listen and tap your toes to the vibrant Traditional music of Ireland.
Enjoy the Craic and a warm Irish Failte! (Welcome!)
Join with the Canberra Irish Language Association (CILA)
plus the Friends of Ireland (FOI) for a morning of fun.
For more information contact Máire O’Callaghan.
Ph. O413 311 329
Friends of Ireland via email: contactfoi276@gmail.com
or CILA on 0457 179 996 or cila.enquiries@gmail.com
WORKSHOPS.
Saturday 16th September
Find your Voice with Di Clifford
12.30pm - 1pm. St Augustine's Church Hall, 99 Meehan St
Bodhran with Peter Moir
2.00pm - 3.00pm. St Augustine's Church Hall, 99 Meehan St
Catering for all ages and abilities. Participants need to bring their own drum.
Festival Choir with Di Clifford
3.30pm - 4.30pm. St Augustine's Church Hall, 99 Meehan St
Entry to workshops by festival wristband or $10 in the festival office or @ the door.
Sunday
17th September
Beginners Harmonica with Jeff Brown
11.00am - 12.00pm. St Clements Anglican Hall, 20-22 Church St
Festival Choir with Di Clifford
12.30pm. Hartigan Centre, 111 Meehan St
Skills Development Harmonica class with Jeff Brown
1.00pm - 2.00pm. St Clements Anglican Hall, 20-22 Church St
A diatonic harmonica in C major is required for both workshops. However, a chromatic instrument is also welcome if you have one. (For existing players)
Comur Street Festival Choir Performance
2.30pm Comur St TBC (no cost)
Entry to workshops by festival wristband or $10 in the festival office or @ the door.
JOIN THE CRAIC IN YASS
2024 FESTIVAL - 13th - 14th - 15th September
CONTACT
Janno Scanes | Director
E: janno499@bigpond.com
P: 0429 608 566
Festival Postal Address
4 Short St, Yass NSW 2582
Yass Valley Information Centre
P: 02 6226 2557
Centre Address
259 Comur St, Yass NSW 2582
