Spirit of the sea Festival

Great fun in a scorcher --Warrnambool Standard 11th Jan 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved

THE Spirit of the Sea Festival was last night pronounced a success by organisers despite a drop in crowd numbers in the scorching afternoon heat. Warrnambool Business Action, which organised the market, estimated about 8000 people visited Koroit Street, a figure similar to last year. But WBA secretary Erin O'Brien said the number of shoppers dwindled around lunchtime as the mercury soared to 37 degrees. "The crowd peaked around 11 o'clock and dispersed a lot earlier than previous years," Mr O'Brien said. "It was just too hot out in the middle of the road." He said the market had been a success nonetheless, with profits spread among a larger number of stallholders than in previous years. Stall attendants reported a fairly busy morning but several said the number of patrons had thinned as the temperature rose. Mr O'Brien said the introduction this year of a gold coin donation at the entrance to the market had reaped an estimated $2000. WBA would use the money to fund future events such as a possible Easter market, he said. Festival organiser Rob Quantrelle said the January event was getting bigger and better each year. Mr Quantrelle said the quality of the performers on the festival's two stages this year had been excellent, including artists with national profiles such as Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. Friday night's Tarerer concert and the Celtic concert on Saturday night had attracted good-sized crowds, he said. Mr Quantrelle said crowd numbers had been steady throughout the day but a lack of shade in such hot weather had been a disadvantage. "We're competing with the most popular feature of Warrnambool - that's the beach." Organiser Cheryle Todd said planning was already under way for next year's festival, with one of the biggest challenges being to attract enough funding. Ms Todd said she had been delighted wit
THE Spirit of the Sea Festival was last night pronounced a success by organisers despite a drop in crowd numbers in the scorching afternoon heat. Warrnambool Business Action, which organised the market, estimated about 8000 people visited Koroit Street, a figure similar to last year. But WBA secretary Erin O'Brien said the number of shoppers dwindled around lunchtime as the mercury soared to 37 degrees. "The crowd peaked around 11 o'clock and dispersed a lot earlier than previous years," Mr O'Brien said. "It was just too hot out in the middle of the road." He said the market had been a success nonetheless, with profits spread among a larger number of stallholders than in previous years. Stall attendants reported a fairly busy morning but several said the number of patrons had thinned as the temperature rose. Mr O'Brien said the introduction this year of a gold coin donation at the entrance to the market had reaped an estimated $2000. WBA would use the money to fund future events such as a possible Easter market, he said. Festival organiser Rob Quantrelle said the January event was getting bigger and better each year. Mr Quantrelle said the quality of the performers on the festival's two stages this year had been excellent, including artists with national profiles such as Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter. Friday night's Tarerer concert and the Celtic concert on Saturday night had attracted good-sized crowds, he said. Mr Quantrelle said crowd numbers had been steady throughout the day but a lack of shade in such hot weather had been a disadvantage. "We're competing with the most popular feature of Warrnambool - that's the beach." Organiser Cheryle Todd said planning was already under way for next year's festival, with one of the biggest challenges being to attract enough funding. Ms Todd said she had been delighted with the success of this year's event and with the professionalism of organisers and stage managers.  Members of the Warrnambool-based band Nutshell, which received the Young Original Music Award yesterday afternoon, said the festival and the award were a good chance to get more recognition. "It helps - just look at (last year's winners) Tukan Sam - it gets some momentum behind you," guitarist Simon Young said. Tukan Sam, after winning the 1998 Young Original Music Award, has gone on to gigs at the popular Pushover and Falls Festival concerts, and was chosen by youth radio station Triple J as south-west Victoria's best young band.




Festival switches on a rare musical feast

THE Spirit of The Sea Festival at the weekend provided a feast of musical talent for south-west audiences. Organiser Rob Quantrelle praised the high standard of performers and the great variety of musical styles on stage throughout the festival. Highlights of the weekend included performances by nationally acclaimed artists Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach, Judith Durham and Shane Howard. Mr Quantrelle said the Tarerer Concert on Friday night, a celebration of indigenous culture, and the Celtic Concert on Saturday night attracted good crowds, as did outdoor stages on the civic green and in Koroit Street. Several artists who performed during the weekend were recognised last night at the annual Roots Music Awards at the Warrnambool Performing Arts Centre. Warrnambool alternative four-piece band Nutshell came out on top against a strong field to win the Young Original Music Award, after forming just six months ago. The band's debut EP, Chowness To The Wowness, is due for release early in the year. Andy Alberts' Gunditjmara Land, performed at the Tarerer Concert to mark the handing over of the region's Sorry Book, was named song of the year. Album of the year also went to Alberts for his Gunditjmara Land CD, released in February 1998. The hardest working rockabilly band in south-west Victoria, Slap 'n' The Cats, received the band of the year award after appearing earlier in the day on the sweltering Koroit Street bush market stage. The female artist of the year award went to Sue Lucas, of Warrnambool zydeco rhythm and blues band Hot Tamale Baby. Popular Warrnambool guitarist and singer Lee Morgan was awarded male artist of the year. He appeared on stage throughout the weekend at the Tarerer concert and at the bush market in Koroit Street.  Members of the Warrnambool-based band Nutshell, which received the Young Original Music Award yesterday afternoon, said the festival and the award were a good chance to get more recognition. "It helps - just look at (last year's winners) Tukan Sam - it gets some momentum behind you," guitarist Simon Young said. Tukan Sam, after winning the 1998 Young Original Music Award, has gone on to gigs at the popular Pushover and Falls Festival concerts, and was chosen by youth radio station Triple J as south-west Victoria's best young band.

Local and national acts free
Warrnambool Standard Dec. 30th 1999 - ©Copyright Warrnambool Standard 1999. All rights reserved
WARRNAMBOOL’S Spirit of the Sea Festival will see some of the south-west’s most popular bands playing alongside some of Australia’s favorites — for free. Local bands Slap ’N’ the Cats, It’s Your Thing, Second Line and The Hot ‘B’ Hines will be playing alongside The Band Who Knew Too Much, Exotics and Ruby Fruit Jungle. Headlining the Spirit of the Sea Festival at Lake Pertobe is R&B duo Vika and Linda Bull and the newest sensation, Bachelor Girl. Vika and Linda Bull will be performing from their latest album, Two Wings, which was co-produced by Australian icons Renee Geyer and Paul Kelly. With the gospel, rhythmic sounds of the Bull sisters, playing at Lake Pertobe in the early hours of the evening should be a magical experience for audiences. Newest pop sensation Bachelor Girl are set to close the Spirit of the Sea in highlight performance featuring tracks from their platinum Waiting For The Day album, which included hit singles, Buses and Trains and Treat Me Good as well as Lucky Me. Spirit of the Sea will kick off at Lake Pertobe on January 2 from 11am with Vika and Linda at 7pm and Bachelor Girl from 8.30pm.