The sounds of acoustic music will fill Penola this weekend as the Penola Coonawarra Acoustic Music Gathering kicks off at McCorquindale Park. The three-day event starts tomorrow and runs until Sunday with the event creating a buzz around Penola, being the first major event in the town in over 12 months.
An exciting line-up of talented acoustic artists will hit the stages, with a mix of Adelaide, interstate and local musos, including hilarious and talented headliner Pete Denahy, Australian folk scene icon Bruce Watson, Adelaide-based duo Courtney Robb and Snooks La Vie, talented trio The River Pearlers and international performer Andrew Clermont.
The family-friendly event is being run by the Penola Coonawarra Music Gathering Association, with the committee working hard over the past 12 months to organise the gathering. Committee members Kathy Fennell, Anne Miller and Leigh Miller said crowd numbers were looking good and ticket sales progressing well.
Ms Miller said the gathering would provide a great opportunity for people to come together to enjoy live music, while relaxing with great food and great company. “It’s so uplifting,” she said. “It really will lift everyone’s spirits.” Ms Miller said the event had attracted major sponsors in Stand Like Stone, Bendigo Bank Penola Branch and Wattle Range Council, as well as much appreciated support from the community, Penola High School, the Tourist Information Centre staff and wineries.
Keen campers started arriving on Tuesday and there will be a concert by Brushwood Folk Band and Friends at the Royal Oak Hotel beer garden at 6pm tonight to give people a taste of what is to come. On Friday evening, there will be a welcome barbecue followed by the official opening by Mayor Des Noll and a Welcome to Country.
Over the three-day event, there will be performances, open mics, workshops for local schools, youth mentoring for young musicians, a poetry competition and a Sunday market, which has 17 stalls and is free for anyone to wander through.
This event will be COVID safe and will adhere to all COVID restrictions, regulations and hygiene measures.
Visit www.pcmusicgathering.com.au to purchase tickets, with day tickets are also available at the gate and EFTPOS facilities available.
