Festival of Small Halls returns to Emu Park this December

Capricorn Coast residents will be treated to the delightfully distinctive sounds of musical group Inn Echo, solo artist Sam Buckingham and local duo The Hello Brothers, at the Festival of Small Halls event when it returns to the region on December 1.

The annual ticketed event is open to the whole community and will be held at the Emu Park Cultural Hall with doors opening at 6.30pm.

Presented by Woodfordia Inc., the not-for-profit music tour highlights the importance of community connection, by celebrating the time-old tradition of gathering in a small hall to enjoy live music and storytelling.

The Festival of Small Halls is now in its thirty-first year of touring and exhibits some of the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists in halls throughout Australia.

Ellie-Lea Jansson, producer of the Festival of Small Halls, said that joy is felt by everyone involved in the event, with artists experiencing a profound enrichment from the welcoming spirit of the hosts in each regional town.

“Those who share in this wonderous night of music and kinship all agree that it is an experience that can’t be rivalled by large arena shows and is a triumph of the small but mighty hall,” Ms Jansson said.

Inn Echo is comprised of fiddler Karson McKeown (Ottawa, Ontario), cellist/fiddler Tuli Porcher (Victoria, British Colombia) and guitarist Tom Gammons (Montana, USA).

As a musical group they weave hundreds of years of traditional tunes with contemporary originals and arrangements that both soar and make you catch your breath simultaneously.

Inn Echo said that they are beyond excited to bring their music to Australia for the first time as part of the Festival of Small Halls.

Sam Buckingham, a solo artist hailing from the Northern Rivers of NSW, perfectly balances poetry and pop to create an intimate, dynamic and uplifting show that’s guaranteed to leave you feeling bigger on the inside.

Ms Buckingham said to be invited to work with the legendary Small Halls tour feels like a dream.

“I’ve seen my friends play these shows and heard them rave about the incredible team and lovely people they meet along the way. I’m honoured to become a part of this nation-wide family,” said Ms Buckingham.

The Hello Brothers, Steve Schravemade and Will Lutton, have enjoyed local success playing music around Central Queensland at various venues and events for the last decade.

“We are excited to play some our original acoustic folk style songs for the Capricorn Coast community at the Festival of Small Halls this December.”

Councillor Rhodes Watson, Portfolio Holder of Vibrant Community (Tourism, Arts Culture) said that the Capricorn Coast is privileged to be a part of Australia’s largest dedicated regional music tour.

“I encourage all residents to purchase tickets and come together to celebrate community, culture and good music at the charming Emu Park Cultural Hall.”

Tickets are now available to purchase from https://smallhalls.iwannaticket.com.au/

The Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour is supported by the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative.