By Kaija Du
The festival of Small Halls is coming to Ballan on March 5 and bringing folk music artists from across Australia and the world with it.
Taking to the stage at Ballan Neighbourhood Hous will be UK-born singer-songwriter Lucy Farrell and Hat Fitz and Cara, a high-energy duo from the Sunshine Coast.
Opening for the artists is western Victorian singer Paper Cranes.
Small Halls is a community driven regional music tour which has run for 12 years, partnering with councils to visit 15 to 20 communities in a month.
The festival brings one international and one Australian artist to town.
“Particularly for regional agricultural communities that are working all the time, it becomes a really wonderful pivot point, because music can be such a healing and powerful thing and a great way to spend the evening,” this year’s autumn tour producer, Isobel bartlett said.
The tour is partnering with the Port Fairy Folk Festival to bring larger artists to the area.
This also brings awareness to the event and has brought audiences to follow the event into small towns, Bartlett said.
These crowds and the connection with bigger artists also help leverage local artists like Paper Cranes.
“The impact is amazing. Previous tours have allowed historical halls to be saved from demolishment by proving their value, communities have raised money to buy a new fire truck and defib and councils have applied for funding for new sound equipment,” Bartlett said.
The festival concept originates from Prince Edward Island in Canada, a folk music heavy area which has utilised a similar touring structure since 2008.
In 2013, the concept was introduced in Australia before Ontario, Canada, started its Small Halls festival in 2014.
The show at Ballan Neighbourhood House is on March 5 at 6:30. Tickets are $20 for adults. Details: smallhalls.flicket.io/
