Ballarat BLUES Festival

04/11/2023

The last Blues Guitar Roadshow for 2023 happening TODAY!!! Tickets still available
All Seasons BENDIGO FROM 3PM-6PM
come celebrate the Blues with a terrific line up
Tix at www.allseasonsbendigo.com.au

This will be our 7th show! Having a break the first few months of 2024 with new dates coming soon.

24/10/2023

Something for the Blues Lovers at a Wonderful venue in Creswick **Odessa at Leaver's Hotel ** this weekend!

Lots of info and things happening this week/end!

Tonight is local night!
$30 for 2 courses!

☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️ ☘️

Irish night at Leaver's Hotel this week! From 5:30…Tuesday 24th October! 🇮🇪

2 courses for $30 - choices are:

🌟Guinness pie with creamy mash & vegies
🌟 Corned Beef, white sauce & vegies
Veggie tart

Desserts

🌟 Apple Berry crumble
🌟 Peach pie ice cream

Vegetarian option available also - please let us know when booking- or if any other dietary requirements 🙏

Book with Kate: 0408 555 548 🇮🇪

And this weekend we have our little gig Blues weekend all weekend!

Join Valley Road and Mandy Connell for an evening of honest and captivating music Friday
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Tickets $20 via https://www.trybooking.com/CLVJD

Then Saturday We are kicking of our Big gig, little gig with a whole weekend of music featuring

Louis King
Jarrod Shaw
Georgia Rodgers
Elly Mac
Candace Alissa
Many Connell
Mal Beveridge

Music will start on Saturday afternoon at 2pm and go though to the evening. Sunday we will have the music in the morning through to arvo.

your ticket gives you entry all weekend.
https://www.trybooking.com/CLRJU

30/09/2023

How good was Lloyd Spiegel at the Ballarat BLUES Festival Main event! Catch his tour and get the full Spiegel experience this October

October shaping up to be a cracking run of shows in VIC, WA and SA. Tickets at lloydspiegel.com. Hope you can join us.
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25/09/2023

Odessa Bar and Ballarat Blues Festival present
DOUBLE SHOT OF THE BLUES
FIONA BOYES / JOHN McNAMARA
Sun Oct 8th
20 dollar bargain!
https://www.trybooking.com/CLYSY

FIONA BOYES The only Australian musician ever to be recognised in the American Blues Foundation (Memphis) ‘Blues Music Awards’, with 8 nominations, including 2019 ’Traditional Female Artist of the Year’. Performances featuring guitars, vocals and unique cigarbox instruments. International recording artist and touring musician.
You'll Hear Delta slide guitar, Single chord Mississippi Hills grooves, intricate country blues finger picking, long wiht material drawn from the classic blues sounds of New Orleans, Chicago and Memphis. As her friend and mentor, the late, great Hubert Sumlin (Howlin/ Wolf's Guitarist said. "She's Got it! I've played with all of them - and she's got it!"
Fiona was inducted into the Blues Victoria Hall of Fame 2023.
”...one of the world’s best fingerpicking blues guitarists...” (The Guardian, Australia)

JOHN McNAMARA Multi Award winning Blues artists, gaining rave reviews worldwide and several songs reaching number 1 chart position in the US Blues and soul charts, John has been hailed as "the Real Deal". John's voice has been likened to the soul greats, Sam Cooke and Otis Redding & guitar skills to match "He's one of those underrated guitar masters". Not only a regular on the Blues Festival scene here in Aus, armed with his Mini Maton guitar, John has wowed audiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Germany, Japan and South East Asia to the home of blues Beal St Memphis.
"The Bastard made me feel insecure. He's So Good" - Russell Morris
"So Much Soul and Edge" - Eric Martin (mr. Big)

09/09/2023

If you enjoyed Andrea and John at the Ballarat Blues Festival Main Event here is a chance to see thier new Tribute show to Sam Cooke and Tina Turner 'locally' at Maryborough Highland Society!

29/08/2023

Hey there, Hop Fam! 🍻 What a day it's been at Hop Temple! We've just wrapped up an epic event that had the whole place buzzing. If you missed out on the action today, don't worry - we've got you covered with all the highlights. Charlie Bedford's Bluesy Start The…

28/08/2023

Wow.. That was a blast!!! Ballarat BLUES Festival 2023 done. :)
The Main Event theatre show ended with an insane all star jam and full standing ovation.

An absolute honour to share the stage with these Aus music legends. Thank you all.
It certainly was a big job putting it together and selling seats but you all made it so damn fun and easy on the day and we executed somthing
So unique and exciting. There is nothing else like it.
Andrea Marr was a huge help on the day and on MC duties, bringing the party.
Big sound, big stage... oh man, it was fun!
The house band worked their arses clean off Dave Clark , Andrew Fry Shane Gilbert Dan West you guys rock!

We have a few Blues Guitar Roadshow coming up soon to keep this party going. Thornbury Theatre Oct 7th Riverlinks Mooroopna Oct 8th and Bendigo All season Nov 5th has Just NOW gone on Sale. :)

Lloyd Spiegel Geoff Achison Jimi Hocking Phil Manning Fiona Boyes Andrea Marr Anna Scionti Trio Riding Northbound Brett Garsed Brett Garsed Joe Creighton Eddy Boyle Sean Vee Shaun Klinger I salute you. We pulled it off!!!

27/08/2023

THANK YOU to all these wonderful musicians on the stage! I'm sure we broke some kind of record for Aus blues musicians playing together. :) Thank you to the Ballarat Grammar and Clarendon College students who tore it up on this stage also! SLC did a wonderful job on sound. Beautiful venue and team at Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts

To the other wonderful venues and artist that played around town it was a great weekend and we look forward to doing it all again this time next year! Bring on 2024 Ballarat BLUES Festival

From Top left to right
Dave Clark, David Carr, Carolyn Oates, Anna Scionti, Joe Creighton, Eddy Boyle, Jimi Hocking, Andrea Marr, Sean Vagg, Phil Manning, Brett Garsed, LLoyd Spiegel,
From Bottom left to right
Shane Gilbert, Andrew Fry, John McNamara, Geoff Achison, Fiona Boyes.

Main event acts that are missing from the pic
Chris Rourke, Mark Degiorgio, Ballarat Grammar students, Clarendon College students.

27/08/2023

27/08/2023

And we're off!!!
With Anna Scionti Music

27/08/2023

Ballarat BLUES Festival :)

Tox still available on the door.

Woop

26/08/2023

Tickets still available for today's MAIN EVENT at Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts.
Book at www.wcpa.com.au or simply head to the Box Office at the venue and purchase them on your way in. Show kicks off at 1:30 for Ballarat's Biggest Ever Blues Event! :) 1:30 - 6pm Sun 27th
"Don't miss this ensemble spectacular!"

Also Today HOP TEMPLE has free entertainment with Charlie Bedford in the afternoon then an After Party Blues Jam from 6:30 till 9.

About the Venue The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts opened in 2006 and was developed in partnership between Ballarat Grammar and the wider Ballarat community. The Centre is located at 1220 Howitt Street Wendouree, opposite the Howitt Street shopping precinct and adjoining Ballarat Grammar.  Co...

26/08/2023

Thrilled with Suprise guest today Jonno Zilber jumping up for a few songs after Geoff Achison , John McNamara and Jarrod Shaw .
More Geoff and Jams to come!

26/08/2023

Geoff Achison kicking things off NOW at the Hop Temple!

25/08/2023

STARTING TOMORROW THE 2023 Ballarat BLUES Festival :)

Below are all the acts and venues.
Just Rock up to any of the Free events on the day.
*You can book your tix for Sat nights show at Volta via their website or by tix at the door.
*tix still available for the Main Event on Sunday or purchase at the door on the day.

The Full list of acts and venues for the 2023 Ballarat BLUES Festival Aug 26/27
CHECK OUT THESE TERRIFIC ACTS AND VENUES AND GET READY TO PARTY

FREE MUSIC @ THE HOP TEMPLE 24 Armstrong St Nrth Ballarat
Sat 26th August 1:30-4pm Geoff Achison & Friends! Acoustic Session
Sun 27th August 1:30-4pm - Charlie Bedford
Sun 27th August 6:30-9pm The After Party Blues Jam (feat Iseula, Shaun Klinger, Chris Rourke, Mark Degiorgio and plenty of Guests!)

FREE MUSIC @ AUNTY JACKS
315-217 Mair ST Ballarat
Sat 26th 4:30-7pm
*Jarrod Shaw

VOLTA 15 Field ST Ballarat
SAT NIGHT BLUES VENUE
Sat 26th from 7:30pm $25 Door charge
*Dan Dinnen
*Bill Barber and the Holding Cell
*Collard Greens and Gravy

SUN the Main Event from 1:30 -6pm
Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts
Tickets from $55
**Over 30 musicians onstage**

Phil Manning (Chain),
Geoff Achison,
Jimi Hocking (Screaming Jets),
Lloyd Spiegel - Special Guest,
Fiona Boyes,
Andrea Marr,
Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band),
The McNaMarr Project,
Anna Scionti Trio,
Joe Creighton (Farnham Band),
Riding Northbound,
Shane Gilbert,
Eddie Boyle,
Iseula,
Dave Clarke, Andrew Fry, Dan West, Sean Vagg,

Plus a performance from Ballarat Grammar and Clarendon College!

GET YOUR TIX NOW @ www.wcpa.com.au

*Advert by Nick @ Jumbo Creative Ballarat

22/08/2023

🎸🍺 Dive into the Blues at Aunty Jacks! 🍺🎸

The rhythm of the Ballarat Blues Festival is echoing through town, and Aunty Jacks is set to be one of its vibrant stages! This Saturday, treat your ears to the soul-stirring sounds of Jarrod Shaw.

⏳ Time: 4.30pm - 7pm

There's nothing quite like good music paired with great brews. So, lace up your dancing shoes, gather your mates, and join us for an unforgettable blues experience!

Get your bookings in via our website: www.auntyjacks.com.au

Welcome to Aunty Jacks. There’s something special about drinking a beer right where it was made. Dine In or shop online.

22/08/2023

Thrilled that Brett Garsed and Joe Creighton are featured at the main event this Sunday!!! Great little video of Brett, Joe and John at the theatre.
Don't forget to Book your tickets for the main event :)

Meet Brett Garsed, Joe Creighton and John McNamara who will be performing at the 2023 Ballarat Blues Festival. Video by Kate Healy and Adam Spencer.

21/08/2023

So much FREE entertainment at the HOP TEMPLE for the Ballarat BLUES Festival !!!

Also, VOLTA has this Sat night sorted with arianaward winning Collards Greens and Gravy, Bill Barber and the Holding Cell and Dan Dinnen . Tix via their website or $25 pay at the door.

Plus the Main Event Sun at the Wendouree Centre For Performing Arts tix still available!
Head to www.ballaratbluesfestival.com for more details

21/08/2023

🎸🎶 BLUES-ROOTS LEGEND IN TOWN! 🌟🎸

🗓️ Get ready for an unforgettable musical afternoon as Geoff Achison & Friends take the stage at Hop Temple! 🎉🎶

🎸 Geoff for his exceptional guitar skills and soulful songwriting, Geoff Achison is here to treat you to a performance that's not to be missed! 🎤🎸

🎉 And the best part? It's a FREE event! Gather your friends and come experience the magic of live music with Geoff and his talented friends. 🎶🎸

📍 Hop Temple, Ballarat | ⏰ Saturday, August 26th at 1.30 PM

🎸🎶 BLUES-ROOTS LEGEND IN TOWN! 🌟🎸

🗓️ Get ready for an unforgettable musical afternoon as Geoff Achison & Friends take the stage at Hop Temple! 🎉🎶

🎸 Geoff is known for his exceptional guitar skills and soulful songwriting, Geoff Achison is here to treat you to a performance that's not to be missed! 🎤🎸

🎉 And the best part? It's a FREE event! Gather your friends and come experience the magic of live music with Geoff and his talented friends. 🎶🎸

📍 Hop Temple, Ballarat | ⏰ Saturday, August 26th at 1.30 PM

11/08/2023

Wow. What a lovely write up from our mates at Forte.
Only 2 weeks to go!!!

'A once in a lifetime moment': Ballarat Blues Festival returns with its Biggest Ever Blues Spectacle this August 2023

08/08/2023

Only 3 weeks to go!!!!!!! :)
Here is a lovely write up in the Ballarat Times and once again a list of all venues and acts you can see.

https://BGRAM.sales.ticketsearch.com/sales/salesevent/110140

31/07/2023

We are Thrilled to have this legend playing at the Main Event on Sunday 27th August
JIMI THE HUMAN HOCKING !!!!
Jimi Hocking

Have you got your tickets yet?

JIMI HOCKING: MUSICIAN OF THE MONTH - AUGUST 2023
Songwriter, singer and guitarist Jimi Hocking a.k.a. Jimi the human is a long time friend of Australian Musician magazine and it was with a great deal of pleasure that we caught up with the talented musician for a chat as our Musician of the Month for August. So much fun did we have that we had to divide Jimi’s extensive interview into two parts … Part 1: Jimi’s Story and Part 2: Jimi’s Guitars. Watch it here
https://australianmusician.com.au/features/jimi-hocking-musician-of-the-month-august-2023/

10/07/2023

Ballarat Blues Festival is thrilled to have the amazing Lloyd Spiegel as a special guest at our main event at the Wendouree Centre of Performing Arts Sun Aug 27th. The line up for the theatre show is bursting with Aus blues legends!
Also Lloyd will be special guest at the Blues Guitar Roadshow in Mooroopna Riverlinks westisde theatre Oct 8th
Don't miss out on this monster line ups!!
www.wcpa.com.au
www.riverlinksvenues.com.au

28/06/2023

ARTIST SPOTLIGHT * Anna Scionti Trio will be performing at the Main Event Sunday Aug 27th at Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts
Tix on sale now for Ballarat's Biggest ever Blues show
https://bit.ly/ballaratbluesfest2023

Anna Scionti is a singer-songwriter, guitarist
and bottleneck slide player making her own style of music steeped in blues, roots and rock. Scionti walks her own creative path mixing it up on cigar box, resonator, lap steel and six-string guitar.

Finalist in the 2021 Music Victoria Awards for 'Best Blues Act’. JUNKBOX RACKET is Scionti’s latest album giving you a reason to get up and dance!

When left alone with a bunch of guitars out comes a collection of songs that are rebellious and raw. Recorded in 2020, JUNKBOX RACKET includes ten songs played on six uniquely crafted hand-made cigar box guitars and Anna’s 1960’s Gibson Melody Maker!

Scionti’s other releases include: 2019 album ‘Orphan Diary’ and her 2017 self-titled EP. ‘Orphan Diary’ debuted at No.4 on the Australian Blues & Roots Airplay Charts. Spending seven months in the top 20, it was a nominee for ‘Best Blues Album’ at the 2019 Music Victoria Awards.

Having shared the stage with some of Australia’s finest blues players, Scionti is a regular on the Blues Train and at festivals including Echuca Winter Blues Festival (VIC), Blues On Broadbeach (QLD), Gympie Music Muster (QLD), Bendigo Blues & Roots Music Festival (VIC), Thredbo Blues Festival (NSW), National Folk Festival (ACT), St Kilda Blues Festival (VIC) and Port Fairy Folk Festival (VIC)

24/06/2023

About the Venue The Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts opened in 2006 and was developed in partnership between Ballarat Grammar and the wider Ballarat community. The Centre is located at 1220 Howitt Street Wendouree, opposite the Howitt Street shopping precinct and adjoining Ballarat Grammar.  Co...

23/06/2023

Here it is!!!! The Full list of acts and venues for the 2023 Ballarat BLUES Festival Aug 26/27
CHECK OUT THESE TERRIFIC ACTS AND VENUES AND GET READY TO PARTY

FREE MUSIC @ THE HOP TEMPLE 24 Armstrong St Nrth Ballarat
Sat 26th August 1:30-4pm Geoff Achison & Friends! Acoustic Session
Sun 27th August 1:30-4pm - Charlie Bedford
Sun 27th August 6:30-9pm The After Party Blues Jam (feat Iseula, Shaun Klinger, Chris Rourke, Mark Degiorgio and Guests!)

FREE MUSIC @ AUNTY JACKS
315-217 Mair ST Ballarat
Sat 26th 4:30-7pm
*Jarrod Shaw

VOLTA 15 Field ST Ballarat
SAT NIGHT BLUES VENUE
Sat 26th from 8pm $25 Door charge
*Dan Dinnen
*Bill Barber and the Holding Cell
*Collard Greens and Gravy

SUN the Main Event from 1:30 -6pm
Wendouree Centre for the Performing Arts
Tickets from $55
**Over 30 musicians onstage**

Phil Manning (Chain),
Geoff Achison,
Jimi Hocking (Screaming Jets),
Lloyd Spiegel - Special Guest,
Fiona Boyes,
Andrea Marr,
Brett Garsed (John Farnham Band),
The McNaMarr Project,
Anna Scionti Trio,
Joe Creighton (Farnham Band),
Riding Northbound,
Shane Gilbert,
Eddie Boyle,
Iseula,
Dave Clarke, Andrew Fry, Dan West, Sean Vagg,

Plus a performance from Ballarat Grammar and Clarendon College!

GET YOUR TIX NOW @ www.wcpa.com.au

*Advert by Nick @ Jumbo Creative Ballarat

17/06/2023

Ballarat Blues Festival is returning Aug 26th/27th and ofcourse The HOP TEMPLE will be part of the festival with amazing FREE entertainment on the Saturday & Sunday!
But you don't have to wait that long to see some serious Blues talent in Ballarat :)
Bill Barber is playing there tomorrow so go shake off those Winter Blues.

🎵🍻 Tomorrow is Blues, Brews & BBQ at Hop Temple! Get ready for an afternoon of mouthwatering smoked meats and soulful blues tunes by the talented Bill Barber, starting from 1.30pm. 🎵🍻

Grab your friends, come hungry, and let the rhythm of the blues guide you into an unforgettable afternoon.

14/06/2023

Tickets on Sale Now for Ballarat's BIGGEST Ever Blues Show!!
Sunday Aug 27th at Wendouree Centre of Performing Arts.
Over 4 hours of non stop music featuring a massive line up of some of the countries best. With unforgettable All Star Jams.
Witness over 30 musicians celebrate Blues Music with this one of a kind, fast paced Feel Good event. For more info and to Grab your tickets for the Main Event head to www.wcpa.com.au

*There will also be select venues around Ballarat hosting Blues Music as part of the Festival on Sat 26th & Sun 27th with the full list of venues and acts being announced late June.
Keep an eye on www.ballaratbluesfestival.com for more details and come be part of the Celebration.

04/06/2023

Ballarat's BIGGEST ever Blues show is going on sale June 7th! @ Wendouree Perfroming Arts Centre. FESTIVAL AUG 27TH
An incredible 4.5 hour musical extravaganza celebrating Blues Music. Wiith Incredible All star Jams, witness some of the countries most celebrated Musicians showcasing their talents through a variety of blues styles, from New Orleans, Soul Blues, Blues Rock and everything in-between.

19/05/2023

Pleased to announce Ballarat BLUES Festival Returns with somthing BIG August 27th!!!!

Details coming Very soon. You're going to want to hold that date :)