What it’s About

The Coowonga Folk Club was established in1995 as a non-profit organization to foster music and performance of all types and styles, catering for the people of the Rockhampton/Capricorn Coast area.

The Cub encompasses a broad variety of musical styles, interpreting the term “Folk” in the context of the Club’s motto, “Music by the people for the people”.Styles embraced therefore include everything from traditional acoustic folk music be it Celtic, Bush, World, Blues, or contemporary through to Jazz, Gypsy, Acapella, & various genres of Rock & Roll. Despite a natural preference for acoustic-oriented music, we invariably feature at least one “electric” band at our events, so those who like to dance or even manically bang their heads are kept happy. Just as long as the music is interesting, entertaining and honest. (ie sequencers &/or prerecorded backing tracks etc., are not really welcome!)

The Club is particularly keen to provide a platform for original works and interpretations as well as for styles and genres outside or beyond the mainstream commercial arena.

Apart from music, the full range of performance arts are encouraged, including dance, storytelling, poetry, theatre, street theatre etc.

What the Club Does, When & Where

Four major events a year are held on Saturday nights in the months of March, June, August & November starting at 6pm in Summer to 4.00pm in Winter.

The Club and its members are also enthusiastic supporters of the Capricorn Coast’s Village Festival of Arts & Music and run the popular second (Folk Club) Stage and Wine Bar..

Posters & notices advertising the events can be found at the Yeppoon Library, School, Yellow Book Store and University, in the Mirror, as well as on Radio Nag and other local outlets

The events are normally held at the Cawarral Recreation Grounds in the heart of downtown Cawarral, a delightful rural hamlet half way to Yeppoon/Emu Park from Rockhampton. The area is well lit to provide a magical ambience and has an adventure playground for children.

A licensed bar, delicious hot food and a café providing home cooked-style treats and bottomless cups of Tea & Coffee are also provided. In the winter months the Club’s famous Mulled Wine is also available to warm the cockles.

Club meetings, to which all are welcome, are held one month prior to each event also at the Cawarral Rec Grounds.

Costs

Music Events: $2 for members and $5 for non-members. (free for under 18s & over 81s). Membership is $10 pa & gets you the Club’s newsletter & other benefits.

Performers

Are drawn mainly from the local area and include some of the region’s most gifted musicians and artists. Southern Artists are also occasionally brought up to perform.

Budding, untried and “occasional” performers are also encouraged and are either scheduled into the Program or welcomed to play on an ad hoc basis for the “Come all Ye” session included in each event.

A full range of quality sound equipment is provided with mixing carried out by an experienced sound engineer.

How

The Coowonga Folk Club is a fully Incorporated body with the usual Office Bearers (President, Secretary, Treasurer etc.) who are elected each year at the Annual General Meeting.

A key position is that of the Events Coordinator who maintains contacts with local artists and arranges for the performances at the Music Events.