Sidney Australia?

[Rich]

I'm visiting Sydney for a conference next May for two weeks and I just can't imagine not playing a jam for that long. #Anyone know of a bluegrass jam in Sydney?

[OzArkie]

G'day Rich,

(It's "Sydney" by the way)

I live here and am trying to learn the mandolin, so I will be most interested to see if your post yields a result.

There seems to be very few mando players about the place - I know only of the bloke who sold me my instrument and my instructor who is an acclaimed "classical" mandolist - I don't think she jams (unless it was in the Conservatorium of Music).

Good luck!

[lil_ruby_ren]

Hi ppls!

I'm not from Sydney but I live about 3 hours west of there! I've just started learning the mando in the last few weeks...........don't know of any jams, just thought I'd pop in and say hi!!!!!!!!

Cheers,
Renée:)

[John Flynn]

You might send an email to the the Sydney Mandolin Orchestra through thier website:

http://home.vicnet.net.au/~fameweb/sydney/main.htm

They should be at least aware of the local scene. Also, try the Australian Bluegrass and Traditional Country Music Association at:

http://www.bluegrass.org.au/

Someone there should know what is going on. I don't have experience with either group, I just found them on a web search and that is where I would start.

[pickles]

G'DAE, Australian mandolinists!
Too bad you won't be there in April, Rich. The Waybacks (with 2 mandolinists of note) will be playing some festivals and other assorted gigs:

Thu, Apr 8 - Mon, Apr 12
NATIONAL FOLK FESTIVAL
Canberra, ACT, AUSTRALIA

Fri, Apr 16 - Sun, Apr 18
FAIRBRIDGE FESTIVAL
Pinjarra, WA, AUSTRALIA

Tue, Apr 20
KULCHA
Fremantle, WA, AUSTRALIA

Fri, Apr 23 - Sat, Apr 24
HARBOURSOUND FESTIVAL
Albany, WA, AUSTRALIA

For more info see: Waybacks (http://waybacks.com/index.html)

[OzArkie]

Canberra, ACT
G'day,

Well... Canberra is roughly within cooee of Sydney compared to the others, but it is still a few hours by car.

"WA" stands for Western Australia which is on the other side of the continent - sort like from Miami to LA, a fair number of hours travel by jet.

FWIW, there is an upcoming fiddle festival just a bit beyond the far western part of Sydney (in the Hawkesbury area) - we are gonna try and make that one!

HTH

[lil_ruby_ren]

Haha I was going to mention that Ozarkie.........hmm WA is a bit far yes.........oh guess what everyone I can play Yankee Doodle on my new mando! my first tune!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Cheers,
Renée

[Christopher Howard-Williams]

Congrats on your first tune.
There's a Sydney based Bluegrass radio show (not at all bad at that) that goes out on Bluegrasscountry.org. They should be able to tell you something if you call them up. (I'm no good to you as I'm here in Ol' Europe.)