Welcome to Victoria’s Longest Running Folklore Club
During January 2021, major maintenance activities will be carried out on the VFMC web site and email accounts. Every effort will be made to keep normal operations. If you run into any difficulties at this time, call Steve on +61 (0)408 055 777
Our Regular Activities
Next SessionStatus:On-line sessions by Zoom | Next ConcertStatus:by Zoom | Next DanceStatus:On line till further notice |
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'All In' Session26th January 2021 7.30pm
Join our round-robin playing session most Tuesday evenings.. Zoom virtual meeting | Concert9th February 2021 7.30pm
An evening of folk music and ballads by Dominic, including some of his favourite songs collected over the decades. This concert is presented on-line via Zoom. Zoom virtual meeting - ticketed | Family Bush Dance via Zoom6th February 2021 7.30pm
Melbourne's Favourite Bush Band. Formed in 1978, the Brumbies have performed for generations of Melbourne's folkies and bush dancers. With a vast repertoire of dances, and one of the best dance callers in Australia, the Brumbies entertain dancers of all ages, from kinder to pensioners, and from experts to beginners. Our songs are mainly traditional Australian, but include some more modern and some international items. The VFMC has a family bush dance on the first Saturday of each month (excluding January). Dances are called so these events are suitable for all ages. A different band is featured each month and everyone is welcome. East Ringwood Elderly Citizens Hall Melway ref. 50B8 |
The goals of the VFMC are:
- to preserve, research and popularise our Australian Folklore Heritage of traditional songs, music, poetry, prose and dance.
- to encourage the creation of contemporary songs, music, poetry, prose and dance in the traditional style.
- to maintain forums where singers, musicians, reciters, dancers and interested organisations may exchange information, receive help and guidance for the understanding and promotion of Australian Folklore.
Corona Virus Arrangements
Due to the Covid-19 virus, all our public events will be conducted on-line via Zoom until further notice.
Our first online Session for the year will be on Tuesday 19th January.
Obviously we intend that regular VFMC Sessions, and Concerts, and Dances will be maintained as normally as possible as the virus continues its course. All seem to agree that making music in the company of each other is preferable to soloing alone at home, and the Committee is keen to get back to meeting at the halls when we feel it is entirely safe to do so.
This could be some time away, and the Committee will have CovidSafe plans in place as is required by the Government regulations, ready for that time. To help us in achieving this plan we will be emailing or posting a short questionnaire out to all our members in the next week or so. We are also testing the technology for online Zoom access at the hall so people can continue participating in VFMC Sessions and Concerts remotely, from home or wherever you happen to be in the world on any Tuesday night.
Whilst meeting online over the last nine months the Club has absorbed the costs of Zoom, public liability insurance and numerous other costs, and will have to find expensive rent when a return to the halls is finally made. This will involve reviving the usual very modest admission charges of $5 for members, $6 non members, and the normal admission for Concerts. Ticketing may be necessary.
So at this stage we will continue to meet online using Zoom, starting Saturday 16th January for dancing, and Tuesday 19th for Sessions. I encourage all to contribute to the progress of the session nights by sending your scores or lyrics so the rest of the group can play along. Let’s continue to bring a good measure of enjoyment and cheer to the world through making great music.
The VFMC is conducting on-line music sessions at 7.30 pm on Tuesday evenings (since 7th April). These are proving very popular. If you require further information, please contact Don, the sessions convenor .
To support our performers during this difficult time, and for the benefit of our loyal audiences, VFMC will continue the monthly concerts on-line. Please monitor this web site for details as they become available.
From Saturday 1st August, at 7.30 pm, VFMC will be conducting on-line bush dance sessions using Zoom. Please contact Jane, the dance convenor for details.