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Monaro Folk Society
Welcome to the Monaro Folk Society (MFS) web site. For quick reference to this site, please see the alphabetical Index in the navigation pane to the left. The MFS is a non-profit community organisation operating in the ACT-Monaro region providing access to both entertainment and direct involvement in a wide range of folk music, dance, and spoken word activities. See: What the Monaro Folk Society does
The MFS is based in Canberra, Australia. For more information please see: About Monaro Folk Society
Contents |
Hot News!!
Upcoming Events Calendar
Please see the Calendar for upcoming events of interest to members of the Monaro Folk Society, and members of the public who may share this interest.
Annual General Meeting
The date of the AGM has been set for Thursday 23 September 2010 at 7:30pm, at the Canberra Southern Cross Club Turner - 'The Bowlo'
Welcome
If you are a current financial member of the Monaro Folk Society, please read our further information about the Members Only Wiki.
A wiki is a page or collection of Web pages designed to enable anyone who accesses it to contribute or modify content, using a simplified markup language. Wikis are often used to create collaborative websites and to power community websites. The collaborative encyclopedia Wikipedia is one of the best-known wikis. Ward Cunningham, the developer of the first wiki software, WikiWikiWeb, originally described it as "the simplest online database that could possibly work".
"Wiki" (/wiːkiː/) is a Hawaiian word for "fast".
If you are not a current financial member of the Monaro Folk Society you are welcome to browse this public Wiki, but only members are authorised to log in and contribute to its development. We also welcome non-members too!
Joining the Monaro Folk Society
Membership of the Monaro Folk Society is open to any person. There are many benefits of membership, and you are supporting a worthy community-based organisation by joining.
MFS members are admitted to virtually all paid-entry MFS events at a preferential rate (see Music, Dance for examples), and also receive the monthly Monaro Musings by mail. Members can also take part in the Society's music or singing sessions or dance display groups.
And one more thing - MFS is a very friendly social environment, for listeners and watchers as well as players, dancers and singers at all levels of skill.
For further information, read our article on Joining the Monaro Folk Society.
Events Diary
Please read our full Calendar for more details about upcoming events.
The activities of the Monaro Folk Society, and activities of interest to Monaro Folk Society members and those with similar interests, are listed below.
The old Events Diary is no longer being maintained.
Music
Performance
- The Merry Muse http://www.merrymuse.org.au is the Monaro Folk Society's principal music performance venue.
- Club Nights - are open stage blackboard/walk up performances, with musicians sessions-out-the-back.
Music Sessions and Bands
- Tuesday Night Music group - is the intermediate level session group.
- Wednesday night Music Group - is the more advanced session group that also plays for dances.
- Bush Capital Band - an open stage band that plays regularly for the Monday Bush Dance workshops, and First Saturday of the Month Bush Dances.
- Woolies Home Band - a band made up of the Wednesday group musicians.
- Canberra Contra Club Ensemble - an open stage band that plays regularly for Contra Dance workshops and dances.
- Settlers Night Musicians - After eight years Settlers has bowed out! And a wake was held at the Polish White Eagle Club at 7.30 on Friday 7 August 2009. more
- Dancing In The Park Musicians - an open stage band that plays for the Monday evening summer season of "Dancing in the Park" on Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park. see - Dancing_in_the_Park
Singing
Dance
End of Month Bush Dances
- End of Month Bush Dances - a program of main Society Saturday evening dances throughout the year.
- Shearers Ball - a special dance held in the Yarralumla Woolshed.
Special Events
- Colonial Ball - the premier annual dance event of the Society. Colonial Ball
- New Years Eve dance - a special dance on 31st December to bring in the new year.
- Monaro Colonial Dancers fund raising dance - an annual mixed genre dance to raise funds for charity.
Dance Groups
- Bush Dance Group - a cooperative group of dancers, callers and musicians that runs [Bush dance] workshops, monthly bush dances and balls.
- Irish Set Dance Group - a cooperative group of dancers, teachers and callers that run regular [Irish Set Dance] classes, ceilis and a weekend of dance.
- Canberra Contra Club - a cooperative group of dancers, callers and musicians that runs American [Contra dance] workshops and dances.
MFS Dance Display Groups
- The Bush Dancers display group - an outreach group of musicians and dancers focused on promoting Australian Bush dancing.
- Monaro Colonial Dancers - a group committed to presenting our rich heritage of music and dance to the public.
- Set In Their Ways display group - a specialist Irish Set Dance display group.
MFS Dance Activities
- Dancing in the Park (DITP) - a season of dances, free to MFS members and the public, held on Stage 88 in Commonwealth Park.
- Dance Resources Centre - for all information on folk dance, including how to run dance instruction and dances, select music,and communicate with the musicians.
- Settlers Night - After eight years Settlers has bowed out! And a wake was held at the Polish White Eagle Club at 7.30 on Friday 7 August 2009. more
- Special Events
- Gala Ball - The Monaro Folk Society Bush Dance Group presents The Gala Ball, music by the Bush Capital Band. Saturday 1 May 2010 8pm St Johns Hall
- Wonderful weekend of dance at Bundanoon - the June long weekend's festival of dance.
Other Non-MFS Dance Activities
- Earthly Delights Historic Dance Academy (EDHDA) - historical social dance classes and balls, dance display group, musicians, costumes, dance instructions, dance books & CDs. Discounts for MFS members.
- Jane Austen Festival of Australia (JAFA) - held in April every year. Jane Austen Regency Dance display group invites new members to join.
- 19th Century Dance Week (EDHDA) - 18-21 April 2011: in the week between the Jane Austen Festival Australia and the National Folk Festival.
Volunteers
The Monaro Folk Society is run by a small army of volunteers. If you would like to join this merry band, please enquire of any existing volunteer, or email Info(at)mfs(dot)org(dot)au to discuss ideas. You will be made welcome either way.
For volunteer resources, please see the Document Catalogue. The catalogue includes important information for all volunteers, such as the MFS Code Of Conduct and the Risk Management Plan.
Words
Monaro Musings
- Monaro Musings - the magazine of the Monaro Folk Society.
EMail Lists
- MFS-Announce - the Monaro Folk Society announcements e-mail list.
- Canberra Dance News - monthly email newsletter.
Media Releases
- Media Releases from the Monaro Folk Society
- Draft Media Releases (for internal MFS use only)
Reviews
- Recent festivals
- Recent performances
- Recent dances
- Other reviews
Resources
On Line Resources
- Events of interest to MFS members
- Singing Sessions
- Music Sessions
- Other Regular Folk events
- Public discussion venue
- MFS Document Catalogue
- Publicity flyer catalogue
Members' Services
MFS members can place notices in these areas offering services to folk culture activities.
- Bands, Musicians and Choirs
- Dance Callers and resources
- Teachers
- Instrument makers and repairers
- PA and other sound resources
- Publications
- General
Sales
Sales - Get your copy of the history of the Society book.
Links
Links of interest to Monaro Folk Society members and those with similar interests.
Content Manager: MFS Web Manager; Status: Work In Progress
