Waterloo Hall will host a night of country music under the fairy lights when the Woodfordia Festival of Small Halls travels to the Bundaberg Region.
Festival of Small Halls is a touring circuit that takes some of the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists on the road to rural and regional communities all over Australia.
Each night on the tour is a beautiful occasion for original music, and a chance to catch up with family and friends over cake and tea during a supper break.
As part of the 31st Festival of Small Halls Tour in Australia, 20 shows will be performed around the nation, including in the Bundaberg Region.
Waterloo Hall, situated along Waterloo Hall Road, was built by local residents in 1911 on land leased from the nearby juice mill.
At its opening ball in June, 150 people danced until morning on its Flindersia wood floors.
The hall has witnessed a lot since then – floods and fires, big dances, sporting competitions and meetings.
Young men of the district have gathered there to march off to wars and the hall was the place for families to celebrate the return, or mourn the loss of their loved ones.
Nowadays, the space is utilised for community barbecues, weddings, markets, cultural celebrations and more.
On Friday 9 December it will be showcased as part of the Festival of Small Halls.
Musicians excited to perform for Festival of Small Halls
Musicians Inn Echo and Sam Buckingham will be performing for the event and said they were thrilled to be involved in such a unique experience.
Inn Echo are a young trad-folk trio, blending hundred-year-old traditional tunes with
contemporary arrangements and originals that have been enchanting audiences across
the Pacific.
Their music is captivating and beautifully crafted, each member hailing from a
different town, they blend their individual experiences into this project.
“We are beyond excited to bring our music to Australia for the first time as part of the
Festival of Small Halls,” the group said.
Sam Buckingham is a folk-pop songwriter whose repertoire has progressed as she has.
Growing from her American/folk roots into Alternative pop with fierce storytelling and rich
soaring vocals, Sam’s live show combines vocal looping with guitar into a dynamic and
intimate performance.
“To be back touring again after two years of stops, starts and a lot of waiting has felt
magical,” Sam said.
“To then be invited to work with legendary Small Halls tour feels like a dream.
“I've seen my friends play these shows and heard them rave about the beautiful shows, the incredible team, and the lovely people they meet along the way.
“I'm honoured to become a part of this nation-wide family.”
Ellie-Lea Jansson, Producer at Festival of Small Halls, said the event celebrated community and culture.
“The festival invites rising stars of folk and contemporary music from within Australia and across the world, to share their musical stories with the communities that hold open their hall doors, call in their neighbours with the freshly baked scones, and create a home for the evening,” she said.
“Our artists experience a profound enrichment from the welcoming spirit of the hosts, this kind of reciprocity and joy is felt through everyone involved.
“Those who share in this wonderous night of music and kinship all agree that it is an experience that can’t be rivalled by large arena shows and is a triumph of the small but mighty hall.”
Waterloo Hall- Festival of Small Halls
- When: Friday 9 December, 6 pm for 6.30 pm start
- Tickets: $15 adults, children (aged 12 and under – must be accompanied by a responsible adult) free
- Where: Waterloo Hall, Waterloo Hall Road
- Find out more: https://festivalofsmallhalls.com/Waterloo-2022/
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