The first night of the Festival opened with the New Zealand showcase. Dids welcomed everyone to the Festival, as follows -
COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL
Monday 20th May 2013
Compere: David Dids Evans
Hetieh
auwas Country Music Festival fe 2013 en auwas 20th Birthdi.
Wutawieh orl yorlye en welkam
This is the twentieth Country Music Festival to be
presented here in Norfolk Island. It is a
magnificent occasion for us, and your rousing support during this night and
over the following four nights will continue to entrench its success in the
Norfolk Island calendar of events.
The Norfolk Island Country Music Association brings you
this Festival in true Norfolk Island
hospitality and spirit. The Festival is totally run by volunteers, some who
have been here since day one ~ and that’s twenty years ago ~ and others who
join us and who we gratefully welcome, with each new year. They all work to make your week memorable,
and without their efforts this Festival would not be possible. Over the years
we have lost some mainstays and dear
friends. Every one of you who have been to one of our Festivals will have met
David Kik Quintal. He was one of our mainstays, and we lost him in January. I
would ask all to observe a minute’s silence please.
We thank our sponsors, without whose support this week
would not happen. We thank and welcome all our visitors who have travelled here
to enjoy this 20th Birthday Festival. This year, we’re not running to usual
form. We’re having a birthday party on Thursday night, and the Band Mental as
Anything, who have performed at a number of Country Music Festivals over the
years, will entertain us, whilst we party.
To those visitors who are returning, it’s great to welcome
you back. In particular, Jackie and
Rowan from NZ, here for their 17th Festival.
To the musicians, artists, entertainers, performers ~
welcome. Please enjoy our Island. Take the
opportunity to look around, to enjoy what we have to offer. In the northern
hemisphere, May is the celebration of spring, but in Norfolk
Island, May is the celebration of good times. We meet again with old friends, make new
friends, share some great music, laughter, a few drinks and recall many, many
instances of memba daa time!
Our Festival is now well known in the country music
scene. It’s grown from strength to
strength and has hosted some of the biggest names in the business. This year is
no exception. We have Kiwi’s, including Dennis Marsh, we have Aussie’s,
including Beccy Cole and Adam Harvey, we have special appearances, surprise
guests, Sharon and Rosemarie, the Huckelberries, 4Play, Mental as Anything and
those incredibly talented new friends we haven’t met yet, who have come here to
compete for the prestigious Trans-Tasman entertainer of the year award.
What a line up. What a show its going to be. I wish you
a memorable festival.
I would now like to welcome onstage to open our
Festival a man who wears several hats ~ not only is he the husband of our
patron, Mrs Gaylene Snell; not only is he our Minister for Tourism, but also
the Chief Minister of Norfolk Island, the Honourable Lisle Snell.
Here's the man. Lookin sharp Brud!
He called for a minute's silence for David Kik Quintal, then invited Lisle
Snell onstage to officially open. Following the Chief Minister's opening
words, Brendan Dugan came on as compere, introducing Hayley Smith, who
was fantastic. Then Kevin Greaves, Marion Burns and finally the
headliner, Dennis Marsh.
It was a great night and if the rest of the Festival flows like that, then it's going to be an amazing hit. The marquee looked great, George Douran's decoration of the marquee looked excellentt; ticket and programme sellers were flat out; the music was excellent; and it seemed to go wonderfully well. I thought it might be cold in the marquee but a light jacket and scarf was more than enough. Tonight's the night for the Aussie's and I have every reason to believe that it will be just as good as last night.
Met up with Sharon and Graeme McIntyre. So good to see you both again. Let's catch up some when the pressure's off you a bit. As usual, huge slaps on the back to all those people who work so hard for NICMA
The above photos belong to Ian Fisk. They're on Jackie Pye's facebook and probably Ian's also, but I don't know how to get there!!!
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