The spring leg of annual regional touring festival, Festival Of Small Halls, will go ahead with 13 boutique events planned throughout Queensland next month.
Presented by veteran festival producers Woodfordia Inc. (the team behind Woodford Folk Festival), this incarnation of Small Halls will feature celebrated singer-songwriter Shellie Morris and acclaimed blues and roots duo Hussy Hicks.Starting in Springbrook on the Gold Coast hinterland, the tour will rack up close to 7,000kms heading as far west to the grazier town of Cunnamulla.
The tour then zig-zags across red dirt roads through central Queensland before arriving in the rolling hills of the Sunshine Coast hinterland.
"Rural and remote areas are so close to my heart," Shellie says. "I've been working in them since I started my journey sharing song and language."
From performing at the Sydney Opera House to the opening ceremony of the Vancouver Winter Olympics, Shellie has also toured with Yothu Yindi, and sung with John Cale and Sinead O'Connor.
"These communities are the beating heart of our country," Shellie adds, "contributing so much to the valuable social fabric and boasting countryside that is second to none across the world.
"I can't wait to visit all these incredible communities and share my stories, hear from the wonderful people and of course get back on the road safely."
With multiple Gold Coast Music Awards and Queensland Music Awards to their name, not to mention a Golden Guitar nomination, the duo of Leesa Gentz and guitarist Julz Parker aka Hussy Hicks are venerable performers in their own right.
"Julz and I could not be more thrilled to have the opportunity to tour throughout our home state for the Festival of Small Halls," vocalist Leesa beams.
"We're doubly excited to be sharing the bill with the incredible Shellie Morris, who we've both been big fans of since we saw the Black Arm Band back in 2010 performing alongside Me'Shell Ndegeocello, Sinéad O'Connor, John Cale and the late Dr G Yunupingu.
"It's an honour to be involved in this tour and we just can't wait to play and sing our hearts out for you all."
Tickets to all shows are on sale; more details here.
Festival Of Small Halls 2020 Tour Dates
Wed 14 Oct - Springbrook Community Hall (Springbrook)Thu 15 Oct - Jondaryan Public Hall (Jondaryan)
Fri 16 Oct - Texas Memorial Hall (Texas)
Sat 17 Oct - QWCA Jackson Hall (Jackson)
Sun 18 Oct - Paroo Shire Hall (Cunnamulla)
Thu 22 Oct - Barcaldine Town Hall (Barcaldine)
Fri 23 Oct - Parish Hall (Hughenden)
Sat 24 Oct - Greenvale Community Hall (Greenvale)
Sun 25 Oct - Ravenshoe Town Hall (Ravenshoe)
Thu 29 Oct - All Saints Anglican Church Hall (Clermont)
Fri 30 Oct - Wowan RSL Hall (Wowan)
Sat 31 Oct - Downfall Creek Community Hall (Guluguba)
Sun 1 Nov - Mapleton Hall (Mapleton)
