The 2008 program is now complete. We reserve the right to make amendments and variations as necessary.
Artists interested in applying to play at a future festival, should email their details to  the Committee.

FRIDAY 15th February:

4:30pm FESTIVAL OPENING at the Mechanics Hall.
Our elected representatives, partners, sponsors, community and friends are all invited to join us to celebrate the beginning of our renowned festival in its 13th year. Les ‘Bluegum’ Cooper and the ‘Kurnai Warrior Dancers’ will welcome & dance for us. Nibbles & drinks provided.
FREE

5:00pm The Inaugural Bruthen Community Play “One Small Town”.
Starts at the Mechanics Hall, Follows the Rail Trail.
Some people think Bruthen is a boring place to live and needs to be ‘developed’ …. But at what cost? Will the community be able to keep the ‘spirit’ of Bruthen alive, or will greed and capitalism change our special community forever? Huge puppets, original music and much more. Come and see our local children, adults, musicians and singers as you have never seen them before.
$5 / $3 Concession & Children / $12 Family.

8pm  -12.30am MUSIC JAM at the Bruthen Inn Hotel.
Aaron Burton from Melbourne will play funky blues with local musicians to host this music smorgasbord. Great prizes. Best jam act gets a paid gig at the Music Café on Saturday night and a weekend pass to the festival.
$7 / $5 Concession / Jammers FREE (must register).

SATURDAY 16th February:

Saturday's activities are held in the Bruthen Main Street Gardens and township area.

From 8am Bruthen Lions Club Hearty Breakfast & Lunch.
Bacon & eggs followed by a sausage sizzle. Various prices.

9am - 5pm Festival Market.
A HUGE variety... clothing, jewellery, CD’s, wines, local produce, craft and much more.

9am – 3pm Children’s Activities & Carnival.
Our local Primary School has all sorts of fun for kids of all ages. Giant slide, carnival rides, show bags, face painting, crazy hair, lucky dips, games & more. Various low prices.

10am – 4pm Bruthen Licensed Grocer & General Store street stall.
Our general store bringing its services close to you. Alcoholic beverages, cold drinks and food for sale at reasonable prices.

10am – 6pm The Porter’s Electrical / Leading Edge Music FREE Music Stage.
Sit in the shade of the beautiful Bruthen gardens and soak up great FREE music – thanks to Porter’s Electrical / Leading Edge Music Bairnsdale. Local and imported talent: Gerry, Gary, Hilary & Sarah, Andrea Savage, Henry’s Men, Aaron Burton, Dean Haitani, Brent McLeod and the Mallacoota Pre Minstrels, Nikki Moffat & Friends, Gerry & the Crows, San, Mike Tahana & friends.

11am The Inaugural Bruthen Community Play “One Small Town”. Starts at the Mechanics Hall, Follows the Rail Trail.
$5 / $3 Concession & Children / $12 Family.

From 11am BBQ Lunch. Enjoy a delicious BBQ lunch and support the Bruthen Primary School. Various prices.

From 11am Cirque Mystique – Roving Circus Characters.
Renowned Melbourne based circus troupe Cirque Mystique will be providing colour, magic and fun to our market and parade this year! Proudly supported by the East Gippsland Flood Recovery Fund.

2pm Blues Guitar Workshop at the Bruthen Mechanics Hall.
Talented guitarist Dean Haitani will show you the blues chops! Basic skills required. BYO guitar. $5

3.30pm – 5pm Beginners Harmonica Workshop at the Bruthen Health Building.
Learn the basics of harmonica with experienced musician Ken Gates.
No experienced required. Please BYO ‘C’ harp, or harps available for purchase @ $15.
$5 / $3 concession.

4pm The Inaugural Bruthen Community Play “One Small Town”. Starts at the Mechanics Hall, Follows the Rail Trail.
$5 / $3 Concession & Children / $12 Family.

6pm Dinner at Le Café.
Enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of Le Café while listening to the soulful voice of Melbourne Blues singer / guitarist Aaron Burton. Scrumptious food at reasonable prices … and the music is FREE.

6.30pm – 12.30am The StringyBark Cottages Music Café.
A Family Event at the Bruthen Mechanics Hall.
An eclectic mix of quality music in a ‘laid back’ atmosphere. Hearty home cooked food available for purchase ($8 - $12 for main meal, $4 dessert & $1.50 coffee).  Vegetarians & children catered for. BYO Drinks.
Featuring Brigit & Martin “The Mossy Potts”, Winner of the Blues Jam, Aaron Burton, Brent McLeod & the Mallacoota Pre-minstrels + Mike Tahana, SAN, Rocking Chair.
OPTIONAL: Supervised children’s activities - $5 per child or $10 for a family (2 or more children).
$15 / $10 concession / 16yrs+under FREE.

7pm - 12.30am The BIG BLUES BASH at the Bruthen Inn Hotel. THE BIG night of the best blues in Australia! Annie Piper, Dean Haitani, The Hornets, Chris Wilson. A must see event!
$30

9.15pm Cirque Mystique Fire Performance at the Bruthen Inn Hotel. To add a new FLARE to the Big Blues Bash! Be mesmerized by the fire art skills of the acclaimed Cirque Mystique!

SUNDAY 17th February:

9am - 3pm Market Stalls in the Bruthen main street.
More great market stalls to peruse.

9am– 11am Campers' Breakfast in the Bruthen Camping Ground.
Campers can enjoy a scrumptious breakfast cooked by the local footy club. Various Prices.

9am – 12 Noon Recovery Breakfast in the Bruthen main street.
The Bruthen CFA will set you up for a great day with a hearty recovery breakfast. Various Prices.

9.30am – 11am Church Gospel Service in the Bruthen main street.
A non-denominational service entwined with uplifting music by talented local musicians. Come along and share the gospel. Donation appreciated.

10am - 11am Percussion workshop in the Bruthen Mechanics Hall.
Have fun learning to play a funky rhythm with professional musicians. Become a member of the Duck Race Marching Band! No experience required. All ages, families welcome, children under 10 years must be supervised.
$5 / $3 Concession & Children / $12 Family

10.30am Blues Guitar Workshop in the Bruthen Inn Hotel.
Everyone who loves the blues knows of Lloyd Spiegel... well here is your chance to learn some licks from the master! Basic skills required. BYO guitar. $5

11am – 12 Noon East Gippsland ‘Sing Fest’ Choir Gathering in the Bruthen main street.
Choirs and singers from across the region come together to share music. Be uplifted by the harmonies and energy that only East Gippsland singers can generate. FREE

12 Noon THE Bruthen STREET PARADE Spectacular, From the town centre  to the Tambo River. Be mesmerized by the funky grooves, colour and movement of the Bruthen Street Parade. Special guests Cirque Mystique will add special flair to the parade this year! Don’t miss the colour and fun - grab an instrument and join in! The parade will lead us down to the Tambo River...

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12.30pm The Curves Women's Gym DUCK RACE on the Tambo river.
First duck across the line wins $100. 2nd $50. 3rd $25. The last LAME duck even gets $15. International duck racing officials, protestors, duck performance enhancement testing. A must see event!

1pm – 7.30pm Sunday Blues Recovery at the Bruthen Inn.
Wind down and recover with some of  Australia’s finest blues Artists; SAN, Nick Charles, Lloyd Spiegel, Dallas Frasca.
$15; $10 concession.