Robert Booth Posted January 13, 2014 Share Posted January 13, 2014 Hi, all, I have not been here for quite a while. Here's hoping that things are well with you. I have a buddy who moved to Australia: Bairnsdale, north of Melbourne, in Victoria. He has been playing diatonic and chromatic harmonica for quite some time and was delighted when I pointed him towards Anglo concertina; now he wants one, and has asked if I could help him to find a reputable dealer or shop in the general area where he could explore the instrument before making the huge commitment. Any suggestions that I can pass on to him? Thanks, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Ghent Posted January 14, 2014 Share Posted January 14, 2014 Hi Rob, as a background, Australia is like the population of Idaho spread over the entire US. Even though your friend is only a few hours from the second largest city there are no shops selling new concertinas there, or anywhere else in Aus as far as I am aware. If he was to attend a larger folk festival he might find a few people with concertinas and if asked nicely they might let him try their instrument. The National Folk Festival would be a good one to try, it is at Easter and only about 7 or 8 hours away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry McGee Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 I agree with Chris - a festival or a session in Melbourne might turn up a concertina player. There'd be a few at the National. The only concertinas I've ever seen in music shops are the bright garish ones we used to disparage as "Chinese Lanterns". I'm not sure if they are still around. Bairnsdale is a small city well to the East of Melbourne - beautiful area but pretty isolated. If your friend has reason to motor up the coast road into southern New South Wales, he's very welcome to drop in here at Malua Bay and try out a concertina. But it's a bit over 5 hours away! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Wilson Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 If he was to attend a larger folk festival he might find a few people with concertinas and if asked nicely they might let him try their instrument. The National Folk Festival would be a good one to try, it is at Easter and only about 7 or 8 hours away. He wouldn't have to attend as large a festival as the National, or go as far or wait as long. There's a beaut little festival at Cobargo on the far South Coast of NSW and it's happening from 21 -23 February, next month! Concertinas will be prominent. There's to be a forum on concertina, "The Concertina Convergence", moderated by myself and also featuring Richard Evans who plays the duet and is a maker of anglo concertinas! Also featured are Kate Burke and Mike Martin, two excellent local anglo players and as well on anglo we've got Alistair Brown from the UK. The intention of the "Convergence" is to showcase the different types of concers and playing styles. So a little technical discussion but mostly performance. Afterwards (or before) there will be plenty of networking, sessions, etc. I expect there will be a few concertinas coming out of closets. Of course Alistair will feature in other concert spots during the festival, as will I myself. So, see you there. It's only about four and a half hours from Bairnsdale, a Sunday drive compared to other parts of Oz. I'll post more info on this festival in the news forum a little closer to the event. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris Ghent Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Coincidentally I was planning to attend the Cobargo festival myself, there is a little bit of crossed fingers in it but you may have both makers there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Wilson Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 That would be wonderful if you can make it Chris. I'll cross fingers too. Cheers Steve. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry McGee Posted January 15, 2014 Share Posted January 15, 2014 Oooh, very interesting. Now, I don't remember such a thing happening before, but maybe my back was turned at the time? I'll post more info on this festival in the news forum a little closer to the event. Please! Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Booth Posted February 8, 2014 Author Share Posted February 8, 2014 Thanks for your comments; apologies for the tardy response, family concerns. I'll put my friend on to this thread and maybe he'll pursue it farther. Anyways, thanks and Cheers, Rob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Terry McGee Posted February 9, 2014 Share Posted February 9, 2014 Just in case you (or others in Australia) haven't noticed, Steve has now put the details of the Cobargo Concertina Convergence in the News Forum. Terry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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