GIGIFEST
WHAT    Didgfest 2008
WHEN    March 15 and 16
WHERE    Theatre Royal Castlemaine
DETAILS    www.didgfest.com.au or 5470-5913
Self-confessed-didge devotee, Raymond Mow together with like-minded didge-experts will participate in this hands-on celebration of sound, where you’ll enjoy children’s workshops, concerts, market stalls and much more.
Raymond will lift the didgeridoo’s veil of intrigue during an event that acknowledges Aboriginal people as the traditional owners of the didgeridoo, while performers enjoy the instrument in a contemporary context.
“It’s not an indigenous festival; it’s about the music,” he said.
“Didgfest will present a series practical and simple to understand workshops from beginners to advanced.”
Activities at this lively event range from didgeridoo-making workshops for kids, introductory Didge playing for the young ones and women’s-only workshop through to indigenous story telling and a three-hour evening concert.

Film
WHAT    Bendigo Queer Film Festival launch
WHEN    March 15 from 7pm
WHERE    Star Cinema, Eaglehawk tickets    $15
DETAILS 0400-918-759www.bendigoqueerfilmfestival.info
Australian director Tony Ayres is launching this year’s Bendigo Queer Film Festival.
Tony will present a screening of his stunning film, The Home Song Stories. 
Based on the true-life events of the director’s childhood, the film tracks the story of Tom, a writer who reflects on his relationship with his mother, Rose.
Rose was a nightclub singer from Shanghai, who emigrated to 1960s Australia with her two children. 
The story, which spans decades and continents, unfolds as a compelling, beautifully told and moving drama. 
The actual festival will be held from April 4 to 6. 
The festival welcomes people from the wider community, as well and the gay and lesbian community, to join in.

Folk
WHAT    Genticorum
WHEN    March 13
WHERE    Under the QEO Grandstand
DETAILS    Tickets: Discography at 32 High Street 5443-4111
Genticorum are fast becoming one of the most sought after proponents of Quebecois musical culture. 
The energetic and original  ‘power trio’ also incorporates today’s North American and European folk cultures in their music. 
Weaving wooden flute, fiddle, acoustic guitar, jaw harp, bass and foot percussion with strong vocal harmonies, they offer a blend of traditional songs and tunes as well as original compositions. 
Their distinctive sound,  humour and stage presence make them a supreme crowd pleaser.
The three-piece band is coming to Bendigo straight from the Port Fairy Folk Festival stage, so come and see them while they’re still on a high.

Blues and Roots
WHAT    Guildford Blues & Roots Explosion
WHEN    March 15 and 16
WHERE    Guildford Family Hotel tickets    Range from $20 to $90
DETAILS    5473-4215
The acts are lining up for this two-day fest of folk, blues, roots, country and rock, and no doubt so are the punters.
Some of the names this year include Collard Greens & Gravy, Tiffany Eckhardt, Rory Ellis, Dave Steele and the Harddrive bluegrass band.
The lastest acts to be announced are Checkerboard Lounge, Sweet Painted Ladies, G.A.R.B.A.G.E and Marni
Sheehan, Tim Williams and Tony Spizzica.
The event is staged in the town’s historic hotel, still as central to the social and cultural life of Guildford as it was when built in 1856.
The hotel’s music hall is reputedly the oldest of its kind in Australia.
The Guilford Blues & Roots Explosion is the perfect opportunity to visit the hotel
and the area for a fuss free weekend of great music and fine country food in a beautiful part of the state.
 
Country
WHAT    Country Bash in Myers Flat
WHEN    March 8 and 9
WHERE    Allies Hotel, Myers Flat
tickets    One day $10, two days $15, kids free
DETAILS    www.allieshotel.com

 The local bootscooting, hat wearing, country singing fans will be out in force this weekend in Myers Flat.
This intimate festival raises a bit of dust beside the railway line, not to mention a bit of cash for Palliative Care.
This year’s event features, among others, the following musicians;
Graig Giles, Olive Bice, Des Morgan, Dale Hudson and the Bagshots, The Swamp, Survivors Backing Band, Melissa Pascoe and Graeme Coates.
There will be raffles and lucky door prizes over the weekend, as well as helicopter joy flights and the obligatory sausage sizzle.