Home - Festival of Small Halls

Festival of Small Halls is a series of tours that takes the best folk and contemporary acoustic artists performing at two of our country’s largest festivals, and sends them on the road to tiny halls in communities all over Australia.

It is produced by Woodfordia Inc in partnership with many other wonderful Australian festivals, regional partners and great lovers and supporters of folk and contemporary acoustic music.

It’s an opportunity for music-lovers from welcoming communities to invite artists from Home and Abroad into their towns…
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Spring Tour 2020

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Current Tours

Spring Tour 2020

Hussy Hicks

One of Australia’s best live blues ‘n’ roots bands, Hussy Hicks are a tour de force featuring powerhouse vocalist, Leesa Gentz and award-winning guitarist, Julz Parker…

Shellie Morris

One of Australia’s favourite and celebrated female vocalists, Shellie Morris has spent the past 25 years creating and engaging in music as a healing tool.

Stories From The Road

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We're thrilled to bits about this - we're returnin

We're thrilled to bits about this - we're returning to Jackson! It's the smallest town we're visiting on this tour, with a population of less than 60. We are chafing at the bit to get back to this tight-knit town (with its third generation CWA baking secrets, mind you), and look forward to experiencing the small town charm once again (...and the scones.)

QCWA Hall Jackson has been standing since 1927, providing a space for local people to gather and have fun. In 2020 the Hall is continuing to be used by the community for to come together for socialising and functions. If you're thinking of visiting Jackson for the show, there is plenty of space available for parking, camping and caravans.

Festival of Small Halls rolls into the QCWA Jackson Hall on Saturday 17th October with one of Australia’s most celebrated singer-songwriters @shelliemorrismusic and critically acclaimed blues and roots duo @hussyhicks.

The QCWA Jackson Hall stands on land traditionally owed by the Mandandanji people.

Snag your tickets via the link in our bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #community #music #travel #livethelifeyoulove #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #explore #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #happiness #love

Next up, we farewell the Toowoomba region and roll

Next up, we farewell the Toowoomba region and roll on down to the border town of Texas.

On paper, Texas has a romantic history that can rival Deadwood. Named after the US land dispute, but in honour of a local one between two brothers and some post-gold rush squatters, Texas earned its stripes with farming, silver mining and tobacco. Driving on the meandering road over the Dumaresq River leading out of Texas, you can have the great pleasure of driving in and out of state lines between QLD and NSW in your search for old tobacco stacks – Texas is also a border town.

Festival of Small Halls rolls into Texas on Friday, 16th October with one of Australia's most celebrated singer-songwriters @shelliemorrismusic and critically acclaimed blues and roots duo @hussyhicks.

Texas Memorial Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Bigambul people.

Proudly supported by Goondiwindi Regional Council and the Texas Arts Council

For more information about this show, visit our website via the link in bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #community #music #travel #livethelifeyoulove #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #explore #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #happiness #love

Next, we head back out Toowoomba way! We've been e

Next, we head back out Toowoomba way! We've been enjoying warm, frequent welcomes across the Toowomba region for years now and they are always just so wonderful - we've seen bright up and coming local support acts, audience members multi-tasking with a bit of knitting, and some of the best sausage gravy ever.

Jondaryan Public Hall stands proudly in the centre of the little village of Jondaryan, off to the north west of Toowoomba - one of few early structures still remaining. Though droughts, floods, a neighbouring fire and the occasional tornado have come and gone the timber building remains firmly entrenched in the landscape. The only unplanned alteration to the building occurred in the early hours of an August morning in 1983 when a semi driver failed to negotiate a bend in the old highway, fully loaded with citrus from Gayndah. After WWI a couple of local men had a vision for the town, and that vision was realised on 1st October 1920 at the opening of the hall marked by a concert with local and visiting artists, followed by a dance into the wee small hours of a new day.

Since then the building has been the setting for welcome home celebrations, farewells, parties, weddings, school classes (during school extensions), scouts, CWA meetings and functions, dances, balls, meetings, rallies, church services, library facilities, table tennis tournaments, banquets, local concerts, musicals, and theatrical productions. In the 21st century the hall has become a designated evacuation centre during floods and other emergencies. 2020 marks 100 years since the doors opened.

In earlier years travelling performers graced Jondaryan hall’s stage and this year the tradition returns as the Festival of Small Halls makes a whistle stop to take locals back in time when touring musicians and singers called into small country towns enroute to stardom.

If walls could talk...

Join us in Jondaryan on Thursday, 15th October with one of Australia's most celebrated singer-songwriters @shelliemorrismusic and acclaimed blues duo @hussyhicks. Get your tickets via the link in bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #aussiemusic #livemusic

Over the next few weeks, we'll be profiling all th

Over the next few weeks, we'll be profiling all the gorgeous community halls throwing their doors open to us. First up, we return to the gorgeous rainforest surrounds of Springbrook in the Gold Coast Hinterland.

Thanks to the eruption of an ancient volcano 23 million years ago, Springbrook is home to a multitude of things that grow, gurgle and glow. Spectacular waterfalls and lookouts abound as The Natural Bridge cave twinkles with resident glow worms. The wilderness is marked by strangler figs, rare birds and glow-in-the-dark mushrooms.

The historically listed Springbrook Community Hall was built in 1947 for the fledgling community to hold dances, listen to bands, have gatherings, hold meetings and to celebrate events. Things haven't changed much in seventy three years and the hall continues to host dances, bands, gatherings, meetings and celebrations for the residents of Springbrook - and they would love to see you there too. There are plenty of Airbnbs in the area to choose from. Stay the night and make a day of it!

Festival of Small Halls returns to Springbrook on Wednesday, 14th October with one of Australia's most celebrated singer-songwriters @shelliemorrismusic Morris and critically acclaimed blues and roots duo @hussyhicks.

Springbrook Community Hall stands on land traditionally owned by the Yugambeh People.

For more information about this show, visit our website via the link in bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #community #music #travel #livethelifeyoulove #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #explore #australia #ruralhall #friends #family #folk #folkmusic #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #happiness #love

We can't really describe the excitement around the

We can't really describe the excitement around the office when we realised we'd get to work with Shellie Morris - a true national treasure, @shelliemorrismusic is one of Australia’s favourite and celebrated female vocalists, and has spent the past 25 years creating and engaging in music as a healing tool. While she has been in the spotlight over the years for her involvement with Black Arm Band, winning multiple Deadly awards, ARIA nominations, a Music Australia award, a NAIDOC Award, G.R. Burarrawanga Memorial Award and the NT Australian of the Year award; by and large, Shellie is known for her works on the ground empowering and gently effecting change. Shellie creates music and sings in around 17 Aboriginal languages, many considered “sleeping”.

Shellie uses language, connection and song to preserve and promote culture. Her performance will be a soul-stirring experience we would love for you to come and be a part of.

To check out where we're headed with Shellie Morris and Hussy Hicks this October, visit the link in our bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #community #music #travel #livethelifeyoulove #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #explore #australia #ruralhall #love #friends #family #folk #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #love #happiness

After months in hibernation, we knew we had to com

After months in hibernation, we knew we had to come back out of the gates strong with truly exceptional artists to celebrate with. We're beyond thrilled to welcome critically acclaimed, veteran performers and complete legends Hussy Hicks to the Spring Tour 2020. @hussyhicks are one of Australia's best live blues 'n' roots bands. The powerhouse vocals of Leesa Gentz (signed to her first record label at just 16) and the masterful guitar playing of award-winning guitarist Julz Parker (called Australia’s top female guitar player by Phil Emmanuel) come together to create music that is sure to get your feet stomping and old hall roof shaking. Our favourite bit of Hussy Hicks trivia - we recently found out that Bluesfest ran a poll asking patrons their favourite guitar hero in the festivals' 29 year history. Julz Parker made the Top 5, only beaten out by artists like BB King and Santana - the top Australian and the top female to make the list.

With more than 1000 live shows, six studio albums and 15 international tours under their belts, a Hussy Hicks performance is a guaranteed good time.

To check out where we're off to with this truly exceptional duo, via the link in bio.

#HallsSpring #thisisqueensland #qld #queensland #outbackqld #liveinqueensland #community #music #travel #livethelifeyoulove #roadtrip #ontheroad #aussiemusic #explore #australia #ruralhall #love #friends #family #folk #contemporary #livemusic #smallhalls #inspiration #tour #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #happiness #hussyhicks

Well friends. Today, we announce news that makes u

Well friends. Today, we announce news that makes us excited beyond description. This October, we're hitting the road again - to be welcomed into the halls of a simply spectacular group of communities - to perform live shows again!

We're coming back out of the gate strong with an amazing programme. Featuring on the Spring Tour 2020 is one of Australia's most celebrated female vocalists Shellie Morris Music and critically acclaimed blues powerhouse duo Hussy Hicks. If you've ever seen these accomplished, soul stirring and dynamic artists live you'll know we're spoiling to add some unforgettable new memories to the walls of these treasured buildings.

To check out where we're going, read more about these sensational artists and get your tickets, check the link in our bio #announce #tour #HallsSpring #community #regional #rural #rural #queensland #liveinqueensland #thisisqueensland #livemusic #ontour #smallhalls #blues #singersongwriter #excitement #love

It just started raining where we are! Reminded us

It just started raining where we are! Reminded us of this, our all-time favourite water photo captured by @kateatkinsonphotos on the Autumn Tour 2015 with @rhythmboys and Siskin River. We are all hoping for so much more rain before summer. Are you getting any rain at your place? #waterislife💧 #water #rain #prayforrain #smellofrain #loverain #cfa #ruralfireservice #loveourfiries #waterplay #funtimes #ontour #latergram #flashbacks #memories

Over the chilly, rainy weekend (yes, we’re Queen

Over the chilly, rainy weekend (yes, we’re Queenslanders!) we opened the album up from another chilly July weekend, seven years ago - our first Small Halls show. That mulled wine looks just the ticket - does anyone out there have a chilly weather go-to for us tropical softies?

Beautiful photos by @davecollinsphotography

#memories #photoalbum #firstshow #winterwarmers

We are feeling for our Victorian friends back in l

We are feeling for our Victorian friends back in lockdown, so we thought we’d share a memory from our first lockdown.

Our intern-turned Touring Logistics Coordinator Izzy drew this picture of Producer Eleanor, Tour Manager Aimee and herself at Woodfordia’s Lake Gkula. It was the first time we were all in the same place after Aimee and Izzy came back in at different times from the Spring Tour 2019 and also everyone’s first time seeing the lake (and swimming!).

Izzy drew it for Eleanor’s birthday back in April and in the midst of a hard lockdown for her, she tells us it brought all those magical feelings of how it felt being together, working with them and the whole Halls team and being united in our love of celebrating human connection and all the kind things we do for each other to get through this crazy world.

Keep kind, Victoria. We love you.

#lockdown #togetherbutapart #lovefromafar #memories #postcardsfromtheworld #love #apartbuttogether #apartbutnotalone #victoria #stayathome #lovefromadistance #weareone #allinthistogether

Sometimes you get to take the most precious tour m

Sometimes you get to take the most precious tour moments home with you. #gogettheworld, indeed
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#tourmemories #momentsintime #fromthemouthsofbabes #wishyouwell #queensland #liveinqueensland #outbackQLD #thebestthingsinlifearefree #love #community #gogetters

Today marks the end of National Volunteer Week! Th

Today marks the end of National Volunteer Week! These pics are from the last six months of touring, from Spring through Autumn (Oct-Apr). Every picture here shows you just a few of these lion-hearted legends, absolute pillars of their communities who create safe spaces, raise funds for those in need and blush when we (rightly) use words like selflessness, kindness, and dedicated service. They take events like ours in their hands, make them theirs and fill them full of a community love that couldn't be created in any other way.
❤️ Thank you friends, for all that you do.
❤️ If you see someone you know here, feel free to give them a tag!
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Photos by @kateatkinsonphotos, @trphotographs, and Kasmira Carmine .
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#volunteerappreciation #nationalvolunteerweek #volunteer #community #pillars #heart #love #strength #care #fundraising #forthecommongood #tourlife #picsfromtheroad #smallhalls #australia

This opportunity is for those a little closer to t

One of the best parts about touring to all our gor

Diving into some untold tour stories... on the Sum

Diving into some untold tour stories... on the Summer Tour 2019: Cygnet Folk Festival to Illawarra Folk Festival we toured the wonderful Scandinavian fiddle trio Fru Skagerrak. ❤️❤️❤️
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We started the whole tour off with a visit to the local yarn store, where we all bought local alpaca yarn! After that we couldn’t stop shopping for yarn, even though our suitcases were full of it (brought from home and bought in Australia). Everywhere we went, our first question was “is there a yarn shop in town?”!
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We’ve all used it to make some beautiful knitwear for ourselves, as a personal souvenir from our Small Halls Tour. Maja made a set of wristwarmers, and a nice warm hat for the Scandinavian Spring and Autumn. Anna and Elise are still trying to decide what to make.
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Liam (co-touring artist Liam Gerner) wasn’t completely off the game either, he was always very helpful when we needed a hand with the yarn (see photo!).
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There are many single experiences that made impressions on us during that tour, but ultimately the highlight we are left with is the fact that we spent 5 weeks with these amazing people who were on tour with us: Meredith, Harry, Liam and Damaris. Getting to know them and working together, sharing experiences and just hanging out in our (limited) free time was so great. We don't usually get a chance to really get to know people we meet when we're on tour, but sharing a tour with them was a very different and very positive experience. We still keep in touch and hope we'll some day be able to do a Small Halls reunion. .
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We sure hope we'll see these wonderful people back in Australia soon. If you've been thinking about music lessons or workshops while in iso, we didn't use the word 'Master Musicians' as marketing ploy to describe these ladies - they literally hold Masters degrees and are wonderful teachers. Check out their site for details, or just to grab some of their merch!
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www.fruskagerrak.com/shop
www.fruskagerrak.bandcamp.com
www.facebook.com/fruskagerrak
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#supportartists #memories #throwback #tourlife

I was lucky enough to be a part of the Festival of

I was lucky enough to be a part of the Festival of Small Halls Summer Tour in 2018 with two time JUNO award-winning Canadian musician, @oldmanluedecke. Our tour went all over regional Queensland and Northern New South Wales. There were so many great moments and wonderful shows, but my strongest impression is of the very beginning, starting off at the @mullummusicfestival.

During our down time between shows there, I went for walks around the town, such a chilled, laid-back vibe compared to frenetic Melbourne. Down the laneway from our accommodation was a mural of the region, with lush green Mount Chinogan and a river reflecting the sky. Our tour manager, Jesh showed us the beaches in nearby Brunswick Heads and where to get the best pies and falafels. We also went to a record store where Old Man Luedecke bought a boxed set of 'The History of Calypso' CDs - from then on our tour vehicle was called "The Calypso Capsule". During one of our Mullum concerts there was a storm and the power went out partway through Old Man Luedecke’s set. He sang his last few songs unplugged. This was when I heard his beautiful song “The Death of Truth” for the first time, and I had tears welling up all the way through. This would happen many times throughout the tour.

It was such an honour to get to tour with Old Man Luedecke, and to see so many regional communities come together through live music. Many thanks to the amazing team who work behind the scenes to make Festival of Small Halls Tours happen, and may this project continue long into the future - Lucy Wise, @lucyjoywise
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We are so moved by this beautiful memory from Lucy! If you can support her during this time - a time where it is impossible to make a living through live touring - you can buy her CD's or check out her awesome music lessions at http://www.lucywise.com.au/. Lucy teaches ukulele, singing, songwriting, guitar and Appalachian dulcimer, in one-on-one lessons or group workshop settings, all online for your inside time :):)
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#supportaussieartists #smallhalls #stories #lifeontour #memories #throwback

We've been sharing stories of communities during l

We've been sharing stories of communities during lockdown, and we'd love to pivot now to our artists, who have lit up your gorgeous Halls, large and small, across Australia since 2013. They've dug out some of their best tour memories for us! Starting tomorrow with the beautiful @lucyjoywise.

Photograph reminds us that all the best stories are shared in the kitchen, taken in Lameroo - right before we had to cut our tours short - by our lens wizard @kateatkinsonphotos .
#smallhalls #livemusic #memories #memorylane #australia #aussiemusic #supportaustralianmusic #tourlife #touring #throwback #stayhome

This is such a nice good news story - we visited F

This is such a nice good news story - we visited Freestone Hall just before last Christmas, when the chokehold of drought was just tipping over into the summer bushfires. Some locals couldn't come to the show, because they were in nearby valleys defending their homes.

Between the bushfires and the lockdown, Freestone got some rain! The grass and the view around the hall are completely transformed.... Freestone is another hall we visit that has achieved funding to get some upgrades done while they can't gather in the building. We can't wait to get back out there and see it all!

PS... The Freestone Hall committee also let us know the lovely support act from the show with Hat Fitz & Cara and Blair Dunlop, The Fern Brothers are doing live streams on Sunday afternoons over on their FB page! Cool! #youarenotalone #goodnews #kindness #together #weareallconnected