Whare Flat stage set for folk festival

Four days of concerts, workshops, entertainment and relaxation, all with a folk flavour, will begin at the Whare Flat Folk Festival today. Between 500 and 600 people are expected to attend the event at the Waiora Scout Camp this year.

Festival co-organiser Bill Morris said it would be an increase from previous years.‘‘There’s been a surge in popularity because we’ve done a lot more work on promotion this time.

"We’re trying to lift attendance and give the festival a trajectory into the future. We’re hoping for quite a busy festival.‘‘The definition of folk music is completely redundant these days," Mr Morris said.

"You’ll hear everything here from Bluegrass, old-time American Country and traditional Celtic music, to kapa haka and everything else in between. It’s very open."

The festival has been run annually by the Dunedin Folk Club since 1975.

john.lewis@odt.co.nz