australianbluegrass.com

Bluegrass music is alive and well in South East Queensland.

This long weekend in the town of Caboolture, the Morten Bay Regional Council played host to a range of events, concerts, craft, food and wine stalls and a myriad of other activities for young and old. Called Urban Country, this festival has something to offer everyone, not the least of which is bluegrass music for breakfast.

The Haskings Street Cafe was the venue for inaugural Saturday morning’s Bluegrass Brunch. The cafe staff put on a great breakfast menu, with fine coffee and all to the sounds of live bluegrass music sponsored by Mission Australia.

The crowd gathered very quickly to the point where it was standing room only for the duration. The morning featured two buegrass bands from the region; The O’Donnell Family Band and The Redlands Bluegrass Boys who kept the crowds entertained for over three hours.

Sure to be come  a regular event as part of the Urban Country Festival, the Bluegrass Brunch was a huge success.

Things are hotting up in the Urban Country office as they count down to their 7th festival.

Volunteers and staff are working hard to make the final touches on what they believe to be an awesome 4 day festival.

The 2010 merchandise range has arrived and is looking swanky and will soon be available on the website. If you’re busy planning your weekend, here’s some information to help you on your way.

The Bluegrass Brunch will make its long awaited debut at the 2010 festival and it’s guaranteed to get even the most reluctant foot tapping. Sunday 2 May, 9.30am – 11.30am featuring the Redland Bluegrass Boys and special guests. Pull up a chair and tuck into a Sunday morning brunch in true Bluegrass Style at the Hasking Street Café, in the heart of Caboolture.

This latest addition to the festival is proudly supported by Mission Australia.

If your family is on a budget then the Urban Country Music Festival has plenty of free activities to keep everyone entertained over the coming May long weekend.

From the festival opening Burbs ‘n Bush Party in Caboolture’s Town Square, on Friday 30th April to the closing Farewell Concert on Monday, 3rd May, there will be heaps of opportunities to experience exciting performances from a range of country musicians.

We’re expecting to have more than 100 utes entered this year. It’s free to stroll among the entries, talk to ute owners and see if your favourite utes pick up prizes. There’s also live entertainment, a BBQ breakfast, rides and competitions. It’s then just a short walk, or a ride in our free shuttle bus, to Caboolture’s Town Square to take in some more free activities.
Festival fans will be pleased to know favourites such as clogging demonstrations, buskers and Grass Roots and Gospel performers will be back this year
If learning the story behind the songs appeals, then the Songwriters Café on Saturday and Sunday will be  worth a visit so you can hear artists talking about their inspiration.
If country music isn’t your thing, then how about checking out the Beaut Ute Competition at Centenary Lakes on Saturday morning?
“We’ve got surprise special guests at 1pm on both Saturday and Sunday and other artists featuring over the weekend include Drew McAlister, Rose Carleo, Sarah McMonagle, Dean Perrett, 2010 Toyota Star Maker Luke Austen, Katrina Burgoyne and Corey Hargreaves - Moreton Bay Regional Council Mayor Allan Sutherland

Those planning future family holidays might want to check out the Urban Country Caravan and Camping Corner off Beerburrum Road, Caboolture, opposite Town Square.

Caravans and camping goods to inspire would-be adventurers will be featured on Saturday and Sunday.

At the same location, Urban Country visitors can check out the Next Generation Station featuring rising talent from laid-back acoustic performers to rocking bands.  Next door, the Stockmans Arena is the venue for animal demonstration shows by the Blue Heeler Comedy Team and Viv and Maurie’s Shearing Shed.

There will be a free shuttle bus service operating in and around Caboolture over the four days to make getting around between venues easy for visitors.

A full program of events and a timetable for the shuttle buses are available at festival website www.urbancountry.com.au.

Free Festival Highlights in Caboolture

• Burbs ‘n’ Bush Party: 6pm to 10pm, Friday. Town Square stage
• Beaut Ute Competition: 7.30am to 1pm, Saturday Centenary Lakes
• Next Generation Station:  9am to 5.30pm Saturday, 9am to 4pm Sunday, Beerburrum Road
• Stockmans Arena:  9.45am to 3.30pm Saturday, 9.45am to 2.30pm, Beerburrum Road
• Caravan and Camping Corner, 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, Beerburrum Road
• Songwriters Café: 10am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, Town Square
• Grass Roots & Gospel: 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday, Town Square
• Bluegrass Brunch will be held Sunday from 9:30am to 12 noon at the Hasking Street Cafe
• Farewell Concert: 8.30am to 3pm, Monday, Town Square stage

More news from the folk at Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture Queensland.

In January this year we brought you news of the Bluegrass Brunch planned for this year’s Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture Queensland. News just in reveals one of the acts for the event is none other that the region’s Redlands Bluegrass Boys.

The group comprises, Allen McMonagle on guitar and fiddle, Neil Wills  on mandolin and guitar, Fred Hudson banjo, Bill Turner on guitar and Tom Stekinga on double bass. The Redlands Bluegrass Boys was formed in 1998 by a group of enthusiastic acoustic musicians who were part of the Redlands Modern Country Music Club.

Scheduled for Sunday 2nd May this year, the Bluegrass Brunch will be held from 9:30am to 12 noon at the Hasking Street Cafe in Hasking Street, Caboolture. The event is free. If you need breakfast and lunch, the cafe is sure to serving both.

News from the folk at Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture Queensland, is that The Bluegrass Brunch will make its long awaited debut at this year’s festival and is guaranteed to get even the most reluctant toes tapping.

You are invited to a Sunday brunch at Hasking Street Cafe, to immerse yourself in the addictive sounds bluegrass music. Stay tuned for more news and the announcement of the first bluegrass artists to converge on Urban.

30th April to 1st May 2010

Tony Lake – Capital News’ Bluegrass Scene – has given us some news on the Urban Country Music Festival in Caboolture.

Applications are now open for the 2010. After last year’s very successful event, featuring some 500 artists performing on 11 different stages, the organising committee have given the green light to feature a bluegrass component in the 2010 festival. More news to follow.

Bluegrass bands, it’s time to get your applications in. Performer’s applications will close on 30 November 2009 and are available from the Urban Country Website.