2024 Blues & Blueberry Festival

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WHAT’’S NEW IN GELLIBRAND?

For those of you that have not been to Gelli in the last twelve months, the reopening of the Pub has been welcomed and enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. This year we were unfortunately forced to cancel our Blues and Blueberry Festival due to illness of key staff.

Since then, we have had many requests for the dates of the music festival to be put ack to the previous dates due to the fact that the end of April is generally cold and probably wet as well as the need to shorten the duration, as it was deemed to be unsafe to operate the event in the dark.  The event was put back to those dates as we were no longer allowed to have public gatherings in the Otways during the bushfire danger period, which caused the Lorne Falls Festival and some other events to also be cancelled.

After consultation with team members and staff at the Gellibrand River Hotel, we have decided and are pleased to announce that we will hold future Blues Music Events at the pub which has a large beer garden, bars and restaurant facilities and the necessary security procedures in place to conduct a successful and safe outdoor music event.

The event will now be named Gellibrand River Blues and be held from Friday, February 23 2024, to Sunday February 25th.  Friday night from 6.00 pm to 10 pm and on Saturday from 12.00 noon till 10.00 pm. We will also have our popular Markets again from 10.00 am till 3.00pm on Sunday, and yes, we will have all our Blueberry treats, all in all, we look forward to a great Festival.

2022 festival is SET!

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The 2022 Music Festival will be held on Saturday the 30th of April from 12.00pm til 7pm.

The line-up to be announced.

We will also have a local night on Friday evening 7.00pm to 10.00 pm, gold coin donation on entry.

This will be our 10th annual Festival, we are continuing our tradition of bringing you the best blues bands in the country at the Otways Tourist Park venue in Gellibrand. We have 7 hours of non-stop Blues as well as good food and drinks. This is a ticketed event, entry is $30 for adults and $20 for under eighteens and concession holders. We look forward to seeing you there!

Covid19 Announcement

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Covid19 Announcement

It is with sadness we announce, as per the below directive the Otways Tourist Park has closed as of midnight 25/3/2020 until further notice. The Bistro will REMAIN open for take-away orders until further notice. This means the 2020 Blues & Blueberry Festival has now, sadly, been cancelled. We trust you all stay safe and healthy at this time, and we look forward to seeing you all at the 2021 Festival on the other side of Covid19.

Park Update

COVID-19   

Caravan Parks and Camping Grounds – COVID 19

At the direction of the Chief Health Officer Victoria campsites, caravan parks and camping grounds will now be closed to visitors.

This will be effective from 11.59pm (local time) 25 March 2020. 

The only people permitted to remain will be:

  • People who already have the caravan park registered as their primary place of residence; and

  • People staying in caravan parks as interim accommodation where their primary residence is not available (including those of no fixed address and people placed in emergency housing by DHHS).

These actions follow further restrictions on domestic and international travel, with all non-essential travel banned. Compliance with this directive is enforceable under the section 203 of the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 and penalties apply.  

It is important to reduce the risk of infection and slow the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) in the Victorian community.

2020 Blues & Blueberry Festival 28/2/2020-1/3/2020

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We are pleased to announce part of the line-up for the 2020 festival.

The festival will include:

Friday Evening- Local’s Night @ The Bistro with Live blues music

Saturday:12-8pm @ Otways Tourist Park: Live Blues Music, Where you can relax and listen to some of the best Australian Blues Bands, whilst enjoying local beer, wines and food as well as great country hospitality at Otways Tourist Park

Featuring: The McNaMarr Project and Rhythm X Revival, with more acts to be confirmed

The McNaMarr Project

The McNaMarr Project

Rhythm X Revival

Rhythm X Revival

Saturday Evening 8pm Onwards @ The Football Oval: Live Blues Music. There will be food and drinks for sale.

Sunday 9.30am-2pm @ Rex Norman Reserve: The Market, with local food producers, artists and artisans, scrumptious food, new exciting activities for the children and of course Blueberry products

What Things to Take to a Music Festival

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What Things to Take to a Music Festival

If you're new to music festivals or need a reminder about what to take along for your comfort and security and to make sure it’s all fun, the following guide should, help or jog your memory about the time you forgot something. These pointers and tips are a must, especially if you’re planning to camp for the weekend at a music festival. Start packing the most important items first, and then sort out the luxury items you want to take along. Oh, and don’t forget to take your smartphone, iPhone or digital camera for some really good shots, but remember, it's seen as in poor taste (and may be against the rules) to take flash pics of a band while they're playing.

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Grab a Copy of the Festival Schedule

Start by visiting the festival's website for their guidelines and schedule check out the FAQ page to see what the rules are, then make a list of them and print the guidelines up to take with you, or save the page to your smartphone. But printing is preferable in case your phone battery runs out or there is no reception. Some festivals won’t let you bring drinks and food and there might be camping restrictions. Buy a portable battery charger for your phone and enough batteries to keep it going, especially if electric outlets are not available. Don’t forget your parking passes and music festival tickets.

Sunblock

Everyone knows how dangerous UV rays are and at a music festival you’ll be at risk, so slap on the 50+ sunblock. Don’t forget to reapply it every couple of hours.

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Reusable Water Bottles

There are bound to be water stations at the festival so you don’t need to buy bottled water that will end up polluting the oceans; instead, take along a couple of reusable water bottles you can refill them. A hydration backpack is good for such occasions.

Head lamp

A head lamp is great for campers anywhere who don't want to trip over on a night-time trek to the porta-loo and you can use both hands to set up tents, make up the beds and do whatever needs to be done.

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Chairs and a Blanket

You’ll no doubt want to sit down at some point and watch some bands. Take a blanket if it’s a bit chilly or windy. Some festivals won’t allow chairs but you’ll find that most of them do, so take along a folding camp chair that’s light and easy to carry, then sit back and enjoy your freedom, the music and soak in the atmosphere.

If you’re going to an overseas music festival don’t forget to check with your travel health provider what vaccinations may be recommended or required, as well as other travel health advice, to keep you healthy and well.

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Author’s Bio
Kym Wallis, the founding director of Higher Ranking has over 15 years of advertising sales, digital strategy, and business development experience. He is currently working as Digital Adviser for TravelVax.

The Origin of Blues, the Music

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The Mississippi Delta gave birth to the blues.There is a long and complex musical history behind this genre. The blues was strongly influenced by the social changes of the nineteenth century.

Throughout the twentieth century, the genre kept branching out. It formed the basis of rock’n’roll. It’s impossible to imagine contemporary music without the blues.

Let’s take a whirlwind tour of the history of this genre.

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The Beginnings of the Blues

“The blues tells a story. Every line of the blues has a meaning.” – John Lee Hooker

Slavery was there at the roots of this genre. The blues developed from the musical traditions that African slaves brought to America.

It was based on two forms of music: spirituals and work songs. Both of these were developed by African American slaves and freedmen.

Spirituals were religious songs. They were based on Christian hymns and psalms, but these songs were performed in an entirely new way. African American congregations added polyphony,call-and-response, and other innovations to these hymns. The lyrics changed overtime as well. Using vocal harmony, these congregations made a musical genre that lasts to this day.

And what about work songs?

These a capella songs were created by slaves working in the fields. Work songs also featured a call-and-response and a drumbeat.

Drumming was a sophisticated form of communication in various African traditions. Slaves used it to pass on messages to each other. Eventually, they were banned from using drums or trumpets.

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Country and City Blues

“People should hear the pure blues - the blues we used to have when we had no money.” – Muddy Waters

Country blues developed from these two musical genres throughout the 19th century. It was also influenced by the folk music of white European settlers.

This genre featured a solo singer and a piano or guitar. The songs centered on the performer’s struggles. Some of the lyrics had spiritual themes, while other songs focused on worldly topics.

After the Civil War, many African Americans relocated to the north of the US. The music spread along with them. By the end of the 19th century, the blues was loved all over the US.

During the 20th century, the blues split into different styles. Together, all of these styles are referred to as city blues. They were largely played in African American bars and clubs in the 40s and 50s.

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The Blues at the Roots of Other Genres

“You hear a rock n' roll song. That's the blues. Somebody playing a guitar solo? They're playing the blues.” – Wynton Marsalis

Starting from the 1920s, rhythm n’ blues records became a staple in African American households.

Electric blues became well-loved in the late forties. This was also when saxophones became widely used by blues performers.

Starting from the 60s, the blues spread all over the world. Blues players inspired many other musicians to start making innovations. Rock n’ roll grew out of rhythm n’ blues.

Jazz and blues were never fully separate from each other. Many performers were outstanding in both genres.

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The Kings and Queens of Blues

“You don't sing to feel better. You sing 'cause that's a way of understanding life.” – Ma Rainey

The blues was always a highly emotive genre. The audience went in looking for something to connect to.

Solos are an important part of blues songs. But in the beginning, the goal of these solos wasn’t to show off the performer’s technical skills. The aim was to stir up emotions in the audience.

Improvisation was always welcome, as long as it added to the emotional effect of the music.

Who are the greatest names of the genre?

W. C. Handy was a music teacher and blues performer from the late 19th century. He copied down various blues songs performed by other musicians. He noted that these songs followed a 12-bar structure.

Ma Rainey is considered to be the mother of the blues. She performed at the turn of the 20th century. Her style has inspired blues performers ever since.

Bessie Smith and Lead Belly are also among the greats of the early blues period.

B. B. King is the best-known city blues performer. T-Bone Walker was another great name in the genre. He was a city blues performer who inspired the rock guitar sound.

But there are many other musical geniuses who deserve recognition. And the best way to get to know them is to just start enjoying the music.

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Looking Ahead

"People all over the world have problems. And as long as people have problems, the blues can never die." – B. B. King

Today, blues has many different faces. It’s adored all around the world. In Australia, blues was pioneered by Paul Marks, among others, in the late fifties.

Blues performers honor their roots, but they also value innovation. Lovers of the genre know that this music will always adapt to the changing world. Like the Mississippi, the blues will never stop flowing.

Author’s Bio

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Alex Morrison has been an SEO Expert in Melbourne for over 10 years. In this time he has worked with a range of businesses giving him an in depth understanding of many different industries including home improvement, entertainment and health care. As the owner of Integral Media he is now utilising his knowledge and experience with his rapidly increasing client portfolio to help them achieve their business goals.

2019 Festival!!!

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The 2019 Music Festival will be held on Saturday the 23rd of February from 12 noon til 8pm. Please stay tuned for another great line-up to be announced shortly.

On Sunday the 24th there will be a band (TBA) performing at the Otway Estate from 1pm-4pm. There is a $5 Cover charge to pay at the door, the Cellar Door will be open from 11am. There will be Light Lunches available so BYO Picnic Rug, but please Please NO BYO drinks.

This will be our eighth annual Festival, we are continuing our tradition of bringing you the best blues bands in the country at the Otways Tourist Park venue in Gellibrand. We have eight hours of non-stop Blues as well as good food, we will also have drinks from the Otway Estate Winery and Brewery. This is a ticketed event, entry is $30 for adults and $20 for under eighteens and concession holders. We look forward to seeing you there!

Tickets for the 2017 Festival

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The 2017 Festival is fast approaching,

The line-up is: Dog Gone South, Blues Mountain , Blue Eyes Cry and John-Luke Shelley and High Speed Steel.

Saturday 25th Feb ..12noon-8pm Otways Tourist Park (Full Line-Up)

Saturday 25th Feb ..7.30pm til late Gellibrand River Hotel (Dirty Soul + Special Guest)

Sunday 26th Feb ..1pm-4pm Otway Estate (Blues Mountain) $10 entry

**early-bird tickets $35 include entry to Otways Tourist Park Saturday and Otway Estate on Sunday**

Blues Mountain won the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society (MBAS) Blues Challenge (Band) 2016 competition. They will represent the MBAS, along with other Australian Blues Clubs Challenge winners, in Memphis in January 2017 at the International Blues Challenge., well done guys.

This Festival will be our sixth annual Festival, we are continuing our tradition of bringing you the best blues bands in the country at the Otways Tourist Park venue in Gellibrand. We have eight hours of non-stop Blues as well as good food , and Otway Estate Winery and Brewery will be here again with handcrafted ciders and beers. This is a ticketed event, entry is $30 for adults and $10 for children (12-16yrs). Looking forward to seeing you there!

Please click here to purchase tickets.

5 Apps Every Blues Music Enthusiast Needs

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Image: shutterstock

5 Apps Every Blues Music Enthusiast Needs

Music apps are very handy and, when mixed with genre love, can be the best apps around.

The blues may not be your go-to music genre for app lovers—something about the blues evokes a certain vintage quality that eschews all modern technology for more retro outfits—but the truth is, the digital age has made loving the blues that much easier and that much more accessible.

For enthusiasts who really dig the history, rich sounds, and incredible performances of blues musicians, there are great options for discovering even more. From internet radio stations primed for blues only to a “blues trail” app that takes the listener down a historic journey, these are the five must-have apps for every person who says he loves the blues.

1.     Blues Music Radio Stations

Discover your favorites and new hits with this music radio app that allows you to choose between different blues radio playlists to arrive at the one station that is absolutely perfect for you. With over 50 different subgenres of radio to choose—from American Road Radio to Bar Rockin’ Blues—you can sit back and let the radio stations pick the best tunes for you.

Available for iOs. Free.

2.      YouTube

The YouTube app may be an obvious go-to, but it’s breadth and width of music is as deep as the internet goes—and for blues lovers this is great news. From blues around the world to the latest ingénues, YouTube is hands down the best website (and app!) around for accessing free music. For vintage or lesser-known favorites, YouTube can be the only source for it, and with great tools like a virtual private network, it can be accessed anywhere in the world.

For customizing the app for blues, create your own playlists, like people’s videos, and follow users who post your favorites to create a personal experience with this mega platform. My advice is always to start with one of your favorite artists, like B. B. King or John Lee Hooker, and let the YouTube rabbit hole lead you down.

Available for iOS, Android. Free.

3.      Mississippi Blues Trail

Mississippi Blue Trail is the app for the history buff who just can’t get enough blues tunes. Begin in the homeland of the genre and take a tour down memory lane with this app that will point out all the hotspots in Mississippi, USA. Perfect for a die-hard blues enthusiast or a casual alternative tripper, this app will lead you to markers along the timeline of the blues genre to hear both music and fun facts you’ve never encountered before.

You can create your own itinerary, chase down must-see markers, and discover the connections between your favorite artists and the places that created them. Funded by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Humanities, and more, this is one app that will expand your knowledge not just musically but culturally as well.

Available for iOS. Free.

4.      Blues Music Radios

While Blues Music Radios app isn’t one of the free ones, it definitely delivers with the best, most curated blues playlists around and without all of the annoying ads that come with most internet radios. From delta blues to contemporary blues, you can select the subgenre of your liking and jam until your battery runs out of power. With an easy to use interface and plenty of options to choose from, this app is by far the best on the market for straight-up blues tunes with zero fuss. 

Available for iOS. $5.99.

5.     Blues Music Trivia

For blues lovers who are confident in their genre skills, I suggest downloading the Blues Music Trivia App to challenge your knowledge. With over 90 different trivia questions about the genre, this app can provide the perfect distraction on your commute to work or while you wait in line for your morning cup of joe. With obscure facts and folkloric tidbits, genre fans will love getting ahead with some of their blues-loving friends by testing them on subgenre history, famous artists, songs and more.

Available for iOS. $0.99.

Blues has a long history that leads all the way through cultural upheaval and ends with influencing almost every modern song you hear on the radio. So to get a little closer to the style that’s responsible for everyone from Leon Bridges to John Mayer, invest a little time and iCloud space to include these great apps into your every day.

About me: Cassie is an avid music lover with interest in everything from Czech dechovka folk music to European freetekno and is always on the search for the next great thing. From blogging to spending hours finding the coolest music festivals around—she hopes to be off to the Blues & Blueberry Festival next—she loves to discover the best jams and apps for making listening and discovery easier than ever. She hopes you enjoy these five apps for listening to the blues; it’s one of her most beloved genres!

Website :  www.culturecoverage.com

 

The 5th Annual Blues & Blueberry Festival Wrap Up :)

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By popular demand, Otways Tourist Park again hosted the 5th Annual Blues & Blueberry Festival on the 27th of February 2016, The Market Day took place on the 28th.

What a weekend we had. A big thank you to everybody who came, the bands which were absolutely fantastic, Hamish and Kelly from the Otway Estate Winery for helping everyone stay hydrated, Kim and the girls from the Otways Tourist Parks Bistro for the great food, and everyone that helped make this years festival such a success.

Keep an eye out on the Blues & Blueberry Web Site and Facebook Page for details of next years festival.
Why not plan to make a weekend of it next year? Book your accommodation at the Otways Tourist Park, get in early!

The 5th Annual Blues & Blueberry Festival is on the 27th of February 2016

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By popular demand, Otways Tourist Park will again host the 5th Annual Blues & Blueberry Festival on the 27th of February 2016, from 12.00 noon to 8.00 pm.

Again, there will be a great music line-up as well as the Otway Estate Winery & Brewery mobile bar, food stalls and hot and cold beverages. For those people who have attended before, we can guarantee another memorable day and for those first timers, we look forward to having you here to experience a great day.

Keep an eye out here for upcoming event details.
Why not make a weekend of it? See the Otways Tourist Park Web Page, or click on the accommodation link on this website to book, be sure to get in early!