The ACT-BELONG-COMMIT 2018 York Festival returns with a massive program !

The ACT-BELONG-COMMIT 2018 York Festival returns with a massive program !

Saturday 8 September – Sunday 7 October
10am – 4.30pm
www.yorkfestival.com.au

WA’s oldest inland town kicks off its annual community celebration of culture and arts on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 September with the Act-Belong-Commit 2018 The York Festival. Thousands will visit the charming, historic Wheatbelt town (just one hour from Perth) as York comes alive with its ever popular Makers Market (including a Twilight Market) featuring WA’s most talented and creative artisans, along with music, art, food, performance, workshops, exhibitions and activities for all ages. The month-long program culminates on Sunday 7 October with a free community concert in Peace Park featuring WA’s best bluegrass band, the City Slickers.
York is an easy one hour drive east of the Perth CBD, off the Great Southern Highway. Nestled on the banks of the Avon River in the West Australian Wheatbelt, the district offers unique insights into Western Australia’s rich and colourful past, both before and following European settlement in 1831.
York’s location and heritage inform much of the content of the York Festival program, of which highlights include: The Hay Bale Challenge sculpture competition; the Festival’s first interational artist exchange with Japanese Wara (rice straw) Artist AKIRA MORIYA, arriving in York to help create giant straw sculptures featuring endangered Australian fauna. Other highlights The Running of the Lambs; Croquet + Cosplay, and a silent disco (see more information below).
The York Festival activities take place throughout the town in many of the town’s historic landmark buildings which will host exhibitions and entertainment, including the York Town Hall, the York Mill, the Courthouse, Peace Park and the CWA.

Wander down Avon Terrace, enjoy the sounds of street buskers and soak up the charm and heritage of York. Buskers who are interested in playing in York during the festival should contact hello@yorkfestival.com.au to register their interest. Guided Walking Tours will take place each weekend of the festival; delving into the architecture and cultural history of York during the day, and a night-time tour for those more daring.

Entertainment, art performance highlights include:
– Moominpappa by the Sea presented by Spare Parts Puppet Theatre;
– The Running of the Lambs. The hit of 2017, the costumed ninja warrior style obstacle course for kids is back but with more spice. This year parents won’t be left out and the program will include the Ewe Beauties and the Rams Rampage:
– Croquet + Cosplay, at the York Croquet Club on Friday 28th September;
– Popup skate park;
– Human Foosball;
– Strings in Spring (chamber music) on Sunday 30th September;
– Outcome Unknown (experimental music) on Sunday 30th September;
– Silent Disco: three sessions for three age groups Under 12s, Under 17s and a late session for the 18+ on Saturday 29th September;
– The Artitja Fine Art Spring Salon: showcasing Australian Aboriginal artists from regional and remote communities from across the North-west, central Australia and the Northern Territory, at Gallery152;
– More to be announced!

Entry to most Festival events is FREE or by gold coin donation, except for certain ticketed events. There is Wheelchair access available at all venues. Parking is free within York.
For full program information visit: www.yorkfestival.com.au and sign up to the newsletter for updates.
Follow The York Festival on social media for the latest release program information:
Facebook @yorkfestival
Instagram @theyorkfestival
Twitter @TheYorkFestival

THE HAY BALE CHALLENGE
daily
What will be done with a bale of hay? The York Festival has set the creative people of WA an exciting art challenge with The York Festival’s Hay Bale Challenge. Using no more than one Australian standard small hay bale, the competition is on to create something extraordinary for the 2017 Hay Bale Challenge Sculpture Competition.
The artworks will be on display in and around York during the Festival, and all artworks can be made available for sale. A jury will assess entries for the Judge’s prize of $1,000, and there is a People’s Choice award of $200.
Deadline for entries is the 31st August (with artworks to be delivered to York on 14-15th September). There are no restrictions on what the artwork is, provided entrants use a maximum of one standard small bale (900mm x 375mm x 450mm and 27kgs) or smaller and is capable of being transported to York for display during the festival. Other materials can be used provided that the artwork, in the opinion of the judges, is inherently a work from only one bale of hay (or straw). A commission applies to all artworks sold during the festival.
Interested creatives should enter via the website https://yorkfestival.com.au/event/hale-bale-challenge/ by 31 August 2018. The fee for entering into the art prize is $25.

FIBRE WEAVING WORKSHOP with Fiona Gavino
Need help to create your sculpture for the Hay Bale Challenge. Fiona Gavino will be offering a workshop that will get you in the running for $1200 in prize money. Sunday August 12 at Midland Junction Arts Centre. 1pm-5pm Fee: $55. Register via the website https://yorkfestival.com.au/event/fibre-weaving-workshop-with-fiona-gavino/

MAKER’S MARKET
Saturday 8 September from 10am (including Twilight Market 4.30pm – 9pm)
Sunday 9 September 10am – 4.30pm

The York Festival maker’s market hosts local artisans to sell their quality hand-made wares; from jewellery, textiles, ceramics and homewares to gourmet food. To be held over two days on October 14 and 15, the maker’s market will include a Twilight Market on the Saturday evening from 4.30pm through till 9pm. A licensed bar area, food, live music and pure country air promise the experience to be a memorable one.
The York Festival’s makers market is looking for makers and designers interested in showcasing their work. Over the weekend of the York Festival on September 22, 23 and 24 many arts and craft workshops will be running, with the maker’s markets an opportunity for emerging makers to showcase their work to thousands of visitors.
UMBRELLA PAINTING
Saturday 8 September from 10am – 4.00pm
Sunday 9 September 10am – 4.00pm

Let your creativity run free at this marvellous Arty Brellas activity. These cute paper parasols make fabulous canvases for your happiest, glitteriest, most colourful designs! Great for keeping you from the sun, but bring sunshiney sparkle inside as a gorgeous little decorative memento at home. Free: registration not required.

POPUP SKATE PARK
Saturday 15 September from 10am – 4.30pm
Sunday 16 September 10am – 4.30pm

The mob from Skate Sculpture are hooking up the trailer and bringing their popup skate park to York. Tell your friends, grab your favourite deck and head on down to Lowe Street. FREE

HUMAN FOOSBALL
Saturday 15 September from 10am – 4.30pm
Sunday 16 September 10am – 4.30pm

Human Foosball is a fun sport anyone can play. Loads of family fun.

THE RUNNING OF THE LAMBS / THE EWE BEAUTIES & THE RAMS’ RAMPAGE
Sunday 16th September, registrations from 10am, parade time 2.30pm
Location: Peace Park, South Street York
Registrations are now open for York’s highly popular Running of the Lambs, a costumed obstacle adventure full of fun, frolics and guaranteed laughs for individuals or teams of children
The event starts with a fun warm up session and participants then walk or run the course and complete the obstacles dressed in their best lamb onesie suit (preferably hand-made). Then watch the parents do the same in the EWE BEAUTIES and the RAMS’ RAMPAGE
Prizes will be awarded for:
– Best Dressed Lamb;
– Most Glamorous Lamb;
– Best Super-Hero Lamb;
– Best Dressed Family;
– Overall course winner;
– Fastest Ewe;
– Fastest Ram.

The duration of the event for each event is 2 hours.

SILENT DISCO
Pump up the jam in a world of your own with our Silent Disco. Don headphones and hit the dance floor for a unique party experience! Get your dancing shoes on and come cut some shapes.
Early 4-6pm session for 5-12yrs. $5 entry
Evening session 6-8pm for 13-17yrs. $5 entry
Evening session 8.30-11pm for 18+. $20 entry
Tickets here: https://yorkfestival.com.au/event/silent-disco-u18/

YORK FESTIVAL ART AND CRAFT WORKSHOPS
Saturday 22 September to Monday 24 September 10 – 4pm each day

For lovers of weaving with fibre, we have FIBRE WEAVING MASTERCLASSES and WORKSHOPS with tutors that will include NALDA SEARLES, SHARYN EGAN, FIONA GAVINO, ANNETTE NYKIEL and SIAN BOUCHARD.
Details on our website soon. Supported by Festivals Australia, the Department of Local Government, Sport & Cultural Industries and the Australia Japan Foundation.

CROQUET + COSPLAY
Friday 28 September 6-11pm

Croquet as you haven’t seen it before. Frock up in your favourite fantasy character and join croquet veterans from the York Croquet Club for the game that has been played by kings, queens and us common folk for centuries. Complimentary glass of champagne and supper provided.
Tickets $25. Online (non members only) or at door. https://yorkfestival.com.au/event/croquet-cosplay/

ABOUT YORK
Settled in 1831, York was the first inland settlement in Western Australia and the town has many historical heritage-listed Victorian and Federation buildings. An abundance of local activities and facilities make it an attractive destination and a fantastic place to live.
York sits in the beautiful Avon Valley. Nestled on the banks of the Avon River in the gently rolling farmlands, it boasts many striking examples of grand early colonial architecture and excellent museums including the York Town Hall, the Residency Museum, the Courthouse Precinct, the York Motor Museum, Tipperary School and the Sandalwood Yards.
The historic town is an easy one-hour drive east of Perth, on the Great Southern Highway. York is a popular destination for weddings, special events, day visitors and weekend escapes.
York values its cultural heritage, the natural environment, its historic character, the arts, and the outstanding beauty of the natural landscape. The York community thrives on the industries of agriculture and tourism.

ABOUT THE YORK FESTIVAL
The York Festival is run by an incorporated association, York Arts & Events Inc. Act-Belong-Commit York Festival 2018 is proudly sponsored by Healthway, the Shire of York and Tourism WA.

Ngala Kaaditj Ballardong Noongar moort keyen kaadak nidja boodja – we acknowledge the Ballardong Noongar people as the original custodians of this land.

Category: News