DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: 2008

Welcome to the 20th Brunswick Music Festival and the 14th Sydney Road Street Party. Our 20th birthday program is brimming full of excellence and diversity, the hall marks of all Brunswick programs. In particular we have an outstanding program of women artists this year, some of whom are new to the festival and others, friends from way back. A special mention should be made of our guests from our sister city Xianyang in central China and I’m delighted to welcome them to the festival. These artists will be performing at the Sydney Road Street Party and also on the fabulous opening night concert with Zulya and the Children of the Underground.

The Sydney Road Street party moves into its 14th year with one very important and major change. The Moreland City Council has made a decision to restrict the consumption of alcohol on the party day to licensed areas only.

Another major change for the festival is in our booking system where you will note that for the first time we have introduced a small ticket booking fee. This measure has been taken to alleviate relentless upward pressure on our costs, and in an effort to keep overall ticket prices down. I hope that these measures will be understood by our patrons, and although regretable, to retain our excellent user friendly ticketing and booking service they are unavoidable.

I would like to conclude as always by thanking the many people who make this festival a reality each year: the Moreland City Council; our sponsors, in particular the Australia Council who have supported us for almost all our 20 years; our staff and crew, and especially the fabulous performers. On behalf of all I would like to welcome you to our 20th Festival and as always urge you to enjoy a program dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural diversity.

John McAuslan