DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE: 2009

Welcome to the 21st Brunswick Music Festival and the 15th Sydney Road Street Party.

Our program for 2009 is chock full of quality
artists from our usual eclectic range of music styles. I’m always delighted to welcome new artists to the festival and this year we welcome first time performers from Chile, Canada, and the United States, in addition to some stunning new Australian performers. With the recent growth in the Australian festival circuit, the increased competition in the market place and the extraordinary improvement in the quality of the performer applications, the final selection of artists for the program is increasingly difficult. As a result I find myself unable to offer opportunities to many deserving artists from all over Australia, which while regrettable is unfortunately unavoidable.

You will notice the inclusion of a new umbrella event in the program which is The Brunswick Beethoven Festival which takes place which takes place in Brunswick in the first two weeks in February.

The Sydney Road Street Party will again be an alcohol free event, with the possession and consumption of alcohol banned outside official licensed areas. This initiative proved to be a very popular move at the 2008 event and improved the quality of the experience for all and also drastically reduced the amount of waste left on the street. I would ask all patrons to make a special effort to keep the site as clean as is possible, find the rubbish bins and please use them to dispose of waste according to our recycling policies.

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, our staff and crew and especially the fabulous performers, many of whom have travelled many miles to be here. On behalf of all I would like to welcome you to our 21st. Festival and as always urge to enjoy a program dedicated to artistic excellence and cultural diversity.

John McAuslan