Mick Flanagan, of George Town, jams with Tony Sutton and Chris Pemberton, both of Darwin. Picture: GEOFF ROBSON
DARWIN folk fans Tony Sutton and Chris Pemberton travelled more than 4000 kilometres to catch up for a jam at George Town's Tamar Valley Folk Festival.
A small crowd gathered in Macquarie Street yesterday to see the first signs of festival activity - in this case, an Irish jig.
Travel is clearly no issue for the two, who returned by invitation after their involvement in last year's event.
"We like smaller festivals," Sutton said.
"We went to Cygnet last weekend and it's good, but there's no time to go to the pub and have a jam. You're too busy walking around trying to see everyone play."
Sutton has played accordion for 21 years, a shade on Pemberton's 50 years behind the fretboard of a guitar.
The festival also provides them with the opportunity to experience the rest of Tasmania.
"My wife and I will travel to the East Coast after the folk festival," Pemberton said.
"We were quite hoping to go and visit the peninsula, although I'm not sure that it's a very good idea at the moment. My wife loves MONA though, so we will visit that in Hobart."
The festival began with a children's production at 2.30pm, followed by a welcoming gig at the Pier Hotel and a concert night at the George Town RSL.
Today's events will include an official stream of musicians performing in the town's main streets.
For more information about the festival, go to www.tamarvalley folkfestival.com.au.
