Humble beginnings
Michael Stewart started the Newport Fiddle and Folk Club in 2004 because he was a member of a folk band and he and his band needed somewhere to play.
His friend was a member of a folk club interstate and the idea of starting a local folk club started to germinate. He approached Therese McKenney at Outlets Co-op with the idea and she offered the neighbourhood house as a location where a folk club would be able to meet once a month.
The Newport Fiddle and Folk Club started out humbly.
“Once a month, we had a session which was open for anyone to come along. We’d sit in a circle and play and sing together,” explains Michael. “The first night four people turned up. Then it grew and grew and at its peak we had forty-five people in our folk circle. We welcomed everyone - some people had learnt to play instruments when they were children, some people had never played before.”
As well as bringing people together to make and enjoy music, Michael realised that the Club offered another benefit - it provided opportunities for people to connect with other locals.
“We would start playing at eight o’clock and then we’d have a break for about 20 minutes. I quickly realised that this was as important as the music,” smiles Michael. “People would chat over a cup of tea and this inspired friendships, networks and new musical groups which have continued to flourish.”
“To me, it’s a spiritual heart connection. It's deep, it's soulful. Sharing music with others also means that you have to learn to listen. You are offering people the gift of your attention.”
MICHAEL STEWART
The Club has now fostered several ongoing musical groups and a range of monthly and annual events, as well as workshops to develop young and older musicians by connecting them with professional musicians for leadership and inspiration.
“Our focus is on participation,” says Michael. “At most of our events you can sing, play or join in, although you don't have to.“
The much anticipated annual Newport Folk Festival is a major event for the Club, but Michael actually conceived of the Festival before he had the idea for the Club.
“The Newport Folk Festival in the States is one of the most famous music festivals in the world - Bob Dylan has played there - and I thought it would be great to start our own version of the Newport Folk Festival,” says Michael. “At the same time I was involved in the repair of the Substation and it was obvious that the Substation, as a building, would be the centre of such a festival. But I didn’t take that idea any further.
“After we had run the folk club for two years, the committee decided that the Club should run a festival. The first festival we just promoted through word of mouth and I taped posters around the place. Now it’s been going since 2006.”
Michael continues to be passionate about the positive power of music.
“To me, it’s a spiritual heart connection. It's deep, it's soulful. Sharing music with others also means that you have to learn to listen. You are offering people the gift of your attention.
And when you honour people in that way, you’re telling them ‘I’m here for you.’”
