Leura Gardens Festival

We are pleased to announce that the following musicians will be performing:

HEATHENS CHOIR OF BLACKHEATH

What do you call someone who lives in Blackheath and sings? A ‘Heathen of course! We are an inclusive and welcoming community choir based in the heart of the Blue Mountains world heritage listed national park. The choir was founded in 2009 by Christine Wheeler and sings a mixture of folk, world and popular music arrangements.

The choir is unauditioned and welcomes the opportunity to offer all comers the chance to enjoy making good music together. The Heathens are regularly invited to perform at a range of festivals and community events in the Blue Mountains.

The Heathens will be performing at Karoola ( garden no.1) on Sunday 1 October at 11am.

WOMBATS CROSSING

Christine Wheeler (voice, flute, guitar) and Leigh Birkett (voice, guitar, bouzouki)

Christine and Leigh, two thirds of the Blue Mountains chamber folk trio Wombats Crossing, bring a selection of Celtic instrumental music to the Festival. Just as Celtic music has travelled in the swags and suitcases of Celts as they have migrated around the world, Leigh and Christine source their music from Scandinavia, Brittany, Galicia and north America, as well as from Scotland and Ireland. 

Christine spent many years as a touring musician with Musica Viva in Schools. She founded and continues to lead Blackheath’s community choir, The Heathens. Leigh has many strings to his creative bow from design and art direction through writing and journalism, to musician, producer and audio engineer. He is a skilled and intuitive guitarist who draws on influences from many musical genres. 

ECOPELLA

Ecopella is an environmental choir that sings about the beauty of our world and the struggle to protect it from exploitation and degradation. The choir "causes harmony to the environment" by providing activists and audiences with topical a capella singing at a high standard. Our strong environmental message encourages positive change in people's thoughts and actions, and we offer support to a wide variety of green organisations.

Ecopella will be performing at Ewanrigg (garden no.5) at on Sunday 1 October at 2pm.

KANIMBLA STRING QUARTET

The Kanimbla Quartet is a string quartet based in the Blue Mountains. They enjoy performing a wide range of music from classical repertoire to modern compositions, including upcoming local composers.

Their goal is to support our community through music, through both collaboration with local orchestras and choirs, as well as featured performances.

Kanimbla String Quartet will be performing at Tree Tops in wentworth Falls (garden no.7) on Sunday 1 October at 3pm.

THE VERSIONS

The Versions is a Blue Mountains trio featuring Jennifer Knight on vocals, Jon West on electric fretless bass, and Richard Carter on guitar and vocals.

The group plays a variety of cover songs from traditional soul to modern pop hits, honouring artists such as Amy Winehouse, Bill Withers, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder and Chic.

All three members have decades of musical experience, with Jon and Jennifer coming from a mainly jazz background, while Richard comes from the pub rock world. The combination guarantees a great night of entertainment!

The Versions will be performating at Ewanrigg (garden no.5) on Friday 29 September from 1pm-3pm and at St Annes (garden no.6) on Saturday 30 September from 1pm-3pm.

RIVERLAND HARMONY CHORUS

Riverland Harmony Chorus is a women’s a cappella Chorus that loves to sing and perform songs arranged in beautiful 4-part harmony in the Barbershop style. 

They are a diverse group of around 30 women of all ages who share the love of singing and performing, but the friendships and the mutual support that come with being part of their Chorus are just as important to them. 

Under the skillful guidance of their Music Director for more than 25 years, Nerryl Liston, they have performed at festivals, charity events, birthday parties, carols, Christmas functions, at competitions, in shopping centres, nursing homes – wherever possible!

Riverland Harmony Chorus is part of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide singing organisation for women, so every couple of years they take part in National Barbershop Conventions around Australia.

The Riverland Harmony Chorus will be performing in the rotunda at The Braes (garden no.3) on Friday 29 September at 1pm.

FOURTUNATE QUARTET

Fourtunate Quartet is an a cappella group that sings songs from a variety of genres, arranged in 4-part harmony in the Barbershop style.

Renee, Birgit, Carol-Anne and Sheila have been singing and performing together for more than 9 years already, and they love sharing their beautiful harmonies with their communities.

They perform at charity events, at functions, Christmas parties, in nursing homes and anywhere they can! 

Fourtunate Quartet will be performing in Foggylorne (garden no.2) on Monday 2 October at 1pm.