Michael Sollis - Arts and Ideas

19/04/2025

So wonderful to be part of the team of such an institution. It's been a wonderful Festival so far thanks to so many!

13/03/2025

Great to be at the launch of Canberra Museum And Gallery Sidney Nolan 50 exhibition. Nolan's costumes for the Australian Ballet, such as this Lyrebird for a Malcolm Williamson work are simply amazing.

27/02/2025

What's lurking in Glebe Park? I've been creating sounds a sloth can hear. 'Listen' features moving text from Ngunnawal custodian Richie Allan. Come hear it at the Enlighten Festival from 5.30 as part of Erth's The Nature Of Things, Glebe Park in Canberra.

21/08/2024

So excited about our first announcements!

We are thrilled to announce our first artists! These fantastic acts are just the start of what is shaping up to be a fabulous celebration of the Folk community, with many more to be announced over the next few months. For more information about both artists and tickets, head to our website. Early Bird 1 tickets (20% discount) are nearly sold out, and over 60% of bookable campsites are already gone!

folkfestival.org.au

Thanks for the pic Melbourne Ceili Camera!

Amaidí Daoirí Farrell David Francey Good Tunes Josh Pyke Kadinelia Ruth Moody Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers Shaking the Tree StiffGins The Bard Band supermandepercussion.com.au

21/08/2024

Big announcement for the National Folk Festival today! Tune into ABC Canberra at 8.50, and check out the news. Will post more soon! 🎉

30/03/2024

Three amazing days at the National Folk Festival. Two to go!

17/03/2024

Excited to share this article featuring Hannah Lee Tungate from Tenth Muse Initiative, delving into crucial research on diversity in Australian orchestral programs. Additionally, Hannah has been spotlighting an incredible array of women composers - both past and present - on her page.

This work is truly essential. Thank you, Hannah, for drawing important attention to this.

The representation of female, First Nations and Australian composers in Australian orchestral programming has been broken down by Perth-based soprano Hannah Lee Tungate.

16/03/2024

I'm not the only one jumping at the bits for the National Folk Festival this Easter. To my surprise, my son brought me this drawing this morning of a dance performer at the Festival!

Yes, I am biased - but I am so excited about our dance program - there is such a variety with square dances from Double Dole, Achenese dance from Suara Dance, Old Time dance with the Gay Charmers Old Time Band, an Argentine spectacular with Belen Silva, Greek Rebetiko with George Kiriakidis, Quebecois contra with Melissandre, Klezmer and Balfolk with Meyers & McNamara and David Oddsocks Wanless, bush dances, and so much more - Scandinavian dance, Flamenco, and bush dances to name a few! I'm glad my son can at least feel the energy as well!

14/03/2024

Wyana and I in action at our Sunset Sessions at Strathnairn Arts a fortnight ago.

Such a beautiful gig, though the recovery took a bit longer than expected. If you look closely, you'll notice I was performing with a chemotherapy pump connected to my chest - underestimating how much setting up and packing away would drain my energy for the next few days was unfortunately quite a recovery! But every moment was absolutely worth it, sharing beautiful music with the incredible Wyana in such a picturesque setting for an amazing audience.

Feeling blessed. 🎶

04/03/2024

I is for Ice,

Today, in our ongoing ABC of , we're at "I" for Ice – a surprising ally that I’ve discovered in my journey.

As we navigate the ups and downs of treatment, every day becomes a lesson in understanding our body's resilience and the curious ways it responds to the drugs. While the guidance from healthcare professionals is invaluable, sometimes it's the little personal discoveries that make the difference.

Ice has emerged as a trusted friend for one of the more challenging side effects I have faced – the impact on our mouths. Treatments often lead to mouth ulcers, loss of taste, and what is referred to ‘mucositis’, sometimes making it impossible to eat. This can lead to serious risks of not being able to continue treatment.

I discovered that chewing on ice during treatment days has been a simple yet effective strategy to fend off the onset of mouth ulcers later in the week. This small discovery has been revolutionary.

If you're walking this path, consider giving ice a try. Some soft research suggests it could work as it slows the bloodflow in the mouth. In any case, it works!🌬️💪

28/02/2024

My wonderful partner Kiri has been getting this studio ready (she has pretty much done the whole thing), and it looks and sounds amazing! It’s been a joy rehearsing Urmas Sisask’s Zodiac Suite for our concert on Friday at Strathnairn Arts. Practicing a special suite of music to unofficially open the studio. Thank you Kiri!

27/02/2024

I'm surprised to learn that our Sunset Session concert this Friday sold out last week! For those who missed out, hopefully Wyana and I can bring this starry set of music back later in the year. Big thanks to Strathnairn Arts for hosting this wonderful event! 🌟🎶