Category Archive: Gigs

Illawarra Union Singers and Newcastle Choir workshop

On 19 July this year, some of the Illawarra Union Singers singers traveled to Newcastle to be part of a wonderful day of combined Union choir workshops and individual and combined performances. After intense but very satisfying workshops run by The Newcastle People’s Chorus and the Sydney Trade Union Choir, the intrepid singers repaired to the Lass O’Gowrie Hotel, where they performed to an enthusiastic and appreciative audience. They learnt new songs, revisited neglected ones and realised what a great repertoire there is of union songs.
Thanks Dianne for article and photos

Boundless Plains Refugee Week Fundraiser

Thanks so much to the Illawarra Union Singers for throwing yourselves into this gig. Not only for embracing the extras in the Choir For Change, but for sorting an extra rehearsal (particular thanks to Florence for conducting In My Shoes, and to Gerri for organiser the extra rehearsal), but also to Judy, Mairi and Di for organising the quilt raffle, and for those who billeted our Sydney comrades. You sounded great and performed really well, and it was lovely to be able to sing with you on In My Shoes (great work from Bella on the solo part – gorgeous.) Tolpuddle Man was really moving, and our final song We Shall Not Give Up the Fight really got the audience into the spirit of the night, well done all. More photos and info at the Boundless Plains website. Photos courtesy of Mostafa Photography.

Art for the Bush launch

Thanks to Gerri’s hard work to organize this great Art Exhibition fundraiser for farmers/drought relief. The Corrimal Leagues was the venue – concrete floor, tin verandah roof – lovely acoustics. Great job guys, sounding awesome. We sang Walk On, Shelter, we Shall Not Give Up the Fight.

May Day toast moves to the Portofino Lounge

Great new venue: smaller, no pokies, no fluoros or competing bar rabble noise, and a bit of style. Our program of new material with opportunities for the audience to join in combined with soloist mic, and my new headset microphone for roving MC duties ensured we were heard and appreciated. Arthur Rorris as surprise artist accompanying us on balalaika went down very well also. We sang Nonsense, 16 Tons, Tolpuddle Man, Internationale, and Solidarity. Incredibly warm feedback. A lovely bloke thanked me and gave me a comradely hug as I departed the venue. What a sweetie.

Where Have All The Flowers Gone

Maurie Mulheron started the night with the Illawarra Union Singers among those who joined in. The concert was not rehearsed and the planning was in the last hour or two leading up to the concert with the usual on stage changes occurring making for a great evening.

Pete Seeger Tribute

Friday, 2nd of February saw the Illawarra Folk Club hold a Pete Seeger Tribute which the Illawarra Union Singers also participated in, here they are singing 16 Tons led by Douglas.

Another great gig for the Illawarra Folk Festival

We sang We Shall not Give up the Fight, Walk On, and Shelter. And then with the combined choir we sang Stand Together, Bring out the Banners, Tolpuddle Man, Power in the Union, and Solidarity.

Hiroshima 2013

The Mall is under reconstruction and the Illawarra Union Singers sand outside the Wesley Church this year, a pretty good turnout for a chilly weekday morning.

Photos from ALP centenary celebrations

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Warm reviews for our ALP gig

When i got to work this morning it was lovely to see the emails flying around about the great singing that occurred on Friday night, and the grateful event organisers. Thankyou very much to Florence and Judy for conducting duties in my absence. Here’s what people were saying:

“Thanks a million to you and all the Union Singers for a fantastic performance last night. It was really uplifting to have you there, so sincerely thank you for all the practice and involvement on the night. Bravo” (from the organisers)

“When I was playing guitar I took the liberty of singing only the choruses of those songs. This gave me the opportunity to listen to everyone else sing. You were magnificent. I felt honoured to be in such company. There was a real sense of occasion, dare I say theatre about the whole thing, from Zlatko’s solo opening of the Internationale, to the last ringing vocal chord of Solidarity…Tremendous stuff.”

“It’s so lovely to have the extra voices – gives us the confidence not to bellow I think. Such a good idea by the Trio from down south to have Zlatkos dramatic start to the occasion and I thought Bread and Roses was just the best we’ve ever done!

“It was a great night – we from the South thought we sang exceptionally well – but perhaps we are a little biased. Thought that our rendition of Bread and Roses would rate the best we have every sung and Sarah we were very good and sang it smoothly in time with Florence’s hand waving. AND everyone came in simultaneously together for the first chorus of Solidarity but I did notice the audience were a little behind the beat.