By Dan McNamee, Music and Arts Curator at Scarborough-Wombarra Bowling Club.

Thanks to the Bowlo for supporting this article.

Good bands, good music, good food and drink. Lots of friendly people. Cosy fire pits. Room to dance. Room to spread out.

What is this heavenly scene? I hear you ask.

Is it some sort of far away paradise? 

Some secret festival in the Netherlands where you need to tell the doorman a password to get in?

No! It’s right here on our doorstep – the first Wombarra Bowlo Mini-Fest.

My name’s Dan McNamee. I’ve recently started working as music and arts curator at the Scarborough-Wombarra Bowling Club. My intention is to help the Bowlo become a hub where all the talented local musicians in the area want to hang out. 

There are big plans, but the first step that we’re taking is a mini festival that is comprised only of talent from the local area. This first one is going to be on 15 July. There’ll be six bands over the afternoon/evening and tickets are only $35. 

At this event the headliner is going to be an amazing artist called Aodhan, who has had some great reach on Triple J lately. His music is really beautiful: "crisp acoustic guitars and a bed of billowing synths and harmonies”. Just a lovely soundscape and perfect with a glass of mulled wine.

Jodi Phillis is going to play with her full band. She was recommended to me by ABC Illawarra's (and Frenzal Rhomb legend) Lindsay McDougall. Again, this act is really beautiful – classic songwriting and mellifluous vocals, with hints of chamber folk, psychedelia and melancholy pop. I was particularly drawn to her song It’s Not Love … We’re really lucky to have her perform.

Some more up tempo groups are going to be rocking it in the afternoon. The Sweaty Bettys is an awesome group with pop punk feels. Misso was recommended to me from a bunch of different friends – they do really awesome post punk stuff. Bored Shorts are friends of mine and I’m stoked to have them bringing their delightful indie.

Then we have Blue Divers, who make the most lovely sounds. 

It has been so fun to find the talent! A real dream job. It has involved calling friends, and friends of friends, to find recommendations and see what is bubbling in the Illawarra. I’ve had a blast listening to all the prospective artists and scheduling them to try to create an atmosphere that is fun for all walks of life, to enjoy a sunny afternoon at the Bowlo, watching the whales go north and enjoying really good music, food and drinks.

And naturally I signed myself up for the inside “late night” set – I do a fun little DJ thing. 

When the idea was first floated of an “all locals” festival, I had no idea of the depth of talent I’d find. There’s a bunch of really awesome bands who weren’t available but who we’ll be getting to come to the next one. This area is so full of good talent per capita, and I think there’s room to really get the scene properly thriving. We’re aiming in the long term to do bigger and bigger events at the Bowlo, and to have offerings for every night of the week, so watch this space!

In the meantime, you can buy tickets here to this first of what will hopefully be many great mini-festivals at the Bowlo. 

Also, because we love you, if you put in the discount code FLAME10 when purchasing, we’ll take 10 bucks off the ticket price :)