HONK! Musicians flock to 11th edition of street blast
Wollongong is set to be transformed into a vibrant stage of brass, percussion, and high-energy performance as the HONK! Oz Street Music Festival returns for its eleventh year
Wollongong is set to be transformed into a vibrant stage of brass, percussion, and high-energy performance as the HONK! Oz Street Music Festival returns for its eleventh year.
Running from Thursday, January 8, to Saturday, January 10, this entirely volunteer-run and free event will bring more than 20 local, international and nationwide bands to the streets of the city.
"It’s all about community – it’s street music, which is diverse, multicultural, it’s loud,” says organiser Emma Rooksby.
"Everyone's there for the community and making central Wollongong really bright and alive. It’s a celebration of that community and doing things for the community out of generosity and being together."
The festival was officially launched before the holiday break, with performances at Crown Street Mall main stage a week before Christmas. Shoppers were given a peek at what’s coming in January, when performances can be seen across various locations including Port Kembla, Bulli and Wollongong.
The street festival returns from January 8-10. Photos: Tyneesha Williams
"You can just turn up and watch or dress up a bit and come out ready to dance... There's a grand street parade through from the mall down to the arts precinct. It's just really spectacular. It’s just a joyous day," Emma says.
Festivities will kick off at 5pm on January 8 at Wollongong Town Hall Forecourt before Society City hosts the Welcome party from 8.45pm, featuring Junkadelic Brass Band (Perth) & Beatmeisters. On January 9, The Servo at Port Kembla will host visiting HONK! bands from 6pm. On January 10, the grand street parade will showcase musicians playing from Globe Lane to the arts precinct from 1:30pm, finishing at the Music Lounge and Town Hall to wrap up the festival.
“I think the Balkan showcase is going to be really, really special. We also have Inspector Gadje, they play a wild array of music... some Balkan, some gypsy music, and they’re really fantastic,” Emma says.
"A visiting Hungarian band, Hakumba, who play Afro-beat, just happen to be in town... and will be joining us just for one night on the Friday down at The Servo."
HONK! Oz is a volunteer effort. Photos: Tyneesha Williams
HONK! Oz began in 2015, inspired by global activist street music festivals such as the original 2006 HONK! Festival in Massachusetts. The all-ages festival aims to blend a love for music, community, social justice and inclusivity. Amateurs, professionals, musicians and audiences come together for a musical celebration the weekend before The Illawarra Folk Festival (January 16-18), encouraging visitors to stay a little longer.
"I think at times when the world can seem a sort of dark and scary place, celebrating community and community connections is more important than ever,” Emma says.
Originally nurtured by the Wollongong Conservatorium of Music, the festival is running independently for the first time this year, supported by Friends of Wollongong Community Music, Wollongong City Council, Merrigong Theatre and the Illawarra Folk Club. Emma thanks the conservatorium for their support and hard work over the past decade, and welcomes new collaboration.
Expect a loud and colourful celebration of community. Photos: Tyneesha Williams
Get involved
Registrations are open for Kids HONK – a program for children age 8 and up to learn music, make friends and gain performance opportunities through the festival. Two workshops will be held at Bulli in the lead-up, where kids will learn four tunes to perform as part of the festival and parade.
Volunteer: HONK! Oz is entirely volunteer-run, and anyone 18+ can put their hand up to help out throughout the festival. Shift times and jobs are negotiable, with extra hands needed to set up and pack down, performance support, information and merchandise support and parade marshalling.
Individual musicians can join Ken Field’s HOOT! Pickup Band, led by US musician Ken Field, joining in on workshops in Bulli before performing on Saturday. The pickup band is open to any instrument, and intermediate level players looking to connect with a diverse group of musicians and make the most of HONK! Oz.
"If you’re not already with a band but you like playing and you can pick up a tune either by ear or by reading sheet music... it’s just really spectacular and everyone’s grooving and wearing exciting, interesting costumes,” says Emma.
For full program details and registration, visit honkoz.org.au.
