Ballarat Acoustic Music Festival - held on March 26th 2011 7.30-11.30pm

As part of Earth Hour celebrations on 26th March 2011 The Ballarat Acoustic Music Festival moved to the Ballarat Observatory.

This year the line up contained-
Rae Howell

Brilliant new Australian composer whose beautiful and profound music has been toured and celebrated throughout Europe, Canada, America and Australia.

Adam Simmons and Steve Heather

Jazz Maverick Adam Simmons presents a mind blowing duo of genius with Berlin based percussionist Steve Heather. In an ever changing world few things are as reliable as these incredible musician's abilities to surprise.

The Sljivovitz Orchestra

The true astounding sound of The Balkans and the soul of Eastern Europe hit Ballarat for one night only! Accordion maestro Peter Marjanovic leads a seven piece ensemble.

The Illuminators

Five piece gospel influenced a Capella group with two of the brightest stars in Btown's musical crown, the astounding Stella Savy and the dazzling Danni Fry.

Liz Frencham

Double bass player and singer par excellence Liz Frencham is our very special guest for the BAMF, bringing her after hours, soul stirring groove in a rare solo moment.

Jacinta Dennet and Patrick McCabe

The pairing of the Harp and the Guitar is perhaps the most wonderful match made in musical heaven and the BAMF is proud to present these two masterful players in concert. Moving freely through the genres of music as they please this is celestial bliss music.

Gus and Bags Acoustic Jukebox

Hap Heyward and Graeme Stables go Wurlitzer! Select the song you want from their vast song list and you get it played live!

Iranian duo Ali Bakhitarvandi playing Zarb and Daf (traditional drums) and Mladen Ilic playing Oud (Iranian lute).

Comments by visitors/performers- facebook


Starry Winter Nights Festival - Ways to Listen to the Night.

Held on June 25th 2011 6.00-10.30pm

The SKA Project - 7:00pm A FREE Lecture by guest speaker Dr. Virginia Kilborn. Virginia attended a casual dinner for members and guests before the lecture.

Dr Kilborn is from Ballarat originally and her main research interest is in surveying the Universe for Neutral Hydrogen (HI). Dr Kilborn has worked on the HIPASS and HIJASS surveys in the past, and is now working towards the next generation radio surveys such as ASKAP, Apertif, and the SKA.

Image: Radio Lobes of Centaurus A - Credit : ESA/ISO, ISOCAM Team,Mirabel et al, 1998.

Topics covered included -

* How we can listen to the night using radio astronomy.

* The proposed Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope. Australia and South Africa are the finalists in the bid for the SKA, the most exciting and significant scientific project currently under way in the world.

* What have we learned so far using radio astronomy.

* Finding life in the Universe.

* 8pm Radio Kaleidoscope Images of research results of radio astronomy accompanied by Mick Trembath on guitar and followed by more live music.


** click on the image for a larger version **

Starry Spring Nights Festival  

Held on October 29th 2011 6.00-10.00pm

BAS supported the Starry Night Series again with a great line up of some very talented musicians from around Ballarat and further afield. This Music Series was again co-ordinated by Mick Trembath, a genius at locating the memorable performances that we have had at the Observatory over the last year.


Starry Spring Nights performers:

Paige Duggan.

Freya Hollick and Joel Snow (acoustic guitar and vocals)

Stella Savy and Michael Martinez

The Dead Salesmen Duo


Starry Summer Nights  held on 28th January 2012 7pm - 11pm

our Starry Summer nights event in 2011 was a great success and we hope you had as good an evening this year. With good music, the night sky and food.

Gates open 6.45pm.

6.45pm BBQ Astroburgers available & refreshments.

7pm Reuben Morgan - Reuben is a talented young Violin soloist who will charm you with his performance.

7.30pm Alanna & Alicia - Twin sister singer/songwriters Alanna & Alicia have charmed audiences with their own special blend of folk/jazz/roots songs, guitarist Damien Neil and the talented Michelle Meehan on violin.


8.30pm "Gemini" - Perry Vlahos on Guitar and Chris Dunn on flute, an instrumental duo.


9.30pm Tour of the Night Sky with Perry Vlahos, (ABC astronomy contributor and The Age Green Guide) and viewing at the telescopes.

This was an alcohol free event.


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