BLOW YOUR OWN WHISTLE AND
HELP  CREATE A WORLD RECORD

The Illawarra Folk Club has announced that an official attempt will be made on the World’s Largest Penny (Tin) Whistle Band record through the Guinness World Records® organisation.

The attempt will be made on Sunday 17 January 2010, the last day of the 25th anniversary 2010 Illawarra Folk Festival

The festival itself will be held at Bulli Showgrounds and will run for 4 days starting Thursday 14 January 2010. All proceeds from this challenge will be donated to Greenacres Disability Services; an organisation providing services for people with a disability from Wollongong to Nowra.

This attempt is the brainchild of the festival’s artistic director, David De Santi, and follows on from a previous unsuccessful attempt made in 2000 when the festival was held at Jamberoo. In order to be successful, the attempt must follow stringent guidelines set down by Guinness World Records®.

The whistle playing will be led by popular local folk music identity Johnny Spillane, whistle player par excellence. Johnny said “the tin whistle is my musical instrument, and I would like to share the pleasure of playing with others. Also, Greenacres Disability Services is an excellent charity to help.”

The logistics and paperwork will be managed by Noon Dalton who said “this will provide an excellent opportunity for people who love challenges, and love doing things for the community. A team effort will ensure that the festival gets into the Guinness World Records®”.

The Illawarra Folk Club invites all those interested in taking part in this Guinness World Record attempt to register for this exciting challenge. The cost of registration is just $15 per person and covers a tin whistle and several workshops prior to, and during, the 2010 festival.

Johnny Spillane will be conducting the workshops, and the next workshops will be held at 7:00pm on Wednesdays 2 and 16 December 2009 at the Wongawilli Community Hall. A “tin whistle” carriage will also be included on the “music train” from Sydney departing Central Station at 8:40am on Sunday 17 January 2010.

Experienced players and beginners alike are welcome to register via the 2010 Illawarra Folk Festival web site (www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au/store/), by attending one of the pre-festival workshops, or at the festival office prior to Sunday 17 January 2010. Participants must also have a valid festival pass for the day of the attempt. Early bird season passes for the festival are only $75 and are on sale at this price until 4 December 2009. Day passes are also available.

For further information please ring Noon Dalton 0425 206 329 or Theresa Gregory 0413 219 112 or visit the 2010 Illawarra Folk Festival web site at www.illawarrafolkfestival.com.au