An entertainment extravaganza unlike any other with amazing illusions such as levitations and transportations, spectacular dancers, beautiful costumes and the amazing Thurston the Duck appearing and disappearing daily!

It is a show for the whole family and will leave you wanting more!

Way down in Victoria’s deep-south on the Mornington Peninsula is “Mojo T’Ree” - all parts roots blues cruise, swamp & rasta!

Fronted by a unique male / female combo - Ian Treloar and Ree Liddell, this new band is blessed with strong song lines, soaring vocals & harmonies, earthy rhythms & a truck load of instruments including 8 string acoustic guitar-synth, Dobro resonator Mandolin, bass, drums & stomp.

The songs talk of of spacejunk, 3D world rip offs, rusted cars, love/life, politics, fun, environment stuff n survival.

As well as touring and festivals they have played benefits for Sea Shepherd, Surf Aid International, Clean Ocean, Cancer fundraisers & many local Charities.

Finger-picking acoustic guitar, tasty blues harp & warm, soulful vocals. Dan Dinnen plays originals and blues standards, from smoking ballads to juke joint stomps.

Dan performs regularly as a solo acoustic blues-man as well as in duo and trio formats – using combinations of double bass, electric guitar and drum accompaniment.

Dan also gigs regularly as front-man – vocals and blues harp - for the newly formed Greg Dodd & The Hoodoo Men, a smoking Chicago blues influenced band that is making waves in Melbourne and set to be a feature on the Australian Blues festival scene!

Dan Dinnen is a dynamic, energetic blues performer with an authentic feel and style.

Taking cues from soul greats such as Otis Redding, Sam Cooke and Bobby Bland, John Delivers an emotionally charged performance, with fiery Blues and Slick Guitar Playing making John McNamara the new artist to watch on the blues scene.

John has worked as a Guitarist for local and international acts and appeared on programs such as Chanel 10's 'The Morning Show' , Rage & MTV. Opening for acts such as Joanne Shaw Taylor, Jon Stevens, Rick Price, Diesel, Shannon Knoll, Russell Morris aswell as touring with Mr. Big Vocalist Eric Martin.

John has found acoustic soul & blues to be the perfect showcase for his guitar playing and powerful voice. With a style and delivery that stays authentic to its roots.

Nick Charles is a class act revered by peers and critics as one of the finest pickers and players in the land.

Various guitars and mandolins become one with the player as he caresses the great blues classics from the strings.

With his great knowledge and a rich repertoire Nick truly is following the tradition of the best of the traveling troubadours.

Brian is a multi-award winning artist with over 30 years’ experience in the music industry. His hectic schedule includes spending many months of every year touring the country, performing at festivals, pubs and clubs, playing his own brand of stompboard driven blues.

Whether it be amazing his audience with his guitar talents, his humorous story-telling, or performing both his own material and his quirky covers, this solo show is definitely extremely entertaining.

Like stumbling drunkenly into Weimar Berlin, the Desert Blues Cartel transport you to a world of overt aural decadence steeped in the darkest of blues and gypsy music.

From extensive musical backgrounds varying between post-rock, indie-pop, punk, country and blues, the Desert Blues Cartel form a captivating and compelling post-post-modern musical outfit. Their eccentric mix of Blues, Gypsy, Country, Jazz overlayed with some pop sensibilities seemingly effortlessly form.

Desert Blues Cartel smashed the stage for the first time in February 2013 and their music has already drawn comparisons to Tom Waits, The Dirty Three, The Doors, Iggy Pop, Nick Cave & Leonard Cohen.

With one of Australias best blues guitarists, a killer rhythm section of 20 years experience playing together and the vocals and harp playing of blues veteren Rod Paine, the Fulltime Lovers bring it on with low down, dirty and smokin' blues.

The Fulltime Lovers are: Rod Paine on vocals and harmonica, Dave Birtwell on guitar, Tony Harwood on bass and Ray 'TT Slim' Tully on drums.

To imagine their sound, think Fabulous Thunderbirds, Little Walter, Guitar Slim, Lazy Lester, Muddy Waters, Slim Harpo and the like and you get the picture of this old-school combo.

Owner of one of the most powerful and soulful voices in the roots scene, Rod Paine was one of the founding members of Melbourne's legendary Chicago blues acts, Howlin' Time, formed in 1989. In 1995 Rod formed the re-knowned 50s inspired retro blues outfit, The Redliners. For almost ten years The Redliners rocked around the country.

With their first album 'Long Way From Home' debuting at No. 3 on the Australian Blues Charts, the Justin Yap Band plays a potent blend of Deep Blues, Sanctified Soul, and Down-Home Funk.

Led by guitarist Justin Yap, the band delivers electrifying and dynamic performances, bringing out their chemistry and energy in full force at every show.

Justin’s reputation as a formidable guitarist in the Australian blues scene is growing; cutting his teeth with bands in Malaysia and Melbourne, his playing has developed a virtuosic yet vocal character, displaying a maturity not normally heard in someone his age.

Paired with the raw and sultry vocals of Nardia Brancatisano who has captivated audiences in Melbourne and overseas, along with the combined talents of Ollie Rolfe on Keys and Hammond, Dean Sanelli on bass and Louis Goutos on drums, the Justin Yap Band has a tight and exciting sound not to be missed.

Sweet Felicia charms audiences around Australia with her distinctive and powerful yet touching vocals and bass work.

Her band swings hard and her music reminds us of the hot clubs of the 40s and 50s. Sweet Felicia played bass for Lil Fi and the Delta Rhythm Kings for four and a half years and during this time a highlight was supporting the legendary BB King.

She has numerous awards to her credit including semi-finalist in the 2010 International Blues Challenge in Memphis USA.

Every band boasts a unique, musical, element that sets them apart. Whether its their musicianship, their professionalism, unique style or their fast rise to stardom.

In the end, it’s the first 10 seconds of the gig where everything becomes clear and any questions of authenticity are answered in the first 10 seconds after Safari Motel starts playing, our audience is hooked and they can’t help but find themselves staying for the whole gig.

We don't claim to be the best band around but we are the best at what we do. Nicole’s vocals are fast becoming the benchmark throughout the Melbourne music scene.

Her on-stage presence and energy is a spectacle to behold and she's backed by seasoned and accomplished musos who have had several years together in various outfits, perfecting and developing their delivery.

So don’t take our word for it, just come and check out the first 10 seconds!

The Youth in Blues is an initiative of the MBAS (Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society), held annually to encourage the next generation of Blues musicians.

The Youth In Blues Program aims to help budding young Blues musicians and vocalists gain confidence and experience with the guidance and mentorship of established Blues musicians and music industry professionals.

This Program offers young people a place to show their musical talent in a fun, encouraging and learning environment with like-minded Blues music supporters. In addition to the experience gained, valuable prizes are awarded based on merit and improvement over the course of the Program.

Wayne’s initiation into the world of music began in Geelong supporting Australia’s finest touring bands (AC/DC, Ayres Rock, Little River band, Buffalo, Cold Chisel, Dragon, Hush,TMG, etc.).

Moving to Melbourne to join a ‘Glam Rock’ cover band was not a brilliant idea and living in boarding houses and being robbed at knifepoint told him maybe Melbourne was not the right place to be right now.

Travelling to Sydney regularly to perform helped him meet up with likeminded musicians and after an altercation with his band (at 18, no place to stay and with $8 in his pocket) he took his bag off the bus and planted himself in Sydney.

Since then he has played thousands of gigs all over Australia including opening for blues greats Robert Cray, Albert Collins, Canned Heat and Buddy Guy with his band Black Cat Moan.

He has performed consistently over the years with various groups and in1993 he teamed up with guitarist/producer John Brewster (the Angels) to write and record a solo album.

Oscar Lalor is a 20 year old surfer/musician from the Surfcoast of Victoria, his music is influenced and inspired by greats like Eric Clapton, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Jimi Hendrix, Robben Ford, Pink Floyd and Santana that have moulded the style he carries with him today.

He regularly plays at different events in Melbourne as well as local venues across the coastline; solo and with his band “Oscar Lalor & the Hotdoggers”.

He has performed on stage with blues legends like Chris Wilson, Geoff Achison and Jimi Hocking at a live concert at the Barwon Heads Hotel in 2012. He has also performed at specialty events in Melbourne alongside other acts like Normie Rowe, Phil Manning, Ross Hannaford and Russell Morris!

He’s roots are well within the blues/rock idiom but he also takes influence from a lot of jazz and pop music that he develops into his original compositions.

A skilful ensemble of blues women, a dynamic group which has arisen from Melbourne’s Supporting Women in Blues (WIB) program.
We share a common personal passion to foster and develop increased opportunities for women in our music community and enjoy sharing our craft.

Heading up our WIB band for this festival is Zerafina Zara on vocals and rhythm guitar. Zerafina sings like a whisky soaked angel. She has recorded originals with members of Paul Kelly’s band, toured nationally and internationally and to quote Ian ‘”Molly” Meldrum, ‘Wow this girl can really sing’!

She is accompanied by Rhiannon Simpson on powerhouse lead guitar, Anna Scionte on driving bass, Michelle Johns groovin’ it with feeling on keys and Michelle Morrison beatin’ it out on drums.

Get ready for an exciting new act on the Blues scene.

Fronted by a brilliant voice in Iseula Hingano, backed by a cooking band led by her partner, Nathan Brett (Guitar) Blue Eyes Cry, are certainly a Blues act on the rise. The other band members are Stuart Prendergast (Bass) and Cameron Smith (Drums).

Since their relocation to Melbourne, Blues Eyes Cry have captured the attention of local Blues fans, the Melbourne Blues Appreciation Society, Hugo Armstrong of the Blues Train and John Durr of Black Market Music.

Greg Dodd and The Hoodoo Men consist of some of Melbourne’s finest blues musicians. The band is heavily influenced by the early recordings made in Chicago on the Chess and Delmark labels, usually penned by the master songwriter, Willie Dixon. Artists such as Muddy Waters, Howling Wolf, Buddy Guy, Little Walter & Junior Wells are all favourites of the band as well.

The band plays songs recorded by the aforementioned artists plus original tunes penned by both Greg Dodd & Dan Dinnen. Their performances are a mixture of up-tempo swings, shuffles and boogies as well as a good selection of slow blues with fiery guitar licks and dynamic harmonica riffs delivered with intensity straight from the heart – as all blues music should be played!

The members of the band have all played together in various line-ups before, so the chemistry within the band is obvious from the get go!

Kelly Auty delivers a dynamic set of Blues, Gospel, RandB, Soul, Rock, Country, French Chanson and Jazz to delight fans.

Renowned for her passionate exhilarating performances she leaves audiences wanting more as she sings favorites from such greats as Bessie Smith, Billie Holiday, Bonnie Raitt, Eartha Kitt, Edith Piaf, Peggy Lee, Janis Joplin, Etta James, Eva Cassidy and Aretha Franklin.

Kelly has sung supports for Janis Ian, The Drifters, Jose Feliciano and The Platters and has graced the stage at many festivals throughout Australia. Kelly has produced 8 independent CDs. 2013 saw the launch of her latest offering of original songs "Falling For You".

She’s a dynamo, recognised as a great vocalist and inspiring performer she delivers outstanding shows in her distinctive style. Fun and fabulous, one not to miss.

Since their formation in early 2010, Dreamboogie have toured nationally, performed at festivals, pubs, bars and private functions.

Apart from winning the MBAS Blues Performer of the Year, 2011 saw the band achieve success with their track “My Baby Caught The Train” rating #1 on the National Airlt/AMRAP download chart – a considerable feat for a Blues act with a Blues song.

With his dedication, hard work, devotion and a killer rhythm section to boot Jesse Valach and Blues Mountain have produced a tight riveting live show, and with their debut album coming in at #3 on the Australian Blues and Roots Radio Airplay Charts and remaining in the top 16 for just over a year, it is a definite testimony to that.

Performing close to 200 shows this past year including festivals such as The Wangaratta Jazz and Blues Festival & the Echuca Blues Festival.

Johnny Rieger is like no other artist in Germany for the "New Generation of Blues". Thanks to his distinctive voice and his enthusiasm, he perfectly combines traditional and modern styles of performance.

The band plays modern blues: radio compatible, rocking, fresh, but in the tradition of classics. Furthermore, the band shared the stage with already known quantities such as Bernard Allison, Cassie Taylor, Tullie Brae, Henrik Freischlader, Stoppok, Meena Cryle and many other artists.

Together with Matthias Scherer (bass) and Michael Jochum (drums) Johnny Rieger has played over 300 concerts at festivals and clubs in the U.S., Germany, Switzerland, Austria and Poland.

Jimi Hocking is a songwriter, singer and guitarist of the highest calibre, the electric love child of T-Bone Walker, BB King and Jimi Hendrix. He struts the stage with his band, playing his ‘showy’ guitar style while pulling all the classic stunts ... behind the head... the duck walk... even the splits!

Jimi is in his element live on stage, whether it be a small cafe or a massive festival. His combination of banter and story-telling, wailing guitar and mandolin with superb songwriting and performance makes Jimi one of the 'must-see' acts in blues today.

A Market in the heart of Melbourne's Docklands with arts & crafts, vintage, ladies wear, plus sizes, unique pieces of jewellery, bobbles, bangles & bright shiny beads, handmade soaps & natural body products, cards & wrapping.

Find that treasure, sit down to have a meal and make a day of it.