December 2020 to February 2021, Canberra, ACT

.

Continuing from the previous post….  Canberra has largely escaped COVID (so far at least).  It has never been mandatory to wear masks here and lockdown is a long tome ago.  There are few restrictions on live music now, though you have to be seated and not use a dance floor.  Other States have gone in and out of lockdown though, especially Victoria so interstate musicians were quite often unable to visit. This post is mainly of a couple of large events with many bands.  I have avoided including more than one image of each musician (over both posts) except where they appear as part of a band.

.

On 20th December 2020, the Canberra Blues Society held its Christmas party, featuring Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides from Sydney.  It also included the monthly jam and there were six jamming bands.  This is Catherine Golden with Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides, who played both at the beginning and the end.

.

Wayne Rigby (Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides).

.

This is Ross Buchanan, with Jamming Band 1.

.

Steve Hartnett (Jamming Band 1).

.

John van Buuren (Jamming Band 2).

.

Dave Jensen (Jamming Band 3).

.

Leo Joseph (Jamming Band 3).

.

Jeffro Martin (Jamming Band 4).

.

Mimo (Jamming Band 4).

.

Berno (Jamming Band 4).

.

Johnny Huckle (Jamming Band 5).

.

Juanita Cucinotta (Jamming Band 5).

.

Calvin Welch (with Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides but playing here with Jamming Band 5).

.

Bonnie Kay and the Bonafides is back up again at the end.  This is Bonnie Kay.

Illya Szwec.

.

The next big event was on 9th January, Bucky’s Birthday Bash.  This is Bucky (David Buckmaster) in an image from 2007.  The event has been held for many years and he played in last year’s event but he died of cancer last year, so the event continues in his honour.  There were six bands this year and P.J. O’Brien Band was supposed to be the climax but they were unable to attend due to a lockdown in New South Wales, so it was all local bands.

.

Johnny Reynolds (Johnny Reynolds Band).

.

Dave O’Neill (Rodeo Clowns).

.

Chris Van Der Wielen and Dene Burton (Urban Drover).

.

Mitch Preston (Chris Harland Blues Band).

.

Chris Harland.

.

Cam Hall (Sunbears, but playing here with Moondog).

.

Dylan Harding ()Sunbears).

.

Sunbears.

.

Wiesse Wade (Sunbears).

.

On 19th January there was a celebration of  Mitch Preston’s Birthday at Smith’s Alternative (now a venue; originally a bookshop).

.

30th January.  Fiona Boyes, who lived in Canberra for some years, came up from Victoria.  This is Ali Penney accompanying for a track or two on the piano.

.

Fiona Boyes.

.

4th February.  Blues Roulette visited from Melbourne.  Organised by Ben Wicks, this is an array of eminent musicians that changes with each visit.  This is Jimi Hocking.

.

James Southwell (Blues Roulette).

.

Davo Fester (on drums; Blues Roulette).

.

Jimi Hocking, James Southwell and Ben Wicks.

.

5 February.  Pachamama at Gang Gang Cafe, Downer.

.

.