“SO MANY smiling faces,” observed Jeff Duff from the stage at Carinda Showground on Saturday night 30 September.
‘Duffo’ and his band, featuring some of Australia’s top musicians, were the headline act for the second Let’s Dance Festival held in Carinda over the long weekend.
Bowie enthusiasts and music-lovers of all persuasions had made the trek from as far afield as Phillip Island, South Australia, the Gold Coast, Melbourne and Sydney.
Surprisingly, a fair number of Carinda locals managed to miss the occasion with some choosing to travel up the track to Marra Creek Hall to see country artist Fanny Lumsden – an unfortunate clash of dates.
The small volunteer Let’s Dance committee had gathered an eclectic mix of quality performers providing everything from jazz, blues, folk, country, rock and Bowie pop for those who braved the rough roads to Carinda.
The weekend’s fun included a drumming workshop with Danielle Perry, sisters Marguerite and Marie Montes, the Jeff Duff Band, local duo Just Us and country rock performer Danielle Simonsen.
Event Co-ordinator, Mo Regan, said the crowd was up on their first event last year.
“We’re happy to say we’ve covered our costs,” she said.
“Apart from staging a great event, that’s the main thing.”
Around 250 tickets were sold for Saturday’s main event and the re-enactment of Bowie’s famous Let’s Dance video clip drew a large crowd on Sunday afternoon.
“It was a mosh-pit with standing-room only,” said Ms Regan.
“That’s when the locals turned out.”
The crowds spilled out onto the street as Duffo and the band did a two hour set.
Two film crews also spent the weekend in Carinda with one program airing on ABC TV’s Lateline program on Monday night.
The other is filming a documentary based on Jeff Duff’s extraordinary life.
Festival goers were given a taste of his outrageous style as Duffo’s multiple costume changes on Saturday evening climaxed with him performing his final number in high-heeled knee high white boots and bright blue barely-seemly sequined hotpants.
Around 100 campers took up residence at the Showground over the weekend.
Catering, decoration, ticketing, cleaning and marketing were all tackled by the organising committee including Ms Regan, Joy Dare, Judith Regan and Eliza Walters with Malcolm George as President.
When the inevitable staging and logistical challenges kicked in, other locals stepped up including Fred and Jude Masman, James Taylor and Dominic Warnic.
“It wouldn’t have happened if they hadn’t come on board,” said Ms Regan.
A short sharp but disruptive rain shower occurred in the early hours of Saturday morning, sending the production crew scrambling to protect precious equipment.
“It dampened the dust,” said Ms Regan.
“Overall it was a success,” she said.
“Everyone was charged with enthusiasm.”
Duffo has said he’d like to come back.
Now it’s up to the local volunteers, who meet this week to wind-up the 2017 event and discuss whether a 2018 Let’s Dance Festival is a goer.
Local Council support and other sponsorship will be a must if the fledgling festival is to continue.
