ON the weekend of February 27 to March 1, the Central Highlands hosted for the third time the celebration of traditional Irish music at the Great Lake Community Centre, the Miena Seisiun. The Seisiun (a Celtic word for session) included performances, dancing, workshops and a concert.
The crowd this year was even bigger than in the past two years. Supported by the Folk Federation of Tasmania, Session Players Tasmania, RANT Arts and Central Highlands Council, and publicity from News of the Midlands and New Norfolk and Derwent Valley News, there was something for everyone over the three days of the event.
It started on the Friday evening with flute and whistle player Brian Owens at the Great Lake Community Centre. The early Saturday program featured workshops for bodhran (a traditional Irish handheld drum), fiddle, guitar and whistle. The afternoon session featured Ewen Baker, the Nightjar ensemble, Dave Haynes and Dave McNamara.
That night, ticket holders had a choice of a bush dance at the Community Centre or another hosted by the Great Lake Hotel and led by Session Players Tasmania.
The next morning, Sunday, Craig Greer guided a bird-spotting walk at Penstock Lagoon, followed by a farewell session at the Steppes Hall. Buoyed by the success of this year’s event, the Miena Seisiun is planned to be run again on the last weekend of February next year.
DAVID MEACHEAM
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