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14th Thredbo Blues Festival 2008

Over 100 performers from around Australia and 2000 Blues fans will converge on Thredbo Village in Australia's snowy mountains for the three days this January 11-13th for what many describe as their favourite Australian music festival.

The festival is renowned as a boutique style event due to its very personal venues including restaurant gigs complimented by great food and wine. The 2008 festival will see an extraordinary line-up of blues artists with the soul focus of maximum entertainment for their audiences.

Artists confirmed for the festival are: Andy Cowan; Sugarcane Collins; Steve Tallis; Mighty Reapers; Andrea Marr; Kaya; The Others; Jimi Hocking; Ross Ward; Ray Beadle Band; Kevin Borich; Mal Eastick; Dallas Trasca; CW Stoneking; The Hands; Nick Charles.

THREDBO Blues 2007 will be: Youth talent competition – we are looking for the best young guitarist in the region to play with the legends of blues – more to follow Blues workshops – interactive workshop where you learn to play the blues on supplied equipment Blackboard Jams – A blackboard will be present outside Drakes and House of ULLR, musicians and invited buskers
Buskers competition – we have had approximately 120 musicians apply to the festival this year and a selection of those artists will be invited to rove around the festival. There will be a silent judging of their talent and the winner is invited back to Thredbo as part of the bill for the following year.

Festival Pass holders gain access to all music venues, however pass holders must comply with the liquor licensing laws pertaining to restaurant venues. Festival organisers appreciate your understanding of this situation, which is not imposed by Thredbo's businesses.

A weekend festival pass also includes unlimited rides on the Kosciuszko Express Chairlift. THREDBO's main chairlift rises 600 vertical metres from the picturesque valley floor to the top of the Ramshead Range, which is the perfect access point for an easy walk to the top of Australia - Mt Kosciuszko.

All festival venues are within easy walking distance; so after you arrive, give the car a rest and enjoy the fresh mountain air on foot. January is generally very warm in the mountains, so a poolside gig combines great music with a swim and spectacular mountain views. Thredbo festivals also offer intimate performances in restaurant venues. Restaurant gigs are very popular as they are a great way to enjoy fine food and wine in the company of accomplished musicians; bookings at these particular venues are essential, as they tend to book out early. See the venues for contact details.

THREDBO has great restaurants and shops with all the facilities you'd expect to find in an international class year-round resort. A supermarket, bottle shop, chemist, bakery and newsagent provide the essentials whilst there is a choice of retail shops to find that special gift or souvenir of the village and the festival. If you feel the need for a break from the Blues, the Thredbo Activities Desk can help organise tennis, golf, bobsledding, hiking, mountain biking or a swim or work out in the Thredbo AIS complex.

Accommodation is available for all budgets and a festival weekend offers 100 hours of superior blues within a village that is situated in the spectacular setting of the NSW Snowy Mountains within Kosciuszko National Park.



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