FIONA Boyes and the Fortune Tellers are set to feature at the Plough Inn’s Tarra Blues 2 festival.

The event will run over two days, on the first weekend of November at the historic Plough Inn Tarrawingee, complementing the reinvigorated Wangaratta Festival of Jazz and Blues.

Boyes plays deep blues, influenced by a myriad of traditional regional styles and has carved an international reputation as a blues guitarist, bandleader, vocalist and songwriter.

As the winner of the International Blues Challenge in Memphis, Blues Blast Music Award winner and former Port Fairy Folk Festival Artist of the Year, Boyes will take to the stage with her long-time partners in crime, Mark Grunden on drums and percussion and Tim Neal on Hammond.

Boyes said the trio have been performing together for years and it's always a delight.

"We really feed off each other musically so it’s fun," she said.

“Mark and Tim are both wonderfully inventive and seasoned players, it’s fresh every time we play together."

Boyes said festivalgoers can expect a road trip through blues and America music from their set at Tarra Blues 2.

"Blues music is a wide-ranging genre," she said.

“When I’m playing with the band we go from some very classic barrel house blues right through to Mississippi style blues which is very swampy, dirty and riff driven and played on handmade unique cigar box instruments.

“It’s not only fun for us, but also for the audience."

After performing in the industry for three decades, Boyes has toured across 20 countries and was recently inducted into the Blues Victoria Hall of Fame.

“Over the years, I’ve played in some amazing places, but the most amazing gigs have been in smaller venues, it’s so much more intimate to be able to play somewhere you can talk to the audience and be close to the audience," she said.

“I’ve been a professional musician for a long time, for me it’s about playing and doing your best for an audience.

“Our gig is on the Sunday afternoon which is perfect for families and kids.

“Because blues if so often considered to be a male dominated music, and certainly for me as a guitarist the blues and guitar scene are very blokey.

“It’s great when little girls come up and want to look at the guitars, because I never had that role model.

“I was a huge blues fan, and I didn’t start playing until my late 20s until one day I decided to have a go.

“It was hard because there weren’t other female blues guitarists in the scene at the time, so I hope this is the kind of show that is accessible and enjoyable to everyone."

Other acts set to perform at Tarra Blues 2 festival are the Sammy Owen Blues Band, Rambal, Blues Roulette presenting “The Commitments”, Daryl Roberts, Charlie Bedford, Soli’s Blues and Blue Sunday.

To book your tickets, visit https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1226013.

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What's On in brief

Author visit with Sarah Barnett

AUTHOR Sarah Barnett will visit the Wangaratta Library on Saturday, October 5 at 10.30am to discuss her debut novel, The Chalice of Fortune, which pays tribute to her family’s lineage in Warwickshire.

The novel is an action-packed adventure for readers aged 9 to adult or those young at heart with an adventurous spirit.

It is a unique blend of historical fact and fiction, set at the height of World War II in England, where two young cousins come together for the adventure of their lives.

Bookings are essential via Humanitix or contact library staff on 5721 2366 or library@wangaratta.vic.gov.au.

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Milawa craft market on Friday

A CRAFT market will be held at the Milawa Hall on Friday, September 27 from 9am.

Browse a variety of stalls showcasing the work of local artists and craftspeople, with plenty to engage and entertain visitors of all ages.

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Shannon Noll 20th anniversary tour

SHANNON Noll will play at the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Convention Centre on Thursday, October 3 at 7.30pm as part of his "That's What I'm Talking About" tour.

Fans will be treated to a high energy and nostalgic live show featuring songs from Nollsie’s historic debut album as well as hits and fan favourites across his full career catalogue to date.

The only Australian male artist in national ARIA chart history to have achieved ten consecutive top ten singles, including landmark single What About Me which was the highest selling single in Australia in 2004, get your tickets now to see Shannon Noll at www.wpacc.com.au.

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The Hoffmans at Da Vinci Club

DUO The Hoffmans will perform hits from the 50s to the 90s during a supper dance being held at the Da Vinci Social Club in Wangaratta on Saturday, September 28 at 7.30pm.

Tickets include a delicious supper with drinks available at bar prices (no byo) with tickets $20 for members and $25 for non-members, available by calling Pip on 0409 307 606 or email dvsc.wang@gmail.com.

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Lyster Opera comes to Milawa Hall

VICTORIAN regional touring opera company Lyster Opera will present a new production of Rossini’s hilarious comedy, The Italian Girl in Algiers, at the Milawa Hall on Sunday, September 29 at 2pm.

The opera tells the story of the Sultan Mustafa who is obsessed with all things Italian and yearns for an Italian wife, but he gets much more than he bargained for.

Featuring an ensemble cast including mezzo-soprano Alexandra Mathew as Isabella and tenor Hew Wagner as Lindoro, with beautiful sets and costumes, tickets are available at lysteropera.com.au or by calling 0410 0890 388.

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Twilight Laneway Market in October

THE Rural City of Wangaratta will hold a twilight laneway market in Victoria Parade in October with stalls of locally made goods, food trucks and live music.

As well as providing an opportunity for local makers to show and sell their wares, businesses along Victoria Parade, including Pedal Slowly, Wangaratta Club, Madam Espresso, and Artisans Alley, will join the festivities, staying open to welcome shoppers and visitors.

The market will be held from on Saturday, October 19 from 5pm to 9pm and attendees who make a purchase at the market can go into the draw to win a prize to the value of $300, announced on Thursday, October 31.

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