Perched between the Victorian High Country and the splendour of Lakes Entrance is a small Town called Bruthen.
This gorgeous town is usually a quiet haven disturbed only by passing traffic, but explodes with hustle, bustle and music every year on the second tuesday in February. For the past 15 years it celebrates Blues, Roots, and Folk music and has hosted some of the biggest names in the music Industry, both local and International.

The residents of Bruthen open their arms to visitors from all over the world and the Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival is run entirely through its community base. It has its own committee that puts this gem together every year and does a stunning job. Everyone gives of their time to make this a stellar Festival to include in your festival calenders. With just a few local sponsors which I will list for you at the end, they manage to bring to us visitors a time to be remembered. The thing I love most about this festival is the community involvement.
The opening ceremony was lovely. Friday night festivities began with the Talent Contest and jam at the Bruthen Inn. It was a fabulous night hosted by the excellent music of "Funkhouse". A number of gifted artists were presented on stage for the contest and jam from near & far.

The street stage is located in the Town Square. The town square which is usually a quiet green space in the center of town bursts into marvelous music. It is filled to the brim with booths containing summer clothes, hats, musical instruments, food, local produce, home made jams and condiments, gifts, carvings and even toys for the kids.Off to the side you will find Le Cafe which features a wonderful Dinner menu with Live music. An intimate performance can be heard at the Bruthen Mechanics Hall while you enjoy dinner. This Festival has it all. It offers a top notch safe camping facility which is nestled beside the Upper Tambo River where the famous Duck Race is held. Just a beautiful site. Festival visitors meet one another and mingle making your trip wonderful from start to finish. There are also Inn's , Holiday cabins, hotels, motels and campgrounds located in the surrounding areas all of which took wonderful care of visitors
Saturday night was rocking at The Bruthen Inn with headliners like Richard Perso, Suzanne Espie, Lil Fi and Band along with Chubby Rae & The Elevators. We sang till we had no voice, people danced till the night was over. It was an incredible night. Many thanks going out to the excellent staff at The Bruthen Inn!
The Bruthen Blues & Arts Festival always puts on workshops for everyone as well, and this year was no different.
We had :
Harmonica for Beginners with Ken Gates
String Guitar with Richard Perso
Beginners Ukulele with Ken Gates
Percussion Workshop with Nick Fischer
Blues Harmonica with Ian Collard

Here is some of the wonderful Artists who did a stunning job at entertaining us throughout the festival:

Mike Marmo
Aaron Burton Duo
Jay Howie
Shaun Kirk
Priest Bros
Tyson Hodges Trio
Plan B
High Spirits with Nicky Moffat
The Hannafords
Mossy Potts
Willy Golightly
Pugsley Buzzard
Ian Collard
Duo to Go

There was something for everyone. The smiles and laughs were free. This festival is well put together with a home town feel. Many thanks to the Bruthen Community for a wonderful time!!
Kudos to all the sponsors for helping making this a must see every year. You are our hero's! Thanks to the photographer who will see no one forgets this year!! And last but not least, many thanks to the committee who gives of their time to put this brilliant Festival on for all of us.

The Sponsors were:
RACV Bairnsdale & Lakes Entrance - Proud sponsor of the Street Music Stage
Dyer Gippsland Transport - Regular Supporters of the Festival
Eastern Audio Of Lakes Entrance
Porters Electrical - Proud Sponsor of the Saturday Night Blues Cafe
Stringybark Cottages
Hardon Music who Sponsored the Friday Night Jam and donated Microphones as prizes.
Bruthen General Store
Elders
BP Bruthen Motors
Gippsland Lake Insurance
Bruna & Alex Cattapan
Bruthen Inn Hotel
Townsend Demolition & Salvage
House & Gift Bairnsdale
Mt Markey Winery (Gorgeous wines)
Official Photographer - Minas Garas

**The 2010 Bruthen Blue Bee Circus Project , which was a pure delight to see, was sponsored by Australian Government Festivals & East Gippsland Shire Council. Many thanks to the organizers and children who brought the information forward in an entertaining and educational way. Very well done indeed!

I probably missed a ton but there was so much to see, to eat and to participate in that I will relish my memories till next year. All the volunteers are remarkable. Honestly, one of the biggest and best "little" Festivals I've seen in this calibre.
Everyone felt a part of this wonderful town for a weekend.
Well Done Bruthen!! We love you!!