Festival program announced

The Ettalong Beach Business Group has announced the program for the Ettalong Beach Festival to be held from Friday, March 16, to Sunday, March 18.

The festival will include the Ettalong Beach Ball, workshops with eminent Australian percussionists, a film festival night and an all-day street festival.

The Ettalong Beach Ball will be held on the night of Friday, March 16, and will feature a performance from the Spooky Men's Chorale.

Their repertoire ranges from Georgian drinking songs to whisper perfect ballads and a string of improbable original hits.

For those who like a twirl on the dance floor, 60s and 70s surfie band The Shallows will also perform on the night.

The Big Sing workshop will be held the following day from 10:30am until 3:30pm.

The workshop will be run by Kavisha Mazzella who will lead the group in "vibrant explorations of songs and roof raising harmonies".

The workshop is open to singers of all ages and experience.

All enthusiastic participants will be invited to perform the next day at the Ettalong Beach Street Festival.

The festival will continue into the night with the Festival Film Night at Cinema Paradiso.

Doors open at 5pm for a 5:30pm screening.

The film will be an original documentary by Bob Fitzgerald which will explore the theme of Then and Now.

It has original stories from local residents including a mix of interviews spliced with historical film footage and scenes of Ettalong over the last century.

True stories about the town's past characters, the shops, the waterslide, the connection with Sydney's underbelly and the fire that wiped out the Ettalong Beach town are among the themes visited in the film.

The festival will conclude on Sunday, March 18, with the Ettalong Beach Street Festival Day from 10am until 4pm on Ocean View Rd.

Holden classic cars and a mix of artisan and food market stalls will line the street on the day.

The flags that will be on display along Ocean View Rd have been made especially for the festival in workshops by local community artist Nina Angelo with the help of local school and community groups.

The main stage will feature Australian festival circuit performers along with indigenous and local talent.

A kid's zone with art, crafts and rides will also be available for children to enjoy.

Flyer, 20 Feb 2012 Jeanette Polley, Ettalong Beach Business Group Photos: Naomi Bridges