Annual Cultural Showcase part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival

The Tamworth Country Music Festival is the biggest national event for what is traditionally the most popular form of music amongst Aboriginal people. The Festival not only draws Aboriginal performers and country music enthusiasts from all over Australia, but is also a major nurturing ground for musical and artistic talent. The Annual Cultural Showcase was developed after key Aboriginal performers identified a lack of opportunities available to new and emerging Aboriginal musicians during the Festival as compared to other young musicians. In response to this, the Annual Cultural Showcase is designed to provide unique opportunities for exposure and performance development.
The Annual Cultural Showcase is a community based event designed to provide Aboriginal people from all over Australia with the opportunity to perform as part of the Country Music Festival. The Showcase has the specific goal of providing new and emerging talents with exposure and skills development opportunities. In order to achieve this we are putting on a flexible program of shows to include everyone from first time walk-ups to experienced artists. The experience of playing on the same stage as a seasoned performer is a great encouragement to many first timers. The inaugural Showcase was successfully staged as part of the 2008 Country Music Festival and was an inspiration to all involved.