Festival On Track For A Smooth Blues Event

The Age

Saturday April 7, 2007

Julia Medew, Rachel Kleinman

ORGANISERS of this weekend's inaugural blues festival at Point Nepean say they are on track to produce an event as smooth as the tunes their headline acts will be performing.

As a pod of curious dolphins played close by in Port Phillip Bay, a 24-metre-long stage was erected at the historic quarantine station yesterday.

Spokeswoman Jan McGuinness said everything was set for a successful festival. "All the traffic and security plans are in place," she said.

Some community and environment groups have expressed concern that the event, headlined by Ben Harper and Missy Higgins, will harm the site.

Victorian National Parks Association president Bernie Fox questioned the impact high traffic volumes, trucks and night-time activity would have on wildlife and the environment.

Ms McGuinness said most of the 15,000 tickets for the two-day event had been sold, but some would be on sale at the gate or at the Sorrento Athenaeum cinema this morning. -- With RACHEL KLEINMAN

BOUND FOR THE BLUES

HEADLINE ACTS - TODAY

Taj Mahal, 6.30pm; Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals, 8pm.

TOMORROW The Waifs, 5.30pm; Missy Higgins, 7pm; John Mayer, 8.45pm.

TICKETS Last-minute tickets from Sorrento Athenaeum Cinema today, 26-36 Ocean Beach Road, Sorrento. Phone 5984 2903.

WHERE Point Nepean Quarantine Station.

WHEN 11am-11pm today and tomorrow.

PARKING Pre-bought car passes required for 2500 spaces.

TRANSPORT A shuttle bus will run every 20 minutes from 10am daily, from the corner of Point Nepean Road and Rosebud Parade in Rosebud.

LINK www.pointnepeanmusic.com

© 2007 The Age

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