Michael Sollis - Arts and Ideas

21/08/2024

So excited about our first announcements!

We are thrilled to announce our first artists! These fantastic acts are just the start of what is shaping up to be a fabulous celebration of the Folk community, with many more to be announced over the next few months. For more information about both artists and tickets, head to our website. Early Bird 1 tickets (20% discount) are nearly sold out, and over 60% of bookable campsites are already gone!

folkfestival.org.au

Thanks for the pic Melbourne Ceili Camera!

Amaidí Daoirí Farrell David Francey Good Tunes Josh Pyke Kadinelia Ruth Moody Melbourne Scottish Fiddlers Shaking the Tree StiffGins The Bard Band supermandepercussion.com.au

21/08/2024

Big announcement for the National Folk Festival today! Tune into ABC Canberra at 8.50, and check out the news. Will post more soon! 🎉

30/03/2024

Three amazing days at the National Folk Festival. Two to go!

17/03/2024

Excited to share this article featuring Hannah Lee Tungate from Tenth Muse Initiative, delving into crucial research on diversity in Australian orchestral programs. Additionally, Hannah has been spotlighting an incredible array of women composers - both past and present - on her page.

This work is truly essential. Thank you, Hannah, for drawing important attention to this.

The representation of female, First Nations and Australian composers in Australian orchestral programming has been broken down by Perth-based soprano Hannah Lee Tungate.

16/03/2024

I'm not the only one jumping at the bits for the National Folk Festival this Easter. To my surprise, my son brought me this drawing this morning of a dance performer at the Festival!

Yes, I am biased - but I am so excited about our dance program - there is such a variety with square dances from Double Dole, Achenese dance from Suara Dance, Old Time dance with the Gay Charmers Old Time Band, an Argentine spectacular with Belen Silva, Greek Rebetiko with George Kiriakidis, Quebecois contra with Melissandre, Klezmer and Balfolk with Meyers & McNamara and David Oddsocks Wanless, bush dances, and so much more - Scandinavian dance, Flamenco, and bush dances to name a few! I'm glad my son can at least feel the energy as well!

14/03/2024

Wyana and I in action at our Sunset Sessions at Strathnairn Arts a fortnight ago.

Such a beautiful gig, though the recovery took a bit longer than expected. If you look closely, you'll notice I was performing with a chemotherapy pump connected to my chest - underestimating how much setting up and packing away would drain my energy for the next few days was unfortunately quite a recovery! But every moment was absolutely worth it, sharing beautiful music with the incredible Wyana in such a picturesque setting for an amazing audience.

Feeling blessed. 🎶

04/03/2024

I is for Ice,

Today, in our ongoing ABC of , we're at "I" for Ice – a surprising ally that I’ve discovered in my journey.

As we navigate the ups and downs of treatment, every day becomes a lesson in understanding our body's resilience and the curious ways it responds to the drugs. While the guidance from healthcare professionals is invaluable, sometimes it's the little personal discoveries that make the difference.

Ice has emerged as a trusted friend for one of the more challenging side effects I have faced – the impact on our mouths. Treatments often lead to mouth ulcers, loss of taste, and what is referred to ‘mucositis’, sometimes making it impossible to eat. This can lead to serious risks of not being able to continue treatment.

I discovered that chewing on ice during treatment days has been a simple yet effective strategy to fend off the onset of mouth ulcers later in the week. This small discovery has been revolutionary.

If you're walking this path, consider giving ice a try. Some soft research suggests it could work as it slows the bloodflow in the mouth. In any case, it works!🌬️💪

28/02/2024

My wonderful partner Kiri has been getting this studio ready (she has pretty much done the whole thing), and it looks and sounds amazing! It’s been a joy rehearsing Urmas Sisask’s Zodiac Suite for our concert on Friday at Strathnairn Arts. Practicing a special suite of music to unofficially open the studio. Thank you Kiri!

27/02/2024

I'm surprised to learn that our Sunset Session concert this Friday sold out last week! For those who missed out, hopefully Wyana and I can bring this starry set of music back later in the year. Big thanks to Strathnairn Arts for hosting this wonderful event! 🌟🎶

25/02/2024

24/02/2024

H is for Haemorrhoids

So, this may be the most awkward topic in this A to Z of . The word ‘Haemorrhoids’ carries its own stigma, but it’s still part of the journey. By bringing it into discussion, those who suffer can only get more support.

Medications can wreak havoc on your gastrointestinal system. For those with bowel cancer, scars from surgery are added into the mix. Sometimes it's a dance between diarrhea and constipation. It's a constant switch, and you find yourself yearning for a break that never quite seems to come.

Constipation often paves the way for haemorrhoids. My family has witnessed moments of extreme discomfort (and screaming exclamations) during bathroom struggles. Managing it becomes a skill, and one I personally haven’t completely mastered yet – but you do the best you can.

Thankfully, there are creams that helps, and healing doesn't take forever. Just in time for the next round of treatment, where you somehow manage to momentarily forget the struggles of the last fortnight.

If you or any friends experience constipation and haemorrhoids (whether from cancer treatment or something else), I’ve found nurses, doctors and pharmacists a wonderful resource. Once you talk about it the first time it seems far less embarrassing.

23/02/2024

Had a fantastic time at the National Folk Festival media launch on Wednesday, listening to the mesmerising Robyn Martin, along with Jennifer Martiniello and the incomparable Shortis & Simpson. Counting down the days till Easter when the Festival begins!

20/02/2024

Remembering our magical time in Tennant Creek, Wyana O'Keeffe and I will be performing music for the stars by Urmas Sisask at Strathnairn Arts as part of the Enlighten Festival on Friday 1 March 🌌✨ - Come join us for food, drink, music, and an amazing sunset!

https://www.strathnairn.com.au/brindabella-sunset-sessons

16/02/2024

G is for Gloves

Continuing our journey through the A-Z of , today we've landed on Gloves – a symbol of the unexpected challenges that can be encountered.

Among the myriad side effects of treatment, peripheral neuropathy is particularly notable for diminishing sensation in the fingers and toes, sometimes with lasting effects. 🧤 Gloves become a vital shield against the freezing cold that simply touching a metallic object can bring. Even drinking a glass of water feels like swallowing shards of ice.

One August morning, the day after treatment, I took my son on my bike to drop him off at daycare. Despite my gloves, the cold penetrated more deeply than anticipated. Suddenly my airways began to constrict alarmingly. Fortunately, friends lived nearby, and I was able to get relief and recover. However, it was a stark reminder of the need for caution and the potential consequences of neglecting it.

Yet, with every obstacle, there's a silver lining. There's a strange beauty in watching our bodies adapt, confronting each new challenge with strength.

Have you heard of any such unexpected side effects and consequences of? Whether it's gloves or something else, I'd love to hear.

13/02/2024

F is for FOLFOXIRI

Navigating the A to Z of , aiming to shed light for patients, their loved ones, and the community.

Early on, decoding the drug names can feel like a daunting task. My initial regimen was FOLFOXIRI—essentially a cocktail of three chemotherapy drugs: FOLF for fluorouracil, OX for oxaliplatin, and IRI for irinotecan.

These drugs aren't fun. Hours spent in the hospital, with fluorouracil delivered via a chest port for 48 hours, oxaliplatin infused for an hour, and irinotecan for an hour and a half. Add the monoclonal antibody bevacizumab (initially 90 minutes), plus pre-medications and flushes, and the whole process can stretch up to 8 hours on a drip before taking a pump home.

I've moved on from this particular regimen, but all patients share the lengthy hospital hours. The infusions might leave you a bit woozy, punch-drunk even. Yet, with the fantastic nursing team at Canberra Hospital, it somehow starts feeling like a home away from home. Despite the initial intimidation, you adapt, and the support makes the ordeal more bearable. 🏥

13/02/2024

Look - we are on the cover of BMA Magazine! If you are around Canberra, and want to read from Chris, Holly and myself about the National Folk Festival, see if you can find a copy!

09/02/2024

E is for Exercise Bike 🚴‍♀️

Our ABC of has now arrived at the letter E.

Every fortnight when I am on treatment, my ritual for three consecutive days is to flog myself on a beaten-up exercise bike for 20 minutes.

Exercise has become somewhat of an anchor. Regular nurses now expect me to arrive in hospital in a bit of a sweat, whilst new nurses sometimes get in a panic about my heartrate! But exercise seems to work. It lessens side effects, uplifts my mood, and more importantly helps the magic circulate more effectively through my body, which will continue to keep me here.

More focus on the benefits of exercise would be so helpful for any patient going through their own journey (and it doesn’t need to involve working to exhaustion). Spread the word 😊🌟

07/02/2024

The National Folk Festival is just around the corner, and The Riotact recently highlighted the inspiring Alfira O’Sullivan and Suara Indonesia Dance who will be appearing at the Festival. Her words are a great reminder for us in the arts community to embrace humility. By acknowledging that individuals, organisations and the sector can learn and improve, and by recognising that the experts are the cultural practitioners themselves, we can all make crucial steps toward change.

I'm so grateful to be able to work with cultural experts like Alfira to aim for an arts and cultural landscape that reflects the wonderful diversity that exists in this country. 🙏

You can check out the article at

Alfira O'Sullivan has had to be