For three days the town of Corryong in the Upper Murray will be swaying, bopping, tapping and stomping to the beats of musos from regional Victoria and NSW. Opening the festivities on November 21, 2008, will be the first "welcome to country" ceremony since European settlement.

The festival was the impetus of local resident Jennifer Fennell who pulled in community support volunteers and the idea has taken shape as a weekend filled with music. Local acts Crackenback and Phoenix Rising will play alongside Ebony and Ivory (Tumut), the Remnants (Albury), Greggory (Wodonga), Kate Meehan and Skip Landy (Tallangatta), Jo Jo Smith (Mansfield), Jill Meehan (Malmsbury), Madeleine Weybury (Hoppers Crossing), Stephen Lomas (Tumbarumba), Sans Band (Wagga Wagga), Luke Stabb (Charleroi), Richard Perso (Yackandandah) and more.

Aboriginal brothers and fellow musicians Lindsay, Pat and Len Connelly will introduce Corryong and visitors to a forgotten part of its history when they perform the Welcome to Country ceremony and share the traditional name and customs of the area. That will launch what is shaping up to be a memorable weekend of concerts, jam sessions and recitals.

In addition to the Friday 21st and Saturday 22nd evening performances (ticket holders have a choice of three different venues each night), daytime open-air concerts for the public on Saturday and Sunday, plus busking and a farmers market mean you are spoilt for choice with entertainment. Add to this the Southern Cloud Fly-In and the town will be bustling. A special treat on Sunday morning is Murray Brass, a 25-piece ensemble who will be performing at the open-air venue. A chalkboard concert and piano recital round out the weekend's concerts.

Tickets are very reasonably priced at $60 for a family of four, $35 for a single adult. Seniors and concession rates apply. Call the Corryong Visitor Information Centre for full details and to purchase tickets on 02 6076 2277. More information on the muzos and the event can be found at www.artsuppermurray.org.au/musicmajic.

Music Majic is a joint production of Arts Upper Murray and Neighbourhood House. Arts Upper Murray is the local culture organisation assisting, encouraging and advocating for art and artists in the Towong, Tumbarumba and Holbrook shires. Its mandate is to make art accessible in all forms as well as provide for citizen involvement in culture. For more information contact Walt Cudlip on 02 6077 9290.