Join resident pianist, Adrian Deakin, on an improvised, melodic journey of classic and magical tunes on the piano

Friday, Friday Frivolities @ Old Hepburn Hotel

The usual Friday night festivities with Happy Hour from 6 to 8pm, cocktails plus Trivia, Joker Poker, Bar Wars and the community raffle.

Friday, Liz Stringer solo @ Old Hepburn Hotel 

Liz will play an intimate solo show before she heads to Canada in mid-January, with material from all albums, in particular, 2016’s All the bridges, recorded in Portland, US, a new collection of songs featuring her guitar work, veering into some wonderful rootsy pop, with the recognisable heartfelt ballads. But, as fans know, she’s quite comfortable rockin’ out as well.

Rolling Stone magazine has made some flattering Chrissie Hynde comparisons in its review of the work and Liz has become a favourite among punters for her generous and engaging stage demeanour and her skill as a storyteller.

As Mick Thomas puts it, “her performance is as intense as it is personable, as profane as it is sacred”.

Lovers of Stringer's previous work will no doubt be catered for, with selections from the excellent Warm in the darkness from 2012.  

She has proved with solo shows and with Van Walker at The Old Hepburn, she’s very open to offers on stage.

Saturday, Ash Egan @ Old Hepburn Hotel

Ballarat born and bred, musician Ash Egan is well known throughout Victoria and has been entertaining audiences for over 14 years.

Ash is a versatile performer with musical influences including The Eagles and John Butler Trio.

Sunday, Sean Dixon @ Old Hepburn Hotel 

Friday, Lunar Dust @ Blue Bean Cafe

Vanessa Craven, of Welsh-Indian background, is an Australian singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist.

She has been passionate about guitar playing since her early teens in India.

Immigrating to Australia from the Himalaya Mountains, since 2009 she has played her music in a variety of events and venues such as the Denny Roots and Blues Festival RSL Deniliquin, Newstead Folk Festival, Castlemaine Fringe Festival, Daylesford Folk and Blues Festival, Ballan Autumn Festival, to mention a few.

Influences range from guitar maestros such as Ry Cooder to singer songwriters such as Janis Ian.

On this occasion Don Gula on double bass and Vanessa Craven on guitar, lap-slide, and harmonica will play as a duo, bringing some smooth vocals and easy listening music which goes well with a glass or two of wine, beer or some Blue Bean coffee.

Sunday, Open Mic @ Blue Bean Cafe 

Thursday, January 10, Marlon Williams @ Theatre Royal Castlemaine

New Zealand’s Marlon Williams has an amazing, distinctive voice, as anyone who has the singer’s acclaimed two solo albums or his work with Delaney Davidson.  

In fact, his voice has been compared to Roy Orbison, and even briefly had Williams, in his youth, consider a career in classical singing.

The latest, ‘Make way for love’ is a confronting, personal and affecting break up record, documenting and even featuring the subject of the break up, Aldious Harding as a back up singer on a number of tracks.

On the live front, Williams, has been a road dog in recent years, touring with everyone from Band Of Horses, City & Colour and Iron & Wine’s Sam Beam to Bruce Springsteen, performing at the likes of Austin City Limits and Newport Folk Festival, and building a loyal following for his headline shows.