DUNROBIN has another big event to look forward to in March, with the Festival of Small Halls set to return for another night of cheery folk music.

The festival previously toured the community in 2022 – following three years without a performance – and was a major hit at the Dunrobin Hall, bringing in dozens of visitors from around the district and raising thousands for the hall’s roof revival project.

The hall’s Julie Robins said most components of last year’s successful show were likely to return, including fundraising initiatives such as the barbecue and raffle.

“We were pretty happy,” she said.

“We’ll do what we did last year.”

The Dunrobin Hall has been raising funds in recent months for further renovations, including to floors and drainage, having launched a can drive in November.

This year’s event will have an international flavour, welcoming Canadian songwriter Scott Cook, who has toured throughout North America and Europe as well as Australia and taken top honours in recent contests.

Performing alongside him will be the Melbourne-based Folk Bitch Trio, who have been critically acclaimed in Australia with a style drawing from folk, alt-rock and country.

Local talent is also a chance to perform as part of the event – Hannah Munro and Sarah Crowle from Robyn’s Music – but Julie Robins said local performances were, among other details, still to be worked on.

The Festival of Small Halls tours many local community halls each year in Victoria and several other states, bringing with it folk and acoustic artists who have also performed at some of Australia’s largest festivals.

It was inspired by a similar idea in Canada for a new touring structure to take more music to regional areas.

In 2022, Dunrobin was visited by sister duo Charm of Finches and prolific songwriter Jack Carty, both award-winning acts.

This year’s event at the Dunrobin Community Hall will be held on Thursday, 30 March, with doors opening at 6.30pm and the show starting at 7pm.

For more information on the festival and acts and to purchase tickets, visit www.festivalofsmallhalls.com.

Tickets will also be available to purchase at Casterton All Sorts.