THURSDAY 19 November 2009

Welcome to Country with Guest Performers and Speakers

Opening Night Party

PBS106.7 fm Presents:The Red Eyes (Australia) feat. live dub-mixing by Mad Professor (UK), The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra (Africa/Australia) with Tumi (South Africa), Dubmarine (Australia) + DJ’s Kartick & Gotam (India/Israel)

The Red Eyes is a 10-piece monster band from Melbourne that has been shaking foundations around the country with a heavyweight bass and mind-altering dub sound since joining forces in 2002.

International dub legend, Mad Professor, is considered one of the leading producers of dub music’s second generation and instrumental in transitioning dub into the digital age.

Inspired by the infectious afro-beat music of Nigeria and its neighbours, The Public Opinion Afro Orchestra delivers a contemporary blend of hip-hop and African funk. Comprising up to twenty musicians hand-picked from Melbourne’s African, jazz & hip-hop scenes.

Tumi is one of South Africa’s brightest up and coming wordsmiths. This hip-hop master has shared the stage with the likes of Dead Prez, The Roots and street poet laureate Talib Kweli.

Combining reggae, hip hop, dub, funk and dancehall, Brisbane’s Deadly Award nominees Dubmarine are renowned for their deep groove, fluid rhymes, and potent musical spices.

Kartick & Gotam transcend the normal barriers between classic and modern, or electronic and acoustic, Indian music.

FRIDAY 20 November 2009

FILM : First Australians (Australia)

Freedom for our lifetime is episode three of First Australians, a landmark seven part documentary series that cronicles the collision of two worlds and a genesis of a new nation. Produced by Blackfella Films and screened on SBS, it has been described as "one of the most significant documentary series in the history of Australian television". Brought to life through the true stories of individuals - both black and white - it is an epic drama of love and death, loss and victory.

Freedom for our lifetime concerns Victoria 1860-1890. in the 1870's the white population of Victoria totals 500 000 people and the first Australians' numbers have dropped from 60 000 to 2000. The threat of extinction hovers as Wurundjeri leader Simon Wonga seeks land from the authorities. He soon gives up and leads his people to the banks of the Yarra River, claiming a parcel of land Coranderrk. With the help of a Scottish preacher and inspired by the farming practices of the settlers the community prospers - until the authorities step in and resist self-determination.

Directed by Rachel Perkins.  For more information on First Australians: www.blackfellafilms.com.au

Noreum Machi (South Korea)

Noreum Machi is a captivating group that performs the virtuosic percussion music known as samulnori. Noreum Machi’s colourful program includes spectacular percussion dialogues, shamanic chants, and acrobatic dances. 

Sisters of Gelam Theatre Show

Written by: Lisa Maza & Rachael Maza Long  Directed by: Melanie Beddie & Rachael Maza Long  Musical Director: Stephen (Stretch) Teakle  Set & Costume Design: Gav Barbey  Lighting Design: Danny Pettingill  Puppet Design: Katrina Gaskell  Puppet Director: Megan Cameron  Featuring: Lisa Maza, Rachael Maza Long & Ben Graetz  With Live Music by: Stephen (Stretch) Teakle, Andrew O'Grady & Phil Collings

Weaving together a heady mix of live music, theatre & puppetry, Sisters of Gelam is the writing debut of Rachael Maza Long and her sister Liza Maza - "The Maza Sisters". A duo well-known for their soulful brand of acoustic tunes and island harmonies, the girls are both also highly accomplished actors in Australian theatre, film & TV.

Inspired by the two sisters' very personal experiences as the daughters of a prominent Aboriginal father and a Dutch emigrant mother, stories from the past and the present are intertwined to present a poignant exploration of the journey to reconcile cultures and celebrate heritage.

FILM : Laya Film Project Screening and Presentation (India)

The Laya Film Project is a collection of recordings taken from musicians affected by the 2004 tsunami in the regions of Sri Lanka, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Myanmar and India. The project is based on regional folk music traditions which are tied into a composition that embarks on a visual and musical journey crossing borders, while preserving the music of the people. 

Film Directed by Harold Monfils, Music Directed by Patrick Sebag

Groundswell Presents – The Medics (Australia), Radical Son (Australia) & Deline Briscoe (Australia)

Deline Briscoe is one of Australia’s great upcoming singer songwriters: a world class songstress with a potent mix of rootsy soul, gospel and tear-jerking ballads.

Two time Deadly Awards nominee Radical Son has spent the past five years crafting a unique sound which resonates with hip-hop roots and soulful social statements.

The Medics is a Cairns based indie band whose exciting sonic palette ranges from quiet ambience to epic build-ups and breakdowns. Hugely popular in Townsville and Cairns, the buzz on this talented band is travelling south as its fan base grows in number.
 

The Bôite Presents: Zulya & the Children of the Underground (Russia/Australia), Valangha Khoza (South Africa/Australia), Ria Soemardjo (Indonesia/Australia)

Multi award-winning Zulya Kamalova is the leading proponent of Tatar and Russian music in Australia, as well as one of the most versatile and accomplished vocalists on the world music scene today. Her stunning blend of traditional and original music has enchanted audiences from Serbia to Siberia, Luxembourg to Moscow, Tatarstan to Helsinki and many places in between.

Since beginning collaboration with The Children of the Underground in 2003, Zulya's music has further developed in surprising and intriguing directions, notably in the highly -acclaimed The Waltz of Emptiness, and perhaps even more so in the recently released 3 Nights (2007). Zulya and the Children of the Underground have collected awards, including the 2007 ARIA for Australia’s Best World Music Album.
 
The superbly talented Valanga Khoza is a South African born musician, storyteller and singer who charms audiences with song and dance reflecting his life in South Africa and his travels as a refugee from his home to the far reaches of the world. Valanga’s songs and stories stories are enriched by the irresistible harmonies and powerful voice of Andrea Khoza,with whom he has performed for over 12 years throughout Australia and South Africa. They will be joined by multi-instrumentalist, Adrian Sherriff, traditional instruments such as the kalimba, marimba and shijoro (jaw harp) as well as evocative rhythms from the guitar and percussion.

Born in Melbourne of Australian/Indonesian descent, Ria Soemardjo has established herself in the Australian World Music scene as a skilled and sensitive performer of songs in the highly refined and soulful Javanese classical tradition. She is accompanied by Helen Mountfort on cello.
 

Creative NZ Presents: Batucada Sound Machine (New Zealand), Rhombus (New Zealand), Mihirangi (New Zealand/Australia)  + DJ Damon (aka The Nomad) (New Zealand)

Batucada Sound Machine fuses a breathtaking variety of tempos, timings, beats and styles including Brazilian, funk, hip-hop, reggae and Pacific soul. BSM have developed a solid reputation for delivering blistering live performances with fine musicianship and a collective impulsiveness.

With a seamless blend of hip-hop, soul, funk, dub and bass roots-reggae, spliced together with socially conscious lyrics, Rhombus have forged a well-deserved reputation as one of New Zealand's most original and energetic live acts.

Singing in Maori and English with an extraordinary vocal range of power & expression, Mihirangi creates her own band sound ‘live’ in front of her audience using a loop pedal to form phat solid bass lines and intricately layered harmonies, rhythmic ‘ska’ chops and sensuous jazzy riffs.

DJ Damon perhaps better known as The Nomad, one of New Zealand's most prominent electronica artists has been spinning tumes and ramming dance floors for the past 19 years.

Heartical HiFi Outernational Basement Session featuring the full sound & crew Stryka D, Boover Banton, Steve Austin plus support from DD, Sub 7 & Dub Ninja

Victoria’s first ever custom built dub/reggae soundsystem. Heartical HiFi Outernational play only the highest grade quality selections in conscious reggae and dub music - all forwarded with the anticipation of the mightiest bass line drop. Representing traditional soundsystem sytle, this live show features the full crew in action

SATURDAY 21 November 2009

FILM : Maori Short Film Screening and Presentation (New Zealand)

Two Cars, One Night Written and Directed by Taika Waititi

A tale of first love.

While waiting for their parents, two boys and a girl meet in the carpark of a rural pub. What at first seems to be a relationshiop based on rivalry soon develops into a close friendship. We learn that love can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Tama Tu Written and Directed by Taika Waititi

Tama Tu (Sons of Tu: The God of War)

6 Maori Battalion soldiers wait for night to fall in the ruins of a ruined Italian home. Forced into silence they keep themselves amused like any boys would, with jokes and laughter. As they try and ignore the reminders of war around them, a tohu (sign) brings them back to the world of the dying.

They gather to say a karakia (prayer) to unite their spirits before they head back into the dark of war.

Taua Written and Directed by Tearepa Kahi

War Party

A war party has abducted an enemy leader and bound him to the bow of their war canoe. The canoe is being towed through the forest by a merciless chief in a bid to escape pursuers and return home safely with their trophy.

Two young boys sit at the stern. They serve as bailers of the water to the men. On the desperate and gruelling journey, every man is in need of water, even the unknown prisoner...

Way Out West (Australia)

Where else but Melbourne would you be likely to find a band featuring a Sri Lankan born West African percussion master and a Vietnamese traditional musician, who also carves up the jazz guitar a-la Pat Metheny, mixing it with players diversely experienced in Western pop, jazz, and classical traditions?

Kamerunga (Australia), OKA (Australia)

Boasting smooth hi-fidelity sound that is full of beautiful uplifting melodies, tones and textures, cooked over raw didgeridoo rhythms and dance driven grooves. The OKA flavour is a hybrid of feel good roots, reggae, dub and jazz marinated in electronica.

From tropical North Queensland, Kamerunga put a fresh and funky twist on Australian and Celtic music. Combining folk influences with jazz, rock, reggae, classical and world music elements whilst melding mandolin, fiddle and guitar wizardry with sizzling saxophone, keyboards and a dynamic rhythm section. 

Creative NZ Presents: Little Bushman (New Zealand), Tama Waipara (New Zealand)

Little Bushman consists of consummate performers who make sixties-influenced, psychedelic and blues-infused music with a distinct New Zealand roots flavour. The band has a reputation for electrifying live performances, blending beautiful, layered songs with extraordinary improvisational skills.

Tama Waipara is a groundbreaking singer/songwriter whose vocals are sweetly soulful, possessing a distinctive intonation inspired by a wealth of legendary song stylists and balladeers like George Benson, Bill Withers, Donny Hathaway and Nina Simone. 

Ykson (New Caledonia), Tabura (West Papua), Richard Mogu (PNG)

Ykson’s music is an astonishing mix of rap, blues and reggae sounds combined with traditional Kanak rhythms. Born in Noumea's working-class district of Montravel, Ykson uses daily life as one of his main topics of inspiration.

Tabura is a group of new and emerging young West Papuans based in Melbourne who invigorate traditional West Papuan dance, music and song to promote, strengthen and retain their Melanesian culture.

Hailing from Amazon Bay, Central Province in Papua New Guinea, Richard Mogu is a talented bass player and vocalist currently based in Port Moresby. Along with Airi Ingram and other PNG musicians, he is part of Tribe of Jubul.

PBS 106.7fm Presents: Gospel at the Edge - South of the River Gospel Choir, Gospel Sundays and The Tongan Angelic Gospel Singers

Put your busy week aside and let three of Melbourne's best gospel groups ease away your worries.

In the magnificent setting of BMW Edge, Federation Square join your host Peter Miles (The Gospel Show, Sundays 9am on PBS) as he guides you through an evening of gospel.

Featuring The South of the River Gospel Choir, Gospel Sundays and The Evangelical Angelic Gospel Singers plus exhibitions, coffee and drinks - this is an evening of music you will not want to miss. 

Archie Roach (Australia)

In 1988 much of Australia was celebrating the Bicentennial but a young Archie Roach was expressing in song what many who weren’t celebrating were feeling. For many indigenous people there was anger, despair, disadvantage, land rights battles and deaths in custody.  Archie Roach dealt with this by writing songs about his own experiences and feelings – and then performing these songs to whom ever would listen. 

Blue King Brown (Australia), Toguna (Reunion Islands), Emma Donovan (Australia) + Chant Down Sound (Australia), Sista Itations feat. MC's RifRaph & Dizzy Dee (Australia) & The Chooky Dancers (Australia)

Hailed by Santana as “The voice of the street and the band of the future!" The 8 to 11 piece powerhouse band that is Blue King Brown has been spreading its cross-generational grooves and socially conscious sound all over the globe.

Crossing cultures with an infectious groove, Toguna's music is a brilliant fusion of folk rock, reggae and acoustic soul, using instruments such as the slide guitar, kayamb and rouler, rounded off by a soulful vocal trio.

Emma Donovan has established herself as one of Australia’s finest Indigenous singer-songwriters. Originally from Northern NSW, Emma has performed across the globe treating audiences to her rich soulful voice as a solo artist and as part of the award winning Black Arm Band.

Melbourne's original fire sound was formed in 2000 when radio presenter Jesse I linked with longtime reggae selector Ras Crucial. Chant Down Sound play in the Jamaican soundsystem tradition, mixing the freshest Jamaican reggae and dancehall together with vintage classics, custom dubplate specials and live MCing.

Sista Itations is one of Melbourne’s premiere reggae selectors, spinning some of the finest reggae tunes to be heard south of Jamaica. She’s teaming up with MC's RifRaph and Dizzy Dee for a night of big sounds and good vibes.

The Chooky Dancers are group of traditional Aboriginal dancers from Arnhem Land that became a worldwide sensation two years ago when their unique interpretation of Zorba the Greek was broadcast over the internet.

SUNDAY 22 November 2009

FILM : From the Ramingining Community: Dunganda Street Sounds

A collection of music and videos recorded and shot in Ramingining, Dunganda Street Sounds gives you a look and a listen to some new directions in   Australian Indigenous music and youth culture. Featuring Jason Durrurrnga and Michael Dawu the CD/DVD has over 20 local musicians and singers performing in 4 languages, including Spanish! Produced by New York drummer Allen Murphy, Dunganda Street Sounds is a mix of contemporary beats and rhythms mixed with traditional recordings from senior songmen of the Ramingining Community. 

Directed by Allen Murphy

The Arts Centre in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria presents as part of MIX IT UP! and the Australasian World Music Expo

Djan Djan (featuring Mamadou Diabate (Mali), Jeff Lang (Australia) and Bobby Singh (India/Australia); Dya Singh (India/Australia), Afro Dizzi Act (Australia) and More!

Mamadou Diabate is known to be one of the best kora players in West Africa. He has mesmerised audiences the world over with traditional music from his hometown of Kita.

Singer-songwriter Jeff Lang has built up a reputation for startlingly original performances. Critically acclaimed as a truly great guitar player with a gift for hauntingly poetic songwriting.

Recognized with a great talent at a young age, Bobby Singh was nurtured into an internationally renowned tabla player, both in traditional Indian classical music and cross-cultural genres.

Dya Singh's impact on the world music stage has been nothing short of phenomenal. He sings about spirituality in his native Punjabi and blends traditional music with modern and contemporary trends, country & western and new acoustic sounds.

For just over decade, Afro Dizzi Act has been performing in Australia and throughout East Asia, collaborating with musicians from around the globe performing roots infused World Beat. The unification of the band’s sound lies in their ability to perform with depth, feel and telepathy.

www.theartscentre.com.au
www.multiculturalarts.com.au

Tradewinds

The Burnet Institute Presents: Tradewinds featuring Pigram Brothers (Australia), George Telek’s Moab Stringband (PNG), Shakura Stringband (Vanuatu), Narasirato Pan Pipers (Solomon Islands),

Plus in the Recital Centre Salon and Foyer: Stiff Gins, Injinoo Dancers, Shellie Morris, The Chooky Dancers and a workshop with the legendary Mad Professor (UK)!

Legendary country folk/roots band from the pearling town of Broome, Pigram Brothers’ original music captures the Kimberley’s salt water spirit, with many of the band’s songs becoming hometown anthems while simultaneously attracting critical acclaim.

One of PNG’s most highly regarded stringbands, the Moab Stringband featuring George Telek has wowed audiences new to the Stringband sound. To see them perform live, moving in unison as they play, is like being let in on a special secret.

Hailing from the Shefa province of Vanuatu, the Shakura Stringband is the latest popular group of the region to impress audiences with it's brand of folk music, using an enchanting mix of guitars, ukuleles and lilting harmonies.

The Narasirato Pan Pipers perform an extensive repertoire of traditional music whilst creating their own unique contemporary sound. A spellbinding mix of virtuosic pan pipe music, performed while dancing to intricately choreographed routines.

In the 10 years since their first meeting in Redfern, Stiff Gins have performed and been part of cultural exchanges all over the world. Through harmony & song, they are reclaiming a derogatory term for Aboriginal women and declaring its meaning as proud, passionate & talented.

Shellie Morris is an Australian Indigenous singer who performs earthy and honest songs, her beautiful voice and her soulful enigmatic acoustic ballads have wowed audiences from rural outback Australia all the way to London's Festival Hall.

The Chooky Dancers are a group of traditional Aboriginal dancers from Arnhem Land who became a worldwide sensation two years ago when their unique interpretation of Zorba the Greek was broadcast over the internet.

The Injinoo Dancers consists of a group of dancers from Injinoo, a community at the top of Cape York in Far North Queensland, who perform traditional Indigenous dances taught to them by Injinoo elders.

AWME Closing Party

True Live (Australia), San Lazaro (Australia), Grace Barbé (Seychelles/Australia), The Last Kinection (Australia) + Ennio Styles (Australia), Mr Fish (Australia)

True Live is a unique entity. Since the band's very first performance in 2005, they have defied categorisation and belonged to a genre all of their own. With each of the band's six prodigal members bringing their own set of influences to the table, the outcome is something unlike anything you're accustomed to hearing. Where hip-hop, jazz and classical live in harmony.    

San Lazaro bring the rhythms and forms of a musical style born in Africa and raised in the Americas to the streets of Australia and the world. Their infectious afro-Cuban beats have been filling dance floors all over Melbourne for over six years.

With roots in the tiny Indian Ocean nation of Seychelles, home to a unique culture that fuses Africa, Europe and Asia, Grace Barbé’s music is a combination of afro-creole, island roots and reggae, laced with a modern pop sensibility.

NSW based hip-hop trio, The Last Kinection, empower audiences with a respect for culture, truth and freedom of speech. Lyrically mind blowing with beats to match.

One of Melbourne’s most inflencial tastemakers, DJ Ennio Styles has developed a reputation for the boundaries of contemporary dance music with his ever-expanding range of soulful sounds.

Originally from Reunion Island, Melbourne based DJ/Producer, Mr Fish is an expert at blending afro-Latin grooves with a house hip-hop beat..