MusicBeat
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A weekend of dazzling entertainment under the marquee, which includes a scintillating children’s show: ‘It’s Raining Puppets’ by Murray Raine, regarded as Australia’s leading cabaret marionettist. This leads into a 21 piece Mandolin Orchestra, performing works from various orchestral genres and composers, blending into a Mediterranean mosaic influence by traditional Maltese, ancient and modern Greek, Turkish, Sephardic ( Spanish), traditional music with Western popular music sensibilities. Following, are Argentinean Tangos, then sit back and enjoy original music born out of great love of the brilliant rhythms and harmonies of Brazil, culminating to a fantastic roots-infused African flavoured World music beat. And that is just Saturday…
Afro Dizzi Act
For just over decade, Afro Dizzi Act has been performing in Australia and throughout East Asia, collaborating with musicians of the globe and performing a style of music the industry has described as fusion, or, as preferred by the band, roots infused World Beat.
The View From Madeleine’s Couch
TVFMC is the unique OzBrazilian group based in Brisbane, Australia, playing Brazilian & Brazilian inspired original music. With a line-up led by the vibraphone, the band creates a sound truly distinct from any other Latin group in the country.
TVFMC musicians:
• Kym Ambrose, vibes & percussion
• Anje West, vocals & percussion
• O.J. Newcomb, bass & percussion
• Mark Henman, drums
The fifth Coucher is alternately one of these fine guitarists: Jamie Clark, Jim Kelly or Bruce Woodward.
They perform Samba, bossa nova, forro, samba-reggae, batucada, (played with reverence, but not replication!), and original music born out of a great love for the brilliant rhythms and harmonies of Brazil.
Skorba
The Maltese-transcultural band Skorba presents wonderful music, using skilful stagecraft and visual displays. Their stunning artistry weaves into a beautiful texture of voice, oud, exotic and Western wind instruments, bouzouki, fretless bass and percussion to create the wonderful atmosphere, sights and sounds of the Maltese Archipelago.
Skorba musicians:
• Andy Busuttil on vocals, wind, percussion
• John Robinson on oud and tambura
• Bertie McMahon on bouzouki, fretless bass.
They will be joined by a special guest, Paul Jarman, on citern, saz, oud, and Greek bouzouki.
Alturas
A quintet specializing in Argentinean Tango. This group plays a good mix of danceable tango, vals & milongas, as well as some Piazzolla. The music is equally as good to listen to as it is to dance to.
Alturas musicians:
• Gaye Thomas - Flute
• Rosalind Horton - Violin
• Jane Andino - Piano/keyboard
• Greg Gibson - Saxophone
• Ann Palumbo - Bass
Both separately and together, they have performed around Australia and overseas at major music festivals and concerts.
Raining Puppets
This is one of the largest and most dynamic puppet cabaret productions available in Australia today. Internationally acclaimed Murray Raine and his star studded troupe of outrageous marionettes and life size rod puppets never fail to captivate and enthrall an audience.
Goomblar
Goomblar comes from South East Queensland and now lives in the Upper Blue Mountains. He was taken away from his parents at the age of 4yrs and separated from his 10 brothers and sisters. He is still trying to fi¬nd some of them and sadly a number have died before any reunion was possible. Goomblar has worked in the Corrective Services as a Drug & Alcohol Counsellor attending Parklea, Long Bay, Goulburn & Lithgow Gaols.
It was in Parklea gaol that he started the ¬first dance troupe to tour other prisons for Naidoc Week 5yrs ago. This was a fi¬rst in Australian prisons. Eleven years ago he came up to the Blue Mountains, deciding that it was the place for him to raise his family. “Goomblars Dreaming” at the Edge Cinema in New South Wales’ Blue Mountains is the "on stage" history of the Yidaki (Didjeridoo). Stunning visual effects, storytelling, music and dance are combined to present this spectacular performance which charts the 40,000 year old aboriginal stories that have been passed down from generation to generation. The show entertains people from all over the world and in the process provides a valuable tourist resource and aboriginal employment in the Upper Blue Mountains.
Goomblar is now about to further share his skills and assist aboriginal groups and performers to develop similar tourist ventures. He is currently engaged in setting up a "not for pro¬fit" training co-operative in the Blue Mountains.
Concerto Interpreganza
Sunday 25th October
12noon in The Canteen
The 'Concerto Interpreganza' is an extravaganza of musical and image interpretation... here you will hear ideas/ concepts/ nouns/ words turned into multimedia by our selection of accomplished musical and video improvisers... the music and images are directed by the audience through the words they give to the improvisors... there will also be an opportunity for general participants, who may be in the venue at the time, to contribute drawings, that evoke the words that are placed on the screen....
This is a celebration of our environment through sound and image... 'our environment' here referring to the entire enviroment that surrounds us, including the concepts, thoughts, nouns, feelings, verbs, ideas, aspirations... anything that we have a word for... the concepts that create our reality... the Concerto is dedicated to the healing of our environment and to us all living in a healthy and prosperous World.
Sydney Mandolin Orchestra
The Sydney Mandolin Orchestra is an ensemble that regularly performs in and around Sydney, Australia, under the baton of conductor Christopher Keane. We are Australia's oldest mandolin orchestra and are dedicated to keeping alive the tradition of mandolin music in Sydney.
The Orchestra gives its own concerts as well as being available for hire. We perform at art shows, community and cultural events, weddings and private parties. The Orchestra plays either as an intimate chamber group or as a larger ensemble - whichever suits the occasion.
Our varied repertoire covers classical and contemporary pieces from Australian and international composers. Music played includes Renaissance, Classical, Neapolitan, Spanish, Modern and Popular.
