The weather is starting to cool, but things are warming up even more here at BEMAC, the whole office is abuzz with activity every day.  On the 30th April, at Griffith University at Logan, Dream It Up and BEMAC will present an amazing line-up of music, dance, food and craft from 1pm-10pm, make sure you get down and have a look, it should be a great day and very affordable, with tickets $25 for 13yrs and above, with under 12’s free!!!

The weekend after we are back at Brisbane Powerhouse for our regular monthly Planet show, and in May it’s from Russia with love, a great afternoon for music and dance from 5-7pm.

Very important to let you know about now, BEMAC will be holding it’s Annual General Meeting in mid-June, we are currently seeking expressions of interest for people wishing to be Board members.  The organization has been through a massive transition in the past 12 months and as we move through the final phases of that we will be putting forward some significant changes to the organization’s constitution at the AGM to reflect a better model of governance.  We are actively seeking some key people to become part of this leadership team, to work together to actively see the organization’s vision fulfilled.  If you think you have something to contribute in this area, pls email me directly on director@bemac.org.au.

I hope you all enjoy the Easter and Anzac Day break; I myself will be kicking back at the Blue Water Festival at Shorncliffe, watching the boats sail by in the Brisbane to Gladstone yacht race and eating lots of chocolate!!!!!

BRISBANE POWERHOUSE PRESENTS PLANET
PEKKA KUUSISTO AND IIRO RANTALA
Out of Finland straight to you, the classical violin and Jazz piano duo of our decade: Pekka Kuusisto and Iiro Rantala.
Meet these two internationally renowned virtuosi and let them put the Tango fire in your heart!
Pekka and Iiro have individually toured Australia many times – Pekka with the Symphony Orchestras and the Australian Chamber Orchestra, Iiro with Trio Töykeät and solo – ranking among the highest rated musicians in Finland and indeed the world. They do so because of two reasons: both are top-notch instrumentalists and are not afraid to constantly seek new grounds for expression. Their duo collaboration submerges into the world of Tango by means familiar from the heyday of jazz.
“Pekka Kuusisto may be the best thing to happen to classical music in years’’ The Guardian, 2007
Duration 1hr 50mins, including interval
Ticket: $39.00

Russian Folkloric Ensemble Brisbane Samotsvety and Dancing Studio Maximo from the Queensland Russian Community Centre.
The Russian Folkloric Ensemble Samotsvety was established in February 2000. Since then the ensemble has matured and now performs more than 70 Russian folkloric songs, Cossacks songs, Ukrainian, and Gipsy songs. Samotsvety means semi-precious jewels. It is registered with the Brisbane Ethnic Multicultural Art Centre (BEMAC). The ensemble performs in a very sensual and inspiring manner.
More than ten sets of traditional Russian, Cossack, Ukrainian and Gipsy costumes and some musical instruments members of the ensemble made themselves.
In its 9.5-year history Samotsvety gave about 100 concerts at ethnic centres and clubs, folk festivals in Queensland.
 

Join BEMAC to support the promotion and presentation of the multicultural arts in Queensland. BEMAC is a not-for-profit organisation which relies on the support and input of its members. By becoming a BEMAC member you can help drive the direction of BEMAC and be actively involved with our organisation.

We value our members and currently offer the following benefits: Eligibility to vote at the BEMAC Annual General Meeting and be elected to the Management Committee, Discounted entry to all BEMAC-presented performing arts events and workshops, updates to keep you up to date with what's on at BEMAC, Great discounts on venue and equipment hire, Opportunity to promote your exhibitions and events in the BEMAC e-news, Professional advice and consultancy.  There is also a range of additional benefits for artist members.

To become a member or for more information go to the website, www.bemac.org.au or contact BEMAC on (07) 3391 4433 or admin@bemac.org.au.
 

Talking Tapa is   Pasifika Bark Cloth in Queensland showcases the diversity of Pacific Islander cultural practices, heritage and visual iconography through beaten bark cloth or tapa. The exhibition comprises wall hangings, traditional and contemporary clothing, as well as the tools and implements used to make tapa.

Where: Logan Art Gallery

Happy Iranian New Year, for this month’s Planet we are very pleased to bring you an afternoon of Persian music, featuring Pezhvak with Siavesh Arian, Faraz and Siroos Alavi; they will be joined by amazing soloist Arash Zangeneh and we will finish the afternoon off with Delkash, I hope to see you there!      

At the end of the month, the first New Ground Festival will be held in Logan, BEMAC have been very busy working with a team of locals, to bring you the festival on behalf of Dream It Up Ltd.  Check out the link, www.newgroundfestival.com to see the great line-up of local and national talent, with Stan Walker and V Tribe gracing us from Sydney and Ajak Quai from Melbourne.  These interstate artists will be joined by locals, Spacifix and Zennith and if you missed Imanzi last Planet, they will be shaking it Rwandan-style!!!   

Also if you haven’t had a chance to get down to the Logan Art Gallery to see the Talking Tapa exhibition, this week will be your last chance.  This exhibition is at its final destination after two years of touring the east coast of the country.     

In addition to a great program of events / exhibition for you this month, we have a number of programs rolling out, including phase 2 of our Women In Music developmental initiative.  We still have a couple of places left in this fantastic program, for more information, contact projects@bemac.org.au .   I hope to see you at something this month!