Rivercity Steel
July 27, 2011
The Rivercity Steel Band is a not-for-profit community steel band playing Caribbean style music.
Steel pan music was introduced to Southeast Queensland some thirty years ago when Alvin Rostant toured Australia with Amral Khan’s Trinidad Cavaliers Steel Band. He later teamed up with guitarist Paul Santiago and formed the Australian Academy of Steel Drums. The Rivercity Steel Band evolved from one of the Academy’s workshops and was formed in 2008. Alvin is the band’s leader and music director.
The band rehearses at West End State School on Tuesday evenings. Membership to this friendly, welcoming band is open to people of all ages from all walks of life and musical ability. In true Caribbean spirit, rehearsals are conducted in a relaxed, informal manner and the hands-on approach means there is no need to be able to read music. Two free try out sessions are offered to prospective members.
The band performs regularly at various locations around Southeast Queensland including Brisbane City Council parks, festivals, local farmer’s markets, and community events. Recent performances include the Queensland Multicultural festival and the Ipswich Festival.
Further information is available from the band’s website: http://www.rivercitysteel.webs.com/ or
contact: rivercitysteelband@hotmail.com; 0434 850 482 or 0434 420 417
Samples of the band’s music can be heard on you tube: www.youtube.com/user/rivercitysteel
Women In Arts
July 20, 2011
Zillmere Festival
July 19, 2011
Manju Mehta
July 13, 2011
The First Lady of Sitar
As part of her first Australian tour, Manju Mehta, described as the First Lady of Sitar, will be performing Indian Classical music in the style made famous by her guru, Pandit Ravi Shankar. Her knowledge of ‘raga’ and her ability to breathe life and creativity into her music whilst staying true to her lineage has earned her enormous world-wide praise and respect. Indian sitar maestro Manju Mehta will draw from ancient musical traditions and lineage to present music with intensity, depth and beauty. Joining her are the prodigious talents of Adelaide´s own Jay Dabgar on tabla, and Manju’s disciple Josh Bennett on sitar. An extraordinary musical journey.
June 2011 Newsletter
July 12, 2011
| From the Desk |
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Well it is e-news time and starting this month, I would like to make a special mention and give a big thank you to some of the amazing staff and volunteers we have in the office on a weekly basis, keeping the BEMAC wheels turning. As a very small organization we rely heavily of volunteers to assist us to deliver all the things we do day-in and day-out. First cab off the rank is Gladys! We all joke the place falls apart if she is not around, but there is more than an ounce of truth in that statement. If you have booked the venue, paid your membership or wanted to be paid for a performance, chances are Gladys took care of it, along with all the other jobs around the office that really keep us sailing along! Gladys is the one who will be still there with me at 9 o’clock at night, finishing off those ‘can’t wait until tomorrow’ jobs. I would like to say a huge thank you to Gladys for her dedication and hard work, sense of humor and motherly love she shares so freely!
This past month we have been so very busy in BEMAC, with preparations for Planet and Zillmere Festival – One Place, Many Cultures on this Saturday, our AGM on the 20th and Fete de La Musique on the 21st! Whilst the events will be amazing, and I hope to see you there; I would also encourage you to come along to our Annual General Meeting to be held at Yungaba from 6pm on the 20th. This is a very important milestone for the organization, with a majority of Management Committee members finishing their 3 year terms. It is a great opportunity to hear about the organizations achievements in 2009 and the plans for 2010 and beyond. If you are not yet a member, you can apply via the website www.bemac.org.au. It will also be a great opportunity to pay tribute to those Committee Members who have seen BEMAC through some of its most trying times over the past few years. Until next month, Jo |
| What’s on? |
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| Zillmere Festival-’One place, Many Cultures’ Sat 4th June , 12pm-8pm at o’callaghan Park |
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Now in its tenth year, the exciting celebration of cultures that is The Zillmere Festival. With its vibrant mix of delicious foods, traditional and contemporary performances across 3 stages (including song, dance and music workshops throughout the day), the Zillmere Festival is now a firm favorite on the Brisbane events calendar. Over 10,000 people attended the 2010 event.
The aim of the Zillmere Festival is to promote and share the diversity and rich cultural backgrounds of the Zillmere community and its surrounding areas. Focus is placed upon interaction and experience in a free entry, family-friendly, one day only festival. Attendees can expect wonderful array of food and craft stalls with many cultural groups exhibiting displays, workshops, crafts, demonstrations, song, dance and their traditional food. There are plenty of free activities and workshops for both children and adults alike, with local community groups and government agencies also providing information, displays and their own activities. For more information, go to www.zillfest.org.au |
| Planet Performance-La Gran Salsa Sat 4th June, 5pm-7pm at Brisbane Powerhouse |
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Colombian band La Gran Salsa presents authentic and professional Colombian and Latin American dance music of the highest professional quality. Lose yourself in romantic, sultry, soulful and captivating boleros, Caribbean party music, Cha-cha and a lot of red hot spicy salsa. Enjoy great Latin hits; Gloria Estefan (Mi Tierra), Jennifer Lopez and Ricky Martin, Buena Vista Social Club, Carlos Santana to the innovative Latin Jazz of Tito Puente (Oye Como Va). You will enjoy “La Gran Salsa” from start to finish, as you shake your body to the Latin grooves!
Free entry. Located at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 19 Lamington Street, New Farm
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| Fete De La Musique Tues 21 June, 2pm-7pm at Kangaroo Point Park |
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Fête de la Musique is the largest international live music event in the world, held in 450 cities across the globe on the very same day each year – June 21 –developed by the French Government in 1982. The aim of the event is to make music everywhere, to celebrate music and to expose as many people to music as possible. Musicians and venues donate their time for free, supported by a small army of volunteers, all in the spirit of making and celebrating music.
Now in its fourth year, Fête de la Musique Brisbane provides a performance platform for all people who love making music: whether a professional musician who has been playing for years or an aspiring performer who is looking for a chance to try out their skills.
Events and gigs will be played all over Brisbane, but BEMAC has a stage at Kangaroo Point Park – on top of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs overlooking the amazing Brisbane River. Come to listen to some free world music performed by Beni MC, DJ Archie Jacobson of Honky Kong, Istanbul Gypsy Groove, Tantz Balkanique, Jekks and the Priests of Heka as well as Grupo Izalco.
For more information, head to http://fetedelamusiquebrisbane.com.au.
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| African Trilogy Sat 25th June, 6pm-10pm at Glass House Mountains Community Hall |
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African Trilogy: A night of pulsating rhythms, energetic dance rituals and soulful vocals. Featuring Baala Baajo, Samoko and Mogo; Traditional, Contemporary, Afro Jazz
Warm up a chilly autumn night with the pulsating, intoxicating and energetic sounds, sights and smells of Africa. On Saturday 25 June the Glass House Mountains Community Hall will be a hub of African drumming, dancing, music and food. Master African musicians Nii Armah (Ghana) and Sam Okoth (Kenya), along with the talented English Jazz pianist, John Reeves, will take you on a journey that will invigorate your soul.
Tickets: $25.00 pre-booked or $30.00 at the door includes a copy of Nii Armah and Sam Okoth’s Susuma CD.
$35.00 – includes CD and African inspired meal (bookings essential) Program:
Drum workshop: 6.00 – 6.30pm (Included in ticket price) Dinner: 6.45 – 7.30pm Samoko & Mogo: 7.30 – 8.30pm Baala Baajo: 9.00 – 10.00pm Doors open @ 5.30 for a 6.00pm start. Adults only please – this event will be recorded for promotional purposes
For tickets and further information:
Ph: 07 3861 5951 Mobile : 0437 736 049 Email: info@baalabaajo.biz |
| Persian Classic Music Concert Sat 10th July, 6 pm at Queensland Conservatorium |
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Enjoy the gorgeous sounds of tar, setar, tonbak, daf as well as song when the Persian Classic Music Concert hits the Queensland Conservatorium on Saturday, July 10. The concert begins at 6pm and features music played by Mohammad Javadi, Leila Honari, Mostafa Odabaee and Arash Zanganeh.
For more information or ticket purchases, contact 0434 932 537.
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| Samford Sings-Peace’n'Choir Sat 16th July, 10am-7pm at Samford Farmers Hall |
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A musical feast offering a choice of two singing workshops, culminating in an evening concert.
Workshops: Both workshops run from 10am – 4pm. Choose one of the following two options. Workshop 1 – Singing with Golden Fleece – Traditional Songs from The Republic of Georgia Golden Fleece is a Melbourne-based, internationally renowned, Georgian music vocal ensemble. They have performed concerts and given workshops internationally, including in Chicago and Los Angeles and, closer to home, the Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival and Sydney A Cappella Festival. We are delighted to welcome them to Samford. Workshop 2 – Sing Out Loud with Kiri Waiata-Green Based in Brisbane, Kiri draws on some 35 years experience in the arts, particularly as a singer, songwriter and chorister. Kiri’s work taps into your creative intelligence, using music as a medium for raising self-esteem, building confidence, creating an improved sense of well being, connectedness and much more. Evening concert – 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm All members of the public are welcome to attend the evening concert, which will be headlined by Golden Fleece and supported by Peace ‘n’ Choir from Mt Nebo. Bookings open 16th May with a special early bird rate of $60 per person ($40 concession) before 27th June. The price includes attendance at one of the workshops, lunch and admission to the evening concert. ($70/$50 after the 27th). Tickets for the evening concert will available at the door, for $20 per person ($12 concession). For more information and to make a booking visit www.peacenchoir.com.au, email peacenchoir@gmail.com or phone 0435 503 421. |
| Diary dates |
|---|
| DAY | Event | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th June | Zillmere Festival | 12-8pm | O’Callaghan Park , Zillmere |
| 4th June | Planet Performance-La Gran Salsa | 5-7pm | Brisbane Powerhouse |
| 21st June | Fete De La Musique Brisbane | 2-7pm | Kangaroo Pint Park |
| 25th June | African Trilogy | 6-10pm | Glass House Mountains Community Hall |
| 10th July | Persian Classic Music Concert | 6pm | Queensland Conservatorium |
| 16th July | Samford Sings | 10am-7pm | Samford Farmers Hall |
| Be A BEMAC Member |
|---|
|
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.
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July 2011 Newsletter
July 12, 2011
| From the Desk |
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The newsletter is a little late out this month, but worth the wait, with an amazing array of events available for your enjoyment over the next couple of months. A couple of highlights from my end would definitely be Planet on the 6th August at Brisbane Powerhouse. If you have been to a Planet so far this year, you will have noticed, we have changed the format a little, inviting one of our artist members to ‘host’ the gig, and letting them program the show for us! It has worked beautifully so far, and I this one will be amazing, with Nicholas Ng hosting an amazing array of his friends, a very special treat for the audience. The Columbian Food Festival is on again, this time celebrating 10 years, but also this will be the last time this event will be able to be held at Yungaba, with the development progressing quickly and all external access winding down from September.
In other news, BEMAC held its AGM on the 20th June, and I would like to thank to out-going Committee members, Rossven Naidoo, Michael Cohen, Gayle Kimmins and Rosemary Easterbrook. Your contributions over many years is much appreciated. Continuing members include Cat Samford-Beechey and Vladis Kosse; and I would like to extend a very warm welcome to the joining members as listed below. It is a strong and diverse team, and I look forward to working with them to deliver on the organisation’s objectives over the coming years! President: Dilshani Wheerasinghe; Vice-President: Thomas Dick; Secretary: Elda Bartoz; Treasurer: Michael Krafft; General members: Kerry Brown, Stefan Treyvaud and Ben Farr-Wharton.
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| What’s on? |
|---|
| Persian Classic Music Concert Sun 10th July , 6pm at Queensland Conservatorium |
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Enjoy the gorgeous sounds of tar, sitar, tonbak, daf as well as song when the Persian Classic Music Concert hits the Queensland Conservatorium on Saturday, July 10. The concert begins at 6pm and features music played by Mohammad Javadi, Leila Honari, Mostafa Odabaee and Arash Zanganeh.
For more information or ticket purchases, contact 0434 932 537.
|
| Colombian Independence Day Festival Fri 15th & Sat 23rd July, 5pm-7pm at Yungaba |
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Friday 15 July 2011 Colombian Hats Party at Tempo Hotel, 388 Brunswick St Fortitude valley, Free entry!
Saturday 23 July 2011 Colombian Food Fest at Yungaba, 120 Main Street Kangaroo Point,Tickets: $6; bemac members- $4; Children under 12 - Free
This year the official Colombian Festival 2011 is going to be very special since we are celebrating its 10th anniversary. Two days full of surprises: on Friday 15 July from 6pm to 5am, a Colombian party marathon. Bring your Colombian hat and witness the best live entertainment: Orkesta Salsa Brava, Euphoria Latin Dance Group hailed from Colombia, DJ Alejandro and DJ El Kin. At the end of the party there will be ‘Guasca’ music for the ‘borrachos’ until they drop.
On Saturday 23 July we are celebrating the expected Colombian Food Fest and Folk Costume Prade with an array of the best Colombian dishes accompanied with the best live entertainment: Colombian Dancing Group, Euphoria Dancing Group, from Colombia, a special show by Nukak Maku, Face Painting day and workshops for everyone.
If you’ve never experienced The Colombian Festival then you definitely need to add this in your list of events to experience a portrayal of one of the biggest festivals happening in Brisbane. Stay tuned over the next week as the program and all details
will be up to date at www.facebook.com/elsaber
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| Samford Sings – Peace’n’Choir Sat 16th July, 10am-7pm at Samford Farmers Hall |
 |
Samford Sings: A musical feast offering a choice of two singing workshops, culminating in an evening concert on Saturday 16th July, 2011 at Samford Farmers Hall, Main Street Samford. Both workshops run from 10am – 4pm. Choose one of the following two options: Workshop 1 – Singing with Golden Fleece – Traditional Songs from The Republic of Georgia Golden Fleece is a Melbourne-based, internationally renowned, Georgian music vocal ensemble. They have performed concerts and given workshops internationally, including in Chicago and Los Angeles and, closer to home, the Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival and Sydney A Cappella Festival. We are delighted to welcome them to Samford.
Workshop 2 – Sing Out Loud with Kiri Waiata-Green
Based in Brisbane, Kiri draws on some 35 years experience in the arts, particularly as a singer, songwriter and chorister. Kiri’s work taps into your creative intelligence, using music as a medium for raising self-esteem, building confidence, creating an improved sense of well being, connectedness and much more.
Evening concert – 5.00 pm to 7.00 pm
All members of the public are welcome to attend the evening concert, which will be headlined by Golden Fleece and supported by Peace ‘n’ Choir from Mt Nebo.
Bookings open 16th May with a special early bird rate of $60 per person ($40 concession) before 27th June. The price includes attendance at one of the workshops, lunch and admission to the evening concert. ($70/$50 after the 27th). Tickets for the evening concert will available at the door, for $20 per person ($12 concession). For more information and to make a booking,
visit www.peacenchoir.com.au,
email peacenchoir@gmail.com or phone 0435 503 421
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| Arab Film Festival Sat 30th & 31st July, Dendy Portside, Hamilton |
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The national program for the 2011 Arab Film Festival has been launched with a selection of films that take the pulse of the Arab world in a time of incredible change. Showcasing the fascinating cultural shifts reshaping our world, many of these films are hot out of the Middle East and north Africa and others have been presented at major recent festivals including Cannes, Dubai, Berlin and Sundance.
Venue:
Dendy Portside, Portside Wharf, Remora Road, Hamilton, QLD
Book online or by phone: 07 3137 6000
Full $16.00, Concession $13.00 and Club Dendy $10.00
Saturday 30 July,7pm: The Cry of an Ant + The Rodba
Sunday 31 July,4pm: Stray Bullet + A Tuesday + Mary
7pm: This is My Picture when I was Dead + Into the Belly of the Whale + Gaza Shield
For more information on the festival and the films, visit http://arabfilmfestival.com.au/
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| Planet Performance-Nicholas Ng & Friends Sat 6th Aug, 5-7pm at Brisbane Powerhouse |
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Planet brings the very best of the world to you. Nicholas Ng brings together the ancient and the modern in music through the use of traditional instruments and electronic sound. Joining Nicholas for Planet include: Kim Cunio, Toby Wren, Tunji Beier, Ravi Welsh, Robert Welsh, Ranjini, Jingjing Lu and Wade Gregory.
Throughout the night, three performances will be played.
5.00 – 5.45: Carnatic expresso; traditional and original compositions with improvisation (Carnatic fusion)
5.45 – 6.15: Jaadu; Original compositions with improvisation (Jazz fusion)
6.20 – 7.00; High Mountains Flowing Water; Traditional and original compositions.
Absolutely not to be missed! Free entry. Located at the Brisbane Powerhouse, 19 Lamington Street, New Farm
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| Diary dates |
|---|
| Day | Event | Time | Place |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th July | Persian Classic Music Concert | 6pm | Queensland Conservatorium |
| 15th July | Colombian Independence Day Festival | 6pm-5am | Colombian Hats Party, Tempo Hotel |
| 16th July | Samford Sings | 10am-7pm | Samford Farmers Hall |
| 23rd July | Colombian Independence Day Festival | From 9am | Yungaba |
| 30th & 31st July | Arab Film Festival | Times vary | Dendy Portside Hamilton |
| 6th August | Planet Performance | 5-7pm | Brisbane Powerhouse |
| Be A BEMAC Member |
|---|
|
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.
|
Saturday 2nd July-Planet
June 27, 2011
Don’t miss our July Planet from 5pm-7pm at Brisbane Powerhouse, featuring Shen Findell (tabla), Soumva Chakraverty (sarod) and Saikat Bhattacharya (sitar).
Since being initiated into the Benares Gharana of tabla by one of the great old masters of the style in 1994, Shen Flindell has grown to become one of Australia’s leading tabla players, and is also very active in the thriving Indian music community of Japan. He is best known for his beautiful sound and supportive accompaniment, and has released 4 CDs ranging from Indian classical santoor to Tibetan world fusion. Shen loves bringing people together to unite through music, whether it’s playing with his many young students or collaborating with top musicians from around the world.
Soumya has been playing the Sarod, the north Indian fretless lute for the last thirty two years. He studied music under Pandit Samarendra Nath Sikdar, a senior disciple of the legendary sarod maestro, Radhika Mohan Maitra of the Shahjahanpur school of music. His solid technique and thorough grounding in the roots of his own music notwithstanding, his interests also lie in exploring the commonalities of North Indian Classical music with other music styles. His playing style has been greatly influenced by the likes of his guru and other masters of his Gharana. It highlights a perfect blend between the Rababiya and Gayaki styles that is unique to the Shahjahanpur Gharana. He is both a purist, who likes to maintain the authentic forms of the Ragas as passed down the generations of Ustads (maestros), and at the same time, he likes to experiment with other forms of Indian as well as world music, to find common strands of melodic expression.
Saikat Bhattacharya has been playing the Sitar for over seventeen years. Playing the sitar is his passion and devotion, beginning in the early nineties under the supervision of his Guru Pandit Manilal Nag of Calcutta, in India. Pandit Manilal Nag comes from the Vishnupur Gharana, which is the one and only school of music that originated in Bengal with its roots, embedded in the “Senia Gharana” of Delhi. Since coming to Australia, he has regularly performed in various programs like the Queensland Multicultural Music Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival. By chance, visiting artist Soumya Chakraverty (sarod) and Brisbane resident Saikat Bhattacharya (sitar) were schoolmates at Calcutta Boys School in 1986. So come and enjoy a very special 25th anniversary school reunion!
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