16th – 22nd November at the Arts Centre!

Morning Melodies – Tenterfield Saddler… The Peter Allen Songbook

16th November 2009, 11am & 1.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall.

Price Range: $15.50 – $18.50

Presented by the Arts Centre.

This song and story tribute to one of our greatest singer/songwriters, Peter Allen, will have you reminiscing with favourites including Rio, I Honestly Love You, Don’t Cry Out Loud, Tenterfield Saddler and of course, I Still Call Australia Home.

Starring John Bowles (Phantom of the Opera), the show will take you from the early years in Tenterfield all the way to Peter’s triumphant debut at Radio City Music Hall.

Narrated by Brian Hannan and featuring Michelle Fitzmaurice (Guys & Dolls) the show is backed accompanists David Cameron and his trio.

Free Talk
At 10am and 12.30pm at this Morning Melodies concert there will be a free talk about the Arts Centre’s latest exhibition focusing on this year’s inductees into the ARIA Hall of Fame.

Bookings are not needed; just meet at the concierge desk in the Theatres Building (spire building).

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Beethoven 4

16th November 2009, 8pm, at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall.

Price Range: $66.30 – $106.55

Presented by the Australian Chamber Orchestra.

“(Lazic’s performance)… made this music sound fresh, spontaneous and impassioned.” – New York Times

Beethoven’s  lyrical, personal and serene Piano Concerto  No.4 is the ideal vehicle for rising star Dejan Lazic, who is as adept at poetry as virtuosity.

Beethoven’s Fourth Symphony is effervescent, witty and wise. As one critic said: “there are no words to describe the deep, powerful spirit of this work from his earlier and most beautiful period.”

Don’t miss the ACO and Dejan Lazic. Lazic’s performance has also been described by the New York Times as full of “shapely phrasing and vivid dynamic effects”.

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Camille O’Sullivan – The Dark Angel

16th & 17th November 2009, 8pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: $50 – $59.90

Presented by the Arts Centre.

“Ravishing… a superb performer and great singer…” Guardian (UK)

Darling of The Famous Spiegeltent and one of the original cast members of La Clique.

Camille – with her talented 5 piece Australian band – returns to her adopted Australian home for 2 nights only at the Arts Centre’s Fairfax Studio.  Camille’s internationally acclaimed Dark Angel show has been playing to packed houses and delighting audiences in Adelaide, Perth, London, Edinburgh, Dublin, Poland, Italy and Portugal, attracting a string of 5 star reviews.

O’Sullivan enjoys a formidable reputation for her intensely dramatic interpretations of the songs of Jacques Brel, Nick Cave, Tom Waits, Kurt Weil, David Bowie and more. Chameleon-like on stage, each song becomes a different character with its own story to tell.  Dark, sexy, fierce, amusing and mesmerizing, a Camille O’Sullivan show is an intense emotional and theatrical experience, inextricably drawing her audience into a world inhabited by the bizarre and wonderful.

Expect fire and ice, tears and laughter, pure passion and drop-dead cool. This is the chance to be truly transported to places and spaces of fear, love and wonder.

“An astonishing performer, a mix of childlike joy and sophisticated temptress, with a voice that in turn cajoles, smolders and belts out.”  – The Age

“Hypnotic… a highly emotional artist…  such an outpouring of passion you can’t resist being drawn into her web” – Independent (UK)

“it’s as if her voice is soaked in paraffin – one spark and the whole room would ignite…”  – Telegraph (UK)

”the Wildcat who made cabaret cool again” – Time Out (UK)

Tickets:

Adult: $59.90 | Concession: $50
Groups 6+: $50

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Aida by Verdi

11th November 2009 – 10th December 2009, at the Arts Centre, State Theatre.

Presented by Opera Australia.

Grand opera does not get much grander than Aida. So when one of Australia’s true visionaries, Graeme Murphy, directs a new production of Verdi’s epic tale, it is an occasion not to be missed.

The King’s daughter Amneris is in love with Radamès, and hopes they will marry. Radamès, however, is in love with her Ethiopian slave-girl, Aida, and she with him. Is Radamès and Aida’s love great enough to betray their countries?

Verdi’s thundering choruses and spine-tingling arias, combined with an outstanding cast and the theatrical magic of Graeme Murphy resulted in a sell-out season in Sydney. You can see why when one of the world’s favourite operas comes to Melbourne.

Dates & Time:

11, 14*, 17, 21, 25*, 28* November
1, 4, 7, 10 December

7:30pm, except 21 Nov 1pm

* Free Opera Talk

Pricing:

Evening: $229 / $168 / $118 / $102 / $55 Matinee: $218 / $160 / $112 / $97 / $55

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Cosi fan tutte by Mozart

19th November 2009 – 12th December 2009, at the Arts Centre, State Theatre.

Price Range: $55 – $229

Presented by the Opera Australia.

The School for Lovers

It’s a simple story. Three men, three women and three questions. Are all women fickle? Are men any better? Is there any such thing as true love? Mozart’s delicate and sensual score sounds exquisite while asking all the hard questions.

Jim Sharman’s exuberant new production features a hand-picked cast of young Australians including Hye Seoung Kwon, Sian Pendry, Henry Choo and Luke Gabbedy as the quartet of lovers, and is performed in lively new English translation.

Get ready for a rollercoaster ride through innocence, experience and sexual intrigue in this very modern interpretation of one of Mozart’s classics.

Dates & Time:

19. 21. 24, 27* November
3, 5*, 9, 12 December 7:30pm, except 12 Dec 1pm

Running time (approx): 3 hrs (inc 1 x 20 min interval)

* Free Opera Talk

Pricing:

Evening: $229 / $168 / $118 / $102 / $55 Matinee: $218 / $160 / $112 / $97 / $55

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Noreum Machi

20th November 2009, 1pm – 2pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Pricing: FREE non-ticketed event. General Public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates.

Presented by the Arts Centre.

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.

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Laya Film Project Screening and Presentation

20th November 2009, 10.30pm – midnight, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Pricing: FREE non-ticketed event. General Public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates.

Presented by the Arts Centre.

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.

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Groundswell

20th November 2009, 6pm, at the Arts Centre, BlackBox Theatre.

Price Range: $10

Presented by the Arts Victoria.

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.

Deline conquered the Australian festival circuit with her former band The Briscoe Sisters, and is now working on her solo debut with producer Airi Ingram (Drum Drum/Grrilla Step). An emotive and honest singer who oozes groove, Deline has shared the stage with Ruthie Foster, Gurrumul, Jimmy Cliff and Yothu Yindi.

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 statement. A born collaborator, Radical contributed to the latest Urthboy and The Last Kinection albums as well as Get Up Mob’s 2008 release of From Little Things Big Things Grow. From personal experience, Radical has learned the transformative nature of music and his songwriting charts his path from a troubled past to humility and healing.

The Medics are 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 their fan base grows in number. The Medics have supported The Panics, The Grates, Faker, Blue King Brown, Kisschasy and Something With Numbers, building a burgeoning reputation for their unique songwriting style, four part harmonies and intense live performances.

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45th Anniverary Season

20th November 2009 at 7.30pm, 21st November 2009 at 1.30pm & 7.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Playhouse.

Price Range: $50 – $55

Presented by The Australian Ballet School.

The Australian Ballet School presents a gala celebration of its 45th Anniversary in a performance for ballet lovers of all ages.

The performance will feature the Australian premiere of George Balanchine’s dazzling Divertimento 15, Natalie Wier’s powerful and riveting Jabula, a selection of beautiful and exciting works by Jiří Kylián, as well as a spectacular Overture by Leigh Rowles, showcasing the entire School.

Pricing:

A Reserve
Adults: $55
Concession: $50** Please Note: Tickets onsale from Friday 11 September 2009 at 9am.

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Zulya & Guests

20th November 2009, 7.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: $12 – $15

Presented by The Boite.

Zulya & The Children of the Underground with special guests Valangha Khoza and Ria Soemardjo.

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. Since her move to Australia in 1991, Zulya has developed an original approach to music, as an affirmation of her unique identity. Zulya has independently produced five albums to date, including the ARIA-nominated Elusive (2002). Her stunning blend of traditional and original music has enchanted audiences from Serbia to Siberia, Luxembourg to Moscow, Tartarstan to Helsinki and many places in between.

Valanga Khoza brings Africa to life through stories, song and dance that reflects his travels as a refugee from his home in South Africa to the far reaches of the world. His stories are enriched by beautiful music from traditional instruments such as the kalimba, marimba and shijoro (jaw harp). Through his inspirational performances he manages to impart the rhythmic vitality of African music, never failing to captivate his audience as he goes.

Ria Soemardjo is a unique voice in the Australian world music scene. Born in Melbourne of Australian/Indonesian descent, Ria draws on her deep respect for the Javanese musical tradition in her song-writing and collaborative projects. She is the only female performer in Australia of the central Javanese vocal tradition. Her distinctive vocal style and ability to absorb a diverse range of musical influences have led to regular collaborations with other performers and composers, including Anne Norman, Adrian sheriff and The Grand Union Orchestra.

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Batucada Sound Machine, Rhombus, Mihirangi & DJ’s

20th November 2009, 9pm, at the Arts Centre, BlackBox Theatre.

Price Range: $15

Presented by Creative New Zealand.

Batucada Sound Machine fuses a breathtaking variety of tempos, timings, beats and styles including Brazilian, funk, hip-hop, reggae and pacific soul.

With influences including Ozomatli, Manu Chao and Chico Science, BSM have developed a solid reputation for delivering blistering live performances, fine musicianship and collective impulsiveness. The soulful vocals and super-tight horn section layers the Latin infused rhythms and wall-of-sound percussion, creating an intensity that has left audiences throughout New Zealand, Australia and the UK begging for more.RHOMBUS
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. They have developed a strong following among international audiences for their eclectic, energetic and funky blend of music, performing alongside the likes of St Germain (France), Fat Freddy’s Drop (NZ), Salmonella Dub (NZ), Michael Franti, (USA) and Gomez (UK) to name a few.MIHIRANGI
Singing in Māori and English with an extraordinary vocal range of power & expression, Mihirangi, known as the “Princess of Funk” & “Queen of Loops”, is a solo artist who creates her own band sound ‘live’ in front of her audience using a loop pedal. Mihirangi uses her voice to form phat solid bass lines and intricately layered harmonies, rhythmic ‘ska’ chops and sensuous jazzy riffs. A multi-instrumentalist, Mihirangi also plays percussion, guitar, keyboards, electronic percussion and Taonga Puoro (traditional Maori instruments). An astonishing one-woman show.

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Maori Short Film

21st November 2009, 10.30am – 12pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: FREE

*General public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates.

Presented by the Arts Centre.

Running Times:

10.30am – 11.30am Film Screening
11.30am – 12.00pm Q & A Discussion

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Kamerunga

21st November 2009, 1.30pm – 3pm, at the Arts Centre, BlackBox Theatre.

Pricing: FREE non-ticketed event. General Public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates.

Presented by the Arts Centre.

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.

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Way out West

21st November 2009, 1pm – 1.40pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Pricing: FREE non-ticketed event. General Public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates.

Presented by the Arts Centre.

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?

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Australian Girls Choir Annual Concert

21st November 2009, 2.30pm & 7.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall.

Price Range: $42 – $45

Presented by the Australian Girls Choir.

The Australian Girls Choir (AGC) is one of the most dynamic choirs in the country and trains 3500 girls aged between 5 and 18 years in singing, dance and drama across eighteen rehearsal venues in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

The AGC is most recognised as the choir chosen by Qantas to represent the “Spirit of Australia” in their hugely successful ‘I Still Call Australia Home’ advertising campaigns.

The AGC has built an enviable reputation for inspirational performances around the world on their eleven International and eleven National tours, and during television appearances, recordings and hundreds of performances at major Australian events. The girls have performed with many Australian stars including Hugh Jackman, John Farnham, Delta Goodrem, Olivia Newton-John, Troy Cassar-Daly and Marina Prior; they have entertained dignitaries including Nelson Mandela, Queen Elizabeth II, Pope John Paul II, and the Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark. They also wow audiences at their regular appearances at major events including ‘G’Day USA’ Australia Week, AFL Grand Final, Bledisloe Cup, Carols by Candlelight and Carols in the Domain.

The choir is renowned for its exceptional vocal quality, as well as its ability to incorporate choreographed movement in its performance. The Australian Girls Choir will present both a Matinee and Evening Concert on Saturday November 21.

Time:

Matinee: 2:30pm
Piccolo level, Vivo level, Allegro level, Avanti level, Camerata and Performing Choir.

Performance: 7:30pm
Prelude level, Concert level, Camerata, Performing Choir and specialist group Canto.

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Little Bushman and Tama Waipara

21st November 2009, 3.30pm, at the Arts Centre, BlackBox Theatre.

Price Range: $10

Presented by Creative New Zealand.

Little Bushman are consummate performers who make sixties-influenced, psychedelic and blues-infused music with a distinct New Zealand roots flavour.

The band continues to build its reputation for electrifying live performances and blend their beautiful, layered songs with extraordinary improvisational skills. Regular fixtures on the music festival circuit, Little Bushman never fail to blow away audiences with their profound musical ability drawn from the band members’ jazz background, and tenure in seminal New Zealand bands like Trinity Roots.TAMA WAIPARA
Tama Waipara is a ground-breaking singer/songwriter. The first Māori to graduate from the prestigious Manhattan School of Music, Tama signed as premier vocal artist to New York/German-based label ObliqSound launching his debut album Triumph of Time at New York’s Central Park Summerstage in 2004. His latest project is a stage show and album called Sir+Plus and The Requirements, which premiered at the Auckland International Festival of the Arts this year and has already received rave reviews for its lush combination of 50s pop and 70s soul. Tama’s vocals are sweetly soulful possessing a distinctive intonation inspired by a wealth of legendary song stylists and balladeers like George Benson, Bill Withers, Jimmy Scott, Donny Hathaway, Stevie Wonder, Kate Bush and Nina Simone.

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Richard Mogu and Guests

21st November 2009, 5pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: $15

Presented by the Australasian World Music Expo.

Hailing from Amazon Bay, Central Province in Papua New Guinea, Richard Mogu is a talented bass player and vocalist now based in Port Moresby.

Along with Airi Ingram and other PNG musicians, he is one part of the mega group TRIBE OF JUBAL.  Mixing funk, Soul and traditional grooves combined with Richard s haunting vocals, strong social and political messages he leads the way in contemporary music from PNG and is a rising star of the region.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, the birthplace of New Caledonia’s new music, Ykson uses daily life as one of his main topics of inspiration. His words speak to dislocated children and social housing inhabitants the world over, emphasising one constant theme: a positive view of the world born from a disconcerting poetic vision. A writer, composer and performer, his music is fed by many influences from blues, rap, and jazz, to funk, reggae, hip-hop and traditional songs.Tabura is a wandamen word from Manokwari (West Papua) meaning a  cone shell . It is found along coastal island shores in the Pacific island and is used in Melanesian culture as a symbol that gives off sound to call on people from different clans and bring them together for special occasions. Here it is used to name 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. All performers costumes and instruments – which include and guitar, ukulele and string bass – are handmade and represent their enduring culture.

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Archie Roach

21st November 2009, 7.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: $27

Presented by the Australasian World Music Expo and the Arts Centre.

Archie Roach is a singer and songwriter of remarkable strengths and insights. A storyteller in the tradition of his ancestors, Archie relays and retells intimate real life stories as well as traditional stories of the Dreaming.

Having survived a personal history that would have left most artists scarred and defeated, Archie Roach has emerged as an extraordinarily gifted Australian artist with a truly visionary talent. The haunting beauty of Archie’s music is nothing short of mesmerising.

Over the past two decades, Archie has consistently and extensively toured Australia including participating in regional Indigenous cultural festivals in every state. Archie has contributed to many benefit concerts and to raising awareness about issues of equality and justice that affect the whole community and carry the weight of the nation’s troubled past. Archie has toured with Paul Kelly, Weddings Parties Anything, Crowded House and international artists Billy Bragg, Tracy Chapman, Suzanne Vega, Patti Smith and Bob Dylan. More recently, Archie has toured with The Black Arm Band – presenting music of the Australian Indigenous experience here and abroad.

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Indigenous Australian Film Screening

22nd November 2009, 11am -12.30pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Pricing: FREE. General public admission subject to availability after admission of AWME delegates

Presented by the Arts Centre.

11.00am – 12.00pm Film Screening

12.00pm – 12.30pm Q & A discussion

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Djan Djan and Dya Singh

22nd November 2009, 3pm, at the Arts Centre, Fairfax Studio.

Price Range: $35 – $49

Presented by the Arts Centre in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria.

Experience Djan Djan & Dya Singh in a cross-cultural fusion of contemporary Indian sounds.

First coming together in a recording studio in 2008, Djan Djan features kora player Mamadou Diabate, slide guitarist Jeff Lang and tabla player Bobby Singh.

Individually recognised for their musical talents, Djan Djan is quickly building a reputation for their live performances and recordings. Mamadou Diabate, the cousin of legendary musician Toumani Diabate, is a master kora player. Bobby Singh is one of Australia’s leading tabla players, and along with blues legend Jeff Lang, an internationally renowned masterful guitarist, Djan Djan create musical alchemy drawing together their virtuoso skills.

Dya Singh, a renowned world music group, base their music on Sikh (spiritual), Punjabi and North Indian origins, while embracing musical influences from many parts of the globe including blues, jazz, folk, country and Australian indigenous sounds. Headed by Dya Singh, the group has produced twenty albums in seventeen years. Dya Singh was also awarded ‘Male Artiste of the Year’(2000) by the Australian World Music Organisation. With incredible vocals, the music of Dya Singh is captivating.

Staged in conjunction with the Australasian World Music Expo.

Time:

Free pre-show programs from 3pm
Mainstage performance 5pm

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