Program Highlights 2008
Dili Allstars
Dili Allstars are a high-energy seven-piece Funk, Ska, and Reggae band from Melbourne with members of the group originally from East Timor. Their sound combines smooth vocals with a great rhythm section of percussion, bass, drums and pumping keys.
The group began in 1996 when Indonesian forces captured East Timorese resistance leader Xanana Gusmao. The band has used music to highlight the problems faced by the people of East Timor to push for International justice on their behalf. They have a strong social conscience, mixing superbmusicianship with charismatic stage presence that ensured an exciting show.
Rory Ellis
Rory Ellis is the quintessential Australian singer/songwriter with buckets of talent, heaps of stories to tell, and impossible to pigeonhole. He's got blues man in him, some soul belter, red-dirt country and home-grown folkie”. Jeff Glorfeld The Age.
Crowds were captivated by his powerful vocal command and the subtle acoustic instrumentation that brings this man’s vivid tales to life. With four acclaimed albums, he has performed at major Festivals and venues both nationally and internationally. www.roryellis.com
Acabellas Singers
Acabellas Singers - The combined voices of Geelong West’s acabellas singing groups delighted festival go-ers with creativity at the Festa in 2008. With the theme of ‘Icons of Culture’ in mind, the singers were invited to submit ideas, lyrics, poems and songs to group leader Belinda McArdle on the subject of ‘What Makes a Good Life’. The submissions were collated and arranged into the suite of songs performed on the day. It was with great pride in the collective community creativity that acabellas performed these original works.
When they are not preparing for the Pako Festa these groups rehearse a range of contemporary, gospel, folk, world and original a cappella vocal arrangements during informal and fun weekly singing sessions. This group comprises singers from all walks of life who have stumbled across, been drawn into or fallen in love with group singing over the last few years.
Sweet Monas Choir
Sweet Monas Choir - Sweet Mona's Choir is a vibrant, uplifting and dynamic 25 piece A Cappella Choir. With a unique blend of gospel, blues and world music, their exquisite harmonies and toe tapping grooves have delighted audiences since their emergence in 1996.
"Marvelous Singing...Tight, True, Terrific.....Pure Gold" Rollo Kiek, Director, Mt Beauty Music Muster.
Flint the Cletic Sensation
Flint the Celtic Sensation - Flint's performance took his audience on a musical journey to the celtic lands, sharing the rich musical and historical heritage of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Brittany & Galicia. Their repertoire ranged from beautiful haunting ballads of love and exile, to wild, heel tapping jigs and cheeky roguish songs.
The Kalinka Dance Company
The Kalinka Dance Company have presented vibrant and exhilarating performances of Russian Dance for the past 17 years. Their repertoire also includes dances from many of the republics of the former Soviet Union.
La Cumbiamba
La Cumbiamba means a group of people who dance and play Cumbia music; it is used to describe a party in the streets. Cumbia is perhaps the best known rhythm from Columbia and originates from the Caribbean region. The African roots give the music its rhythm, the Native Indians give the melody and dances and Europeans provided the costumes and ideas for the choreography.
Yalla
Yalla - An exciting six piece band from Melbourne, Yalla brought the traditional music and dance of the Middle East to life with their own East meets West flavour. A spicy mix of quarter tone accordian, oud, ney, percussion, violin and mesmerising dance. With Phil Carroll (ex-Ta’esh a’esh, Klezmeritis) on the quartertone accordion, mizmar (arabic oboe) , ney (arabic flute) and vocals. Mik Vella (La Kasbah), and Matt Stonehouse (Gece) on percussion (tabul,darrabukas,reqs,dufs etc.), Maria Sangiorgi dancer, percussion and vocals Ernie Gruner (violin) and Phil Gunter on oud (lute).
Taisa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble
Taisa Ukrainian Dance Ensemble consists of 50 dancers in total and was formed in 2000. Under the artistic presentation of Peggy Kulhawec, they presented a range of performances in typical Ukrainian style and costume.
Pape Mbaye and Chosani Afrique
Pape Mbaye and Chosani Afrique - The beaming smile of Pape Mbaye is as well loved as his wide musical talents. It's an infectious smile that seems to go hand-in-hand with the West African rhythms that lie at the root of his music. Pape Mbaye, and his eight-piece band Chosani Afrique, bring some of the magic of West Africa to their audience. Captivating and hypnotic, these are the sounds of a culture steeped in magic, ritual and a strong spirituality. They're the sounds that bring people together, that celebrate, commemorate and rejoice. Renowned the world over, Pape has played alongside musical legends such as Miles Davis, BB King and Ringo Starr. In 2003 he released his first CD Listen! Drum Speaking, followed by his second CD, Yoff in 2005 and now combines performing with teaching.
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