WOMI

9.10 am Nunukul Yuggera Dancers
9.45 am The View from Madeline’s Couch
10.40 am No Way José
11.35 am Kizuna Taiko
12.30 pm Bobby Alu
1.25 pm Tenzin Choegyal and Cye Woods
2.20 pm The Barleyshakes
3.15 pm Taitu’uga

10.10 am Nicole Tate
11.05 am Somaaya
12.00 pm East of West
12.55 pm Vinod Prasanna and Shen Flindell
1.50 pm Bukhu Ganburged

Bollywood Dance Workshop with Dance Masala
12.00pm – 12.30 pm
1.00 pm – 1.30 pm
2.00 pm – 2.30 pm

Introduction to African Drumming
9.00 am – 12.30 pm

Latin Music Workshop
2.20 pm – 3.00 pm

Make Some Noise
9.00 am – 2.30 pm

Martenitsa Dolls with Zhiva Voda
11.00 am – 12.30 pm
1.00 pm – 2.30 pm 

Origami with Maki’s Art
9.00 am – 3.00 pm

Raffia Weaving with Nunukul Yuggera
9.00 am – 2.30 pm

Thai Music Workshop with Peranya
9.00 am – 9.45 am
10.15 am – 11.00 am

If you ask Byron Bay’s Bobby Alu what his music sounds like, he’ll tell you how he hopes it makes you feel: like you have your favourite cocktail in hand, sipping as the sun sets on a balmy evening that’s laden with the promise of adventure. In an ideal world, he’d follow summer around the earth, in his endless quest to nail that feeling in his songs that ride the groove spectrum from Polynesian folk, through roots, soul to tropical pop.

With a reputation as a world-class performer – touring as Xavier Rudd’s percussionist for five years, and supporting the likes of Xavier, John Butler Trio and Trevor Hall across North America and Europe – it’s common to see punters exiting a show gesturing warmly to their hearts. Especially when his mother Foloi joins him on-stage with traditional Samoan dance.

As Bobby enters a new chapter in 2023 starting with the fresh single Do It – a tidy three-minute coastal pop reminder to actively move in the direction of your dreams – his music continues to capture the feeling of enjoyment in its purest form. Since the beginning, he has chosen to spread positivity, without glossing over the hard stuff; invitational and expressive, it has brought his global audience a sense of community. It’s a live experience not to be missed.

Bukhchuluun Ganburged (Bukhu) is a master student of the Music and Dance Conservatory of Ulaanbaatar, performing the folk music of Mongolia and exploring the aural dimensions of sounds generated by traditional instruments and harmonic overtone vocal techniques.

Based in Sydney, Australia since 2009. Bukhu was granted the prestigious Distinguished Talent Visa by the Australian government as an internationally recognised artist with exceptional and outstanding contributions to the arts.

A cultural ambassador of his country, Bukhu combines virtuosic Morin Khuur (Horse Head Fiddle) and Khuumii (Harmonic Overtone Throat Singing) skills to transmit the harmony of Mongolian nomads and Shamanic culture through time and space.

Bukhu’s music brings a contemporary take on the tradition of Mongolian bards of the Middle Ages and those of ancient times, acting as a national memory bank working mythologies, historic figures and events into traditional verse form.

In the fertile borderlands between genres, East of West explores the edges: Mediterranean, jazz and Balkan influences interweave through intricate compositions and improvisations. Far from known shores, the trio’s oud, percussion and double bass map new musical territories, inviting the listener to venture into a profoundly curious and enjoyable realm.

East of West consists of Bosnian-born composer Goran Gajić (double bass), Philip Griffin (oud, lauto) and Malindi Morris (percussion). Emerging from jazz, Balkan, Mediterranean and Middle Eastern music traditions, the band’s compositional focus is on creating beautiful story-telling melodies spun over rich traditional rhythms, allowing space for open solos and improvisation. Oud, double bass and percussion blend to create a sound that will awaken in the listener a sense of mystery and possibility.

Somaaya is a new fusion ensemble consisting of Indian fusion singer Menaka, guitarist/composer Anthony Garcia, koto master Takako Haggarty Nishibori and hand pan specialist Lachlan Hawkins.  With a shared passion for improvisation, cross-cultural experimentation and mindful arts practice the group weave a tapestry of emergent soundscapes through acoustic improvisation and electronic looping.

Meaning “bond” in Japanese, Kizuna Taiko represent the bond between the people of Australia and Japan. Kizuna’s aim is to share the tradition of Japanese culture by bringing their drumming performance to the Australian community.

Nicole Tate is passionate about ‘all things harp’ delighting audiences with harps of all shapes and sizes. Nicole specialises in the Chromatic Cross Strung Harp, though most frequently plays her 38 string Folk Harp, made by Brandden Lassells. Nicole relishes every opportunity to share the beautiful resonance of the harp.

No Way José’s unique blend of sensual salsa, irresistible bolero, and rich harmonies of Latin American jazz create an exhilarating show, featuring some of Queensland’s most talented Latin musicians. Led by the stunning vocals of Australia’s own salsa diva-in-waiting, Amila Sargeant, No Way José is a vibrant celebration of the rich history of salsa infused with a 21st-century sensibility.

Watch ancient Dreamtime stories unfold before your eyes. Listen to the beat of didgeridoo, one of the oldest musical instruments in the world. Experience the haunting and powerful voice of Songmen, watch traditional and contemporary dances to express ancient dreamtime stories.

The Nunukul Yuggera Aboriginal Dancers have been in existence for over 25 years traveling the world extensively showcasing Traditional Aboriginal culture through song, dance and other various forms of cultural expression. They have performed alongside some of the world’s greatest performers and Cultural ambassadors.

Strong in his Samoan culture and language, Taitu’uga is a Talking High Chief (Tulafale alii) for his village, Sapunaoa falealili in Samoa. Taitu’uga creates & weaves cultural stories, through his theatre shows, films, mythological storytelling, while also creating and performing a fresh fusion of electronic dance music (EDM), hip hop, reggae, beatbox, loop machine and traditional instruments in his live shows.

Tenzin Choegyal and Cye Wood delight new audiences and loyal fans alike, in a musical journey that evokes the beauty and vastness of the high Tibetan plateau.  Cye’s violin blends seamlessly with Tenzin’s flute, dranyen and vocals in an interplay which is sensitive and beautifully rendered.

Tenzin’s original compositions and Cye’s accompaniments are richly layered, interweaving Tibetan sounds with contemporary music styles, all the while preserving the integrity and authenticity of traditional music and ritual.

Soaring nomadic melodies, sublime flute pieces, improvised violin and sacred poetry make each performance a unique and uplifting experience. 

Adored throughout Australia and beyond for their refreshing Irish sound, the Barleyshakes are winners of the Queensland Music Award for World Music. Recently returned from their tours of New Zealand, Outback Queensland and FNQ, the Shakes are keen to air lots of new material as well as old favourites.

Ever since their inception in the 90’s in Dublin, the Barleyshakes have been turning heads. Their mission has always been to inject new life into Irish music while honouring the tradition of the past. Their live shows have taken them around the globe and they continue to take audiences on a joy filled ride wherever they perform.

At the vanguard of Brazilian-influenced music in Australia for 22 years, The View From Madeleine’s Couch forges a glorious and lush sonic path through Brazilian jazz and bossa nova, bringing the elegance of Brazilian melody and harmony to their original material, and relishing the rhythms that drive samba and baiao. With the release of their third album, Bossa Nova Sunset Club, recorded with legendary Brazilian drummer Marcio Bahia (Hermeto Pascoal & Hamilton de Holanda), the band has cemented their place as one of the finest Brazilian music ensembles in Australia.

Born into one of India’s greatest flute-playing families, award-winning bansuri (flute) virtuoso, Vinod Prasanna, shines as an outstanding performer of authentic traditional and contemporary Indian music. Vinod’s emotive melodies, exquisite improvisations and divine flute song distinguish his performance of Indian classical, world and meditation music. Vinod is accompanied on tabla by Shen Flindell, Brisbane’s leading classical tabla accompanist. Vinod and Shen have been playing together for over 20 years, since their first performance at a temple in Varanasi.