WOMI – World of Music Ipswich

* Schedule is subject to change

* Schedule is subject to change

* Schedule is subject to change

A cultural journey through music. With a captivating blend of traditional and contemporary rhythms, Cachicamo Latin Harp takes the audience on a musical journey across the Andes, Cuba and beyond. Their exceptional repertoire features unique instruments rarely seen, such as the Colombian Harp and the Cuatro Llanero, adding a touch of authenticity and intrigue to each performance.

Drums of the Pacific is a Pacific Multi-Cultural Performing Arts Group originally established in Auckland, New Zealand in 1993 by founder Jacob Samson.

In continuation to Drums of the Pacific New Zealands success, Sammy Samson, who resides in the Gold Coast Australia, has now further grown their Fathers legacy through forming a sister-group Drums of the Pacific Australia. Together with their immediate team, the Australian-based group will continue to move forward with this purpose. With such strong passion for their culture and their father’s legacy at the forefront they will introduce to the Queensland Performing Arts Industry an experience that will leave you breathless!

Gosti unites three exceptionally versatile musicians with a rich history of collaborative performances in various contexts. Hailing from diverse musical backgrounds, each member brings a unique set of skills and experiences to the ensemble.

Linsey Pollak, known for founding the cross-cultural music ensemble ‘Slivanje’ and touring worldwide with his solo shows, showcases his inventive wind instruments alongside the bass clarinet in Gosti. Tunji Beier, whose percussion journey began at the age of ten in Nigeria, adds depth with instruments like the mridangam, kanjira, ghatam, zarb and morsing.

Philip Griffin, a true musical polymath, impresses with his mastery of stringed instruments like the oud, laouto, rabab and bass guitar. Together, Gosti promises a mesmerising fusion of their eclectic talents.

Guava Love is the electronic avatar of acclaimed guitarist/composer Anthony Garcia.  Born of a love for the ethereal soundscapes of Pink Floyd, ethnic musics from across the globe and eclectic electronica Guava Love is a dreamy convergence of improvised sound, electronic soundscapes and live looping with electric guitar and Thai Phin. This fresh sonic platform has been especially developed to support the integration of guest collaborators from across styles, genres disciplines and cultures. For SPARK Ipswich Guava Love will be joined by young star DJ and tabla artist SAIE. 

Inspired by their motto, “We Play We Sing We Fight”, 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards finalists Haystack Mountain Hermits transport you to an acoustic world of sensational blood harmonies, coupled with the band’s fine musicianship, leaving you spellbound as they weave traditional favourites and original songs into an unforgettable performance. Each song they perform has been carefully crafted into a unique arrangement that showcases their exceptional musicianship. Hillbilly, folk, bluegrass and country, the Hermits’ musical range is as individual as they are. This family can really sing and they can really play. Whether they fight … depends on the day.

Establishing herself in the Australian folk festival scene, Sunshine Coast songstress, Innessa, has found her niche infusing alternative folk with Eastern-European influences. Publishing her first poem in her native Russia at 12 years old, Innessa’s whimsical way with words has more recently earned her a finalist spot in the 2024 Queensland Music Awards, seen her release four studio albums and perform at some of Australia’s biggest folk festivals including Woodford. Innessa is excited to share her enigmatic new sound and bring people from all walks of life and backgrounds together.

Kolokakala Tongan performing arts representing an Island in the South Pacific Ocean – The Kingdom of Tonga. The last remaining monarchy in the South Pacific. A place where our ancestors gracefully told their stories; their love for their land, culture and people. A beautiful wave that transcends generations, and although we live on foreign shores we never forget the ocean that carried us here.

Mango  Matic  is  a musical  project  from  Brisbane,  Australia. Accomplished  musicians  from  Colombia, Venezuela, El Salvador and Australia bring to the  table  a  blend  of  many  influences;  from jazz  to  rock,  funk and  Latin  rhythms,  they take  you  on  a  world  music  journey  full  of surprising twists and refreshing tunes. With influences  from  Saint  Germain,  Kenny Garrett,  Gotan  Project,  Santana and  Los Fabulosos  Cadillacs,  Mango Matic  delivers unique  grooves  that  fuse  these  elements together.

Award-winning Indian-Australian singer Menaka draws on her heritage to write songs that seamlessly blend traditional Indian vocals with contemporary influences.

When a deterioration of her health nearly claimed her vision, Menaka turned to song writing for comfort. Since then she has gone from strength to strength, quickly becoming a stalwart of the Australian World music scene and delivering inspired performances at major events.

In 2023, Menaka received a Queensland Music Award for Best Song (World) for her collaboration with Brisbane songwriter mou.

She has performed alongside acclaimed musicians including Tibetan singer Tenzin Choegyal, Tibet2Timbuktu and world music trio “Spirit of Bhakti”. She has featured on many musical platforms, including the Woodford Folk Festival.

Together with accomplished instrumentalists Tsoof Baras (percussion, drums, vocals) and Meg Burstow (piano, voice), Menaka weaves a tapestry of sounds at the intersection of East and West, lending her incredible voice to music that seeks to connect, inspire and unite.

MZAZA is one of the most unique bands coming out of Australia today. Exploring their French, Spanish-Sephardic roots MZAZA reinvent folk traditions and draw you into a world where music knows no borders. Led by French-Sephardic vocalist Pauline Maudy, alongside accordion, violin, guitar, percussion, double bass, their live shows craft a snapshot of contemporary Australia’s rich multicultural make up. Songlines Magazine describes their music as, “Punchy, energetic and suffused with joy”. MZAZA have won three Queensland Music Awards and Pauline Maudy won Artist of the Year at the 2023 Australian Folk Music Awards.

Passionate Spanish flamenco guitarist, Paco Lara with a distinguished international career of more than 30 years touring the world alongside Spain’s greatest flamenco maestros, presents a magical performance of authentic flamenco guitar, dance and song. Recognised as the most prominent flamenco guitarist living in Australia, Paco Lara and his troupe is a world class musical and cultural experience not to be missed!

Jan Van Dijk on Violin, Conor McDonald on Guitar and Rory Dollard on Guitar pay mischievous tribute to the music of Django Reinhardt and Stephane Grappelli of 30s Paris, packed with fresh, divergent and distinct arrangements full of interplay and invention. Jan hails from the distinguished band run by the late, great ‘Ewan MacKenzie & Swing Dynamique’, while Rory and Conor can be found lighting up festivals with the Gypsy Jazz influenced super group ‘Cigany Weaver’.

Shanasheel is a distinctive ensemble in the Australian World Music scene, specialising in classical and folk music from Iraq, Egypt, Syria and other Middle Eastern regions. Established by Nawres Alfreh, an Iraqi-born violinist, Arabic fiddle and Joza player, after relocating to Australia from Jordan. The ensemble’s members have a long history of playing together in different groups and have performed at prestigious events like the WOMAD Festival and Woodford Folk Festival. United by their love for music that embodies the depth and richness of Arabic musical traditions, Shanasheel showcases a unique blend of talent and cultural heritage in their performances.