For the Festival’s opening night dance pageant, you are invited to bring a seat and slip on your street shoes. You’ll be tapping your feet as we celebrate the abundant dance and musical talent of our region. Then as the show moves into the whirling climax of a street dance fiesta, you’ll be swinging with the street beat.

Part show ride, part street procession, and all danced, the Opening Night Pageant draws upon our long history of show parades and processions, and melds it with the spin of a ride, the dynamics of dance and the spirit of a country street.

Beginning with a Wominjika welcome to country, and a dance specially created in collaboration with Jaara Jaara elders and hip hop dancers, more than 150 central Victorian dancers will be joined by Rocco Grimaldi and his Pandemonium Band.

Motorists, street sweepers, road crossing supervisors, cyclists and exceptional dance makers, will create a sparkling procession of dance moves infiltrated by street pandemonium, and a grande finale that will bring everyone to their feet … dancing.

Co-producer Punctum

Dance moves and marvels from our legendary makers, the acme of beat, motor magic from our street, and processions and pandemonium in the sweep of feet

Imagine this … it is becoming increasingly difficult to discern the difference between the present and the past, between what is familiar and what is foreign. Events that took place just minutes ago are being constantly erased, while memories that you have been able to keep at bay for decades now come rushing towards you. KAGE, in partnership with Alzheimer’s Australia, invites you into this mystery.

Despite the explorations of poets, novelists, doctors, scientists and philosophers, the realm of memory remains a great mystery. And Sundowner’s Syndrome remains an unanswered question. Why is it that just as the sun goes down, so many of those with Alzheimer’s become particularly disorientated and confused?

This breathtaking performance traverses sorrow, fears, humour and dignity. Through the eyes of three generations, Sundowner tells the story of so many Australian families. Ultimately, it is a story of love: love of family, love of history, and love of life.

Featuring renowned Australian actress Helen Morse, with music by Kelly Ryall, Paul Kelly and Megan Washington, and an appearance from the Tivoli Lovelies (dancers from the original Tivoli Theatre), Sundowner is a major new performance work combining dance, drama and original composition.

Director Kate Denborough  Writer David Denborough  Cast Helen Morse, Gerard Van Dyck, Michelle Heaven, Stuart Christie  Tivoli Lovelies Betty Arnold, Vicki Charleston, Verlie Whittaker, Jackie O’Neil, Dot Lanphier, Lil Paranos, Lila Wells, Julie Obst  Lighting Designer Damien Cooper  Set Designer Dan Potra  Costume Designer Paula Levis

Saltbush is an exquisite interactive journey through the culture and landscape of Aboriginal Australia, celebrated through live dance, music, song and stories. Internationally acclaimed Italian company Compagnia TPO has worked in collaboration with Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal Australians to create another beautiful piece in the highly acclaimed Children’s Cheering Carpet series.

The Saltbush narrative centres on the journey of two friends from different Aboriginal backgrounds as they cross Australia on foot, and is performed on a touch-sensitive floor using infra-red imaging technology that triggers images and sound. Their journey sees them travel across diverse Australian landscapes (countries) — river country, an urban landscape, desert and the sea. The journey is one of discovering the land (country), growing an understanding and acknowledging how it challenges or provokes personal journeys.

Children are invited to explore, play and dance with the performers as the landscape unfolds around them, providing a unique immersive experience, where the audience can become part of this visually beautiful journey.

Co-Artistic directors Davide Venturini (Italy) & Jason Cross (Australia)  Dramaturgy Sasha Zahra (Australia)  Composer/musician Lou Bennett (Australia/Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung)  Choreographer Deon Hastie (Australia/Tjapukai)  Dancer Rosealee Pearson (Australia/Yolngu)  Dancer Sani Townson (Australia/Saibai Koedal)  Narrator/performer Jada Alberts (Australia/Larrakia)  Visual artist/designer Delwyn Mannix (Australia/Wangkangurru)  Digital designer Elsa Mersi (Italy)  Technical designer Rossano Monti (Italy)  Sound designer Spartaco Cortesi (Italy)  Artistic collaborations Edoardo Donatini & Francesco Gandi (Italy)  Technical operators Niccolo Gallio & Alberto Martino (Italy)  Tour creative producer Insite Arts — Lee Cumberlidge & Jason Cross (Australia)  TPO manager Valentina Martini (Italy)

Below stairs is a world of differing speed
Morning . Noon . Night
She eats . . . . . . . . . . blackout
Peas
He craves . . . . . . . . . peas
A tall short tale where taste may equal . . .
Blackout

Enter the unique world of one of Australia’s most intriguing dancers and independent choreographers, Michelle Heaven.

Reminiscent of an old silent film in its style and execution, this bizarre and beautiful work sees Michelle in an unforgettable ‘pea de deux’ with the inimitable Brian Lucas. Disagreeable Object will be encased within Ben Cobham’s distinctive design and beautifully accompanied by Bill McDonald’s original sound score.

Choreographer/performer Michelle Heaven  Collaborator/performer Brian Lucas  Collaborator/designer Ben Cobham / Bluebottle  Composer Bill McDonald  Costume designer Louise McCarthy  Production manager Bluebottle.

All the way from Toronto, Canada, the critically acclaimed Beyond the Pale has been making a distinctive brand of boundary-busting Eurofolk fusion for over a decade. Earning critical acclaim as one of Canada’s most innovative world roots ensembles, they mix Klezmer, Balkan and Romanian styles with an eclectic range of North American influences, including blues, reggae, jazz and funk. They have received awards from the Toronto Independent Music Awards, Ontario Council of Folk Festivals Songwriting Competition and have recently been awarded ‘Instrumental Ensemble of the Year’ and ‘Pushing the Boundaries’ from the 2010 Canadian Folk Music Awards.

The band has performed at festivals, theatres and clubs, across Canada, the United States and Europe, including New York’s Carnegie Hall as well as the Jewish Culture Festival in Krakow, Poland. This concert will mark the beginning of their first Australian tour. Beyond the Pale’s exuberant live performances range seamlessly from energetic dance rhythms to intricate chamber-folk dynamics, taking audiences on an invigorating musical ride with thrilling arrangements and stunning instrumental virtuosity.

Mandolin: Eric Stein,  Bass: Bret Higgins,  Clarinet: Martin van de Ven,  Accordion: Dejan Badnjar,  Violin, viola: Aleksandar Gajic.

Batucada, loosely translated, means percussive samba jam, which aptly describes this brilliant and diverse group of 10 musicians. Their tasty concoction of Brazilian, Cuban and Afro-beat rhythms has the hip hop front of MC Hazaduz, whose solid rhymes over the massive samba-reggae percussion add to the band’s rich Pacific soul, reggae and funk flavours.

With influences from bands such as Ozomatli and Manu Chao, Batucada Sound Machine have developed a solid reputation for delivering blistering live performances, fine musicianship and collective impulsiveness. Following tours throughout New Zealand, Australia, the UK, Korea, Germany, Portugal, Belgium, Spain and the Netherlands, the super-tight horns and wall-of-sound percussion will raise the roof off Castlemaine.

MC, vocals MC Hazaduz  Guitar, vocals Richard Setford  Guitar, vocals Henrique Morales  Percussion, vocals James Hughes  Bass guitar Alex Ulrich  Trumpet Finn Scholes  Trombone Oliver Emmitt  Percussion Darryn Sigley  Drums Jono Sawyer  Keyboards Vuk Tomic

Ashley MacIsaac, fiddling virtuoso from Nova Scotia Canada, learnt to play the fiddle the Cape Breton working-class, pub-stomping way; fast and furious, with phenomenal precision. He is a passionate traditionalist with a great fondness for experimentation. Crossing boundaries of Celtic, folk, electronica, punk, garage rock and grunge, Ashley has unarguably put his own spin on the sounds of his past. Growing up listening to AC/DC, Ozzie Osbourne and Canadian fiddle masters Angus Chisholm, Winston ‘Scotty’ Fitzgerald, and Buddy McMaster, Ashley was touring by the age of 14 and recording his first album at only 16. In 1995, he burst onto the worldwide scene with the triple-platinum Hi, How Are You Today? He has played with Philip Glass, the Chieftains, Paul Simon, the White Stripes, and recently performed at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics Opening Ceremony.

Performing with Ashley is ‘one of the best Celtic guitar accompanists in the world’ 15-year old prodigy Quinn Bachand from Vancouver Island, Canada. With his hard-driving strumming, inventive voicing and powerful rhythmic effects, Quinn joins Ashley in adding a truly contemporary edge to traditional Celtic music.

Fiddle Ashley MacIsaac  Guitar Quinn Bachand

Famous for their swingin’ back beat sound, Hollywood style and luminescent clam-shell stands, The Pearly Shells have been providing atmospheric sound tracks and irresistible dance grooves in bars, clubs, festivals and dance halls for over 10 years. They have gained a reputation as Melbourne’s premier jazz swing band with a classic style reminiscent of the golden age of Ellington, Basie and Goodman. The flagship line-up features a stellar group of Melbourne jazz players from across generations who will be joined by two of Melbourne’s elite jazz performers, world-renowned singer/trumpeter Gil Askey and gorgeous singer Julie O’Hara.

With their enormous repertoire, The Pearly Shells pride themselves on striking the right tone for any musical situation. Playing their own arrangements of the big band classics and originals, the band is famous with dancers for its inclination to leave the written music behind and freely riff-out.

Trumpet, vocals Gil Askey  Vocals Julie O’Hara  Double bass, vocals Steve Purcell  Baritone sax Adam Simmons  Tenor sax Dean Hilson  Tenor/soprano sax Rob Gleaseman  Trumpets Vinnie Bourke and Amon McNelis  Trombone Shannon Barnett  Guitar Dai Jones  Piano Dave Allardice  Drums Andy Swann

As Australia’s masters of deep funk and super-heavy soul, The Bamboos are recognised as the country’s greatest of their kind. Combining elements of old-school funk, hip hop, modern rock and psychedelic and northern soul, The Bamboos have forged a sound of their own.

The Bamboos have performed at festivals across Australia and have toured the United Kingdom and Europe three times, performing highly acclaimed shows at The Barbican and The Jazz Café in London, and other equally esteemed venues in Ireland, France, Spain, Italy, Germany and Switzerland.

The 8-piece line-up, led by guitarist Lance Ferguson and featuring the power-house vocals of Kylie Auldist, is renowned for blistering, high-energy live sets, which keep people dancing all the way from Byron Bay to Bratislava.

Vocals Kylie Auldist  Guitar Lance Ferguson  Drums Daniel Farrugia  Fender bass Yuri Pavlinov  Hammond organ Stevie Hesketh  Tenor saxophone, flute Anton Delecca
Trumpet Ross Irwin  Baritone saxophone Philip Noy

The MASC Youth FReeZa crew will present an exciting event at the Castlemaine Skate Park and Western Reserve, featuring COUCH ReCovered, skateboarding and BMX riding competitions, dance and singing workshops, local food and business stalls, street art, parkour, and live bands and performances, including headline acts Diafrix and Massive hip hop choir from Melbourne.

Diafrix mixes traditional African rhythms with funk, reggae, soul and hip hop in their urban music that they call Positive Hip Hop, which has a cultural bent and a no swearing policy. They use their flow to entertain and raise awareness of the African–Australian experience. Diafrix have established themselves over the last seven years as one of Australia’s most exciting and original live acts.

Massive, Australia’s first hip hop choir, offers young hip hop composers, producers and performers the opportunity to work with choir director Andrea Khoza and beat facilitator Momo from Diafrix, to reinterpret their hip hop tracks into contemporary arrangements for mass voices. Over the last year they have given Melbourne audiences a taste of their growing repertoire and now Castlemaine will have the great privilege
of experiencing a first-time-ever performance of Massive and
Diafrix together.

Come down and support the dedicated and enthusiastic members of FReeZa who meet weekly to plan for young people’s events in the Mount Alexander Shire. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of FReeZa FEVER!