Performance - News and events

Events | Featured projects | Call for entries | Announcements

Events

Paul Kelly, Paul Grabowsky & The Australian Art Orchestra - Sydney

17 October 2008

Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly teams up with internationally renowned jazz musician Paul Grabowsky to create Meet Me In The Middle of the Air. Sydney Opera House.

Ian Wilding, The Carnivores - Sydney

24 September - 18 October 2008

The Carnivores was short-listed for the Patrick White Playwrights' Award in 2004, the WA Premier's Award in 2006 and won the Griffin Award for New Australian Playwriting in 2005. Brothers Thom and Gramme are small players in the ethical murkiness of global capitalism, both upmarket and black-market. As they grapple with family loyalty, rapacious multinationals, sexual opportunism and drug deals, they must also confront a wider world in the grip of political turmoil. Carnivores is an urban black comedy that peels back the surface of contemporary life to consider what humanity really means. Old Fitzroy Theatre.

22nd Annual ARIA Awards - Sydney

19 October 2008

Emerging Australian artists dominate this year's nominees including vocalist Gabrielle Cilmi - nominated for six awards including Single of the year and Best female artist; and Sam Sparro, nominated for five ARIA Awards. Geoffrey Gurumul Yunupingu has received four ARIA Award nominations. Also receiving four ARIA Award nominations are The Veronicas, Electronic duo The Presets, Angus and Julia Stone, and Rock n' roll trio The Living End. Kasey Chambers and partner, Shane Nicholson, have received two nominations. Acer Arena, Sydney Olympic Park.

Xavier Rudd Tour - National

October - November 2008

Xavier Rudd will tour in October and November in support of his latest album Dark Shades of Blue, released on 16 August. Loud and psychedelic, Dark Shades of Blue highlights a side of Xavier Rudd merely hinted at on earlier releases. The guitar-driven songs, mixed by Joe Barresi (Tool, Queens of the Stone Age), are more complex and rocking than what audiences perhaps expect from the lifelong surfer and Dave Matthews tour mate. Various locations.

Brand Spanking New - Sydney

22 October - 1 November 2008

Brand Spanking New will present an uncensored snapshot of current Australian playwriting. From more than 80 submissions, 15 writers have been selected to participate in Brand Spanking New, a workshop project supported by the City of Sydney. Over a month, these writers will have to opportunity to collaborate on the development of their new writing with experienced directors and actors, culminating in a two-week public showcase. New Theatre.

Light the Night 2008 - Sydney

10 November 2008

The 2008 Light the Night concert will star a diverse selection of talented artists, who give freely of their time to help raise money for this worthy cause, including television and musical star Tim Campbell, singer/songwriter Lior, country stunners the McClymonts, the inimitable Maria Venuti, jazz star Emma Pask with Phil Stack, All Saints and It Takes Two performer Virginia Gay, winner of the 2008 Rising Star competition Erin Cornell, and musical theatre divas Margi de Ferranti, Emma Powell and Francesca Arena. City Recital Hall.

Attack of the Attacking Attackers! - Sydney

30 October - 15 November 2008

With an ensemble of five performers, Attack of the Attacking Attackers! utilizes the elements of object manipulation, shadow puppetry, dance, stage combat and slapstick to create a campy, low-tech but highly ambitious celebration of the worlds of science fiction and horror. Roundhouse Theatre.

Patch Theatre, Emily loves to bounce - National

2 June - 26 November 2008

Inspired by the illustrated books of Sydney writer, Stephen Michael King, Emily Loves to Bounce is a whimsical blend of physical theatre, illusion, light, music and song. Amazing ideas are expressed as a display of Chinese lanterns. Multi-coloured balls fall to the strains of Beethoven's Song of Joy. Various locations.

Underground - National

24 September - 29 November 2008

Fresh from an invited residency at the prestigious Vienna International Dance Festival, acclaimed dance company Dancenorth erupt out their home in Townsville in October and November to present their first national tour under artistic director Gavin Webber (Lawn, Roadkill). Set during rush hour, Underground is a place of crowded isolation, familiar yet strange. It's a world where commuters slip between mundane reality and a vivid and surreal dream world - disconnected from each other, yet capable of great compassion and tenderness. Routine patterns of the commuter blur as time stops and boredom is replaced with spontaneous action. Various locations.

Rolf Harris - Sydney

9-21 December 2008

Rolf Harris returns to Australia to perform live. The 78 year old, iconic Australian artist will present a performance of stories and songs, spanning his recording, stage and television career. Sydney Opera House.

Opera Australia's Christmas at the House - Sydney

19-23 December 2008

Stars of Opera Australia return to the Sydney Opera House to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a series of concerts to be held in the Concert Hall. Starring tenor David Hobson and internationally renowned soprano Yvonne Kenny, Christmas at the House also features Australia's rising opera stars and the Opera Australia Christmas Orchestra and Choir, and will be under the spirited leadership of Conductor Andrew Greene. Sydney Opera House, Sydney

Australian String Quartet 2009 season - National

10 March - 30 October 2009

The Australian String Quartet unveils its 2009 National Season - a program of big romantic works, music by Australian composers and guest artists including internationally acclaimed Australian violist and composer Brett Dean and the 2008 Sydney International Piano Competition winner. The 2009 program encompasses well-loved works from the Central European tradition; from Beethoven to Haydn, Bartok, Arriaga and Schumann, as well as music from some of Australia's best-known and regarded composers. The current membership of Sophie Rowell and Anne Horton, violins, Sally Boud, viola, and Rachel Johnston, cello was established in 2006.

Featured projects

9 Ways To Ride The Digital Music Wave

August 2008

9 Ways To Ride The Digital Music Wave is a free online resource which outlines the nine ways to make the most of music online. The e-book covers a bundle of information including questions to ask distributors, ways to promote your music, useful online marketing and promotion tools, blogs and MySpace, and the importance of being a music professional.

Anticipating change in the major performing arts

July 2008

This report commissioned by the Australia Council uncovers some significant trends likely to affect the future health of Australia's major performing arts companies. It looks at trends such as rapid development in the Asia region and shifts in the demographics and leisure time of Australians.

Call for entries

Short + Sweet Sydney 2009 - National

Entries by 13 October 2008

Entries are now open for Short + Sweet Sydney 2009 which will be held from January 13 to February 28, 2009 at the Seymour Centre and Newtown Theatre in Sydney. Short + Sweet is a ten minute theatre festival which currently runs in Sydney, Melbourne, Singapore and Malaysia and will launch in Brisbane in August 2009. Artists participating in Short + Sweet Sydney 2009 are competing for a share of $20,000 in prizes and professional development opportunities plus a chance to have their work recorded to be broadcast on Movie Extra.

Australian Bush Laureate Awards - National

Entries close 17 October 2008

The Australian Bush Laureate Awards, held annually during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, are to recognise excellence in Australian bush verse; and to encourage and promote the writing, publishing and recording of traditional Australian rhymed verse. Judges are selected from amongst suitably qualified media, recording, publishing and bush poetry individuals.

The APRA Professional Development Awards - Call for entries

Entries by 1 December 2008

The APRA Professional Development Awards are presented by APRA in conjunction with music organisations and institutions involved in the representation or education of Australian music writers. The Awards offer cash, travel and recognition to music writers in the early stages of their careers.

Playing the world grants, theatre - National

Entries by 3 December 2008

Playing the world aims to assist Australian theatre artists to develop international markets and reach new audiences overseas. It does this by supporting international tours of highly innovative Australian theatre productions as well as other international market development opportunities. Playing the world is an initiative of the theatre board and the international market development division of the Australia Council. Playing the world applications are assessed bi-monthly. It aims to provide a flexible funding process to assist theatre artists and companies with exportable work to develop sustainable international markets and audiences.

Ten Minute Quickie play competition - Melbourne

Entries by 12 December 2008

Eltham Little Theatre invites entries for their first ever short play competition, The Ten Minute Quickie. Successful selected plays will be performed at The Eltham Performing Arts Centre, 14-16 May 2009. Selected plays will feature actors from the ELT talent pool and will be directed by fresh, new directors as well as some of our established favourites. The Eltham Performing Arts Centre.

Announcements

Virginia Taylor and Anne Gilby appointed to the Music Board

19 September 2008

Minister Peter Garret has announced the appointment of Ms Virginia Taylor and Ms Anne Gilby to the Australia Council's Music Board. Flautist Ms Virginia Taylor has been prominent on Australia's music scene since the late 1980s. Ms Taylor is currently Head of Woodwind and a senior lecturer at the Australian National University's Canberra School of Music. Ms Anne Gilby's oboe practice spans early and modern instruments. She has played as guest principal oboist with all major Australian orchestras as well as prominent orchestras overseas, and is currently a lecturer in the Monash University music department.

Playing Australia - $2.9 million funding

19 September 2008

$2.9 million in funding for performing arts companies will enable live performances across regional Australian. Regional audiences have the opportunity to see the new works. Highlights of Playing Australia's funding round includes construct by the late Tanja Liedtke, investigates concepts around 'building'. Teuila Postcards by Polytoxic Dance Company will take Polynesian dance to 14 venues in five states, with 35 performances and The Grimstones, a gothic fairytale, features puppets devised by circus and performance artist Asphyxia.

Brian Lucas appointed to Dance Board

19 September 2008

Minister Peter Garret has announced the appointment of Mr Brian Lucas to the Australia Council's Dance Board. Mr Lucas is highly regarded as both a solo performer, and also for his extensive work in creative development and mentoring initiatives. Mr Lucas has been artist-in-residence at the Brisbane Powerhouse since 2001. He has created works for the Victorian College of the Arts, the Queensland Ballet and the Brisbane Fringe.

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu for 22nd Annual ARIA Awards

10 September 2008

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu who has received four ARIA Award nominations (plus 1 ARIA Artisan Award nomination) for his stunning debut solo album Gurrumul. Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is nominated in the categories of Best World Music album, Best independent release, Best male artist and the coveted Album of the year. The Sydney Morning Herald described Yunupingu thus 'Listen to Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu and you will surrender to the greatest voice this continent has ever recorded.'

22nd Annual ARIA Awards nominees announced

10 September 2008

Emerging Australian artists dominate this year's nominees: vocalist Gabrielle Cilmi is nominated for 6 awards including Single of the year and Best female artist; Sam Sparro is nominated for five ARIA Awards. Geoffrey Gurumul Yunupingu has received four ARIA Award nominations. Also receiving four ARIA Award nominations are The Veronicas, Electronic duo The Presets, Angus and Julia Stone, and rock 'n' roll trio The Living End. Kasey Chambers and partner, Shane Nicholson, have received two nominations.

Appointments to Australia council art form boards

27 August 2008

The Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts, Peter Garrett, today announced appointments to the Australia Council's Theatre, Literature and Dance Boards. Mr Fraser Corfield is appointed to the Australia Council's Theatre Board and has worked as a director, actor, writer, workshop facilitator and artistic director in Queensland. Mr Jeff Khan is appointed to the Australia Council's Dance Board. Mr Khan is an experienced curator, writer and arts administrator who has developed many exhibitions, performance events and special projects. All of these appointments are for a three-year term. Ms Frances Rings, an award-winning dancer and choreographer, has been reappointed to the Dance Board for a further one-year term.

Gurrumul gets six Indigenous music nominations

August 2008

Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu has dominated the major award categories in this year's Northern Territory Indigenous Music Awards. The former member of the Yothu Yindi Band and current member with the Saltwater Band has six nominations this year, including Act of the Year and Album of the Year. Darwin artist Leah Flanagan, who won the Emerging Act Award last year, has also been nominated for the Act of the Year Award.

Launch of Dance Plan 2012

August 2008

The Australia Council for the Arts and Ausdance have launched the Dance Plan 2012, a four-year action plan for the Australian dance sector. The plan lays out the ambitions of the Australia Council and Ausdance for a more vibrant, diverse and dynamic dance sector by 2012.

Winners of the 2008 Helpmann Awards

July 2008

This year's Helpmann Best Actor in a Musical Award is shared by four young actors who share the role of Billy Elliot in the musical of the same name. The late Tanja Liedtke was given a posthumous honour: Best Choreography in a Dance Work for Construct, part of the 2008 Sydney Festival. The annual Helpmann Awards recognise distinguished artistic achievement and excellence in the many disciplines of Australia's live performance sectors, including musical theatre, contemporary music, comedy, opera, classical music, dance and physical theatre. Full list of the 2008 winners.

Winners of the 2008 Classical Music Awards announced

July 2008

The 2008 Classical Music Awards were presented by the Australasian Performing Right Association (APRA) and the Australian Music Centre, at The Playhouse, Sydney Opera House. Australian jazz pioneer, Judy Bailey, received the award for Distinguished Services to Australian Music, to recognise her contribution to Australian new music through her role as a mentor, composer and educator. Dick Letts' career as an arts manager and advocate of Australian music was recognised with the presentation of the Long-Term Contribution to the Advancement of Australian Music. Colin Bright picked up the award for Best Composition by an Australian Composer for his work The Last Whale; a topical piece that connects recorded whale sounds with live instrumental and vocal sextet. Clarinetist Catherine McCorkill and the Australia Ensemble took out the award for Best Performance of an Australian Composition for a performance of Nigel Westlake's Rare Sugar. APRA media release.

2008 Australian Dance Awards announced

June 2008

Honour Bound, portraying the world of David Hicks at Guantanamo Bay, continued its award-winning way. The work created by Nigel Jamieson and Garry Stewart scored two awards at the 2008 Australian Dance Awards in Melbourne, with Stewart winning for outstanding achievement in choreography and Paul White for outstanding performance by a male dancer. Lucy Guerin, whose Structure And Sadness was nominated in four of the nine categories for the Australian Dance Awards, won the award for outstanding performance by a company. The award for outstanding performance by a female dancer went to Lucinda Dunn, a principal with the Australian Ballet, for her portrayal of Kitri in Don Quixote.

The Brian Stacey Award

June 2008

The Brian Stacey Award launched in 2002 targets Australian emerging conductors of music, theatre, ballet, opera and classical music genres worthy of further assistance and to enable them to gain opportunity to broaden their musical knowledge and further valuable experience. The winner will be chosen from entries submitted to the Musical Advisory Committee, who will make their recommendations for nominees/winner and the Brian Stacey Memorial Trustees will then choose the winner. The winner will be announced on 30 June 2008 and will be presented with a $5,000 prize, plus appear at the Helpmann Awards Ceremony in Sydney on 28 July, 2008.

Key online resources

• KULCHA - Multicultural Arts of Western Australia
• Music Hub
• MusicAustralia - Australia's Music: Online, in Time
• West Australian Music Industry Association Inc
• Australia Dancing - National Library of Australia
• International Guild of Disabled Artists & Performers (IGODAP)
• The Aussie Bands Music Page
• Jazz Australia
• AusStage: Gateway to the Australian Performing Arts

Collection resources and online publications

• Currency Press - Performing Arts Publisher
• MusicFestivalsAustralia.com
• The Music Network
• Parnassus' Den
• Theatre Alive
• Theatre Australia
• The Arts Centre collections
• Fools Paradise - an audio-visual exploration of twelve years of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Institutions and government organisations

• Devising Celebration - a resource for teachers who wish to devise their own celebratory performances and event theatre.
• Music in Australia: A Statistical Overview
• National Networked Facility for Research in Australian Music

Peak bodies and associations

• Music NT
• The Australian Script Centre - collects, catalogues, promotes and distributes unpublished Australian plays.
• Venue Resource of Original Music (VROOM)
• Music Council of Australia

People

• Barry Humphries
• Australian comedy

Featured websites/projects

• Questacon - Strike a Chord