Published Wednesday, 19 November, 2008 at 01:24 PM
Minister for Education and Training and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Rod Welford
Expo sounds out new audience for state's Indigenous performers
Two Queensland Indigenous music groups will showcase their unique talents to key music industry representatives and media at this week’s Australasian World Music Expo in Melbourne.
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Badu Island Dancers from the Torres Strait and Kuranda’s Zennith would perform for 200 delegates from Australia and overseas.
“The Australasian World Music Expo is being held for the first time in Melbourne from 20-23 November and this will be a vital opportunity for our local performing artists to showcase their talents,” Mr Welford said.
“There are some talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and singers in Queensland and it’s rare for them to have access to such an important collection of key local and international representatives working for the recording industry, festivals and the media.
“Every performer needs to make key contacts in the music industry to help them forge a future – and this event will help these groups get in touch with the right people.”
The Badu Island dancers, who perform in the Kala Lagaw Ya language, present secular and sacred music which is deeply connected to the environment, culture and society of their island home.
Zennith, from Bulwai country near Kuranda, are four musicians who mix reggae with hip hop, and have a faithful following in Far North Queensland.
Both groups will perform at showcase events at the Expo which includes a conference on industry development, promoting skills development, collaboration and networking.
Mr Welford said Queensland Government support for performers to attend events such as the Australasian World Music Expo helps to achieve goals set out in the Queensland Arts Industry Sector Development Plan 2007-09. One key goal of the Plan is to grow the contribution of Indigenous music to Queensland and foster strategic marketing to maximize national and international profiles.
For more information on Queensland Indigenous musicians go to www.artsqld.gov.au. For more information on the Australasian World Music Expo go to www.awme.com.au.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000
Arts Minister Rod Welford said the Badu Island Dancers from the Torres Strait and Kuranda’s Zennith would perform for 200 delegates from Australia and overseas.
“The Australasian World Music Expo is being held for the first time in Melbourne from 20-23 November and this will be a vital opportunity for our local performing artists to showcase their talents,” Mr Welford said.
“There are some talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander musicians and singers in Queensland and it’s rare for them to have access to such an important collection of key local and international representatives working for the recording industry, festivals and the media.
“Every performer needs to make key contacts in the music industry to help them forge a future – and this event will help these groups get in touch with the right people.”
The Badu Island dancers, who perform in the Kala Lagaw Ya language, present secular and sacred music which is deeply connected to the environment, culture and society of their island home.
Zennith, from Bulwai country near Kuranda, are four musicians who mix reggae with hip hop, and have a faithful following in Far North Queensland.
Both groups will perform at showcase events at the Expo which includes a conference on industry development, promoting skills development, collaboration and networking.
Mr Welford said Queensland Government support for performers to attend events such as the Australasian World Music Expo helps to achieve goals set out in the Queensland Arts Industry Sector Development Plan 2007-09. One key goal of the Plan is to grow the contribution of Indigenous music to Queensland and foster strategic marketing to maximize national and international profiles.
For more information on Queensland Indigenous musicians go to www.artsqld.gov.au. For more information on the Australasian World Music Expo go to www.awme.com.au.
Media contact: Emma Clarey on 3237 1000