BY CARLY BLITZ
Tura New Music is presenting Kimberley Reflections to Perth audiences, bringing together Indigenous music icons Mark Atkins and Stephen Pigram with the Narli Ensemble for a dynamic and inspiring celebration of Australian music. The culmination of The Reflection2 Tour across the Kimberley region, this concert will feature a vast range of musical and compositional practice from Broome Creole through to contemporary chamber music. The tour is supported by Healthway promoting the positive mental health message Act-Belong-Commit.
Joining Pigram and didgeridoo virtuoso Atkins will be some of Australia’s finest instrumentalists: Stephen Magnusson (guitars), Erkki Veltheim (violin), Greg Sheehan (percussion) and Judith Hamann (cello), with cameo interludes from Tura’s Artistic Director Tos Mahoney (flute). Three fellow indigenous artists from The Reflections2 Tour, Gabriel Nodea (Warmun), Danny Marr (Fitzroy Crossing) and Ashley Oobagooma (Derby), will also join the touring artists on stage in Perth with songs in traditional languages. This unique and powerful combination of musicians will produce a fascinating program showcasing the diversity of Australian music, resulting in a concert that reaches across cultures, time and place.
Tos Mahoney is excited to present a story of country and belonging through the evening’s musical offerings: “The program this year is set to feature a fantastic collection of new arrangements of songs by Mark, Stephen and their fellow artists on The Reflections2 Tour. On top of this we will be performing new works inspired by the extraordinary locations visited on the regional tour, with the evocative landscapes of the Kimberley revealed to the audience through footage taken on the road”.
Tura welcomes major partner Healthway to support the 12th annual Regional Touring Program, The Reflections2 Tour. The tour promotes the Mentally Healthy WA campaign message Act-Belong-Commit. The message encourages individuals and communities to take action to protect and promote mental wellbeing through participation in activities.
The Reflections2 Tour will traverse the remote Kimberley, performing to and with Aboriginal communities. Through music, Tura’s artists will share stories and forge lasting connections with those they meet along the way.
Acting Executive Director Maree De Lacey said: “The Reflections2 Tour demonstrates the Act-Belong-Commit message by providing an opportunity for many people to share in and enjoy the artistic accomplishments of others. Through the tour, Healthway and Tura New Music are working together to promote positive mental health in many communities throughout the Kimberley and in Perth”.
Tura New Music brings together some of the esteemed musicians from the 2015 Tour and merges them with fresh musical air for the Reflections2 Tour.
Stephen Pigram is excited to once again be a part of TURA’s Tour.
“A lot of powerful possibilities come from the time spent together on the road. As musicians we get to know each other better, and as mentors we form relationships with the kids at the schools and the greater community,” he said.
“I’m really pleased we are working with Gabe, Danny and Ashley to bring their special Kimberley flavour into the broader tapestry, getting to know them and their communities and also presenting them in Perth. It’s a fantastic opportunity for them to hear their songs and stories performed and presented in the Tura way.”
When: 7.30pm, 21 September
Where: Perth Concert Hall, 5 St George’s Terrace
Tickets: From $25. For more information or to book visit www.perthconcerthall.com.au, phone (08) 9231 9999 or visit the Perth Concert Hall Box Office.
Image supplied.
