Taikoz

Port Macquarie July 19
Its been at least 4 years since I saw Taikoz perform [at the Global Carnival in Bellingen], and this show was the first leg of a northern NSW/Qld tour. The performance is huge in all aspects - the size of the drums, the sheer volume in play and the energy required to master thesee impressive instruments is a sight [and sound] to behold.

A couple of new members in place including Anton who grew up in Port Macquarie, so a bit of a homecoming for him with friends and family in the audience.

Riley Lee on Shakahachi flute to add the light and ethereal to the equation.

If you want to check them out, you'll find a link to their website below.













Click here to go to Taikoz

Camden Haven Music Festival

Camden Haven, April 27-29


Cocos Lunch vocalist

Now in its twelfth year, this festival originally started out with Chamber Music as its primary focus, but has progressed to World Music and some dance as its staple. I'd been invited to stage manage the two main venues - one in a huge hoecker structure and the other in the old School Of Arts Building located directly across from the common. Although the festival proper ran from Friday 27 April to Sunday 29 April, the weeks leading up to the main event included a series of workshops and masterclasses with some pretty talented artists. Check the festival website at the bottom of this post.

The programme this year included some well known artists such as Archie Roach and Ruby Hunter, George Washingmachine, Coco's Lunch and some relative unknowns who are sure to make their mark in time nonetheless.

Camden Haven [Laurieton] is a beautiful, somewhat sleepy "fishing village" that has retained a lot of its charm - quiet streets, friendly people and some of the most beautiful coastline around. Surprisingly, the festival is run almost entirely by volunteers and capable ones at that!

Although the weather leading up to the weekend might have dampened crowds initially, by Saturday night the whole place was buzzing. Sunday nights' high energy closing performance by Monsieur Camembert and their irreverent take on gypsy folk was a fitting end to the whole weekend.

My job was made all the easier by the extensive pre-production work carried out by the festival co-ordinator and my audio and lighting crew who managed to contend with a few last minute but demanding changes. This allowed me to take a heap of photos - click on any photo below - it will automatically take you to the album page.

Congratulations to everyone involved - maybe I'll get invited back again next year?

In the meantime - here's a few more pics...


Karifi - African Traditional


Professor Michael Atherton @ workshop



Festival and artist links:

http://www.camdenhavenmusicfestival.org.au
http://www.washingmachine.com.au
http://www.syncsonics.com
http://www.cocoslunch.com
http://www.kristinaolsen.net

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