New event to bring the world of music to your doorstep

Aria award-winner David Bridie and well-known Australian musician Frank Yamma will lend their support to local Gold Coast and Tweed musicians as they gather next Wednesday, April 27 to celebrate the launch of a new annual music event entitled Ethno Australia due to be held in Currumbin Valley in December.

Ethno Australia, which has been sponsored by Southern Cross University’s Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work, the Brisbane Multicultural Arts Centre and world music organisation The Wantok Foundation, will bring together more than 50 folk musicians from around the world to collaborate and exchange ideas in a 14-day intensive music program, culminating in a public performance on the Gold Coast.

The launch of the event, which will take place next week at the Komune Resort in Coolangatta, will feature performances by David Bridie and Frank Yamma and is set to be attended by a host of local Gold Coast musicians including Latin jazz band A French Butler Called Smith, folk band Lamplights and reggae musician Bobby Alu.

Professor Kerry Brown, director of Southern Cross University’s Research Centre for Tourism, Leisure and Work said Ethno Australia, which is supported by funding from the Australia India Council and the Australia Thailand Institute would bring high quality world music to the Gold Coast.

“Ethno Australia will be a significant gathering of traditional cultural performers – many of whom are national treasures in their own countries,” said Professor Brown.

“It will consist of a series of music workshops, jam sessions and seminars - the results of which will be presented by the performers in an extraordinary world music concert which will be open to the public.

“There will be a strong representation of local artists in the program who will have the opportunity to work creatively with traditional and folk musicians from all over the world to hear their local music and exchange cultural ideas.”

The music event is one of a number of projects under way through the new Southern Gold Coast Music Hub, a partnership between Southern Cross University’s Research Centre for Tourism Leisure and Work and Connecting Southern Gold Coast, which was launched in November.

"The Southern Gold Coast region is a premier location where natural beauty connects with high quality entertainment,” said Professor Brown.

“The Southern Gold Coast Music Hub is aimed at providing creative pathways and professional development opportunities for young people, musicians and music industry operators living locally.

“By supporting world music activities in this area - and importing and exporting musical talent - we can create a flow-on effect for other artists and cultural organisations operating on the Gold Coast, stimulating the local music industry.”

Media are invited to attend as David Bridie and Frank Yamma kick off the launch of Ethno Australia by sharing their tips and hints with local musicians A French Butler Called Smith, Lamplights and Bobby Alu and others at 4pm at Love St Studios 8-7 Traders Way, Currumbin on Wednesday April 27. Musicians, Southern Cross University and Connecting Southern Gold Coast representatives will be available for interview and photographs. To attend, and for all media enquiries please contact Zuleika Henderson, media officer, Southern Cross University Gold Coast and Tweed Heads: 07 5589 3024 or 0408 644533.

For information on Ethno Australia email ethnoaustralia@gmail.com or go to www.ethno-world.org

Photo: Professor Kerry Brown (high resolution image available on request).