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The Black Arm Band invited to perform at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, Vancouver Canada
The Black Arm Band has been invited by the 2010 Vancouver Cultural Olympiad to perform Hidden Republic with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the Olympic Winter Games in Canada.
11 February 2010
Orpheum Theatre
Vancouver, British Columbia CANADA
Four Host First Nations, Aboriginal Pavilion
2010 Olympic Winter Games
The Black Arm Band is proud to represent contemporary Australia as both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous artists to the international cultural, athletic and political communities in attendance at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Canada and around the world.
This performance of Hidden Republic will feature Mark Atkins, Emma Donovan, Kutcha Edwards, Leah Flanagan, Djolpa McKenzie, Shellie Morris, Stephen Pigram, Bevan Gapanbulu Yunupingu, Ursula Yovich and Genevieve Lacey alongside an 8 piece Australian/Canadian jazz section and 33 members of the VSO.
In this prestigious and high profile international environment, Hidden Republic showcases, celebrates and shares the contribution of music to Indigenous cultural and political life and deliver positive social messages from contemporary Australia to the international community.
Developed and Produced by Arts House, a City of Melbourne contemporary arts initiative, this tour has been supported by the Australian Government through the Australia International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Victorian Government through Arts Victoria.
Further event information can be found here.
Full press release available here.
More information about the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad can be found here.
The Black Arm Band presents music of the Australian Indigenous experience
It is a creative meeting place for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal artists and producers to develop, perform, promote and celebrate contemporary Australian Indigenous music as a symbol of resilience and hope in the spirit and action of reconciliation.
The Black Arm Band has produced three major works to date: murundak (premiere Melbourne International Arts Festival 2006), Hidden Republic (premiere Melbourne International Arts Festival 2008) and dirtsong (premiere Melbourne international Arts Festival October 2009).
The Black Arm Band is described as "part Aboriginal soul revue, part civil rights statement . . . national treasures" (Evening Standard) and is increasingly sought after internationally. The Black Arm Band returned to England for WOMAD UK in July 2009, after hugely successful international premiere at the Southbank Centre in London in 2008, amongst other critically acclaimed presentations throughout 2008.
The Black Arm Band also undertakes work in remote and regional Indigenous communities using the power of music to enhance community health and well-being. Partnering with The Fred Hollows Foundation, the Australian ‘superband’ of Indigenous musicians and their collaborators toured to remote and regional areas in Australia’s far north for performances, workshops and health promotion in winter 2009.
The Black Arm Band is a project of Arts House, a City of Melbourne contemporary arts special initiative.
“Up on stage at Hamer Hall on Friday night were some of the greatest performers this country can presently boast of, members of what is described as black folk protest, a phenomenon as significant to the national cultural life as Aboriginal art.” - The Age Newspaper
