Hidden Republic joins Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad program
27 January 2010
The Black Arm Band is thrilled to announce that it will be representing Australia in the 2010 Cultural Program of the Winter Olympics. For the first time in the Games history, the 2010 Olympics Cultural Program is focusing on Aboriginal programming, featuring many high profile Indigenous artists from around the world.
The Black Arm Band has been invited to perform Hidden Republic with the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra at the 2010 Olympic Winter Games in Canada. This performance will be offered to the large First Nations community in the Vancouver area as a free concert and gift to the people of Vancouver.
Hidden Republic is an intercultural contemporary musical presentation between The Black Arm Band Indigenous musical ensemble and the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra. This presentation for the 2010 Winter Olympics is essential in continuing to build accurate perceptions about Aboriginal Australia, promoting positive relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous cultures across the globe.
The Black Arm Band is proud to represent contemporary Australia as both Aboriginal and non-Indigenous to the international cultural, athletic and political communities in attendance and around the world. 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.
Parallel to the performance, The Black Arm Band will participate in music/skills exchange workshop program with other participating Indigenous artists to not only deepen the residual impact of Hidden Republic, but also inspires two-way dialogue between the cultures, one creatively feeding the other.
The link between The Black Arm Band artists and Indigenous communities nationally and internationally is vital. It is important to harness this opportunity for The Black Arm Band to mentor and be mentored by international artists and is an essential part of The Black Arm Band’s development and ongoing relevance.
Artists include Mark Atkins, Emma Donovan, Kutcha Edwards, Leah Flanagan, Djolpa McKenzie, Shellie Morris, Gapanbulu Mununggurr, Stephen Pigram and Ursula Yovich, with special guest Genevieve Lacey.
Further event information can be found here.
Full press release available here.
More information about the Vancouver 2010 Cultural Olympiad can be found here.
