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An eclectic line up spanning musical styles and cultures across continents is coming to Darebin Arts Centre in the New Year, presented by On The Road Again, Darebin Arts and Triple R. Having featured events over the years including Speak Percussion, Melbourne International Jazz Fest, Mallrat, and Atlanta Eke, this program celebrates the theatricality of the space with four shows with lineups from some of Naarm’s best tastemakers and curators; non for profit label Music in Exile support musicians with lived experience of migration and displacement, experimental and interdisciplinary organisation Liquid Architecture, Songlines that aim to advocate as a collective voice for greater recognition of contemporary Aboriginal Music, and Mistletone who will be announcing the fourth and final show in the new year.

A one off opportunity to experience each of these shows, take pleasure in the new collaboration between Chinese-Australian composers Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 and Sui Zhen on the eve of the Lunar New Year, a night to sound out new discourses about the audible world with Indonesian musician and vocalist Rully Shabara, Songlines event featuring Pioneering Aboriginal Reggae Bart Willoughby and soulful singer Canisha with floral art from Alchemy Orange.

“I’m super excited to perform ‘Origin of You’ at Darebin Arts Centre, it means a lot to me. It’s a very special project between me and my best friend Becky, and the work is really close to our hearts and our personal experiences. I feel like we have been cared for and supported by Darebin Arts Centre in presenting this work, and it will be a perfect venue to bring such a personal project to a safe place to perform. This work combines story, memory, and music, both from China and from Western musical cultures. It’s a work that demonstrates the modern diversity of Australia, and I am very proud and excited that this work will be presented on the eve of the Lunar New Year here at the Darebin Arts Centre.” –  Mindy Meng Wang 王萌

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Music in Exile
presents
Mindy Meng Wang 王萌

& Sui Zhen
present:
‘Origin of You’

Friday 9 February 2024

Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Sui Zhen’s launch their startling new collaboration ‘Origin of You.’ Released through Music in Exile, this album is the debut record from these two auspicious Chinese-Australian composers intent on exploring sisterhood and human connection. Taking place on the eve of the Lunar New Year, this special launch forms part of an Australian tour.

Ming Meng Wang Website – Sui Zhen Website

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Liquid Architecture
present
Rully Shabara (Indonesia)

Wednesday 24 April

Grounded locally but working globally, Liquid Architecture is a dedicated platform for artists engaged in experimental sound practice, sustained and energised through conversation and research, and realised in collaboration with people in our community and beyond. Presenting Indonesian experimental artist Rully Shabara (one half of Senyawa) in collaboration with a line-up of Naarm-based musicians and vocal artists for an evening of sound experiments with and against Rully’s Artificial Intelligence XhabaraBot Voice Machine, this playful and exploratory performance will investigate the limitations of the human voice and offer creative and dynamic workarounds for these limitations.

“The first stage of this experiment is to prove that the human voice actually has superior sound potential if it is not dependent or bound to its parent instrument; the body. Without the body, it does not require pauses to breathe or to think. It is also not affected by mood or physical instability that weakens over time. Therefore, first and foremost, our voice must be separated from the body by turning it into data.”
– Rully Shabara

Rully Shabara Website – Liquid Architecture Website

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Songlines Aboriginal Music
presents
Bart Willoughby and Canisha

Featuring floral installations from Alchemy Orange

Sunday 19 May

This special show will see Darebin Arts Centre graced with the presence of pioneering Aboriginal Reggae artist Bart Willoughby alongside soulful singer Canisha and her band. The founding member of “No Fixed Address”, Willoughby is said to be the tip of the spear in the modern indigenous Song-line. Presented in collaboration with Songlines Aboriginal Music, this special show will also feature stage design by Alchemy Orange, a botanical design studio established by Yorta Yorta woman Shahn Stewart.

Bart Willoughby Website – Songlines Aboriginal Music Website

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“We are incredibly proud to be partnering with On The Road Again, Music in Exile, Liquid Architecture, Songlines Aboriginal Music, Mistletone and Music Victoria to present these diverse and stunning shows in the intimate surrounds of Darebin Arts Centre. We are proud that this program represents our commitment to our First Nations peoples, as Bart Willoughby, celebrated  Pitjantjatjara artist, graces the stage with his infectious roots and reggae on May 19. With a program ranging from ambient to experimental, to upbeat and infectious, we can’t wait to open the doors to Darebin Arts Centre and share this music with our beautiful community.” – Cr. Susanne Newtown, Mayor of City of Darebin

Victoria has a strong network of Performing Arts Centres (the VAPAC network) that present a broad range of work from theatre, dance, cabaret, circus, comedy, live music, and more. Music for the Stages as part of On The Road Again, a Victorian Government initiative delivered by Music Victoria to support the return of live music events across the state, with a focus on contemporary music acts, programmed and working with local curators.

Don’t miss the opportunity to experience these four nights at Darebin Arts Centre in 2024.

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Music for the Stages at
Darebin Arts Centre

Presented by On The Road Again, Darebin Arts and Triple R
Address: 401 Bell Street (corner Bell St & St Georges Rd)
Preston VIC 3072

Friday 9 February
Music in Exile
Mindy Meng Wang 王萌 & Sui Zhen ‘Origin of You’ Album Launch
Time: 7:30pm

Wednesday 24 April
Liquid Architecture
Rully Shabara + TBA
Time: 7:30pm

Sunday 19 May
Songlines Aboriginal Music
Bart Willoughby and Canisha
Time: 5pm

June TBA
Mistletone Presents

Tickets via the Darebin Arts Website
General Admission – $35+BF
Concession – $25+ BF
Blaktix – $20

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AMNPLIFY – ML