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Saturday, 02 April 2011 08:28

Rhythm Of Indigenous Music

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Members of The Black Arm Band, from left, Dewayne Everettsmith, 23, of Kingston, Emma Donovan, 29, of Melbourne, and Djolpa McKenzie, 33, of the Northern Territory Members of The Black Arm Band, from left, Dewayne Everettsmith, 23, of Kingston, Emma Donovan, 29, of Melbourne, and Djolpa McKenzie, 33, of the Northern Territory
SOME of Australia's best indigenous musicians are in Hobart to perform with the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra tonight as part of Ten Days on the Island.

Hidden Republic will feature the Black Arm Band, a 34-member ensemble from the TSO and a seven-piece jazz section, in one of the major events of the Ten Days on the Island Festival.

The Black Arm Band has a flexible membership that mixes industry veterans with young up-and-coming Aboriginal musicians, like Tasmanian singer Dewayne Everettsmith.

Everettsmith, 23, from Kingston, will perform a Tasmanian Aboriginal language song as a Welcome to Country tonight, alongside Djolpa McKenzie from Maningrida in the Northern Territory.

Everettsmith said he was proud to be representing Aboriginal Tasmania in Hidden Republic.

"This is less about me and more about my community," he said.

McKenzie, 33, will also perform an Aboriginal language version of My Island Home.

The Black Arm Band has taken McKenzie and other artists around Australia and the world, and McKenzie said he was thrilled to be bringing Hidden Republic to Tasmania.

"It's one of the greatest opportunities to be part of this, it's like a family," he said.

Tonight's performance at Wrest Point will include the legendary Archie Roach and Jimmy Little, along with Mark Atkins, Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan, Leah Flanagan, Shane Howard, Genevieve Lacey, Shellie Morris, Stephen Pigram, Ursula Yovich and Gapanbulu Yunupingu - grandson of Yothu Yindi lead singer Mandawuy Yunupingu.

Emma Donovan, 29, of Melbourne, said Hidden Republic featured a mix of classic anthems such as Yothu Yindi's hit Treaty, through to original songs by the artists.

She said the band was bringing Aboriginal culture to a wide audience, while also helping to preserve it.

"I don't think a lot of Aboriginal music was scored before the Black Arm Band came along," she said.

Hidden Republic symbolises the spirit of reconciliation.

Tickets are still available for Hidden Republic, on tonight at Wrest Point at 7 o'clock. Ticket prices range from $50-$85.

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  • Article taken from the following publication: The Mercury
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