Awaken to a tapestry of world music, powerful vocals and a stunning fusion of exotic dance. Travel the sacred road and immerse yourself in the mesmerising rhythms of India, Spain and the Middle East. Experience the dynamic synergy of this captivating contemporary performance. Wholeness, celebration, unity
Nexus Caberet: Multicultural Arts Centre
Thursday 25th Feb 7pm
Saturday 27th Feb 3pm
BOOK HERE
Ekata Fusion Arts represents the collaboration of dancers from Sacred Tribe Dance Studios, Li Sula; world music collective and vocalist Bindi Blacher
Musicians
Bindi Blacher
Bindi Blacher is passionate about the human voice, in relation to performance, artistic expression, therapeutic applications, and as a connection to the Sacred. From initial training as an actor and musician, plus development through years of exploration and further training she has come to a deep respect for the scope of expression possible through this simple yet deeply evocative instrument.
For several years she ran a business “Sacred Sound; empowerment through voice” facilitating group voice exploration. She has trained in voice healing with Chris James, Middendorf breath-work and extended voice with Helen Sharp and John Howard of Body Voice Projects (Melbourne), and experienced the inspirational Frankie Armstrong in workshop.
Bindi is also an established South Australian musician/ songwriter, having performed for many years both solo and in local bands. Having released two cd's of original music, and achieved international distribution for her song “Down” (Peace Not War compilation album 2004) she continues to achieve recognition for her compositions, awarded recently with two songwriting awards at SCALA's 2008 “Festival of Original Music” competition.
Bindi has composed many works for theatre and dance performances, and performed as part of the Adelaide Fringe Festival '08 in “Luminous Women” and Adelaide Fringe Festival ‘06 with “Song- Scapes”, a series of improvisation- based vocal duets.
Stuart Haines
An accomplished & talented multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bouzouki, flute/low whistle, percussion, voice), Stuart classes himself as “Classically Untrained”. Being a self-taught musician, his intuitive & improvisational style creates uniquely soulful music & music for the soul.
As a journeyman through all different genres of music – Punk Rock in the 80s, Progressive & Indie Rock in the early 90s, Folk Roots in the late 90s, Jazz & World Music in the 00s, Stuart now finds joy in blending musical styles & genres, developing fusions influenced by Celtic, Indian, Arabic, Spanish & African traditions. Whether performing solo or with the Li Sula Ensemble, he brings a diverse & dynamic palate of sounds – which he coined as “Moorish” - to his performances.
Li Sula is a saying from an ancient Celtic language, the Ogham, meaning literally “delight of the eye” but translating more accurately as “experiencing beauty & wonder in the world.” This name fits fantastically well with the collaboration between the Li Sula Ensemble & Omnia Sacred Tribal Dancers, in weaving a powerful aural and visual experience.
In recent times, Stuart has performed with Nigel Martin at WOMADelaide 2007, at the Tour Down Under in McLaren Vale 2009, Fringe 2009 event “A Day on the Green” at the Aldinga Eco-Arts Festival, at the “Coda” exhibition & performance space for Fringe 2009 with cellist David Rose, with Omnia at the Mind, Body & Psychic Expo 2009, and accompanied Irish Singer-Songwriter Mick McHugh on his October 2009 tour. In January 2010, he will also be joining Heather Frahn’s Harmonic Project performance.
Maarten Ryder
Maarten is a gifted musician with a varied training and background in music. He is a member of Li Sula and has played in a multitude of classical, folk and jazz ensembles over many years. He enjoys playing a wide range of musical styles, including improvisation, on oboe, flute and double bass.
Anne Harrington
A respected and highly regarded doyenne of Adelaide percussion, Anne enjoys a succesful career teaching and playing hand percussion. Her mastery of a range of hand percussion instruments and playing styles blend well with Li Sula’s world music flavour. Anne is also the percussionist for Adelaide's own original, instrumental and eclectic seven piece band, Akoustic Odyssey.
Dancers
Omnia troupe members: Acushla Mkrtschjan, Tricia Catford, Cathy Phillips, Sonia Jewer, Julie Byrne
Cha’rismar chorus troupe members: Selena Morgan, Kaia Deville, Wendy Brown, Louise Wegener, Rebecca Cook, Acushla Mkrtschjan, Tricia Catford, Cathy Phillips, Sonia Jewer, Julie Byrne
Acushla Mkrtschjan
Acushla is Artistic Director of Sacred Tribe Dance Studios: Adelaide's longest running school to specialize in Tribal Style Belly Dance. She is the Director of the inovative fusion troupe, Omnia as well the larger Tribal Style Chorus Troupe, Cha’rismar. They are often invited to perform at Various festivals around Adelaide, Corporate affairs, and Private functions. Recently they performed at the Adelaide Body Mind and Psychic festival, Semaphore Music festival, Beautiful Birth Festival, SA Food Awards, and various private events at clubs and cafes.
Acushla’s dance training history includes Egyptian Belly Dance, Bharat Natyam with International performer and dance company director, Shakti Chakravarty, and has also learnt Flamenco through private tuition. For the past 7 years she has focused primarily on tribal style belly dance and has spent several years exploring her own fusion style, which is constantly evolving! Acushla has recently completed general skills and Teacher Training in American Tribal Style Belly Dance, under instruction of Carolena Nerricio and attained certification in teaching her world famous fat chance belly dance format. She has also learnt from renowned teachers and performers of Tribal Style, including Paulette Rees-Denis, Rachel Brice, Heather Stants and Devi Mamak. Acushla continues to travel, furthering her skills and igniting her passion for expression through dance.
Acushla is the creator of her own dance style: The Sacred Body Format. Her unique genre draws influence from Classical Indian Dance, Flamenco and subtle aesthetics from modern dance. She is now regularly asked to teach workshops in her format both locally and interstate. Recently she performed solo and taught her stylised dance form in Brisbane and Victoria and has been invited in 2010 to Tasmania and Sydney (Austalian Tribal Trance festival) to both perform and teach. Locally, she has been invited to teach workshops in 2010, for the Tertiary Dance Festival 2010, hosted by Ausdance SA, in partnership with the Adelaide Centre for the Arts and the Tertiary Dance Council.