20 SEPTEMBER

With their latest seventh album, Nightjar, ARIA Award winners The Vampires mark a watershed in their 15-year career, making them one of Australia’s most acclaimed acts. Melding saxophone and trumpet intricate melodies and expansive groove soundscapes into their austral-facing jazz textures, they effortlessly capture the essence of their genre-hopping ethos into an immersive musical experience.

Critics have hailed their music as "phenomenal" (Downbeat), "a masterpiece" (The Australian), "seductive" (Jazzwise), and "a relaxed sound journey" (Jazzthetik, DE).

The Vampires’ music is a visceral experience, deeply rooted in the expansive landscapes of Australia. Their sound is a blend of influences, shaped by their admiration for The Necks and enriched by collaborations with artists including Chris Abrahams, Lionel Loueke, Shannon Barnett and Dave Rodriguez (Godtet). This deep connection to their musical roots is evident in every note, showcasing their ability to merge composed and improvised parts seamlessly, creating a hypnotic flow that captivates listeners.

Supported by a rich history of performances and accolades, The Vampires have established themselves as a formidable force around the world. They have played at renowned venues and festivals including A Love Supreme Jazz Festival (UK), Enjoy Jazz Festival (DE) and all the major jazz festivals in Australia. Their music continues to evolve, pushing boundaries and captivating audiences with its unique blend of beautifully constructed melodies and hypnotic grooves.

Jeremy Rose: tenor saxophone
Nick Garbett: trumpet
Noel Mason: bass
Alex Masso: drums, electronics

31 OCTOBER

MY CREATIVE LIFE AND WORLD INSPIRED BY NATURE

An evening of adventure in sound, word and image with the multi-award-winning and world-renowned composer and artist, Edward Cowie.

During the evening, Edward will not only share the intimate and often astounding passage of his life and imagination, but also a time journey of creation stretching- back 2 billion years from the moment life on earth began to ‘sing’ and sound.

He believes that all artistic creation is born from Nature itself and feels that the evolution of his Art (and most of you out there too), is a natural phenomenon. The evening will resound with the songs of birds; the movement of water; the singing of winds and volcanos; the choruses of frogs and insects and the fabulous wonder of the human singing voice...

1 NOVEMBER

Elias Bartholomeo is an award-winning international touring Fingerstyle Guitar Player hailing from Sydney, Australia. On many occasions, Elias has been named the Best Guitarist residing in Australia, and his playing has been described as "Walking a tightrope between many genres all at once!" with a fearless and energetic approach to his live performances.

Elias embarked on his musical journey at the tender age of 4 under the guidance of his grandfather. Immersed in the sounds of The Beach Boys, Jerry Reed, The Shadows, Chet Atkins & Tommy Emmanuel, Elias was inspired to emulate their mastery. Despite being self-taught and unable to read music, he honed his craft through ear training and collaboration with fellow musicians.

At 16 years old, Elias had the opportunity to live out his dream and perform alongside Tommy Emmanuel in the Maui Cultural Arts Centre, Hawaii - an experience that further fueled his passion for music.

5 NOVEMBER @ 7:30pm

A presentation of spoken commentary, complementary visuals and musical interludes for solo viola and viola with piano.

Presented by Robert Harris (viola) with Robyn Bradley (piano).

21 - 29 NOVEMBER

Winner of three Tony Awards, Next to Normal is a musical with a story centering on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family.