Riverbeats Live 2009

29 Oct 2009

Internationally acclaimed artists create one night of visually spectacular and outstanding free entertainment at Riverbeats Live, set against the picturesque Parramatta River at twilight on Saturday 31 October.

Parramatta City Council presents Western Sydney like never before when critically acclaimed artists from around the world take over the city for one night of free entertainment and music on Saturday 31 October from 6:45pm to 10pm.

Riverbeats Live is the premiere event of Riverbeats ’09. This world-class cultural celebration with an environmental slant innovatively blends music, multi-media projections, poetry, percussion pieces, fantastic light displays, and sophisticated theatre.

 “Riverbeats reflects Parramatta City Council‟s plan to provide more opportunities for international and local artists to flourish and to support Parramatta as a thriving cultural centre. Coupled with Parramatta City Council‟s commitment over the past decade to restore the riverbanks, we have been showcasing Parramatta‟s premiere feature for everyone‟s enjoyment, adding artworks, landscaping and walkways,” says Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Paul Garrard.

Riverbeats Live visitors can enjoy a delicious array of international cuisine at the fabulous Eats B4 Riverbeats on Church Street. Local restaurants are collaborating to get cars out of the famous „Eat St‟ zone of central Parramatta to make way for a feast of diverse dishes and pre-event activity.

The night will then kick off with a choreographed procession of more than 100 drummers, called the Big Bang Drumming Ensemble, leading to the riverbank and introducing Riverbeats Live. They will be followed by a subtle moving performance by Synergy Percussion’s new incarnation MOTH. Blending rhythmic beats with emotive text as haiku poetry by local and international writers is projected across the water, their evocative interwoven harmonies will be nothing short of Inspiring.

Synergy‟s sounds will seamlessly blend with The Translators’ vibrant fusion of flamenco and jazz, followed by AFI-award winning cutting-edge musicians and multi-media artists, Decoder Ring, producing a special re-working of their acclaimed, recently released double album. Decoder Ring has returned with a sound that contains more muscle and a touch of aggression. Further depth and detail have been added into their sound, widening their scope to cinematic levels.

Finally, Riverbeats Live ‟09 will conclude with the Blenders contemporary mesh of jazz and world music led by internationally recognised performer Dale Barlow, one of Australia’s most respected musicians. Staged largely on water, this finale performance promises an exciting mixture of global harmonies and irresistible rhythms to conclude the event.

Riverbeats Live is an initiative of Parramatta City Council, and one of five key streams in Riverbeats ‟09. Other events include Eats B4 Riverbeats also on Saturday October 31, Loy Krathong; a traditional Thai water festival on Saturday 7 November, the Water Project Symposium on Friday 13 November, and the annual family day Carp Fish-Out on Saturday 14 November.

EVENT DETAILS:

What: Riverbeats Live

When: Saturday 31 October

Time: 6:45pm – 10pm

Where: Parramatta River, Lennox St bridge

More information: www.riverbeats.com.au or telephone the Parramatta Visitors Information Centre on 02 8839 3311.

For images or interviews contact: 02 8904 0822, www.tjc.com.au Cassie Lawton | 0421 138 744 | cassie@tjc.com.au Trudy Johnston | 0402 485 902 | trudy@tjc.com.au