Nexus Live Series to Warm Cool Hearts this Winter

Nexus Live Programmer Ross McHenry says that he is “excited to present this season of music because I believe that these artists offer a unique and important voice that deserves to be amplified by our series.” In the first performance on May, 7 local Ghanaian musicians Bortier Okoe and Dada Nii and the Damushi Ensemble will launch Okoe’s new album Dzeng Sane. Okoe, who recently launched his album in Ghana and performed at WOMADelaide in 2015, is a highly respected composer, drummer, instrumentalist and singer. Saturday, June 4 will see an enchanting performance of traditional Sikh music from Dya Singh, one of the world’s foremost experts in the genre. Having travelled the world playing concerts and festivals as well as releasing a staggering 26 albums, Singh has established himself as a pioneer of spiritual world music. Singh will also be joined by Adelaide’s own Afghan singer Farid Drokshan. On July 2, Nexus Live will be graced by the performances of three crucial indigenous singer-songwriters. Emily Wurrumara, who hails from Groote Eylandt in the Gulf of Carpentaria will bring a mix of English and Anindilyakwa, a language only spoken in her home island. Gunditjmara/Gunai artist Corey Theatre will also put forward a blend of Koori and European backgrounds, while Wongai woman and fellow South Australian Vonda Last will showcase her own contemporary music. Each performance promises to warm audience members’ hearts in the cooler part of the year, where events such as these are not always obvious to the general public. McHenry notes that “Adelaide is rightly revered for its February – March festival season but the reality is that a lot of people don’t know the depth and quality of culturally diverse performers who practice their craft in South Australia year round.” Nexus Live First Saturday of every month, May 7, June 4 and July 2 Nexus Arts, Lion Arts Centre, Corner of Morphett St & North Terrace nexusarts.org.au