HARMONY on the Plains on Friday brought a huge and diverse audience to Moree Public School with equally diverse and cultural entertainment, including the powerful Lichi Percussion and Chili Drums ensemble.
The group, from Sydney and the Newcastle regions, showcased the history and meaning of time-honoured West African rhythms.
And audience participation plays a big role in performances.
Performers Lisandro Ambrosini on percussion, master artist Mohamed Bangoura, bass drum master Malin Sylla, dancer and percussionist Thierno Madjou Bah and dancer and choreographer Frank Adjei left audience members spellbound with a powerful performance from the Mande and Malinke traditions of Guinea and the wider West African region.
The ensemble brought authentic djembe and dundun music to the stage, paired with energetic West African dance, traditional storytelling and unforgettable performance style.
After Friday night’s performance at Harmony on the Plains, the ensemble conducted a workshop at Bank Art Museum Moree on Saturday morning, bringing together a large group of parents, carers and children eager to learn the age-old craft.
Mr Ambrosini, an Afro-Indigenous percussionist and cultural facilitator from Argentina, said Harmony Week celebrations in Moree were special.
Mr Ambrosini has trained across Mexico, Cuba, Guinea, India and Argentina, learning directly from West African masters such as Sekouba Oulare, Haruna Dembele and Bangourake.
He specialises in high-energy West African performance and interactive workshops that draw audiences into rhythm, song and movement.
“Harmony on the Plains was really beautiful,” he said.
“It was high energy, and the troupe really enjoyed it. Everyone was connecting with the kids and families, and it was a pleasure to perform and bring music to the people.
“The audience participation is beautiful, and people being involved in our workshops is beautiful as well – people were dancing and playing drums with us,” he smiled.
“Ideally, it’s perfect when everyone can get involved – it makes the energy levels so much higher.”
Event co-organiser Julie Rushby, from Tourism Moree, said Moree in one of Australia’s many multicultural communities.
“Australia is one of the world’s most culturally diverse countries, with people from more than 200 nations contributing to its identity, and Harmony on the Plains showcases what makes Moree such a unique place to live,” Ms Rushby said.
