Kuranda is home to a wide and varied community of entertainers, including music, mime, magic and circus. Kuranda also has the a wonderful open air venue - The Kuranda Amphitheatre.
Deb & the Moonbear
This unique duo creates a full and dynamic sound through rich
vocal harmonies accompanied by the mandolin and dobro.
Equally at home with folk, pop and blues styles, and have a big sound for a duo.
Debbie Robinson is the lead vocalist of the duo. Her
professional vocal style developed through years of vocal
training followed by experience in rock, country and folk bands,
as well as solo appearances for the Irish community in Sydney.
Miguel Trapaga has worked in many aspects of music including
live bands, duos, session musician, film composer and musical
director for the Q theatre, Sydney. Film credits include World
Around Us, Compass, Watch This Space and The Movie Show.
Contact: Debbie Robinson for bookings
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 7478
Mobile: +61 (0)407 553 039
Email: nvrmd@hotmail.com
Website: www.reverbnation.com/debthemoonbear
Trish Molloy
swing/blues/deep
folk/burlesque
Singer, songwriter and instrumentalist, Trish Molloy has
been
performing professionally since 2008, and playing stages and
festivals of North Queensland since
early 2010 with her
original swing, old time blues, deep folk, Romany and
burlesque-style music. Inspired by catchy tunes and a deep
love of story, and giving
an original flavour to established
musical traditions, Trish also performs with
various performing
artists and musicians in In The Wild Wood.
Commissioned
to score, direct and perform the music for
The Kurandacoots 2010 physical
theatre production
The Red Ball, Trish is forever writing for more recordings,
live
performances and a new Kurandacoots project 'tHeBeast',
premiering at Cairn’s Jute Theatre in
November 2011.
Contact: Trish Molloy
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9043
Mobile: +61 (0)428 284 305
Email: ttmolloy@gmail.com
Wesite: www.inthewildwood.kurandacoots.com
Kurandacoots
A new home-grown circus theatre troupe, Kurnadacoots, explode onto the Far North's arts scene. Kurandacoots have emerged fromthe famous Kuranda village in the rainforest. The nine local artists, musicians and performers have joined forces to bring a new form of theatre to Far North Queensland audiences. The group includes a troupe of traditional circus performers, who have combined forces with theatre producers and musicians to develop a circus show which defies convention:
THE RED BALL.
The group will showcase local talent, and provide an opportunity for Kuranda artists of all walks to collaborate in developing a new style of performing arts. The troupe is growing to include poets, musicians, songwriters, visual artists, actors and theatre producers.
The Kurandacoots want to reinvigorate the Kuranda arts community with opportunities for artists to work collaboratively, and to cross-pollinate through performing arts projects. "We're really excited to be putting on our first show," says Kurandacoots spokesperson, Piers Freeman. "We've been training together for a year and a half now, and there is a fantastic creative energy in the troupe that is taking the show into some really interesting directions. It's such an eclectic group and between us we have all kinds of skills, there are acrobats, clowns, jugglers, pole dancers, silk and stilt performers, hoolahoops, poets, musicians. The show really has something for everyone."
The Kurandacoots had their big debut, with the launch of their
premiere performance The Red Ball, in Yungaburra on
12th November 2010, Atherton on 13th November 2010, and then
on their home turf of the Kuranda Amphitheatre Understage on the
19th & 20th November 2010.
The Red Ball - A show designed to instil a macabre but saucy,
morbid yet silly ambience. The Kurandacoots create an experience
which will titillate, seduce and devour audiences. The show's primary
function will be to engender laughter and improve the humours,
whilst concealing a sinister plot to spread contagion as the basis of a
zombie nation. Come squirm in your seats; sing along, laugh and
chair-dance at the Red Ball.
"The Red Ball is side-show, circus, theatre, and dance woven
together with poetry and dance and an original score by local
musicians. It's funny, dark, ridiculous and tragic, but mostly a
whole lot of fun for performers and audience alike." Piers Freeman.
The Red Ball was supported by the Tablelands Regional Council
who
have provided a grant which got the show rolling, and the
Kuranda Amphitheatre Society who have provided fantastic ongoing
support and
accommodation.
Email: kurandacoots@gmail.com
Website: www.kurandacoots.com
LuLu La Bent (Louise Kohn)
Lou is a member of the Kurandacoots. The skills that Lou
has polished through working with the circus in
Kuranda
are an awesome combination of high flying silk and pole
acrobatics and a seriously ridiculous degree of contortionism.
Lou’s
intensely disciplined training regime and her enthusiasm
and love for
circus and performance has given her body
bending skills that are truly mind bending to watch. Lou brings
a whole new meaning to the word
‘headstands’ and is most
comfortable when flying with intricate balance
up a silk, down a
pole, or in various poses on someone else’s hands,
feet,
shoulders or yoga mat.
Lou is also a professional clothing designer and tailor, producing
her own line of clothing as well as an ever expanding wardrobe
of
extravagant costumery.
Skills include acro-yoga (body balancing), Trapeze, Lira, Pole
dancing, Silks, Costume design, Dress making, Fashion.
Joelle Baines
Joelle has been been a Circus Arts Practitioner since her
debut at
age twelve, when she was chosen to participate
in Circus Arts North
(a.k.a Childrens Activity Group). She
has worked under the mentorship of
two leaders of Circus
Arts movement in the Far North Queensland - Ian Reece
and
Jenny Sader. Her performances include the Yungaburra
Folk Festival,
Wallaby Creek Folk Festival, Ingham Italian
Festival, the Atherton and
Malanda Shows as well as many
corporate and private events.
Skills include street performing, stilt walking, roving characters,
sautéing, unicycling, juggling, poi, balloon sculpting and face
&
body painting.
Email: sincerityair@gmail.com
Barry Farlow
Saxophone and Flute - Solo
Brazillian bossa nova, latin, jazz standards to soul and blues. Currently teaching saxophone, flue and clarinet part-time in Kuranda, Cairns and Atherton. Also performing with Cairns
band, “Cool Change”.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9545
Mobile: +61 (0)407 132 306
Email: barryfarlow@yahoo.com.au
Website: www.barryfarlow.com
Bosko & Honey
Bosko & Honey are a non-professional ukulele duo
and married couple
based in Kuranda, Queensland,
Australia.
They like to travel the world on
"Ukulele Safari", using internet
video to share their
musical experiences with others.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 7179
Mobile: +61 (0)423 211 452
Email: bosko@spots.com.au
Website: www.ukulelesafari.com
Chronic Haze
Alternative/Rock/Pop - Band
Formed in early 09, they have since released their debut
album "Under
the Halo", won numerous band competitions
leading up to playing on the
big stage at the 2010
"TIMEOUT: DAY IN THE PARK" concert.
Phone: +61 (0)448 633 495
Website: www.myspace.com/chronichazerock
Dave Cooke
Covers/Originals/Roots - Solo
Available as an original act or as a cover artist with a
difference, Dave
has a large repertoire of material with
broad appeal including
classics, folk, roots, blues and
pop styles. His unique
multi-instrumental abilities always
engage the audience and always draws
the young and
the old in from the street. His second self funded album
'hieroglyphs' was recorded live over two
days in Kuranda
in 2010.
Website: www.entertainmentcairns.com/davecooke
Danny Simony
Comedy/Magician
My repertoire includes pantomime, comedy, floor-shows,
mime, magic, unicycling, juggling and stilt-walking. I have performed in many different venues including schools,
private parties, TV shows, festivals and kids' birthdays in
Australia and overseas. I perform as a wide variety of
characters including Charlie Chaplin, Clowns, King Neptune, Ulysses Butterfly, Goblin, Swagman etc. To see some of these characters, please check out my website below.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 7549
Mobile: +61 (0)407 937 549
Email: sannydimony@yahoo.com.au
Website: www.justpurple.com.au/danny
Davy Simony
Originals/Rock/Folk - Solo
Born and bred in Kuranda, Davy is an orginal folk/rock
performer. His music will suit just about any kind of
function and is available to perform solo and also as a
duo with double bass player, Jayden Williams.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 7549
Mobile: +61 (0)434 584 415
Website: www.entertainmentcairns.com/davysimony
Gudju Gudju
Roots/Acoustic/Reggae
Gudju Gudju (Rainbow Serpent) is a multi cultural band from the rainforest village of Kuranda, Far North Queensland, Australia. They promote cultural awareness through their soulful blend of roots and reggae music and inspired performance. The use of the Djabuguay language gives special power to their message as they sing about traditional and contemporary culture. Collectively they strive to help keep Aboriginal culture alive. Gudju Gudju performed at the Ainu Multi Cultural Festival in Hokkaido Japan, and have supported Bony M, Archie Roach, Ash Grunwald and Shane Howard and recently performed at the Kuranda Blues & Roots Festival, Yungaburra Music Festival and 'Caring For Country' Festival in North Queensland. CD's available with all original songs include 'Shores of Eden' and newly recorded 'Listen Up' album as well as 'Djalari' EP with three great original songs including 'One Vibe', Bada Nyiwul and 'Gindan Moon' Soulful harmonies, strong
rhythms, powerful visual performance & Djabuguay language....
The band includes Bertie Riley - Vocal, Guitar, Percussion and
Didjeridoo, Mimay Collins and Leah Kelly - vocals and guitar,
Dolly Brim - harmonies & percussion, Gail Betts - vocals & bass
guitar, Willy Brim - drums 'One Vibe' written and sung by
Mimay Collins 'Bada Nyiwul' written and sung by Leah Kelly
'Gindan Moon' written and sung by Gail Betts & Mimay Collins.
Contact: Gail Betts
Email: gudjugudju@hotmail.com
Website: www.myspace.com/gudjugudju
Harp Plus
A harpist playing for your guests is a lovely touch
for any wedding or reception.
Contact: Sue Jones
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9692
Email: yankesue@optusnet.com.au
Julia Brant
Julia Brant is one of North Queensland's most distinguished sopranos who is at home performing in the world of opera and
the classics as she is in the world of jazz and stage musicals.
She has a comprehensive repertoire that spans across many
and varied styles and languages.
Julia has a delightful engaging stage presence that charms audiences. Julia has performed in a variety of stage musicals, including her brilliant interpretation in the lead role of Lucy in
Frank Wildhorn's musical version of Robert Louis Stevenson's Jekyll and Hyde for which she received great acclaim. Over the years her press critiques have been glowing, describing her voice as "pure silver with an interpretive ability that is breathtaking."
Mobile: +61 (0)438 930 046
Email: jbrant@bigpond.net.au
Kassowary Circus - Kuranda Kids Circus
Kassowary Circus is based in Kuranda and holds
weekly classes for all school aged children.
Kassowary Circus is part of the Northern Circus Alliance
with full details at www.northerncircus.com
Contact: Justine Schlicht
Mobile: +61 (0)408 735 309
Email: jschlicht@bigpond.com
Out of the Blue
If you are into Jazz/Swing and love Shirley Bassey, Diana Krall or Ella Fitzgerald this talented duo will blow you away. Julie McLaughlin and Jim Black are two rare finds on the music scene. Some of you may have had the good fortune of being on a cruiseliner when they have been guest artists performing their headline 'Shirley Bassey Tribute Show' or maybe at one of our many resorts and quality venues throughout the Far North region. These versatile International entertainers have a play list of over 700 songs from smooth jazz/swing to modern covers and perform many songs in 4 languages. 'Out of the Blue' are available as a Duo, Trio, Jazz Quartet, Jazz Quintet & Tribute Show. International Cruising, Corporate Events, Weddings, Private Functions, National and Local contracts.
Contact: Julie McLaughlin & Jim Black
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 7668
Mobile: +61 (0)432 989
Email: outoftheblue@aapt.net.au
Website: www.outoftheblue.com.au
Paris Texas
Jazz/Funk/Swing - Band
Combining elements of Swing, Funk, Blues & Jazz,
Paris Texasare a band for all occasions. Led by
Gabrielle O'Shannessy on bass and vox with Mick
Porter on guitar and David Breeze on guitar and
bass this is one seriously funk-driven unit. Playing
classic standards as well as personal favourites
they throw in some world class originals to round
out one of Cairns's most exciting additions to the
live music area. Having formed in 2008 they have
played just about every venue in Cairns and played
some very high end gigs as well - a testament to their
professionalism and desire to push their art to the
highest level. After hearing these two guys and a gal
you would think that they had played together for eternity.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9083
Mobile: +61 (0)404 290 060
Email: durianluva@hotmail.com
Parley
Originals/Covers/Jazz - Trio
A funky trio for those smaller to quieter-type gigs where
quality is preferred to quantity.
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9083
Mobile: +61 (0)404 290 060
Email: durianluva@hotmail.com
Raconteurs
Originals/Ska/World - Band
Raconteurs - tellers of tales and sagas. That pretty well
sums up thisband of musical gypsies. Having formed
back in 2004 the group has been through every possible
highlight that one could think of. David Breeze on guitar
is again at the helm of this much loved band consisting
of Paul Francis on drums, and Jack Dunbar on bass and
to this they call upon various horn players to round out
their exotic sound. The recent addition to this unique
group is Paul Barton on keys.
Phone: (0)7 4093 9083
Mobile: +61 (0)404 290 060
Email: durianluva@hotmail.com
Website: www.myspace.com/raconteursfnq
Vikarious
Acoustic/Pop/Funk -Trio
Phone: +61 (0)7 4093 9394
Mobile: +61 (0)408 712 433
Website: www.myspace.com/zdenek7
Zennith
Roots/Indigenous/Reggae/Hip Hop - Band
Website: www.myspace.com/zennithboyz