A deeply personal and transformational performance grounded in Chiho Kagawa’s own experience wandering the edge between life and death.

Born and raised in Japan, when Chiho moved to Australia, a new life began for her. Years later, following a terminal cancer diagnosis and a stint in palliative care, against all odds Chiho miraculously recovered, emerging to find everything from her past—her former partner, family, friends, work–had vanished, and what remained was the voice of her soul.

Drawing upon sounds and sensations that echo from soul memories of her time in China, Mongolia, Okinawa, India and Hawaii, the performance blends improvisation, storytelling, poetry, and ceremonial prayer to tell the story of one soul’s reset. It brings the audience into a shared space where voices that transcend borders and cultures converge, a place to feel and remember that the soul carries no labels.

Chiho Kagawa is a multi-instrumentalist who plays the Okinawan sanshin, the erhu (Chinese violin) and is the only Armonica (aka Glass Harmonica) player in Australia. Her compositions are often meditative and she regularly uses music as a pathway to healing.

Daniel Philippe is a pianist, composer and educator whose work stylistically ranges from ambient to jazz and funk, with a strong interest in improvised performance. He recently completed a research thesis on ‘inter-cultural collaborations in improvised music of different spiritual traditions’.

Toshi Yoshida is an Awa Odori dancer and musician with Tensui Australia, the first formally established Awa Odori team in Southeast Queensland. He sings and plays a variety of instruments, including the Taiko and Shinobue (bamboo flute).

Yuki Taniguchi is a Japanese Butoh dancer, who learned from Yoshito Ohno at Kazuo Ohno dance studio, and later from Seisaku and Yuri Nagaoka. She studied Psychology and Yoga in San Francisco, and trained in yoga, Dhrupad music and martial dance Chhau in India. Based in Brisbane since 2012, Yuki creates performances and teaches Butoh, and has appeared at numerous festivals and events Woodford Folk Festival and BrisAsia.

Presented in partnership with VENTspace.

About BEMAC Unplugged

BEMAC Unplugged is a series of shows that recreate the intimate vibe of BEMAC’s shows at Yungaba, showcasing diverse talent and inviting cross-cultural collaboration. For more information about BEMAC’s program of upcoming events, visit bemac.org.au/season/

3:00pm, Sunday 23 November 2025
VENTspace
23 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane
Tickets $25

We encourage all guests to use public transport. VENTspace is only a 5-minute walk from the South Bank train and bus stations, serviced by many routes. You can find more info about how to get there at https://jp.translink.com.au/plan-your-journey/journey-planner

Photo: Ange Costes Photography