The day she finished university, she packed her guitar and set off to explore the world. She has spent time living, studying music and performing on the Black Sea, Moscow, Egypt, Spain, USA and has now happily settled in Australia.

The celebrate the release of her latest album “Golden Wreath”, Innessa performs a thoughtfully crafted concert of her new music, with the whimsical, enigmatic elements that are core to her style. Alongside her unique and multi-dimensional music, Innessa shares stories of an immigrant and her musical journey in a foreign country. For this performance, she will be joined by ethnic multi-instrumentalist Benjamin Drozdovskii (balalaika, accordion and violin) and other special guests.

After experimenting with the sound for the last few years, Innessa found her niche infusing alternative folk with the Slavic influences of her cultural background. With four studio albums in her name, Innessa has performed at some of Australia’s largest festivals like the Canberra Multicultural Folk Festival and the Woodford Folk Festival and has, several times, been a finalist in the Queensland Music Awards.

For this performance, Innessa will share the evening with award-winning Indian-Australian singer Menaka whose original music seamlessly blends traditional Indian vocals with contemporary influences. When a deterioration of her health nearly claimed her vision, Menaka turned to songwriting for comfort. Since then she has gone from strength to strength, quickly becoming a stalwart of the Australian World music scene and delivering inspired performances at major events, and earning a Queensland Music Award for Best Song (World) in 2023 for her collaboration with Brisbane songwriter mou. On this occasion, Menaka will perform with accomplished pianist and singer and Meg Burstow, weaving a tapestry of sounds at the intersection of East and West, lending her incredible voice to music that seeks to connect, inspire and unite.

Menaka and Innessa share a remarkable bond through their music, each infusing contemporary genres with the vibrant tapestry of their cultural heritage. Menaka draws upon the kaleidoscope of India, while Innessa weaves the soulful melodies of Russia into her compositions. Yet, despite the geographical distance between their homelands, their music resonates with a shared essence of richness and warmth. It invites listeners on a journey that transcends borders, enveloping them in a comforting embrace that soothes the soul and celebrates the beauty of diverse cultures.

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/

7:30pm, Friday, May 24
VENTspace
23 Glenelg Street, South Brisbane
Tickets $25: https://events.humanitix.com/bemac-unplugged-innessa-golden-wreath/tickets
More info: bemac.org.au

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