Chisholm St is a live performance space on Wadawurrung country, Ballarat. We acknowledge the traditional owners of the land and recognise that their sovereignty was never ceded. Hosted by Bronwyn Blaiklock,

Chisholm St is an intimate foray into fascinating corners of classical music. This diverse series of concerts by regional musicians gives you a rare glimpse into creative music-making, up close and personal.

CHISHOLM ST: LAST TANGO

Sat 2 December is the sixth and final Chisholm St concert for 2023.

Joining me will be special guests Sarah Goodbourn (flute), Lyndon Kriss (guitar), and bandoneon player Stephen Cuttriss. Expect to hear Astor Piazzolla's signature fusion of jazz, Latin, classical and Argentine music, and a lot of it.

After the performance, stay for refreshments and to marvel at the new land-speed record that 2023 set. There will be the 2024 Chisholm St concert series to mull over, and plenty of time to celebrate the joys that this year has brought, from the tiny to the epic.

The performers

Stephen Cuttriss is one of Australia’s leading exponents of the mystifying and obtuse instrument, the bandoneón. Beginning its life in 19th century Germany, the bandoneón quickly became the quintessential instrument of Argentinian tango. However, its versatility is unmatched. Stephen brings to life the many moods and voices of the bandoneón - from traditional tango to Bach and beyond. And of course, the formidable music of Ástor Piazzolla! As a soloist, Stephen has performed and recorded with some of Australia’s most sensational classical music figures including the Nexas Quartet and pianist-composer Daniel Rojas. As co-founder and director, Stephen also performers regularly throughout Australia with the Mendoza Tango Quartet and the Melbourne Tango Orchestra. He has performed at numerous festivals across the country including the Orange Chamber Music Festival, Woodford Folk Festival, National Folk Festival, Lorne Festival of Performing Arts, MONA FOMA, Cygnet Folk Festival, Australasian World Music Expo, Queensland Music Festival and the Brisbane Festival.

Sarah Goodbourn studied performance and studio teaching at The University of Melbourne Conservatorium, with further study in Scotland and England. She has extensive experience playing in orchestras and chamber ensembles in Cambridge, London, Melbourne, Sydney, and Ballarat. She is a regular member of the pit orchestra for shows and teaches flute students across several schools in Ballarat.

Bronwyn Blaiklock grew up in Alice Springs. She graduated from the Elder Conservatorium (University of Adelaide) a lifetime ago with a double degree - Honours in piano performance and a Bachelor of Arts. Following that, she studied at the University of Freiburg on a DAAD scholarship. She has worked in the arts and music education industry for over 30 years, achieving high-profile activity in performing arts and professional writing across three states through work as a performer, artistic director, arts administrator, adjudicator, and educator. Bronwyn’s poetry has appeared in various Australian anthologies and she has read her work at festivals including the Newstead Short Story Tattoo, the Words in Winter Festival, Castlemaine Poetry Readings, Clunes Booktown and the Overload Poetry Festival. Bronwyn’s first collection, Etching my Initials, was published in 2016 by Melbourne Poets Union in the New Poets series. She is currently on the Board of the Ballarat Arts Foundation (BAF).

Bio for Lyndon Kriss is coming soon.

The venue

Seating
Bespoke reupholstered deck chairs and lounge suite awaits you, however, be sure to dress warmly as seating extends to an external covered deck and this is Ballarat, after all.

Children
Young children are welcome at Chisholm St, although paid ticket-holders have priority of seating. Children are welcome to enjoy the garden and cubby house during daytime performances.

Refreshments
You are invited to join the performers for refreshments afterwards. This includes wine, cheese, gluten-friendly snacks, light drinks, tea and coffee at no extra charge. You are welcome to bring a bottle of your favourite beverage.

Illness/Covid-19
Please do not attend if you are unwell. If you are unable to attend due to illness, we may be able to arrange a transfer of your ticket. Consider sending a friend in your place if you can't make it for any reason. Please use the hand-sanitiser supplied at the point of entry and maintain social distancing where possible.