Please note this event starts at 6.30pm, with doors opening from 6.00pm.

A hyper-groovy evening bursting with melody, magic, mystery, fun - and drums!

WAAPA's world-renowned Defying Gravity percussion ensemble takes you on a magical ride through an enchanted world of sound, rhythm and groove. Joined by marimba legend Adam Tan, you'll hear marimbas, vibraphones, gongs, waterphones and a kaleidoscope of exotic percussion instruments in this celebration of the joy of music.

Defying Gravity now celebrates 37 years at the forefront of percussion in Australia: over 550 concerts, more than 130 world premieres, four national tours, three international tours, numerous radio and TV broadcasts, and seventy-five percussion graduates who have gone on to establish full-time careers in music.

Defying Gravity mixes sparkling rhythms and seductive melodies with an astonishing array of percussion instruments from around the globe. Defying Gravity’s concerts combine exotic timbres with melodic beauty, drama, surprise, and the overwhelming power of rhythm… It’s been a thrilling journey through the world of percussion!

Guest Artist Adam Tan

Perth-based Adam Tan is one of the world's best-known marimba soloists. Through his international touring, creative compositions, and vibrant social media presence (he has over ten million views), Adam has built up a worldwide following. He'll star with Defying Gravity tonight, creating marimba magic by performing some of his best-loved works.

"A thundering success... white-hot intensity... a riveting experience in both sonic and visual terms... unfettered listening pleasure" - Neville Cohn, OZarts review

“Magic is exactly what this group performs. They’re not just artists, they’re sorcerers-extraordinaire!” - Steve Spain, Harambee Magazine

Opening the WAAPA performance will be the Enchanted Bells duo who will be offering free 'Come and Try' workshops at Armadale Shopping City as part of the community initiatives activated at the Armadale Arts Festival.

This event is presented by the City of Armadale and proudly supported by Lotterywest.