Little Big Bang Brisbane - Africa meets Spain

Talkin the Drum presents:

The Little Big Bang - BRISBANE

AFRICA meets SPAIN

Mirrorball Ministries - West End

Friday December 19th 

Doors open 7 pm

Bringing together the passionate sophisticated flamenco music of Spain and the powerfully hypnotic rhythms of Africa.

Imagine a 30-piece African drumming ensemble playing the rhythms and steps of a dance choreography for a 15-piece Flamenco group!

Actually, no need to imagine, simply buy a ticket and witness first-hand this once-in-a-lifetime collaboration, bringing together the drums of Africa and the dance of Espania.

Add to this Australia's most respected flamenco guitarist, a killer cajon player, a passionate flamenco dancer, dance floor fire with Spankinhide plus Spanish Dj Afrodisea seamlessly bringing it all together - all in West End's latest and greatest venue; Mirrorball Ministries.

Wow! Are you ready for this?!?!

Featuring:

PACO LARA

With special guests Byron Mark on cajon and Sebastian Sanchez performing flamenco dance.

Paco Lara is an acclaimed flamenco guitarist from the birthplace and cradle of flamenco Jerez de la Frontera, Spain.

He started playing guitar at a very young age (8-years-old) and at a still tender age of 16, he began working, recording and touring professionally as a flamenco guitarist.

Embodying the unmistakable and genuine Jerez style of flamenco guitar playing, Paco Lara has toured internationally with several of flamenco’s most legendary artists- guitarists, singers and composers.

Paco has also been at the vanguard of Flamenco Fusion music genre and scene in Spain, with a couple of its most prominent bands.

Apart from being a formidable guitar soloist, Paco is also revered for his ability as an accompanist in the specialised world of flamenco singing (Cante). He recorded and performed with a number of flamenco’s most significant singers.

In 2017, Paco moved with his family to Australia. Here, he has performed as guest artist across the country with different flamenco dance companies in Perth, Cairns, Brisbane, Adelaide, Newcastle, Melbourne and at the Sydney Guitar Festival.

Recently, Paco performed at the Sydney Opera House with a sold out double show, and at the Adelaide International Guitar Festival - highlights of his performances last year.

Throughout his fruitful career, Paco Lara has recorded more than 20 music albums with some of the greatest flamenco artists in Spain and Australia, and in 2020 he recorded and released his first solo album called 'The Andalusian Guitar'.

BYRON MARK

Byron Mark is a professional percussionist, pianist and composer, who has established himself as an in-demand funk, flamenco, jazz, and pop performer both in Australia and internationally. Beginning with study in classical piano from a young age, Byron continued on to learn drums, percussion and saxophone, and has pursued specialist training on cajon in Spain and djembe in West Africa.

Having completed a Bachelor of Composition and Masters of Teaching, Byron regularly performs and composes for various artists around Australia, as well as managing and conducting high-school concert and stage band ensembles.

His current projects include percussionist and pianist for various flamenco ensembles in Sydney, including Paco Lara, ‘Arrebato Ensemble’ and Flamenkisimo. Byron also plays keyboards in the Frank Zappa show ‘Petulant Frenzy’, and keyboard/percussion in rhythm and movement ensemble ‘Jamestown Collective’. He is also well known for his unique ‘percussion station’ performance setup when playing in pop duo/trio formats – playing keyboards and percussion simultaneously.

SEBASTIAN SANCHEZ

Sebastian Sanchez, began his journey by taking classes at Simone Pope’s academy in the early 2000s. In 2008, he embarked on his professional career in flamenco by relocating from Brisbane to Sevilla, where he underwent intensive training with maestros such as Andrés Peña, Manuel Betanzos, Rafael Campallo, Angel Atienza, and Alejandro Granados for several years.

Sebastian has since established himself primarily in Europe, becoming a frequent performer at major flamenco festivals in countries like Finland, Latvia, and Russia. His talents have taken him across Spain, Germany, Australia, New Caledonia, Scandinavia, Belarus, Kazakstan, Russia, and the Baltic countries, where he has showcased his versatility as a producer, director, and choreographer. Sebastian’s creative endeavours include international tours with 4Flamencomen and the Spanish Cultural Event Poemas de Iberia, as well as co-choreographing the Flamenco Tango Fusion show of Tango Malena Story and Flamenco Capriccios.

With over 15 years of experience, Sebastian is also a dedicated teacher, sharing his wealth of flamenco dance knowledge and expertise through classes and workshops worldwide, carrying on the tradition instilled in him by his maestros.

SPANKINHIDE

Led by highly respected djembe player, teacher and maker, Elliott Orr, Spankinhide has become a much sought-after African rhythm collective, with active members in South East Qld and Northern NSW. Drawing their repertoire from both traditional and contemporary sources, Spankinhide brings a dynamic and decidedly danceable set of rhythms and songs that transform their audience from wide-eyed spectators into a heaving, primal, spontaneous dance floor of wildness! 

Having played headline shows at the Woodford Folk and Island Vibe festivals, Spankinhide continues their legacy of delivering world class performances. The members of Spankinhide are successful musicians in their own right, including the likes of Elliott Orr, Tsoof Baras, Oliver Jackson and Alister Murray. 

The very existence of Spankinhide is to fuel the fire of dance. Rich rhythms, driving doundoun melodies, crack and boom to fill the room! If you find you're not dancing, it might be wise to check your pulse - you may be dead!!! 

AFRODISEA

Xenia Lagune, or Afrodisea, is a vibrant force in the electronic music scene. She blends Afro, Latin, and tribal rhythms with downtempo and deep electronic beats, making her the perfect choice for this, the Africa meets Spain edition of the Little Big Bang.

Be ready to celebrate a set in which world sounds, driving percussion and harmonic vibrations meet on the dance floor, creating an unforgettable journey for the soul and body.

Growing up in a family-run dance school, music and rhythm have always been at Afrodisea's core. Her passion for global beats and connection through sound has taken her to some of Australia's most renowned festivals. She recently smashed it at the Earth Frequency Festival with Elliott, of Spankinhide, joining her in shaping a dynamic dance floor.

Afrodisea's mission is simple: to bring joy, connection, and freedom through music. Step into her sonic universe and let the rhythm guide you.

ZORMIWASA (meaning "come play music")

EPIC!! No other word quite covers this incredible performance. Under the tutelage of Elliott Orr, some 30 beautiful humans have been learning Sohko, a traditional Malinke rhythm of West Africa.

From complete beginners to Elliott's most dedicated students, some of whom have been studying with him and belonging to this community for 5, 10, 15, even 20 years, Zormiwasa willl blow your mind and hearts right open! 

This is the very essence of community! Many beautiful souls bringing their love of rhythm and dance into a collective moment of connection and expression. 

Come early to witness this true magic!

Sebastian Sanchez Flamenco Dance Group

Absolutely stunning display of ensemble flamenco dance. Choreographer Sebastian Sanchez leads his flamenco dancers with a delicate balance of passion and poise.

African Beats for Spanish Feet!

Zormiwasa and Spanish Dance Group Collaboration

Come early for quite possibly the most exciting act of the night!

A performance crew of approximately 50 beautiful people.

Sebastian Sanchez has choreographed a heavily rhythmic flamenco dance piece for his regular class attendees and Elliott has transposed it onto the djembe and taught this piece to his student body.

The dance steps, the clapping and the stomping of the Flamenco dancers will be echoed and amplified by the Zormiwasa ensemble. This is something new, fresh, not seen before and very, so very, exciting.

Mirrorball Ministries

3/126 Boundary Street

West End

Brisbane

Fully licensed so no BYO

Check out their website:

https://www.mirrorballministries.com.au/

Doors open 7 pm and the music finishes by midnight.

Tix through Humanitix where all profits go to humanitarian projects. 

First Release $20 

(until sold out)

Presale $35

On the door $45

Concession $35

Kids 10 - 17 yo $10

Under 10 - free