Welcome

We acknowledge that this performance will take place on the unceded land of Mparntwe. We pay respect to their traditional custodians, the Arrernte People, and to all First Nations people.

Tango at the Roastery is proudly presented by Chisholm St., a concert series established by Bronwyn Blaiklock in response to the 2021 pandemic lockdowns. The six-concert annual series is an intimate foray into fascinating corners of classical music and features regional musicians and spoken word performers.

Just like at Chisholm St., this performance in the sweet surrounds of The Roastery Cafe offers a rare glimpse into creative music-making, up close and personal. Dine with friends and let us take you into the distinct soundscape of Argentina.

The program

This program illuminates key works of Astor Piazzolla, the Argentine tango composer, bandoneon player and arranger who revolutionised the traditional tango by incorporating elements of jazz and classical music. It includes one of his most famous works, Histoire du Tango, arranged for flute and piano. Written in 1985, Histoire du Tango attempts to chart the evolution of the form at 30-year intervals - Bordello 1900; Cafe 1930; Nightclub 1960; and Modern-day Concert. Be ready for joyous, sprightly interplay between the instruments and sensuous, memorable themes, however, tango-dancing audience members hoping to hear anything vaguely danceable had better be very supple indeed. Other works include some by Piazzolla's teacher and leading Argentine composer, Alberto Ginastera.

The performers

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 graduated from Ross Park Primary School a lifetime ago in the mid-80s. She later studied piano at the Elder Conservatorium (University of Adelaide), completing Honours in performance and also a Bachelor of Arts majoring in German and psychology. 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 Melbourne 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) and lives in Ballarat, Victoria. She frequents Alice Springs to visit family and recover from the long Victorian winters.