DAMIAN WRIGHT & JAMES HAUPTMANN: LIVE @ PIGEON LANE // Gallery ONE88, Katoomba.

ARIA-nominated Flamenco guitarist, DAMIAN WRIGHT, returns to the Blue Mountains in 2023 for an intimate performance alongside percussionist JAMES HAUPTMANN, at the Mountains' only speakeasy music venue, Pigeon Lane. Damian is regarded as one of Australia's top Flamenco artists, having spent over a decade in Spain fine-tuning his craft, presenting a thrilling blend of passion and virtuosity. Accomapnied by one of Sydney's most in-demand percussionists, this performance will is sure to inspire and delight . . . book now before it sells out!

DAMIAN WRIGHT & JAMES HAUPTMANN // Saturday, 29 April 2023 // Doors 6:00 pm // Tickets: $59.50 ea incl. tapas plate

Location: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, Katoomba. 186-188 Katoomba St, Katoomba

Ticket price includes a 1-course pinchos plate (tapas) // This is a seated performance // BYO alcohol // COVID-Safe Event. We recommend that you visit our good friends at Leura Cellars en route to GalleryONE88, who provide an exquisite selection of wines, beer, and spirits, including locally brewed beers from 'Mountain Culture' and ciders from 'Hillbilly'.

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/ DAMIAN WRIGHT  /

DAMIAN WRIGHT is an ARIA-nominated Flamenco guitarist. Damian recently released his debut album “Shifting Sands” (ABC Music), which was The Sydney Morning Heralds ‘Pick of the week’ which was described as “Glorious guitar playing”. Damian was invited to perform as a solo artist at The Rajasthan International Folk Festival, INDIA and in 2016 performed at The Shanghai Fringe Festival in CHINA. Damian’s ensemble BANDALUZIA was invited to perform at the biannual Adelaide International Guitar Festival curated by Slava Grigoryan & was a soloist at The Sydney International Guitar festival in 2017 & 2018. BANDALUZIA was awarded "The Pick Of the Sydney Fringe" at The Sydney Fringe Festival and performed at a sold-out Sydney Opera House Concert Hall as an invited artist to TEDX Sydney 2014. BANDALUZIA has headlined The International Gypsy Music Festival, Sydney, and The Global Carnival and is on Musica Viva's national touring program. In 2010 Damian received a development grant from the Australian arts council to study flamenco guitar in Spain with Pepe Justicia, where he spent five years. Damian has recorded with ensembles RASA DUENDE & THE TRANSLATORS on ABC/Universal and Jazzgroove Records, and his compositions have been played on ABC radio national and ABC Classic FM. 

"Damian Wright is a brilliant flamenco guitarist...Wright showed what a captivating solo player he is on his own "In Time", and elsewhere his articulation of complex lines was fluid and dripping with conviction" - John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald.

/ JAMES HAUPTMANN  /

One of the most highly regarded percussionists Australia has produced. James has had an extensive and diverse career performing internationally and nationally in various genres. Originally from Canberra, James studied Jazz at the Australian National University before arriving in Sydney and performing and recording regularly with Australian Jazz royalty, including James Morrison, Vince Jones, Dale Barlow and songstress Katie Noonan… James has also performed and recorded with acts as diverse as ARIA-nominated pop-rock artists Bluejuice on the Big Day Out Main Stage, Sydney and The Viper Room, Los Angeles to Javanese percussion masters and acclaimed flamenco artists from Spain. James has become a formidable addition to percussion in Australia through his extensive touring and collaboration with Bandaluzia flamenco. Yamaha Drums and Roland Recording currently endorse James. 

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/ THE EXPERIENCE /

Whilst many events promise a 'speakeasy' experience, no other venue in the Blue Mountains does it quite like 'Pigeon Lane', Gallery ONE88's live music quarter. Why you ask? Well, you won't find the entrance to this space on Katoomba's main drag . . . you need to take a stroll down Katoomba's 'Art Street', aka Beverly Place, and with so much visual candy on display, you won't quite know where you're going. Walking past the ever-changing tapestry of street art, rated as one of the 'Top 10 Things to Do in Katoomba' according to TripAdvisor, you need to find a green door at the rear of the gallery. Don't expect a big neon sign or a grand entryway though - it helps to bring someone who has been here before and keep your eyes peeled. Once you cross the threshold, you will pass through a peculiar ticketing booth, a quirky corner bar (although the venue doesn't yet have a liquor licence - so it's BYO) and enter Pigeon Lane proper.

Like the eclectic underground venues of Paris or New York, this space has antique chandeliers, timber floors and exposed brick, a small stage framed with red velvet curtains, individual tables, and plenty of artwork and vintage curiosities everywhere to pique your roving interest. The acoustics in this space are divine and the vibe casual, which is the perfect storm for bringing out engaging and emotive performances out of every musician that graces this stage. With the likes of Steve Kilbey (The Church), Jak Housden (The Whitlams), Eugene 'Hideaway' Bridges, Lloyd Swanton (The Necks), Sandy Evans (10 Part Invention), Paul Cutlan, Gary Daley, Trish Delaney-Brown (The Idea of North), George Washingmachine, James Greening and many more have played in this room, the quality of music is second to none. You won't want to miss a show here as there aren't many rooms like this. 

>>> To find Pigeon Lane, walk down Beverly Place in Katoomba, aka Art Street, and look for the Green Door at the back of GalleryONE88 (don't worry, you'll find us 😁). There's some parking in the lane and you can drop your passengers off at the door if you're feeling chivalrous.

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/ THE MEAL /

Victor Peralta is both a celebrated artist and an executive cook, who will be curating a dining experience like no other. For this show, Gallery ONE88 will be serving each guest a platter of mixed pinchos. A traditional dish from the North of Spain closely resembling 'tapas', 'pinchos' are usually eaten in bars or taverns as a small snack while hanging out with friends or relatives. Thus, they have a strong socializing component and in the Basque country and Navarre, they are usually regarded as a cornerstone of local culture and society. Dessert, tea, and coffee will also be available to purchase on the night.

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/ REFRESHMENTS & LICENSING /

Pigeon Lane is currently BYO only, however, has a dedicated cafe during the day and has an extensive range of non-alcoholic beverages, as well as fresh espresso coffee from Blue Mountains Coffee Roasters. If you're in the mood for a little dessert, Pigeon Lane has also got you covered!

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/ THE SCHEDULE /

Date: Saturday, 29 April 2023.

Venue: Pigeon Lane @ GalleryONE88, 186-188 Katoomba St. Katoomba

Doors Open: 6:00 pm

Pinchos (Tapas) Plate Served: 6:30 pm

First Set: 7:00-7:45 pm

Intermission: 7:45 - 8:15 pm

Second Set: 8:15-9:00 pm

Tickets: $59.50 per person, including a pinchos plate

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TERMS, CONDITIONS & CANCELLATIONS:

1. Tickets are non-refundable unless one of the following conditions are met:
   1. Government COVID-19 restrictions prevent Gallery ONE88 from undertaking this kind of activity or force the closure venue as a whole;
   2. ALL musicians are unable to perform due to feeling unwell or inability to reach the venue due to border closures or public health orders; or
   3. The venue has significant staff absences due to being unwell and lacks the capability to staff the venue.
2. Special dietary requirements must be specified at the time of booking otherwise we cannot guarantee all requirements will be catered for.
3. Tickets will not be refunded due to a 'change of mind' or failure to read the 'event description' fully.