The Aboriginal Cultural Showcase will be one of the biggest events running as part of the Tamworth Country Music Festival for the second year in a row. 

Last year the Cultural Showcase provided a stage for over 100 Aboriginal musicians from all over Australia to get exposure and to develop their talent through the program’s unique skills development workshops, and it is expected to be even more popular in 2010.

“With the Tamworth Country Music Festival boasting over 800 artists performing over the 10 days we think we’re running a great package with so many musicians just at the Cultural Showcase,” said Roger Knox, one of the organisers of the Showcase, also known as the King of Koori Country.

The Showcase focuses on exposing and developing the talent of new musicians but also boasts a long list of iconic Aboriginal musicians who will be taking a various roles throughout a weeklong program in the lead up to the Finale, performing in “unplugged sessions”, mentoring, tutoring and running master classes.

“Aboriginal people have a lot of natural talent and we are proud to be able to help some young up and comers along and give them a good start in the industry,” said Roger Knox.

The Showcase culminates in the Showcase Finale, this year to be held on 23 January and what a line up it will be.

The Finale will feature some the best new Aboriginal musicians “uncovered” during the 2010 Festival, as well as a huge billing of Aboriginal musical icons including Jimmy Little, Archie Roach, Ruby Hunter, Roger Knox, Auriel Andrew, Johnny Huckle, Buddy Knox, Shaz Lane, Charlie Trindall, Mark Atkins, Kevin Bennett and Dale Robert Huddleston.

Up and coming artists will be singing their hearts out, and sweating it out in the master classes to secure one of the coveted spots, with those currently registered for the Showcase coming from as far away as Perth and the Torres Strait.

Tickets for the Finale show, to be held at 2pm on 23 January at the Tamworth Capitol Theatre, are available through Tourism Tamworth for $15 - $25.

The Annual Cultural Showcase’s weekday shows will run from Monday 18 to Friday 22 January at the Tamworth PCYC and with the exception of the Finale, all shows will be by gold coin donation entry. 

The organisers gratefully acknowledge the Indigenous Cultural Support program which has provided funding to support the event. 

Enquiries can be directed to Steve Blanch on (02) 6766 4645 or Joanne Stead on (02) 6701 9020.
 

Thanks to Josh at Street TV

Thanks to Josh at Street TV

Preparations are now underway for the 2010 Cultural Showcase, with some exciting developments and new opportunities for artists. You can nominate to perform, have a market stall or sign up as a volunteer.

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Aboriginal culture,music and talent from carbon on Vimeo.

Intune Interactive host EJ Garrett pay a visit to the Aboriginal cultural showcase at the Tamworth Country Music