Play time turns into a family affair
MUSICand dance will be combined for an enjoyable and immersive experience at the Moonah Arts Centre on Saturday.
The performance will feature music composed by saxophonist Jabra Latham from his new album Play. It will be performed by Latham, violinist Emily Sheppard, violist Douglas Coghill, cellist Ivan James, double bassist James Menzies, pianist Amanda Hodder and keyboardist Madeleine Dyer.
Professional dancer and Latham’s sister Anaya Latham has choreographed pieces she will perform to the music.
“On the album I went for a certain vibrancy, but there are a range of moods,” Jabra Latham said. “For the performance I’ve chosen some of the more laidback, slower, expressive, lyrical and emotive tunes from the album, as well as a couple that aren’t on it.
“I like to write music that evokes an emotion that can excite or move someone.
“Overall I hope it will be simple, subtle and sophisticated.”
He said Anaya was keen to be part of the project.
“There were quite a few tunes she said she really wanted to dance to,” Jabra said.
“She said she found them emotive and inspiring. Anaya is an excellent dancer and choreographer. She trained with the Melbourne City Ballet last year and is looking to pick up some professional contracts in Europe.
“We have similar values about music and why we like to perform. This is the first time we have worked together on a project, so it’s really exciting.”
The performance will include the solo viola work, Aftermath by Emily Sheppard.
“It was written at Sarah Anne Rocks on the Tarkine/takayna coast in 2016 after large bushfires, and the coastal shrubs had burnt right up on to the beach,” Sheppard said. “Amid the blackness, I saw two tiny speckled eggs alone on the sand. Moments later, one hatched, revealing a tiny, wet, shivering mass, so Aftermath is about the strength of vulnerable new life against the odds.”
The performance will be at the Moonah Arts Centre at 7pm on Saturday.
Tickets are $25, available at the door or from www.trybooking.com/XCGZ