Samba Blisstas & Carnaval Drumming
Flaming Bongos! It’s the Samba-Blisstas! 
Thundering through the streets in their wild whacky costumes and riotous red rhythms, this silly syncopated street troupe will leave you sweaty and screaming for more!
 
The Samba-Blisstas are a 20-45 piece extravaganza of art on the move...

CARNAVAL DRUMMING is inspired and modelled on the Brazilian form of samba street Percussion. It originated in Perth, which now has the biggest samba 
movement in Australia , thanks to Paul Barrett , Richy Glasgow and Peter Kealan's, great work over a 20 year period ! Paul Barrett ( Musical Director and 
Founder ) moved to the East Coast in 2003 and hasn't stoped creating Samba Teams in the community's since then.. The group consists of many colourful members from the local community, Midwife's/Teachers/ Students/travellers/lawyers/Farmers/Bank Clerks/Mum's/Dad's ex Musicians who now have another outlet to show off etc etc ( the Samba Blisstas), Look out we are always keen to get back on the street or the stage soon and play at your event.. www.carnavaldrumming.com 

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The Jade Mirage
In 2006 Jade and Ashwara formed the dance troupe Mirage and started performing at events together in the Coffs Harbour area. Recently changing the groups name to The Jade Mirage their performance is an eclectic fusion of a range of different bellydance styles drawing from the Ghawazee and Bedouin tribes of the Middle East. Previous community events include the Orara Valley Fair, SCU multicultural festival, Relay for Life and Coffs Harbour museum Medieval day 2007/08. As well as having appeared at Harmony Day, the Bellingen Show and as instructors at the Bellingen healthy families expo and more recently at the Centro Opening in Toormina. Joined by local drummer Jamie in 2007, and accomplished vocalist Heidi Holland in 2009, they now offer dancing and folk singing with both recorded and live music. Focusing on a fun, folky, audience interactive style of performance, The Jade Mirage are an appropriate act for adults and families alike as well as weddings, birthdays, hen’s nights, business openings, etc. 

Jade 
Jade started taking Belly dance classes in 1999 at the Awalim School of Middle Eastern Dance and Percussion. As a mother of young children, Jade has particular interest in teaching children and teenagers and has taught both girls and boys at schools in NSW and Victoria. She began teaching adult classes in 2003 and children in 2004. "What I love most about this style of dance is that it allows dancers a great range of artistic freedom and is suitable for people of all ages, shapes and sizes. You can use it simply as a form of exercise to keep fit and healthy, a way of picking up a few moves to use on the dance floor or as a device to express yourself creatively" says Jade.
She has a great love of the folk style of the dance but also enjoys baladi, classical and American Tribal style. To further her knowledge of the dance, Jade has also taken workshops with accomplished international and national dancers. 

Ashwara
Ashwara first started bellydancing in 2001 as a student of Desert Flames School of Middle Eastern Dance (on the Central Coast of NSW). She has also studied with the founder of the Sydney Middle Eastern Dance Festival, Leonie Sukan famous for her Turkish Gypsy style of bellydance. After moving to the Mid North Coast of NSW Ashwara was drawn towards Shaabi, the Folk style of the dance. Ashwara’s passion for her dancing has led her to develop her own style. –“Tribal Gypsy”. Inspired by the Industrial Bellydance movement, currently taking the US by storm, Ashwara’s earthy fiery style leads the dancer towards the heart of the musical piece and is a vehicle for self expression and an open interpretation of the music.
“The aim of any dance is the fusion of movement. I love the strength and power that the dance imbues especially when it is shared with other women. The language of the dance flows through the group resulting in a cohesion of movement that has such grace and beauty. A group of women dancing as one!”

Jamal
Jamie MacInnes is a talented drummer with an interest in Egyptian, African and Japanese drumming technique. He began drumming with local group Ashembe Drums and performs with the Jade Mirage belly dance and percussion group as well as providing drumming for the local medieval re-enactors, The Osprey Guard.

Saphira
Heidi Holland studied music at SCU Lismore, majoring in Vocal Studies. An accomplished musician and singer now for a number of years she became drawn to Middle Eastern music and vocal styles – perhaps due to her Egyptian Heritage. Heidi has been studying Middle Eastern Dance for a year. A multi talented performer she is a great asset to the team.

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Keogh 
G’day, My name is Keogh, I’m a local musician from Emerald Beach. At 16 yrs old, I have been performing around the Coffs area, playing at laid-back venues and restaurants up to high energy support shows at Hotels. I perform a style of Blues&Roots/Rock/Reggae..., with a repertoire based from my own original songs, and many songs from my inspiring artists such as The Cruel Sea, Xavier Rudd, Ash Grunwald, John Butler Trio, Jeff Lang, Ben Harper and many more. 

The style of music that I play allows for great variations; I can play cool ambient dinner music for relaxed Sunday afternoons, Friday nights, and high energy shows rocking out at Hotels. Whatever your needs, I can cater.  www.myspace.com/keoghmusic 

Hope to entertain you soon,
Keogh. 

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Punjabi Groove Masters 
The Punjabi Groove Masters (PGM) have been entertaining Sydney siders with their unique DJ style for the past nine years. They began their Roadshow at the turn of the century, when Sydney was in need of a new sound and style to the DJ scene. The dynamic crew is made up of Jimmy as the lead DJ, Indy as MC, technical and back up DJ.

The crew have gained vast experience in the last nine years, playing and being a part of major events in Sydney. PGM’s biggest highlight was being the promoters for the B21, Balwinder Safri and Silinder Pardesi concert in 2004. This concert had over 1700 people attend in Sydney. Other events PGM have DJ’d at include international acts to name a few: Bally Sagoo, RDB, Tigerstyle, Dr Zeus, DJ Sanj, Raghav shows, as well as participating in the regular Bhangra and Bollywood nights in Sydney.

Punjabi Groove Masters has encouraged the spread of the Punjabi culture to local Punjabi youth by participating in Annual Sikh Games and DJ’in at Sydney Sikh
Games Annual Dinner & Dance 2007 and Coffs Harbour Dinner & Dance 2009. Not only do we electrify our performances with pure Bhangra music but we incorporate a unique blend of western music with traditional Punjabi folk base. We have a strong commitment to providing all customers with an unforgettable performance.

We fully understand that customers only want the best and professional entertainers and that’s our promise to you. With 9 years experience among the group you can't go wrong with Punjabi Groove Masters.

Regards
Punjabi Groove Masters

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Sandy Gandhi of Byron Bay, Australia?s most easterly Indian! 
From Bangalore to Bangalow! 

Sandy Gandhi is the alter ego of Sandy Aranha. This mouthy, matriarchal voice of treason is not just a comic character; she is an intellectual IVF, a physical phenomenon that sprang from the madcap mind of her mentor, after a handful of stand-up performances and a role in a local play. 

Sandy Gandhi was formed on the life path of Ms Aranha. Born in New Delhi, India, to authentic Indian parents (not just hippies wishing they were Indian), Sandy spent the first 5 years of her life moving around India with her family until they settled in Bangalore. 

At 12, her family immigrated to Australia and at 21, she took off to London on the statutory ?overseas? experience, as a fully fledged travel agent.

She worked and traversed the globe, spending much of her time in Egypt and Africa, eventually hanging up her hat in Byron Bay, Australia?s most easterly point, making her, Australia?s most easterly Indian!

(Sandy currently lives between Byron Bay and Bangalow in Northern NSW.)

As a brown skinned woman in a white man?s world, Sandy has developed a particularly biting wit, which she uses to deconstruct the dominant paradigm. Able to perform a bullshit audit in seconds, Sandy?s ability to call a spade a shovel, is what sets her apart. This quality is embodied in the character of Sandy Gandhi ? alongside a certain social perspective married with a compassionate world view.

Ms Gandhi is a woman of indeterminate age. She is single, she is Indian, she?s very, very funny. She is usually amazed or bemused by world politics and human behaviour in general. Not many comics can successfully pull off character comedy ? the character needs to be 100% authentic or it can seem contrived and stereotyped. Sandy Gandhi is of the calibre of the great character comics: Dame Edna Everidge, Bob Downe and Ali G. (Sandy often refers to herself as Sandy G).

Sandy was a NSW state finalist winner in the 2003 International Melbourne Comedy Festival?s Raw Comedy competition, and is an annual guest performer at the prestigious Byron Bay Writers Festival. Here on the North coast, she is the Foreign Gossipondent Extraordinaire, and her humorous column, Enlighten Up, appears every Thursday in Pulse, the Arts and Entertainment section of the Northern Star newspaper. Her motto is, ?if it hasn?t happened, I?ll make it up!?

She launched her first book at the 2008 Byron Bay Writers Festival. Called Enlighten Up ? a literary  titterary, it?s a collection of some her columns and other musings, and photos.

Her most recent achievement was her climb to the Semi-Finals in Australia?s Got Talent in 2009. 

Sandy is much in demand for corporate performances and is a regular on the comedy circuit in Northern NSW and beyond. 

Sandy Gandhi wasn?t developed as a concept, she just emerged ? birthed on stage under the haze of a spotlight and the howling delight of an enraptured audience. The energy of Sandy Gandhi has meant that Sandy Aranha, softly spoken, attractive and petite, is often dwarfed by the massive character of the sari-clad satirist.

Sandy Gandhi is a refreshingly authentic character that breaks free of the usual stereotypes. The fact that she is an Indian playing an Indian is remarkable in itself (at last count, although an hysterically funny culture, Bombay has only one stand-up comedian!).

Sandy?s performance is grounded in the cultural perspective of the outsider. She is the Outsider, looking in, giving a fresh, light-hearted perspective to what we say and how we think.

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PRO CO Dance Production Company
Under the umbrella of Woolgoolga Dance Studio, Pro Co Dance Production Company exits & flourishes in the Woolgoolga Community.

The company, under the Direction of WDS owner Rebecca Ross, involves senior WDS students, teachers & professional dancers living on the Coffs Coast. All members were selected to be apart of the company because of their passion, commitment & love of dance. 

Pro Co’s 2010 show titled “Connect To….” was created by all members of the Company including guest artists & choreographers from Sydney.

The show explores the fusion & connection between lyrical, contemporary, tap, hip hop & break flavours of dance from a space of pure positive connection. 

This is the second year PRO CO Dance Production Company has performed at the Woopi Curry Fest, they will also be running workshop classes during the day.

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Coastal Beats
COASTAL BEATS are a Coffs Harbour based drum group, who play rhythms of their own creation, plus West African inspired beats. Instruments featured include Jembes (Jem-bays) and Dun-Duns, as well as bamboo flutes and assorted percussion. 
 
The group formed 2-3 years ago, from a regular drum class, which continues to meet every Tuesday, and welcomes new students at any time.

Led by Luke Rhodes, and with a range of long time and new members, Coastal Beats are about having fun and sharing the spirit of creating music together. 

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Headland
Headland is based in the Woolgoolga area and grew out of a fertile collision of diverse musical styles. They were all taken by the freshness, fun and raw energy that they found in playing together. They have a core repertoire of wild jigs and reels, Celtic and Australian songs and traditional ballads but also play grinding blues and original compositions and contemporary music. 
 
Headland comprises Kevin Tierney (guitar / mandolin / harmonica / vocals), Mark Feeney (irish flute / tin whistles / mandolin), Robbie Kirwan (lead vocals/ guitar), John Gallagher (vocals / guitar), Dane Clarke (Mandolin / Harmonica /, Vocals / Mandola).

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Bhangranights.
Bhangranights began as a team of 2 in 1997 with a main goal of providing the local community (in Brisbane) with an entertainment portal for people with similar backgrounds and roots to keep in touch with each other and their love of Indian music.

Since the establishment, 8 years on we have now grown to a group of 5 dedicated members who are passionate about our music and have shared that passion with over 20 000 patrons all over the world. Having travelled to London, Singapore, Indonesia, Auckland not to mention every capital city in Australia, we are an international professional outfit. Our official tour with Panjabi MC in Australia is a testament to our professionalism on the Bhangra scene.
 
Music production is our natural progression forward. We are confident that with our percussionists, musicians, dj’s, producers and drive for perfection, we will make our mark in Australia and put our country on the world map when it comes to Bhangra. Having being approached by record companies who are feeling the Bhangra wave, we truly believe that with the local talent available the right avenues and foundations have been set for a positive 2005 and beyond. The establishment of the Bhangranights website www.bhangranights.com in 2001 has provided us with an opportunity for the Bhangra loving community young and old to get together and see what we are doing to support the local and international community. It also enables up and coming event organisers to advertise their events to expose other community members about Bhangra music. This website also represents our level professionalism and support to the community as a whole.
 
Bhangranights is about a group of people who are passionate about the music. All over the world Indian artists, dj’s and producers have worked tirelessly to promote Bhangra. With the dedication and continuous hard work, we strive to be the first professional group who make people in UK, USA, Canada and India realise that Australia has got some great home grown talent. We hope that we are the start of that second wave. 
 
Bhangranights.

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BOOM…
Boom is a vibrant and multitalented Percussion group based in Bellingen, NSW. 
Their rootsy sound is driven by drums:- Djembes, Congas, Dun-Dun, Darrabuka, Bass and Toms. Melodic and harmonic spice is sprinkled in with bamboo flutes, vocals, guitar and Marimba.

Boom music is the product of a creative melting pot- a combination of original songs and grooves, ancient rhythms, inspired improvisations and funky flute rhymes. This is all brewed by five highly talented and fun loving North Coast musicians.
 
Boom have inspired listeners and dancers on the North Coast for many years, enjoying a dedicated, and increasing audience. They have proven their versatility, able to entertain in a cruisy café atmosphere or provide non-stop dance grooves, as was the case with the now legendary ‘Missabotti’ & ‘Behind the Curtain’ parties, the Wollumbin Festival and the nationally acclaimed Bellingen Global Carnival.
 
Boom are 5 vibrant and dynamic guys who are on the move. Established as the ‘in demand’ world-music and dance band on the Mid-North Coast, the Boomers are keen to bring their music to a wider audience. 
 
Boomers: Alon Schmuel, Darren Lee, Luke Rhodes, Phil Young, Justin Wilkinson.

“…Innovative, unique and downright sweaty tunes”
“That funky flute blows me away”
“I’ve never danced so much”
“Those Bellingen drummers just keep getting better”
 
Keep an eye out for this talented crew, and if it’s unique and inspiring music you want, for bookings, enquires and updates:  
Ph: 02 6655 0809 Email: boompercussion@westnet.com.au

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Music of Joy
Music of Joy play traditional Indian bhajans & other devotional music from songs of the spirit around the world. When these auspicious songs are performed & enjoyed in a state of though less awareness/ true meditation then both the performer & listener are lifted into the state of joy.

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