Sydneysiders revel in attending several events that promote art and culture and these seem to have only gained momentum after the pandemic. It’s indeed noteworthy that an abundance of local talent is being discovered and encouraged along the way, thanks to the patronage of the very generous and encouraging Sydney diaspora.
Here is an interesting event coming your way in October which is unique in many ways.
As you read this, an innovative program is being carefully prepared. It’s wrapped in love for the performing arts as well as in a much-needed consideration of the growing concern surrounding Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) in Australia, particularly among children.
On Sunday the 13th of October, get ready to witness Shakti Spirit, a concert that holds a special significance as it is primarily organized and performed by women, with a few male artists and companions of course. Being held at the Ashfield Townhall, this concert coincides with Navratri, a festival widely popular in India that is dedicated to honouring the feminine spirit.
According to the Australian Institute of Health & Welfare, approximately 13,200 children and young adults aged 0-19 were living with type 1 diabetes in 2021, a number that continues to rise.
Your attending this concert can give them a very precious gift: the gift of life.
Shakti Spirit – uniting art for a cause
This concert promises to be music to the ears for the connoisseurs of music, a source of entertainment for those looking to be out and about on a weekend and above all it aims to give back to the community in which we live and work. This concert is particularly special as it marks the first-ever collaboration between the renowned Australian Jazz artist Dr. Sandy Evans,an iconic figure in the jazz world and Jess Green, a trailblazing guitarist, composer and vocalist, Nadhamuni Gayatri Bharath, the transcending Indian Classical vocalist and Prahlad Iyer, an emerging Ghatam (an ancient percussion instrument) artist known for creating a sound that’s rich and eclectic.
This pioneering partnership epitomises the concert’s theme of diversity and innovation.
Event Details
Date: Sunday, 13th Oct 2024.
Time: 6 – 8 PM (Gates Open by 530pm)
Venue: Ashfield Civic centre, Ashfield Townhall
Tickets can be purchased using QR code from the poster or via the below link:
Ticket Links: https://events.humanitix.com/fusion-fest-raga-meets-jazz-for-a-cause/tickets
Use code Save15 to get 15$ off.
Sponsorships to this event are welcome. All ticket proceeds from this concert will be donated to Insulinforlife Australia.
For any help with booking tickets or sponsorship enquiries, please contact Swapna at 0451953045 or Meena at 0470520912
It’s rare to see a combination of Jazz percussion and Indian classical vocal so this extraordinary collaboration of Dr. Sandy Evans and Nadhamuni Gayatri Bharath, whose earnest desire was to create original compositions for the event, promises to be a treat.
The leading force behind this unique concert is Swapna Raghavan, a Sydney resident for the last 8 years since she moved to Australia.
Swapna is passionate about empowering artists through The Stage Foundation and is very keen on exploring new avenues to support them. The Stage Foundation is her brainchild and is meant to be a platform that combines music and philanthropy. Through this initiative, she not only aims to host events for a cause but to also create a vibrant space for local artists to collaborate and showcase their talents.
The program will also feature exceptional performances from various ensembles including:
- Genz, A talented percussion duo infusing vibrant energy into Indian Carnatic rhythms.
- Gen Alpha, One of Australia’s youngest & budding contemporary music band(Y4s) known for their classic renditions and a few original compositions.
- Fusion Concert by Shakti Spirit team
- Adimurai, a dying martial art form, showcasing a tradition that we are committed to preserving. This art is at a risk of fading into obscurity.
How you can help
For individuals with type 1 diabetes, insulin is as essential as oxygen is for those without the condition.
This concert is a result of The Stage Foundation’s efforts to support Insulin for life Australia which is a subset of Insulin for Life global run by volunteers who play a crucial role in acquiring insulin and distributing it to those in need free of cost. However, the cost of transporting this drug, getting clearance while ensuring that the end user is not charged is a time-consuming task. Many of those dedicated to this charity are brave volunteers who deliver insulin in war-torn areas risking their lives, often navigating landmines, to ensure that no child goes without the care they need.
Many of us are not able to go as far as these heroes but we can certainly help in our own ways. Join the Shakti Spirit on the 13th of October, and you would have contributed to insulinforlife’s life-saving humanitarian assistance program. You may even be inspired to learn jazz or Indian classical music, or you may want to try your hands at percussion in the near future: the possibilities are endless, but you can be sure to go back humming a tune or two and feeling the joy of having made an impact on many lives.
