Australian musicians close UWRF with a bang

Australian musicians ALPHAMAMA (Anita Meiruntu) and Ben Walsh thrilled audiences at the Ubud Writers and Readers Festival with their closing performances Sunday night.

ALPHAMAMA is a highly influential producer, performer and musician in Australia’s music scene and through her original musicality and passion, ALPHAMAMA is constantly pushing the boundaries of creative expression. Having recently toured Australia and Indonesia, her fan base is rapidly growing.

Ben Walsh is known as one of Australia’s most accomplished percussionists, performers and composers and has been touring professionally since the age of 18. He has made music for dance performances, the circus and film. Last Sunday he collaborated and performed with a number of local percussionists whose performances blew audiences away with their explosive creativity.

ALPHAMAMA and Ben Walsh’s performances at Ubud’s ARMA Museum were proudly supported by the Australian Embassy Jakarta as part of the embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014.

Australian Ambassador to Indonesia Greg Moriarty said he was pleased to support the festival’s closing performances of ALPHAMAMA and Ben Walsh in Ubud.

“The talent and musical depths of both artists showcase the best of what contemporary Australia can offer and I hope the musical collaborations created during this festival will further strengthen the cultural understanding and creative connections between our two countries,” Ambassador Moriarty said.

The Australian Embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program 2014 runs from March through to November and includes music, visual art exhibitions, dance, literature, textiles, sport and a science and innovation seminar series. The program also includes arts residencies and exchanges involving artists from both countries.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is supported by the Australian Government through the Australian International Cultural Council, an initiative of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

The Arts and Cultural Program 2014 is generously supported by the ANZ Bank, the Australia-Indonesia Institute, Queensland University of Technology, Curtin University, Deakin University, Ernst and Young, Flinders University, Macquarie University, the University of New South Wales, the University of Queensland and the University of Tasmania.

The Australian Embassy’s Arts and Cultural Program is also supported a performance of Ontosoroh by Australian dancer and choreographer Ade Suharto and Indonesian vocalist and composer Peni Candra Rini on 4 October at this year’s Ubud Writers and Readers Festival.

Media Enquiries:
Sanchi Davis, First Secretary (Cultural) tel. (021) 2550 5260 mob. 0811 959 0304