When Music Plays...

Mara Kiek's expressive and compelling voice evolved in tandem with the discovery and inspiration offered by the many cross-cultural connections and collaborations in her career. For over 40 years, Kiek's ARIA winning band MARA! has been a platform for presenting music of many culturesparticularly those of the Balkanslayered with its members' international credentials in the worlds of jazz, classical, improvised and original music.

Long-term MARA! member and composer Paul Cutlan is studying this cross-cultural, stylistic hybridity in his PhD research. As part of his Creative Practice output, Cutlan has composed a cycle of songs, to poems in some of the languages which have helped shape MARA!'s cross-cultural journey. 'When Music Plays...' traces a narrative of love, the emotive potency of music, fallibility, and the healing power of reflection. The language of each poem offers a different lens through which to appreciate life and the worldeach offering its own imagery and 'music'. For this project, the MARA! quintet is joined by the emotive beauty of a string quartet, creating a transportive and expressive palette of sound.

Musicians

Mara Kiek | vocal & percussion)

Llew Kiek | guitar & bouzouki

Sandy Evans | soprano & tenor saxophones

Paul Cutlan | composer, clarinets & alto flute

Lloyd Swanton | double bass

Liisa Pallandi | violin

Riikka Sintonen | violin

Beth Condon | viola

Oliver Miller | cello

Photo of Mara Kiek by Tomas Pokorny

Photo of Paul Cutlan by Camille Walsh

This event is presented by the School of the Arts & Media with assistance from the Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab.

FAQ's

GETTING TO UNSW

Click here for information on getting to UNSW including maps and public transport details.

Public transport and parking

The Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab is easily accessible via public transport and the closest light rail stop is UNSW Anzac Parade (L3 line). For more information please call the Transport Infoline on 131 500 or visit transportnsw.info.

Free parking is also available in the Barker St Car Park (Gate 14) from 5.30pm. For access to free parking, event patrons must park in the UNSW Permit Holder bays, available on all levels. The Barker St Car Park (Gate 14) parking station is located here.

Paid casual and visitor parking is offered via the CellOPark App and pay by plate meters in all other UNSW car parks. For more information head here.

Food and Retail

The Creative Practice Lab has a fully stocked bar. Feel free to drop by and have a drink and a snack before your performance.

We are also right across the road from a range of food and drink outlets, including an IGA Supermarket. Click here for more on what's available.

ACCESS

Wheelchair Access

The Creative Practice Lab is located at UNSW Sydney's Kensington campus. The closest accessible drop-off point to the venue is a lift accessible underground carpark opposite the building. Access via Gate 2, High Street and turn right at the round about. Vehicles can drop off patrons directly in front of the venue or proceed to the underground carpark to the right which is a 200 meter walk approximately.

More information on getting there can be found via our interactive accessibility map available here.

Hearing Loop

The Creative Practice Lab has hearing assistive technology available. Patrons wishing to utilise this service must collect a RogerTM inductive neck loop receiver from the venue staff, and this system can be used with a hearing aid or cochlear implant with a T-coil, or with headphones. Please advise if you require the use of the hearing loop before arrival.

CONTACT

For all the other enquiries, please email [email protected] or call the Creative Practice Lab on 02 9348 2313.

The Creative Practice Lab is happy to receive phone calls via the National Relay Service. TTY users, phone 133 677, then ask for 02 9348 2313. Speak and Listen users, phone 1300 555 727 then ask for 02 9348 2313. For more information on all other relay calls visit here.