August 26-28th,1999

Ginger Root Records proudly presents David Blanasi and the White Cockatoo Performing Group

The White Cockatoo Performing Group performs traditional music and dance from the Top End of Australia, where the didjeridu originates. The group is on its second visit to the United States, its first to Southern California. This kind of traditional performance is rarely seen outside of Northern Australia.

The Ensemble:

Didjeridu virtuoso and master instrument craftsman David Blanasi is a Wugularr elder from the Miaili language group. He was born around 1930 and as a young boy lived on his traditional country at Kindirri in central southern Arnhem Land. David remembers learning to play didjeridu at an early age.

"My father used to cut didjeridus for me as a young child... little ones... and he used to play all the time. Sometimes we'd be travelling all the time from Arnhem Land, from Kindirri and I used to carry it with me."

Respected for his skills and wide repertoire with the didjeridu, accompanying ceremonial song and dance, David's knowledge and responsibilities have kept him busy and in demand throughout Arnhem Land for much of his life.

"People call David 'Bomb' because he plays the didjeridu very hard, straight out. No muckin' around!"

Tom Kelly was born sometime shortly after the second world war in eastern Arnhem Land. A Miaili man, Tom is a senior songman and virtuoso didjeridu player, well known for the fine instruments he makes. He has performed extensively overseas, and is now making his first appearnces as senior songman with White Cockatoo. Tom's dreaming includes the kangaroo and python.

Solomon Weston, dance captain, was born in 1959 in Katherine in the Northern Territory. He is a Miaili man and is known as a 'deadly dancer' among the performing artists at the Beswick/Wugularr community in S.W. Arnhem Land. He makes fine didjeridus and has performed extensively abroad. His dreaming is the Python/kangaroo.

San Diego Events:

Listen to members of the group on Thursday, August 26th at 6:30PM on KPBS Radio, FM 89.5, in "The Lounge." The group will perform songs and answer questions from listeners and host Adolfo Guzman Lopez.

the following live events take place at:
The San Diego Center for Moving Arts
3255 Fifth Avenue, Hillcrest, between Spruce and Thorn. 619-298-2687.

Didjeridu Workshop: Saturday, August 28th, 11:00AM. A rare chance to learn some didjeridu riffs from a traditional master. A basic knowledge of playing techniques is strongly recommended.
Admission is $50, advance registration is recommended.

Dance Workshop: Saturday, August 28th, 2:00PM. Members of the ensemble share their traditional dances.
Admission is $20, advance registration is recommended.

Concert: Saturday, August 28th, 9:00PM. Traditional song and dance from the White Cockatoo Performing Group. Admission is $20.