WALA - is Life: A Journey to Ghana at Ballarat Trades Hall

  • November 23, 2024
  • Ballarat Trades Hall

    24 Camp Street
    Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350
Ticket Price (AUD) $0.00-$52.80 Buy Tickets
Description

WALA-IS LIFE — West African drum and dance ensemble brings to Ballarat a captivating cultural day and evening experience of the rich traditions of West African music, dance and stories from the ´Ga-Dangme´ people of Ghana. This program is a musical journey encompassing performances (children´s day show and evening show), traditional dance and drumming workshops for all ages and abilities, providing an insight into the rich cultural history and stories of Ghana, that is fun and highly engaging, that keeps you wanting more.

WALA means “life” in their local language and the perfection of the name becomes clear as they explode into their breathtaking celebration of the Ghanaian Spirit as they share their culture.


 

To end this fantastic day, WALA will present an explosively dynamic evening performance of 12 drums, rarely seen outside of Ghana, played with hands, feet and sticks, over souring vocal harmonies, flutes, and spectacular dancing and colourful traditional costumes. A repertoire of ancestral traditional polyrhythmic music, with jazz undertone rhythms of the Palm Wine and Highlife songs blended with original arrangements. The evening will feature supporting acts by Ballarat´s local talents Backyard Utopia and Sweet Mona´s Choir.


 

WALA has graced professional stages and festivals, as well as touring schools around Australia and internationally for over 23 years, sharing their culture where audience engagement is central to their performances and workshops, bringing communities together of all age groups. Their music is a blend of original and traditional polyrhythmic music in 6/8 and 4/4 time. The instruments they perform bring a unique sound to their repertoire and the music, songs, and dances are a homage to their ancestors and cultural history, depicting the life and soul of their traditions. The music stems from traditional roots, Palm Wine folk music, and Highlife rhythms, which are major contributors of contemporary Blues, Jazz, and the popular genre Afrobeats. 

More About WALA: https://www.facebook.com/WalaIsLife
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@WalaMeansLife


 

Evening Performance: 7:30pm - 10:30pm (Doors Open 7pm)

Price: Online Pre-Show $38 Full / $31 Concession per person.

Door Sale: $45 Full / $38 Concession per person. 


 


BACKYARD UTOPIA — Hailing from eclectically diverse musical backgrounds and notoriety equally curious and obscure in nature, Bec and Jamie amalgamated musical forces in 2023. Blending their collective musical talents on vocals and their common passion for banjo, the great musical unifier, Bec (Kora, Kamelngoni West African Harp) and Jamie (Banjo, Cigar Box, Guitar) infuse modern influences with ancient strings, generating an aural alchemy that is equal parts intriguing, contemplative and meditative.

Website: https://becmatthews.com/backyard-utopia/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565724296483
 


 

SWEET MONA´S CHOIR — Vibrant, harmonically magnificent Sweet Mona’s Choir is a Ballarat based gospel and world music choir of exceptional quality, famous for their world-class arrangements. For over 30 years, the “Monas” have continued to delight audiences with their energetic stage presence and stunning vocals. The choir focuses on a Capella and rhythm, and performs a range of gospel and world music. Their sound ranges from a rich, deep resonance to a lively, energetic tone, to haunting melodies that stay with you long after the performance is over. Sweet Mona’s Choir is a colourful and lively human music machine!

More about Sweet Mona´s Choir: http://sweetmonaschoir.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sweetmonaschoir


 

 

THE PROGRAM SCHEDULE:
Please book as soon as you can online as there are limited spaces. 
 


Kids Show & Drumming Workshop:  11am - 12:45pm (Doors open: 10:30am)
A one hour show followed by 30 minute drum workshop.
A fun and engaging show with a mixture of music, dance and stories, providing kids with an insight into the unusual instruments, learning how drums talk and their role in African society. Stories weaving in between the songs and dances performed. The kids will be invited to have a go in learning Aslatua and dance moves. The performance will lead to a climatic ending where audience members participate in a music jam with the instruments.

Price:
Family Pack  $49 (which includes 2 adults & 2 kids). Kids under 10yrs Free.
Extra Child $10 per/child; Extra Adult $20 per person / Conc. $10 per person
 


Adult Drumming Workshop (Beginners): 2pm - 3pm

A fun workshop where participants will learn the different tones the drums make and basic traditional rhythms that will build up to a jam session everyone will enjoy. Drums will be provided.
Price: 

$23 Full price / person( Incl. Drum Hire); 

$18 Conc. / person (incl. Drum hire).
 


Adult Drumming Workshop (Intermediate / Advanced): 3:15pm - 4:15pm

This workshop is ideal for participants who have experience in playing drums and want to learn a new rhythm. Drums are available or you are welcome to bring your own.

Price:

Full price $25 per person (Inc. drum hire); 

Concession: $20 per person. (Incl. drum hire)
 


Adult Dance Workshop: 4:35pm - 5:35pm
Learn how to dance Kpanlogo to live drumming, a traditional dance workshop for all age groups and abilities. You will gain insight into the story behind the dance, the meaning of the movements and symbolism. Please bring water to keep hydrated, comfortable and lose clothing, and joggers if you don´t want to dance with bare feet. 

Price:

Full $20 per person

Concession: $15 per person

Date & Time

Nov 23, 2024 11:00 am-10:30 pm

Venue Details

Ballarat Trades Hall

24 Camp Street
Ballarat Central, Victoria 3350 Ballarat Trades Hall