Chaika + Monique Clare & Joe D’Esposito

A wonder-filled evening with some of Australia’s trailblazers in original folk music as well as a special international guest and two artists Ingrid Bartkowiak and Shay Tobin, creating live art alongside the music. There will be pencils and paper available for audience member who might feel inspired to join in too!

Monique Clare (The Maes) is joined by American fiddler Joe D’Esposito (The Railsplitters) in a mesmerising collaboration that draws on their diverse influences. Dancing between rhythmic cello lines, powerfully vulnerable vocals and heart-tugging harmonies, Monique Clare is an award-winning cellist and singer-songwriter. Joe D’Esposito is a multi-genre fiddle player and improviser with infectious charisma. This duo brings together a shared classical training, obsession with fiddling traditions and a mutual love of Björk to deliver intricate arrangements of original songs and tunes.

Chaika
Melding the earthiness of folk, dexterity of jazz and the craft of classical, Chaika’s vast influences create superb genre-blending music that transcends labels. Described as “spine-tingling” (Rhythms) and “extraordinary” (Fine Music FM), the Sydney-based sextet create a multi-faceted kaleidoscope of sounds—a true culmination of compositional, arranging and improvising prowess, performed with stunning attention to detail. At home wherever appreciative ears assemble—from roots and folk festivals to the world-class environs of recital halls—Chaika surprise, thrill and move the unsuspecting listener in a manner simply referred to by The Australian as “enchanting.”