"a world opened up on stage with the gritty edges all smoothed and polished to talk the real human story."
MATTHEW ZICCONE | THE MUSIC
Hip-hop collides with chamber music and urban dance in a multicultural ode to Melbourne – welcome to the new sound of our city.
Outer Urban Projects and MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir from Melbourne’s northern, western suburbs and beyond team up with Komninos Zervos, an iconic Australian performance poet and Mary Quinsacara – one of Australia’s first female emcees for a hip-hop/classical throw down.
A talented inter-generational ensemble combines to bring us an infectiously intimate show, fusing the primal force of rap, the power of dance and the timeless beauty of classical music, creating a powerful performance that is both instantly recognisable and utterly unique.
Telling tales of wealth and poverty, privilege and neglect, apathy and ambition, Urban Chamber – Beyond channels the hopes, anxieties and ambitions of Melbourne’s suburban youth whose origins span five continents. This is the essential voice of Australia’s present and future – diverse, vibrant and original.
Urban Chamber – Beyond premiered in the 2013 Melbourne International Arts Festival at the Melbourne Recital Centre.
Creative Team
Artistic and Musical Director Irine Vela
Poet Komninos Zervos
Dancer Deon Nuku
Rapper, Vocalist Mary Quinsacara
Designer Alison Ross
Outer Urban Projects and MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir youth ensembles:
Rappers/Vocalists/Musicians
Philip Pandongan aka Yung Phily , Fakaoho Tupou, Ta Tupou, Paul Di Pietro, Maz Komba, Mahmoud Samoun aka Babz, Akimera Burckhardt-Bedeau, Sam Kawuma aka SK Simeon, Ileini Kabalan, Lina Lonia aka Linafae, Carl Sevita aka Tenicee, Gabriel Collie, Natasha Hanna (Violin), Karla Hanna (Violin), Eugenie Lyons (Viola), Hayley Rush (Cello), Nathan Mount (Piano), Kenneth Harris (Double Bass), Alistair Smith (Piano) and Mark Grunden (Percussion).
THE SONGS, RAPS AND POEMS
Orchestrations arranged and composed | Irine Vela
Hot Summer Day | Paul Di Pietro
Childhood In Richmond | Komninos Zervos
Sam’s Story | S. K. Simeon
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik (excerpt) | W. A. Mozart
For You | Arietta Dumani
The Tanks | Komninos Zervos
Save My People | C. Sevita, A. Burckhardt-Bedeau, P. Pandongan and D. Ahmed
Thank the Lord | Gabriel Collie
Cops Mate | Komninos Zervos
Under The Shelter | Yung Philly
Bec’s Song | Ileini Kabalan
Crush | M. Samoun
Here I Stand Rap | C. Sevita
Stay Brave | M. Quinsacara and T. Tzaros
Aotearoa | Tahu and Arihia
Home | L. Lonia, I. Kabalan, K. Zervos and M. Samoun
Baby Rap | Komninos Zervos
He Wants It All | Dominique Jones
Nobody Calls Me A Wog Anymore | Komninos Zervos
Change | L. Barone, J. Kane, C. Sevita, P. Mileson, A. Harahap, J. Napa’a, A. Burckhardt-Bedeau, P. Pandongan, M. Napa’a, G. Komba, G. Collie, I. Kabalan, M. Komba, J. Inia, H. Komba
BAC, MASSIVE and OUP would like to acknowledge the input of Paul Mileson aka PaulFactor who was unable to take part in Urban Chamber-Beyond due to ill health. The following is an excerpt from Love of Train Stations by PaulFactor:
“When I was 15 I had a habit of exploring every train line in Melbourne. Sydenham, which always reminded me of those train trips to Bendigo when I was a kid. Upfield where I’d do a lap of the shops then rush back before the train took off. Broadmeadows where I never left the train, I simply waited till it went towards the city.
During these long train rides when most people had mp3 players and a few had the first generation of iPods, I had my Discman in my back pocket listening to Diverse.”
Developed with support from Australia Council for the Arts, Newsboys Foundation, Andyinc Foundation, George Hicks Foundation, Melbourne International Arts Festival, Footscray Community Arts Centre, Cohealth, Merri-bek City Council and Outer Urban Projects school and community partners.
Reviews:
"The raw talent and charisma of this group is enough to want to go see them... with
the subtleties and stories – aided by the Aussie poet Komninos Zervos, Mary Quinsacara and choreographer Deon Nuku - it is a world opened up on stage with the gritty edges all smoothed and polished to talk the real human story."
-MATTHEW ZICCONE | THE MUSIC
“The smooth transition of artistic piece after artistic piece soon convinced the audience that they are in the presence of a particularly unique and talented collaboration… Outer Urban Projects includes amongst its values both respect and courage. I am not quite sure what these guys do to nurture such a warm, engaged, respectful and brave group of young people, but I certainly did appreciate the opportunity to be witness to the outcome. Urban Chamber - Beyond really does encapsulate the spirit of the best of Melbourne – diverse, different, and truly welcoming.”