FREMANTLE SONGFEST is back, promising 18 choirs over eight concerts and workshops with Freo legend Kavisha Mazzella heading towards a performance by a massed “Peace Choir”.
The theme of this year’s festival is “Peace Within and Peace Without”, and in keeping with the topic Mazzella will be performing and teaching some of her recent works inspired by Persian poet Rumi and Indian mystic Kabir.
The festival will be held at St Paul’s Church and Hall, Beaconsfield, and runs from April 4-6.
“It’s ‘church’ but not as you’ve seen it before,” St Paul’s reverend Gemma Baseley said.
“Songfest culminates in a gathering of minds, hearts and voices, coming together in a shared longing for peace… for people of all faiths and none, together we will pray for, and commit to peace for all people.”
Local acts Peppermint, Close Harmony, and the “black-clad, boofy, behatted behemoth of blokes” Men of the West will be amongst the performances.
there will also be choir director and ARIA winning artist Kavisha Mazzella. Kavisha will be performing a mixture of new and old music. Audiences will be privy to her unique blend of song and chant, as she incorporates verses like those of Rumi with rhythm and melody.
Singers will learn a small number of Aria-winner Kavella’s songs in workshops on Saturday morning at 10am and on Sunday at 2pm, which she says will be a blend of old and new music.
Her last album Empty Sky was a mix of sacred songs and chants.
Interested singers can purchase a $20 workshop pass which covers the two workshops and finale performance or a full weekend pass which gives them all events, concerts and workshops and includes food.
If you’ve got a decent set of pipes but aren’t already in a choir, Mazzella says the Festival Peace Choir is the perfect outlet.
The festival culminates with a final communion in the church where the peace choir will get to belt out the songs it’s been working on over the weekend.
Tickets via songfest.com.au
by OLIVER STEIN
Perth Voice Interactive 
Leave a comment