2nd Avenue is a harmony group of men and women with a passion to sing choral, small ensemble, solo, a cappella and arrangements with piano accompaniment. A number of members also sing with other groups and companies. This provides the group with broad exposure to the community that enjoys live performances.

The 2nd Avenue repertoire is extensive, ranging from Verdi to McCartney and covering 1930s, swing, jazz, musical theatre, doo-wop, rock and humorous. These are performed to professional standards under the direction of Barbara Ainley, whose energy and enthusiasm ensures that our audiences are entertained throughout the performance.

The group is based in Mt Lawley, Western Australia, and may be contacted at (08) 9300 0970 or through their web site.

A Kappella Munda was formed in June 1994 under the direction of Jim Fisher, of "Sensitive New Age Cowpersons". Unfortunately ill health subsequently caused him to withdraw. The talented choirmaster Digby Hill came to the rescue in 1995 and remains our choirmaster today. Digby is a well known musician, singer and composer, and A Kappella Munda consider themselves very blessed to have him lead us.

Our repertoire ranges from early music to African and contemporary compositions. From Rachmaninoff to the Beatles, our range says it all. We sing in a variety of languages and we truly are a choir of WORLD MUSIC.

Festival favourite Andrew Clermont constantly tours Australia and the world with a variety of lineups including Dya Singh, The Borderers, Totally Gourdgeous and The Fiddler's Festival. Three-time bluegrass champion of Australia, he gives workshops in fiddle, mandolin and guitar techniques and has a number of instructional videos and a huge swag of CD's available. You can find more information on his website.

Anoushka Baboushka

Anoushka has launched her highly anticipated debut album. As To Not Explode is a beautifully raw collection of brutally honest, minimalistic post-folk tunes that is indicative of the zealous fire that burns within this young Melbournian. An avid fan of Ani Di Franco and Janis Joplin, Anoushka's live performance epitomizes passion and has enabled her to quickly develop a loyal following. Her shows are as heartfelt as they are unruly, as menstrual as they are endearing, and as genre-confused as they are unequivocal.

Sardinic observations of the habits of that peculiar species - the Human - are sung by this sartorially splendid trio. The perennial parodists present original comic songs and covers of classic musical mischief ranging from Tupperware to golf, Python to Queen and Flanders to Swann. Having enjoyed a very warm reception from audiences at the National Folk Festival earlier this year, the Penguins continue to slide forward with slick new songs and questionable choreography.

This 40-piece choir likes to have serious fun singing heavenly music. Singing in the tradition of black American gospel music, from spirituals to rollicking modern funky tunes, the choir have been part of the Perth International Festivals, appearing in the choir showcase at the Perth Concert Hall. Directed by Rosie Johnstone, let the Angels take you soaring.

Brenda Chapman is a Fremantle singer/songwriter and musical director who writes to express the heartfelt stories from her own colourful life. She delivers her engaging storytelling with big, soulful vocals, and a unique earthy guitar style. Her lyrics are fresh, courageous, and deeply poetic. Her unique musical style draws on many folk/roots traditions but has enough raw creativity to keep it uniquely contemporary. She has just recorded the 12 tracks for her first solo album Postcards from Exile.

Brenda will be performing songs from this beautiful new CD accompanied by a few special guests. Brenda's website and myspace have more information.

Cobber

I've put together six books of bush verse, describing the various characters of the outback, their humour, their battles and their yarns, true or false. Some of my other hobbies are as a JP, a naturopath, bush musician, marriage celebrant and currently a councillor at the City of Armadale. To see the country at ground level, I've walked the Bibbulmun Track, walked from Armadale to Geraldton, pushed a wheelbarrow from Fitzroy Crossing to Halls Creek and also from Wyndham to Halls Creek.

Peg Vickers

I grew up on an apple orchard near Mount Barker, one of six children. I learned to milk cows, catch rabbits, pick and pack fruit, care for farm creatures and exist in a money free environment. With other siblings I performed 'concerts' on our verandah for friends and relations, and loved drawing and writing poetry, but soon found this would not sustain me, so on leaving school I went out into the wide world and took on a variety of jobs: packing apples, working in guesthouses, hospitals, schools and government buildings that required cooks, cleaners, and uninspiring work.

I married in 1957 and lived on a small farm in Gledhow, raising children, pigs and a few cows. For several years I drew cartoons for the Albany Advertiser, and as the family grew older began writing poetry again and joined the Albany Writers' Circle. Through poetry I met Peter Blyth, and have since performed at the Albany Show and other venues.

Have never been able to thrill my readers with rapturous ecstasy, where they perhaps would weep at the overwhelming profundity of my words, but with a bit of luck I hope to make somebody laugh.

Rob Bazeley

I started reciting poetry and telling stories as a teenager and have enjoyed putting stories to verse on and off for forty years. I find it a good medium for retaining some great stories of the past which would otherwise be lost forever.

Caitlin Dethridge is 27 years old and based in Fremantle. Having been classically trained in pianoforte and voice for eight years, as well as being self-taught on the guitar, she has developed an ear for harmonies which contributes to the haunting ethereal quality of her voice.

Caitlin has performed and recorded with singer-songwriter Louise Love, and accompanied her with piano, guitar and vocals at several venues in Perth. She has been performing with Xave Brown for the past eight years. Initially appearing as a guest in a handful of Xave Brown's performances in Fremantle, providing harmonies for a few selected songs, she began to perform with Xave on a professional basis due to popular demand and eventually became a solid member of the band, featuring in several recordings with him on his debut album. Since then the band has supported Paul Kelly, Nathan Gaunt and Ruby's Grace on their WA tour and more recently have performed at the Pulse Arts Conference, singing for a dance piece created by renowned choreographer Chrissie Parrott.

Caitlin is thrilled and proud to be a part of Xave Brown's musical endeavours and is very excited and optimistic about their future in the music industry.

For the past 18 years, Cameo has been reviewed as 'the sacred sirens', but this year the group has a focus on songs about birds. This is partly due to current musical committments along with the importance of birds in each one of their lives. Don't think for a minute though, that they have forgotten other songs for the soul! 'Mixed genre with a classical touch'.

Carl Pannuzzo comes from a background of rhythm and blues, blues and soul; and gives enchanting solo performances on the piano and guitar, singing like an angel with a penchant for whisky. He has played and toured widely since the age of fourteen with The Checkerboard Lounge, Those Acapelicans, Totally Gourdgeous and Heavy Earth among others.

Harmony singing and improvisation workshop: Combining lots of vocal work and easy-to learn songs with a playful and instinctive approach to music.

The Cleanskins are a collection of musicians and music lovers from the Dunsborough and Busselton area who began singing together casually on a Friday night for fun over six years ago. Occasionally they get motivated to share their talent with the community, with several leaders in the group, they enjoy singing a wide range of music.

The Cleanskins reckon they've had such a great time participating in previous Denmark festivals, they're coming back for more!

Craig Sinclair and Lara Norman combine crisp fingerstyle slide guitar with violin and beautiful vocal harmonies on their original and traditional songs. Together they craft a unique style that draws on the folk, gospel, bluegrass and blues traditions. Since forming as a duo in 2006, these two musicians have quickly emerged as bright young stars of the vibrant Fremantle folk scene, and are excited to bring their music to the Denmark Festival of Voice for the first time.

Original songs and versions of others blend with driving acoustic guitars and superb three part harmonies. The trio journeys through acoustic pop, jazz, blues, folk, country and rock to create an exciting, fresh and intimate sound. Dammit Janet are lead by the jazz tinged vocals and powerful presence of Janet Grandison, with the driving acoustic rhythms and interplay between Peter Anthony (guitar) and Pete Grandison (guitar and bouzouki).

The Denmark Primary School Choir are the beautiful voices of 9 -10 year girls and boys who are gaining tremendous self confidence, and tuning in together as a group, through the joy of singing. They will be performing a variety of ballads and up tempo songs for their audience to enjoy.

Formed in mid 2007, Eclectica: a choir d'taste, brings together community members from all walks of Denmark village life. Under the directorship of Jenny Wilson and with the generous support of the Anglican Church, Eclectica gains inspiration from musical styles as varied as rock & roll and soulful gospel. Whilst not the main focus of the choir, Eclectica members enjoy performance as an enhancement to the evolution of their eclectic style.

The Elegant Pedlars formed one endless summer evening when three artists, travelling in the south west, all performed for a midsummer gathering in Denmark and recognised in each other a bardic thread, a shared dreaming of and commitment to using the power of their art to transform the world, as well as a shared passion for dressing up in folk and period costume.

Now they peddle their wares, woven tapestries of poetry, music and story, as delicate as the lace skeletons of leaves in a world that has turned away from spaciousness, slow craft, and worships the cult of convenience. Whilst sharing a nostalgia for the antique and the ancient, the Pedlars are very committed to using story, song and poetry to create performances that speak to the dilemmas and richnesses of living in this world at this time. We seek to empower, engage and invite our audience into new ways of being with and in the world.

Over the last ten years Fred Smith has emerged as one of Australia's most remarkable artists. He is an inventive lyricist, with an ear for a melodic hook. He has a perceptive eye for modern life, its foibles and joys, and an ability to express this in song. Fred presents his material with an engaging humour and a wry smile that has won hearts at festivals in Australia and North America. He is the subject of the film Bougainville Sky about his work on peace keeping operations in the war-torn islands of the South Pacific where his work as a musician and radio broadcaster contributed to the success of the world's first ever unarmed peace keeping force. He has recently returned from three years touring on the North American circuit with a bag of songs and stories to tell.

The Gay and Lesbian Singers of Western Australia formed in 1993 and is a community based choir. It is the largest choir of singers from the gay and lesbian community in Western Australia. Memorable performances have included singing at the Sydney Opera House during the 2002 Gay Games, several performances at the Denmark Festival of Voice, performing at the Melbourne Town Hall in 2007 as part of the "Out and Loud" festival, hosting the Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Chorus for a joint concert last October, as well as performing our own concerts twice a year. We also regularly perform at gay and lesbian events such as Fair Day and other community oriented events.

GALSWA has recently entered a new era with a new conductor and looks forward to continuing the choral journey. We have always enjoyed participating in DFoV and see it as an important event on our calendar.

At the Golden Hill Steiner School in Denmark, in addition to the reading, writing, and maths, we knit, and paint, and garden, and play recorder and lyre, and draw, and work clay, and do plays, and recite verse, and hear stories and....... SING! We love to sing. Come hear us!

Polish born and self-taught singer, musician and songwriter Gosia Basinska has been writing and playing music for 14 years. After a few years in girl rock band Lash, she moved onto other projects including fronting the original band Smitten, playing drums and singing for Ten Speed Racer, and working closely with Allan Boyd in Freebase as vocalist and Mitey Co as guest vocalist. More recently her music projects include working collaboratively with musicians from Finland and New-Zealand, singing Jazz at La Tropicana Cafe and integrating music into the Elegant Pedlars' performances. Gosia is also working towards creating social renewal through artistic projects connected with the Anthroposophical Youth Section.

The Inner Voices Choir is a large community choir who perform a combination of world, gospel, African and pop songs just for the fun of it. They are led by Fremantle singer/songwriter and Musical Director Brenda Chapman. Inner Voices was formed in May 2007 inspired by the enligtened imagination of Adele Dixon who was then working as the Cultural Development Officer at The Town of Kwinana. With a very generous funding grant from 'Heathways Smarter Than Smoking Campaign' Adele was able to invite Brenda Chapman to start the choir.

On the first night, over 50 people showed up... and on the second week over 70 folks showed up for the second rehearsal. Six months later, Inner Voices Choir proudly launched their first CD Inner Voices Sing Out. This six track EP was recorded by James Hewgill at the Kwinana Arts Centre. This community choir project has been an enormous success and will continue for many years to come. Originally proposed as a twelve week project - the core group of choir members were determined to continue after the CD launch. So, the Inner Voices Choir now operates as a self funded community choir who meet every Thursday at 7pm. There are no auditions and we warmly welcome whoever hears the calling to join us! You can get more details from myspace.

Blend five voices, percussion, recorder, oboe, diverse stories, lots of laughs, beautiful harmonies and a few tears and you have the Iris experience! Iris exist because they love singing together - original songs and the songs of other performers they love - you will hear songs from folk, celtic, gospel, blues and roots genres. Iris formed in late 2003 and have performed at many festivals and events in Western Australia over the past few years, with big breaks for babies, solo albums, boys, travel and that sort of thing! Iris recently released their first album Bloom, a combination of live and studio recordings. Iris are Kristen Arnott, Carmel Harris, Coralie Kan, Sarah Tunzi and Karen Winton.

...the relaxed vibe was further enhanced by Iris, a five-part female a cappella group... their voices blended in beautiful arrangements of originals and gospel numbers. Their candid sharing, warm personalities and stunning voices made them instant crowd-pleasers.

The West Australian

Jeremy Jongsma is Denmark's one man ambassador for both blues and hip hop music. He can sing, rap, blow harp, beatbox, breakdance and play the slide guitar. He is a core member of two successful local acts - blues band "Blumanna" and hip hop crew "Delta Forse". His passion is to fuse elements from both styles to create new and exiting authentic sounds.

From the Age of 14 Jesse has dreamt of being a wandering bard, a storyteller minstrel and worrier poet. He completed a year long project on storytelling as his final year examination at the Perth Waldorf School and started telling professionally in 2006. He has performed at many schools, libraries, children's parties and festivals and been the guest of a school in Jakarta where he helped to enliven their English program through storytelling.

Currently he is studying Indigenous Studies at Murdoch University, Linguistics and Energy Studies. But these are merely sidelines in pursuing his dream.

Respected local Noongyar artist and storyteller Joe Williams presents his family's story "scroll", a painted scroll which illustrates his family's relationship with the southwest of Western Australia. Joined by his father Jack Williams who will share a traditional chant and Ryan the maestro of didgeridoo, Joe will open the final concert at the Civic Centre in combination with the Inner Voices Choir.

Jon Doust has had diverse careers. He was born in Bridgetown into a farming/retailling family and worked in both until he was old enough to know better. Since then he has been asked to leave jobs in banking, the media, retailing, farming and comedy. These days he is best known as a writer, professional speaker, big ideas inspirer and community projects facilitator. He has co-written two children's books and both have almost received awards. Some years ago he asked himself the question: Why are people the way they are? That lead him to study Jungian philosophy and to becoming an accredited Myers Briggs Practitioner. None of this has dampened his sense of humour.

I am fourteen years old and have lived in Denmark my whole life. I made my first public performance in 2006 at Great Southern Grammer as a vocalist and wrote my first song Sideburns in October 2006. During 2007 I gave several performances at wineries, restaurants, weddings, school and have played as a support act for several professional musicians. In 2007 I decided to teach myself to play guitar and will now support the Baby Animals in August in Albany.

Traditional folk roots, soulful pathos, uplifting melody and comedy infuse Kavisha's music. An ARIA award winner, she has carved herself a formidable reputation as a singer, songwriter, workshop leader and musician. She plays guitar, mandolin and piano accordion. She has an achingly beautiful voice, capable of power and nuance which has made her a drawcard at festivals, clubs and venues all over Australia and overseas in the last twenty years. Born in London of an Irish-Scottish-Burmese mother and Italian father, Kavisha's music is the essence of Australia and its migrant expression.

Kavisha Mazzella shows herself to be in possession of a remarkably expressive voice with plenty of power, clarity and strength. Her song-writing skills are equally outstanding.

Strong melodic lines and driving rhythms with rich instrumental and harmonic texture...

Fri 8.30pm	Civic Centre	The Big Gig	30 mins
Sun 8.30pm	Civic Centre	Final Concert	30 mins

Kavisha Mazzella "Big Sing" workshop: Kavisha's vocal workshops explore one's inner world and connects it to vocal technique creating an authentic performance. During the weekend, both beginner and experienced singers alike come together to rediscover the heart of music through the voice and enjoy the influence of the rich folk traditions that Kavisha brings together with her own original choral compositions. For the last eighteen years Kavisha has been leading choirs around the country. Her first choir was Western Australia's own Joys Of The Women Italian women's choir in Fremantle. Kavisha has been guest choral tutor at the Victoria College of the Arts, and performed at the Tasmanian Festival of Voice and folk festivals all over the country. Currently she is musical director of La Voce della Luna Italian women's choir.

As a founding member of the internationally famous Australian group The Seekers, Keith Potger is already known to countless music industry professionals and fans of the group alike. Awards such as Australians Of The Year 1967, numerous Platinum and Gold Record achievements and concert tours have kept the group's image alive and well for over four decades. He has been patron of Variety WA, the renowned children's charity, since 2001.

Keith released his first solo CD Secrets of the Heart, containing 19 original tracks, in 2004 and followed that up in early 2007 with Sunday, a CD of mellow, laid-back songs. He is supporting the release of both CDs with performances in major venues around Australia through 2008. Keith's solo performances include a selection of Seekers favourites along with songs and anecdotes from his long career in the music industry and material from both solo CDs.

Singing with Lena workshop: Professional singer/songwriter and Fremantle music teacher Lena Trajkovska has put together a special Macedonian song and dance workshop for the Festival of Voice. Lena's career includes extensive international touring, throughout Europe over a fifteen year period, including representing Macedonia in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Like an unhinged jazz composer and his ragtime band on a mission to rework Vivaldi into a 90s pop song, the Lonely Brothers bring together warming strings and soulful harmonies into folky, unforgettable, fun music that takes you back to your favourite barefoot shenanigans. With a repertoire of heartfelt, mercurial songs which hop merrily within the margins of folk, jazz, classical, blues and contemporary roots, their music is a hymn to the unpredictability of the everyday.

The Lonely Brothers have been bouncing around Western Australia of late, sharing the stage with the likes of Paul Kelly and The Stormwater Boys, The John Butler Trio, Carus and The True Believers, Paul Greene and Rob Hirst, Loren and The Grow Your Owns, Freya Hanly and Double Entendre. They have also played at Fairbridge Folk Festival, Nannup Music Festival, Perth International Arts Festival, West Coast Blues and Roots Fringe Festival and Albany's Harboursound Festival.

Lyndal Gallaway, resident Yoga and Chi Gong teacher in Denmark and Albany has a long history in sacred body/mind traditions as well as Bowen and massage therapies. She offers regular workshops including a variety of samplings from body/mind practices; presents workshops for government and corporate businesses including TAFE, Albany Hospital, the Disabilites Commission, conferences etc., and does corporate stress management for Albany Water Corporation.

Stretch and tone with Chi/Yoga: A joyful start to the day - tune in body, mind and heart.

Around the world and into your brain, vocal adventurer and songwriter Mal Webb plays too many instruments in too many styles to too many people. He gives eclecticism a bad name, and that's Mal, whatever your language. Mal is member of Totally Gourdgeous and he has a website.

Vocal Gymnastics workshop: Explore every sound a voice can make and the physics of how it works. Beatbox, vocal fluttering, looping and Inuit panting and beyond.

Mandala is a vibrant and exciting world music band with Latin, gypsy and African influences. Their original music draws inspiration from around the planet, and features a range of instruments including accordion, violin, Spanish guitar, sitar, marimba, tin whistle, ronrrocco, charango and African percussion.

Mandala is a group of multi-instrumentalists who came together by chance. Their music is inspired as much by the members' individual musical journeys as by the beauty of the natural environment within which they have chosen to live. Mandala are: Cathy Fotios, Barry Heydenrych, Mark Cresp, Andy Ducker, Marie Limondin and Matt Lyons.

Mandala have just released their debut CD Caravans of Colour, and can be contacted by email (mandalamusic@westnet.com.au) or on myspace (http://www.myspace.com/worldmusicmandala).

Join this compact version of the usual seven piece line up for a journey from the wild Southern Ocean and the spinifex country of the Pilbara to favourite Dublin watering-holes. David Hyams is joined by "Miles To Go Band" cellist Jennifer Tingley, who has adapted her extensive classical background to the more rootsy styles of the music. The duo will introduce some new songs from Dave's upcoming third album.

Over the nine years Nadine has lived in Denmark, she, like so many do in a country town, has grown to wear a number of hats. Amongst the rack is a bush regenerator with the Weed Action Group, a pantomime performer with Denmark Village Theatre, a Tip Shop operator and a comic folk singer/songwriter/guitarist. Nadine loves that Denmark keeps offering opportunities to try new things. For this Festival Of Voice Nadine tries her hand at MC'ing (and look out for a rendition of "Tip Shops Rock" at the Festival Club).

WA Nightingale Chorale

The West Australian Nightingale Chorale, a non-auditioned choir, was originally formed in Narrogin in 1993; it comprises men and women singers from country centres. The age range of the group is between eighteen of age to eighty-two years young. The Chorale has developed and recorded a repertoire of songs of peace, grace, goodwill and gospel including some Australian standards. Viviane Knight, who trained in Belgium and Australia is very well known in the choral community and is the conductor for the Chorale, and the accompanist is the very talented pianist and singer Kelvin Reeves from Australind.

The West Australian Nightingale Chorale represented Western Australia at the 2nd International Choral Festival in Waterford in Ireland in August 2003, as well as being the guest of the company Fa-Sol-La on the Cote D'azur. In both France and Ireland the choir was honoured with civic receptions in Antibes on the French Riviera and Waterford in Ireland. An extensive tour of Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil recently saw the choir sing to full houses in Buenos Aires, La Plata, Montevideo, Rio de Janeiro and Paraty. The next tour for this talented chorale will be Vienna-Austria in 2009, with concerts in Germany and Belgium.

One of Australia's leading singer/songwriters, Penelope has built an impressive following both here and overseas by her exuberant performances that feature her deep passion for people and issues, presented with emotional honesty and a social conscience. In recent years she has toured to Britain, Ireland, Spain, New Zealand Canada and the United States. She has released nine solo albums to date. Penelope is a member of Totally Gourdgeous and has a website.

Gourd workshop: Penelope is the instrument maker for Totally Gourdgeous. In this workshop she exhibits gourd instruments from around the world including those played by the band for people who want a closer look, talks about basic instrument-making techniques and the history of gourds in music and human culture in general.

How to record and produce your CD workshop: The journey of recording starts with a single step, or is it a cassette recorder? What's more important, the song, the players, the technology or the feel? Budget? No budget! Wasn't music supposed to be fun?

Aspire to the highest, but let's be realistic! What am doing this for anyway? You can't do something well until you've done it badly?

Established as a community choir in 1996, within its first weeks The Real Sing was introduced to a range of music styles by its founding musical director, Martin Meader. Over the years since then, gospel, jazz standards, swing tunes, romantic ballads, spirituals, the occasional classical piece, hymns, carols, African and Latin American songs, music from the shows, Motown favourites and popular songs from the 60s and 70s era, have become integral parts of The Real Sing.

And although we use the occasional backing track, The Real Sing loves to be a'cappella; to give our voices to the music and our hearts to the song.

Children's workshop: Regi is a qualified early childhood teacher, based in this beautiful Denmark landscape, who specialises in offering children unique and innovative musical exploration sessions, inspired and guided by the local seasonal cycle.

The Music Alive Voice Play sessions will offer an opportunity for children to enjoy their voices and express themselves creatively by being involved in active music making. These musical journeys may involve singing, dancing, storytelling, drama and games.

Black American Gospel workshop: Rosie is well-known as the director of the Band of Angels, and gives workshops on gospel music, acapella improvisation and other musical things. She has studied jazz at the WA Conservatorium, and was the co-director of the One Thousand Voice Journey Choir which opened the 2004 and 2005 Perth International Arts Festivals.

Rythm Infinit and DJ Missile have been steaming up hip hop shows together for the last 18 months. They started working together when both artists were part of the collective Human Rhythm Section and they paired up when Rythm Infinit began her solo career. These girls are a popular act around the local Western Australian circuit; in the last year they have played at the Southbound Festival (2007 and 2008), Fairbridge Festival, and in the travelling SoCo Cargo. They have supported such acts as Jnr Reid, Busdriver, The Tongue, Astronomy Class, Natty Sistren, Dexter & Grrilla Steps and Foreign Heights to name just a few.

Rythm Infinit, singer, beatboxer and MC, with deejay and producer extraordinaire Missile, bring you the freshest hip hop and ragga infused sounds, the likes of which are guaranteed to make you want to get up and dance!

The Safety In Numbers Choir is based in Albany, Western Australia, and began in 1996. The founder and musical director of the choir is musician and teacher Teresa Hughes. The choir has grown in both experience and number and currently has around 50 members. Safety in Numbers provides an opportunity for both men and women to explore the joys of part-singing in a fun and relaxed environment. The choir is involved in many local community events and projects, supports projects in East Timor and has recently been involved in an international event to encourage peace in our world: Song of Peace. Sacred, gospel, contemporary and world music feature in their varied and ever-changing repertoire. At the Denmark Festival of Voice, Safety in Numbers will be joined by glamorous and sophisticated busking sensation, the Ednas.

A heart-wrenching lament for life hardships is as much a Georgian specialty as it is an ever-quickening dance of love and lust. Shalva take audiences on an emotional rollercoaster through the rich and diverse acappella singing traditions of Georgia and its east European neighbours. Shalva is a Fremantle-based trio made up of Gyan Godfrey, Matthew Clements and Stephanie Jennings, which debuted at the 2007 SpringSong Festival in Perth.

Simon started talking when he was very young and hasn't stopped since. He did lots of MC'ing in the first four Festivals of Voice, MC's a bit around Denmark, and frequently MC's a fair bit at home. He's a good choice as an MC. But don't expect jokes, funny stories or amazing revelations. Simon is the MC's MC - stick to the job, no funny business. Short and sweet. To the point. On topic. Not going on and on. Not at all. Ever. Really... (just don't get him started).

Simon Nield

Simon is an eloquent guitarist, composer, songwriter and choir director, whose performances are as warm, unassuming and comfortable as an old sock. He wants to be liked, but also gets a kick out of making people cry. A surprising Australian voice combined with stunning guitar, award-winning songs, and several modes of loopiness. His new album Still combines the guitar elegance of his instrumental album Resonance with the eloquent poetry of his first album, We're Mostly Water. Learn more from his website.

"Smooth, sultry, ballads with an edge" best describes Simone Keane's eclectic style of song writing. Her fusion of sassy blues, swinging jazz, beautiful melodies and a touch of light opera affect her listeners deeply.

Evocative, dramatic and always entertaining, her acoustic compositions transport the listener into the mysterious depths of human nature. I like to get a few things off my chest without preaching or getting too serious. One has to keep a sense of humour when writing songs, or else risk becoming self-absorbed, self-obsessed or totally insane.

Slap my Thighs and Call Me Barbara are a quirky five piece female acappella group from Denmark. Using their own unique blend of fun, glamour and spine tingling harmonies they perform a wide range of music genres that will keep you intrigued and wanting more.

The Spooky Men were created from the twisted imagination of Stephen Taberner, singer, double-bass player, arranger and formidable choir leader. The Spooky Men of the West are the western chapter of the Spooky Men's Movement and are what one newspaper report described as "a group of weirdos who sing".

The Spooky Men of the West, a sixteen member male a cappella group under spookmeister Taberner and local sub-meisters Ryan Morrison and Digby Hill, have been refining their pointless grandeur and manhommerrie over the past two years, delivering a variety of songs ranging from Georgian table singing to more contemporary, original songs such as Magnificent and Don't Stand Between a Man and his Tool, both written by Taberner. Their performances around Western Australia and at the recent OzConcert have entertained many and bewildered some. Many have noted their resonant sounds, with press comments such as "The Spooky Men of the West can sound gentle and sad, even sweet, but also sexy, powerful and unmistakably male".

Steve's songs from life draw you in with melodies that remain long after the listening. His debut solo CD Naked Heart was inspired by life in the Kimberley and included the simple but profoundly moving Knock 'em down rain, recipient of a WAM song writing award. Steve has recorded a collection of 13 new songs with producer Peter Anthony who joins him at the Denmark festival for a playful set that will combine a mixture of old and new material.

Sue Cunningham is a passionate singer songwriter regularly performing in the South West of Western Australia and around Perth. Originating from the Blue Mountains, Sue now calls Denmark home.

Sue describes her sound as urban folk with a rock edge. Soulful, earthy, powerful vocals accompany her honest, pared down, direct lyrics that drive a straight line to the heart of all that makes us human. Supported by acoustic guitar, she slips effortlessly from delicate finger picking into stretches of chunky, hard-edged guitar rhythms. There are hints of Tracy Chapman, John Butler, Ani DiFranco and Xavier Rudd. But don't be misled... the hints are only hints and it's impossible to not recognize that Sue's unique musical signature is like no other.

Sue has recently released her latest five track EP Common Ground - a strong and progressive follow-up to Seaside Town (2005). The title track 'Common Ground is a haunting and passionate call to the often forgotten place that unifies mankind. The exquisitely beautiful and transfixing 'Touch Wood' masterfully contrasts intricate finger picking with driving guitar rhythms. Along with recording, Sue has been busy headlining her own shows on the south west circuit, touring to Perth plus playing support gigs with Ash Grunwald, Clare Bowditch, the Dave Mann Collective, Saritah and Nathan Gaunt.

The Summerhouse experience: the glory of nine voices singing as one.

This accomplished nine-voice a cappella ensemble from Perth brings a contemporary feel to its repertoire of world and roots music. With gentle humour, wit and wisdom, Summerhouse performs its intricate arrangements without the safety net of a musical director. Singing songs of the spirit Summerhouse will draw you into a world of beautiful music. Harmony holds the key.

...gorgeous individuals who sing collectively with grace, sensitivity, humour and a great sense of groove

... had the audience spellbound with their amazing sound and harmonies

Subhan Hartree

Subhan loves to weave and create rich vocal textures. Her voice has a warm and moving quality as she extracts instrumental flavours in the edginess of the moment, delivering herself with intensity and purity. Stylistically there are elements of jazz, a Celtic flavour, and hints of oriental and eastern European influences.

She has been vocalist with Tok Pan Tok since 1999, and as well as being a singer with other groups, performances and projects, and is a counsellor and homoeopath. Subhan is incredibly inspired by anyone doing interesting and unconventionally beautiful things with the voice!

Peter Keelan

When I was young, I used to sing in the shower every morning. One morning, after yet another grande performance des cubicle, I arrived in the kitchen to find a note from my mother and father. Dear Son, we just can't take it anymore. We've run away from home. Signed, Mum and Dad

It is with these illustrious credentials that I nurtured a twenty year abstinence from singing, and why I linked up with two wonderful singers Simon and Subhan in Tok Pan Tok. I have now taken this cunning plan of vocal disguise to a new level, by surrounding myself with a thousand wonderful singers, at this year's Festival of Voice.

The pumpkin-powered love machine is back in Western Australia with new songs, a new CD and even more gourdy costumes. For those of you who have not yet encountered the fab four folk floozies, imagine Joni Mitchell, James Brown and Bob Marley getting down in a pumpkin patch via the muppets!

Totally Gourdgeous comprises four of Australia's foremost songwriters playing together in a band where all the instruments are made of gourds. Penelope Swales, Andrew Clermont, Mal Webb and Carl Pannuzzo combine to create a manic and truly organic musical experience. Their brand-new album Stroke of Midnight is packed with exuberant songs of love, fellowship and environmental sanity.

Fri 9.30pm	Civic Centre	The Big Gig	30 mins
Sun 9.00pm	Civic Centre	Final Concert	30 mins

Two Up Two Down Community Choir

Born in 2004 from a Perth International Arts Festival Regional Arts Project under the nurturing guidance of Martin Meader, Two Up Two Down Community Choir has gone on and flourished in little over four years. In a town renowned for big trucks, blokiness and brothels, the Two Up Two Down Community Choir provides an opportunity for people who want to sing. With a repertoire that ranges from pop to gospel, folk to world music, the choir has become a feature for the town of Kalgoorlie Boulder singing at local community functions. 2008 is 2U2D's second performance at Denmark Festival or Voice.

Valanga Khoza charms his audiences with humour and wit, telling stories of his life growing up in South Africa and his travels across the world as a refugee. These stories are embellished by beautiful music from many traditional instruments such as the kalimba, marimba and shijoro (jaw harp) as well as irresistible rhythms from the guitar, percussion and Valanga's velvety voice.

Valanga has performed and warmed audiences of adults and children at selected world music events and in many schools across Australia. As well as recording five albums of original music, he is also the author of well known Gezani and the Tricky Baboon published by Allen and Unwin in 2001. He will have you laughing, singing, tapping, smacking, dancing and swinging.... come and join in!

Fri 9.00pm	Civic Centre	The Big Gig	30 mins
Sun 8.30pm	CWA Hall	Super Surprise Concert	30 mins
Sun 4.00pm	RSL Hall	Singer Songwriters 2	120 mins

African songs and chants workshop: Valanga's joyous singing workshop of South African songs and chants includes traditional, original and freedom songs. He explores traditional rhythms and harmonies through voice and movement. This singing is very inclusive and is for anyone who can speak and have fun!

Many people who have taken part in his workshops leave surprised at the fact that they were singing so beautifully when they have never sung before in their lives! His workshops have been with the general public, community choirs, festivals and small groups. Some of the workshops have ended up in live recordings with the ABC, including an album called The Choral Sea.

Voicemale

A devious plot by Matthew Clements and director Digby Hill to subvert the world of music resulted the formation one foul day of Voicemale - an eclectic bunch of yes-hopers - who had previously figured prominently in a musical sense only within the confines of the shower cubicle.

Voicemale attack the musical spectrum in a manner that defies a predictable outcome and have amused and bewildered audiences around Australia in equal measure - including at the National Folk Festival last year - where they were finalists in the "Sound of Music" contest. They claim that this proves that men can do it but observers are confused about what exactly it is that they do. Come and see for yourself...

Chanting: the repetition of lyrics and melody that allows a group to share a rich meditational sacred space, to tune together into the rhythm of life - and where better to join our voices together than in the Sanctuary, Denmark's permanent 'sacred space' among the meadows and trees beside the Denmark River, between the Centre for Sustainable Living and the town bridge.

On Saturday and Sunday morning you have the opportunity start your day reconnecting to life's rhythm by joining in with the local chanters as they spontaneously lead in simple chants from around the world and across many traditions, from Arapaho to Zen. It's easy and simple and beautiful; anyone can participate. Dress up warm and bring a cushion and blanket.

Xave Brown

Heralding from the great southern region of Western Australia, Xave Brown is a contemporary singer songwriter of subtle, complex and powerful music. Xave finely crafts his songs with layers of rhythm, intricate finger picking, and vocals that at times can be as sweet as honey, then wild and passionate like the sea, then haunting as the wind. As both solo performer and with his band, Xave voyages into the intimate and mellow as easily as the upbeat and danceable. Likened at times to Damien Rice, Ben Harper and Gomez, Xave cites his influences from a more vintage line of inspiration - Nick Drake, Leonard Cohen and Tom Waits.

In 2006, Xave won the 2006 WAM Regional Song of the Year for his single Call of the Wild which was also nominated in the top five in the 2007 national Musicoz Awards. Xave recorded and produced his first album Black Smoke at his home studio in Denmark in 2005, and has recorded his second album with Melbourne producer Nick Huggins. Check out Xave on MySpace