Festival of the Winds 2024

This is a highlight of the Festival of the Winds – it’s all about the big, colourful, hand-made professional kite displays on the beach. Come and watch AKS (Australian Kite Flyers Society), professional kite flyers and makers who come from across Australia for this event, with visitors this year including Karin and Roger Stevens from Belgium and Debbie and Craig Hansen from New Zealand. They’ll be flying large kites, their small kites and everything in between.

Take a walk along the beach promenade to take in the amazing kite display while enjoying the sounds of DJ Jön from Eastside Radio.

Suwitra Jaya Balinese Gamelan

The UNSW Balinese Gamelan Ensemble, Suwitra Jaya, is a vibrant group dedicated to the rich traditions of Balinese music and culture. Comprising students, faculty and community members, the ensemble brings the intricate rhythms and melodies of Bali to life through performances and workshops. Suwitra Jaya has become a key cultural ambassador, performing at various events and festivals, both within Australia and internationally. Their dedication to preserving and promoting Balinese gamelan has made them a respected and integral part of the cultural landscape at UNSW and beyond.

Special guests: Dancers, Kadek Ambarajaya Kaswara and Ayu Linda Gayatri, Kadek  

Kadek Ambarajaya Kaswara developed a passion for dance at age 11, which led him to pursue formal training at SMK N 3 Sukawati (Kokar), where he specialised in dance. He furthered his studies at the Indonesian Institute of the Arts in Denpasar, majoring in Art Education (Sendaratasik). Alongside his wife, Ayu Linda Gayatri, Kadek has participated in numerous prestigious events, including the Bali Arts Festival (PKB), World Dance Day, and international performances such as the ROTARI event and INLA event in Taiwan, as well as events in Sydney like AIA, the Centuries of Friendship between Aboriginal and Makassar event, and workshops with Suara Indonesia Dance group. They have also been involved in community and cultural events organized by the Indonesian Embassy and the Balinese community in Sydney.

Cello player, John Napier

John Napier is a distinguished Sydney cellist and scholar known for his dynamic performances with ensembles such as Taikoz and the Lingalayam Dance Company. He has toured extensively across Australia, showcasing his versatility at venues like the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta, the Canberra Theatre Centre, and the Capitol Theatre in Tamworth.

Shanti

This is a rare opportunity to hear one of the world’s greatest percussion players, visiting Sydney from Chennai, India. Dr. Suresh Vaidyanathan is a Master of the ghatam, a clay pot instrument that is one of the oldest percussion instruments in India. Joining Suresh are 3 exceptional Australian musicians, Adrian Sherriff, who brings his eclectic expertise on percussion, keyboards and bass trombone, Sarangan Sriranganathan with his mesmerising sitar and vocals, and the renowned saxophonist Sandy Evans.

Thrilling percussion, transcendental singing, enticing sitar playing and uplifting saxophone will combine to create an unforgettable experience for the listener. The concert will feature compositions by Suresh, Adrian and Sandy.

‘[Adrian Sherriff is] A formidable polymath who is comfortable in just about any form of music and on just about any instrument, although he has redefined the possibilities of virtuosity on the bass trombone.’ ~ Paul Grabowsky

‘I found myself entering a kind of trance and feeling as if I could listen [to Sandy Evans] for hours and be absolutely absorbed by the intricate rhythmic and melodic patterns.’ ~ Roger Mitchell, Ausjazz Blog

Lolo Lovina

Lolo Lovina (‘Red Beer’) is an intoxicating Marrickville home brew of Unza, Swing and Balkan Gypsy beats. Led by the Romani-Gypsy vocalist Sarah Bedák, Lolo Lovina’s music embodies the cosmopolitan essence of an artist who embraces her three native cultures yet breaks rules of them all. The ensemble of virtuosic world musicians from Sydney includes Nenad Radic on drums, Leon Beshlei on keys and sax, Nathan Gatt on bass, George Nikolopoulos on bass, Dave Carr on guitar, Sam Golding on trumpet and Ivaylo Karamenliev on kaval.

Lolo Lovina has played the Sydney Opera House, Havana World Music Festival, across the Pacific Islands, Macau China, East and West Europe and at SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. Their album Rroma Sapien received a 4-star review in the renowned London based World Music magazine ‘Songlines’ and has made the global Transglobal World Music Charts. Lolo Lovina have been featured on ABC Radio Nationals program, ‘The Daily Planet’.

‘You have to listen to these people, this is the future of music’ ~ Brian Eno

Loren Ryan

Loren Ryan, the 2023 Tamworth Country Music Festival ‘Toyota Star Maker’ Winner, stands as a captivating figure in the ever-evolving landscape of the Australian Country Music scene.

A proud Gamillaraay Woman from Tamworth, Loren is making waves by crafting original songs and translating well-known Australian tunes into her native language. Loren was the face of entertainment for Australia Day Live 2024 where she took centre stage at the Australian Opera House and just performed the preshow and halftime entertainment at AAMI Park for the Rugby League. Loren’s passion and contributions to First Nations people is awe-inspiring and paves the way for more First Nation Representation in commercial media and music. We are thrilled to have Loren perform at this years Festival of the Winds.

KEYIM BA

This 8-piece Afro-Australian band’s extraordinary talent creates sensational music that traverses across the traditional sounds of West Africa, reggae, funk, rap and groove.

Local Bondi resident, Sibo Bangoura, known as one of Australia’s leading West African percussionists, leads KEYIM BA, bringing together an exciting group of Afro-Australian musicians who take audiences on an exciting musical journey celebrating everything that is joyful and music and dance. This band delivers one almighty vibrant show that you cannot resist dancing along with.

KEYIM BA are Sibo Bangoura, vocals and percussion, Blair Greenberg on rhythm guitar, Ben on drums, Jonathan Pease, lead guitar, Paula Baxter, vocals and dance, Tina Harris on bass guitar, Julian on percussion, Rachel Bangoura, vocals and dance.

‘Australian has a West African band capable of holding its own on the world stage…’ ~ Tony Hillier, The Australian

The Gagliardies – Family Circus Show

From the quirky minds of Beeswax and Bottlecaps, this comedy duo has an unhealthy obsession for laughter and the ridiculously silly. With a mixing pot of variety, vaudeville and vintage circus, these two have travelled the world atop their penny farthing, dragging suitcases of shenanigans and bringing giggles to the masses. Perfect for children aged 3–103. Beeswax and Bottlecaps is a production house willing to tackle any fabulous idea or creative endeavour. This grassroots company has been built from the creative minds and performance experience of George Le Couteur and Lil Tulloch. With over 20 years of combined stage time they have a strong focus on Circus, Vaudeville and Variety, alongside an ethos to foster independent artists to find their true silly and bring it to the stage.

Bondi Brass

Bondi Brass, a community-based ensemble established in 1959, has been a part of Festival of the Winds for many years. Their big, bold, vibrant repertoire, along with their great sense of humour and pizazz will be sure to put a spring in your step. They are always looking for new players of all ages and abilities – find out more here. Bondi Brass is supported by Waverley Council through the Community Grants Program.

100% Dance

100% dance is 100% talent from the local dance students, whose technical skills and love of dance will be showcased in everything from jazz to hip hop, contemporary and acro. This year 100% Dance Pro will also be performing.

Rose Bay Secondary College Music Ensemble

Some of the best young musicians in our local area are playing in this Music Ensemble Program, the largest co-curricular program at Rose Bay Secondary College involving some 120 students. Performing many styles of music, challenging their skills, participating in prestigious school and community performances, these young musicians are a must watch!

Bondi Beach Recorder Ensemble

Bondi Beach Recorder Ensemble has performed at many school and community events including Carols by the Sea and the Festival of Music at the Sydney Opera House. Recorder students are in grades 2-6 at Bondi Beach Public School and will perform a mix of traditional and contemporary favourites.

Bondi Beach Public School Choir

Bondi Beach Public School Choir, directed by Bondi local musician Cassy Bartolomei, has been a feature at local community events for over a decade. These young singers bring verve and enthusiasm to every concert and delight in sharing their songs with wider audiences. With a broad repertoire of popular songs, old and new, this group of passionate young singers offers something for everyone.

Black Joak Morris

Joining us every year to dance in the spring, Black Joak Morris dancers and musicians perform traditional folk dancing of the English Cotswolds. Full of energy, skilled and loving what they do, the Joakers will delight audiences of all ages.

Tap Pups

Tap Pups will thrill you with their passion, skills and downright amazing entertainment. Local Bondi Tap Dogs HQ is a place where kids can learn to dance with teachers who are super successful in their field and passionate about what they do. They have performed on The Today Show, 7.30 Report and So You Think You Can Dance.

Feel Free Dance

The Latin dance instructors of Feel Free Dance have created a great dance community at Bondi and are here to share the vibrant dances including the LA Salsa, Cuban Salsa and Bachata. The energy and moves of the dancers will make you want to get up and dance along! Why not try a class here.

Visit Bondi Pavilion Clay Studio and make ‘Things with Wings’. Children and adults can learn how to sculpt pieces such as butterflies, bees, birds, aeroplanes, seagulls – our local favourites – or anything else related to things that move in the wind. You can take your work home or add it add it to the group art installation. This craft activity will be held every 30 minutes.

Face painting and bubbles are on offer in the Pavilion Courtayrds, delivered by Little Feet Events.

In between activities, relax in the courtyard, taking in the sunshine with Eastside Radio and tunes from DJ Jön while you dabble in the garden games.

Kids shows and Roaming Performers

Keep an eye out for the Beeswax and Bottlecaps team of roaming performers, including the amazing Sustainable Society, Up, Up and Away and The Aerial Bike.

Beeswax and Bottlecaps is a production house willing to tackle any fabulous idea or creative endeavour. This grassroots company has been built from the creative minds and performance experience of George Le Couteur and Lil Tulloch. With over 20 years of combined stage time they have a strong focus on Circus, Vaudeville and Variety. With an ethos to foster independent artists to find their true silly and bring it to the stage, they have a fantastic cohort of performers that can be seen performing across the Eastern seaboard. Artists this year include George Le Couteur, Lil Tulloch, Gemma Mcdonald, Paul Jones, Scarlett Hankins, Jesse Rowles, Rhys Davies and the incredible Monica Maria Trapaga.

The old romantic world of Airship travel is captured in the gloriously eccentric roving act, Up, Up and Away. See these dashing aeronauts out for a ground training session before taking off. With a waltzing soundtrack, catch them for a photo opportunity before they head for the clouds.

Unlike anything else in Australia, The Aerial Bike is a roving lollipop aerialist that will delight everyone as they perform amazing circus feats whilst roaming throughout the festival.

The Sustainable Society are fun characters who highlight sustainability, reuse and reinvigoration with their repurposed vibrant costumes, recycled trinkets. They celebrate what’s old is new again by their poems, limericks and other delights.

Food, drinks and kite stalls

Enjoy the taste’s from around the world at one of our dozens of food stalls set up in the park or buy a kite from our kite stalls and show your friends and family how good you are at flying a kite.

Kite making with Edgee

Come and make a kite with expert kite maker and flyer Edgee and his team who will show you how to make your own detailed paper kite.  Then try it out in the public flying areas marked out on famous Bondi Beach!

Rides, petting zoo and bubbles

Enjoy kids' rides, immerse yourself in bubbles and pet animals at Kidz Zoo – you might even see a llama or an alpaca in real life!

Join one of five free skate lessons from Concrete Riders, suitable for ages 5+. Whether you're just starting out or looking to sharpen your skills, expert coaches will be on hand to guide you every step of the way.

Gear will be provided or feel free to bring your own. Reserve your spot today as spots are strictly limited.