This is a new addition to our festival and it’s going to be something very special!
Join us for a sumptuous 2 course dinner (alternate drop) at the top class Pacific Hotel for a unique world music experience, never presented in Cairns before.
Start the night watching the sun set in the outdoor area, with traditional and modern Hawaiian music by Kainoa Kamaka, and catch up with ukulele friends over a drink.
Next we shall be seated at our tables for dinner and a special one night only show by Candra Kirana (pronounce: Chandra Kirana)
“Indonesia’s answer to Cesaria Evora and Buena Vista Social Club”
Ibu Lina is the lead singer and band leader of Candra Kirana, keeping the orchestra together for over 30 years with band members hailing from various Indonesian islands. The orchestra consists of six band members, with each band member coming from a family of musicians and has practiced the art of Keroncong folk music since childhood. The orchestra features vocals, cak tenor ukulele, ukulele, violin, cello and double bass. Keroncong music dates back to the Portuguese sailors following the spice trade in the early 1600s. They brought their stringed instruments with them during their travels. Keroncong music tells the tales of love, yearning, beauty and melancholy as well as an appreciation of the natural environment and countryside. Festival organiser Gaby Thomasz describes the music and the orchestra as “Indonesia’s answer to Cesaria Evora and the Buena Vista Social Club”, referring to the charismatic band leader with powerful operetta like vocals and melodies, a rich history and rhythms reminiscent of South American music, but with a distinctly Indonesian flavour.
Cairns Ukulele Festival 