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Canberra Today 14°/16° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Concert salutes family

Alda Rezende... devastated.
A MIX of Canberra art groups are banding together to support a concert dedicated to the Efkarpidis family, whose NewActon pavilion and Molonglo Group office was destroyed by fire in June.

The Playhouse concert “The Girl From Minas Gerais: Alda Rezende” on September 22 will not only include the talents of the classically trained Brazilian singer Alda Rezende, but presentations and performances from the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s brass section, Canberra Glassworks, QL2 youth dance ensemble and Centenary of Canberra creative director Robyn Archer.

Promoter Frank Madrid said it was because of the Efkarpidis family’s (particularly brothers Nectar and Johnathan) tireless, “without-a-fuss” work for the arts that arts organisations jumped at the chance to be involved in the concert.

“We felt a concert was the best vehicle to dedicate to the Efkarpidis family,” he said.

“It is something uplifting, through music.”

Frank said singer Alda Rezende was eager to show her support to the family who had supported her last time she was in Canberra.

“When Alda first came to Australia as part of a showcase of Latin music at the Playhouse, the Efkarpidis family very kindly housed Alda and all the other performers in an apartment at the ApARTments in NewActon.

“[The Efkarpidis family] then hosted a function for all the artists in Parlour Wineroom.

“When I told her Parlour was burnt down, I explained to her it was the place where we all had a wonderful time.”

He said Alda was devastated by the news that Parlour had burnt down.

Nectar Efkarpidis told “CityNews” the family felt privileged and honoured that so many people were showing support.

The family supports arts organisations including Canberra Symphony Orchestra, the National Portrait Gallery, the National Gallery of Australia plus community street and public art.

Their love for art is most visible in NewActon, through the luxury ApARTments; Diamant Hotel, which features an original piece of artwork in most rooms, and the soon-to-be Nishi apartment block.

Some of the art works Mr Efkarpidis had been collecting for the new development were lost in the NewActon fire.

The concert will be opened by Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s brass section, followed by an introduction from Robyn Archer who will present a work created at the Canberra Glassworks to the family.

And QL2 dancer Alison Plevey will perform a specially choreographed piece to the music of composer Jonathan Zwartz inspired by fire and the pavilion’s rebuild.

The staff from Molonglo Group and the other fellow fire-affected businesses Flint, Parlour Wine Room and Bicicletta will all attend as special guests.

The concert is part of the Pura Vida! In the City festival.

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Ian Meikle, editor

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