By Callum Ludwig
Gypsy/Balkan Folk band Babaganoush is back on the local music scene and will be performing at the PEACE FARM in Yarra Junction on Saturday 4 June.
The band have been performing for over 17 years, having performed at the Upper Yarra Arts Centre in Warburton and played at the River Folk Festival 2018, Wild Thyme and Peace Farm.
Band founder and Warburton resident Malini Chidzey said the band haven’t been able to do a lot over the lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, so are looking forward to bringing the community back together for their first major gig post-Covid.
“The community has a really warm ambience, there’s just a particular kind of joyous atmosphere from everyone. Everyone’s up for a good night of music and dance,” she said.
“It’s a wonderful country gig and you can’t recreate that anywhere, it creates that beautiful magic that happens between musicians and sharing that joy at a concert.”
It isn’t the band’s first performance at PEACE FARM either, having played there multiple times and launched their last CD there in 2019. The band has more than just a domestic reputation though, having toured Europe and performed at music festivals around Australia like the National Folk Festival, Cynet Folk Festival, Maldon Folk Festival, The Spiegeltent Melbourne Festival, and Federation Square.
Ms Chidzey said she formed the band after finishing her music degree at the Victorian College of the Arts.
“I studied the classical stream, and there were often gypsy and folk elements in the music I played, which I wanted to explore more,” she said.
“We play Balkan folk music and gypsy music from the same area, it’s quite energetic and very passionate, with interesting rhythms and beautiful strong melodies. It feels earthy like we’re getting right to the roots.”
Babaganoush will be joined by the VIvid Sisters belly dancing duo at the event, who they have collaborated with before, as the belly dancers groove to the music.
PEACE FARM is located at 60 Settlement Rd, Junction and the event will begin at 7pm.
Tickets are $20 for an Adult ticket, $15 for Concession and $60 for a Family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) and can be booked here: https://www.trybooking.com/BZBJE
More information on the event can be found at: https://www.facebook.com/events/3139730246344978
