May is generally quite a busy time for Semara Winangun, and this month is no exception. We have no fewer than three gigs this month and hope that you will be able to catch one or more of them.

The fun begins on May 16th, when we take the stage as guests of the Cantata Singers of Ottawa. Join us for a musical journey through the Far East including choral and instrumental works from China, Indonesia, Korea, the Philippines, and other countries.

You can find the full details on the Cantata Singers’ website but here are the essentials:

Asian Soundscape
A Journey Through the Far East
Sunday May 16th, 2010 @ 3pm
Christ Church Cathedral, Sparks and Bronson
Tickets are $25 for adults ($20 if purchased early) and $10 for students.

Happy New Year to all!

We are excited to announce our first gig of the year: in support of Matt Ouimet and his new CD Oh Jesus, we will take the stage at the Elmdale House Tavern. Our 30-minute set will feature some of our more energetic tunes.

The Elmdale House has become a hotspot for great Ottawa music in the last couple of years and this coming Saturday will be no exception!

Details:
What: Matt Ouimet CD Release, featuring Semara Winangun, the Golden Seals, and Steve Durand
When: Saturday January 16th @ 9:30pm
Where: Elmdale House Tavern – 1084 Wellington St. West
How much: Cover is 8$ at the door

Semara Winangun is excited to be part of the Mayfair Theatre‘s upcoming Silent Horror Film Festival. Along with our very popular version of Nosferatu, the Mayfair presents three other silent horror classics complete with LIVE score.

Phantom of the Opera 
(1926)
Friday, October 16 @ 7 pm

Score composed by Mark Molnar and performed by the intense experimental instrumental mini orchestra Kingdom Shore.

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari
 (1920)
Friday, October 16 @ 9 pm

Featuring a suitably dreamy live, original musical score composed by Mike Dubue and performed by HILOTRONS.

F.W. Murnau’s Faust
 (1926)
Friday, October 23 @ 7 pm

Featuring a live, original musical score by Ottawa retro-instrumental sensation, The Flaps.

Nosferatu
 (1922)
Friday, October 23@ 9:30 pm

A true symphony of horror! Murnau’s classic vampire film rises from the grave once again with a live, original musical score composed by Mike Dubue and performed by the Mayfair Theatre Orchestra and Semara Winangun. New, restored print!

ADMISSION
Members, seniors and students: $15
Non-members: $20
Festival passes (members only): $50
Advance tickets and limited festival passes are on sale now!

All screenings take place at the Mayfair Theatre, 1074 Bank St. (at Sunnyside).

We have met before and we will meet again. On October 27 at the NAC 4th Stage, we collaborate with the adventurous jazz group known as Rakestar (an anagram of Sun Ra’s Arkestra.)

As usual, sparks will fly and new sounds will be heard for the first time. Both groups will have a chance to play independently as well as with each other, culminating in the world premiere of Rory Magill’s recently completed Hybridge suite.

Here are the quick details:

When: Tuesday, October 27 at 7:30pm
Where: NAC 4th Stage
How much? 22$ for adults, 15$ for students

This show is presented by the Ottawa Jazz Festival. You can find out how to get tickets here: http://ottawajazzfestival.com/e/artists/2010/rorymagill.html

To whet your appetite, here is a sample of some of the things that happened the last time we met:

If you have yet to see our version of Nosferatu (the film is silent and, along with the Mayfair Theatre Orchestra, we perform the soundtrack live), you will have a couple more chances. The first is coming up August 28th as part of Wakefest 2009!

You can read more about the show here

We will also be doing two performances of the piece in October as part of a silent film festival at the Mayfair Theatre. More details to follow!