Following the acclaimed releases of MARTENITSA & MARA! – Za Vas Ot Nas (2025) and MARA! BIG BAND – Zashto? (2023), Australia’s dual ARIA Award-winning world and jazz music pioneers MARA! return to their roots with an intimate performance by the core quintet.

Featuring Sandy Evans, Paul Cutlan, Lloyd Swanton, Llew Kiek, and Mara Kiek, this special concert celebrates over four decades of extraordinary music-making. Audiences can expect a vibrant selection of original compositions and traditional material drawn from the band’s rich and eclectic repertoire, blending Balkan, jazz, folk, and global influences with the virtuosity and imagination that have earned MARA! international acclaim.

Widely regarded as one of Australia’s most influential world music ensembles, MARA! has toured extensively throughout Europe, Asia, North America, New Zealand and Australia. Their music has consistently drawn praise from critics around the world, with the Sydney Morning Herald describing the band as “such a bright jewel in Australia’s world-music crown” and “The Dom Perignon of Australia’s World Music Bands.”

Featured Artists

• Mara Kiek – voice & percussion
• Llew Kiek – bouzouki, bağlama & guitars
• Sandy Evans – saxophones
• Paul Cutlan – saxophones & clarinets
• Lloyd Swanton – double bass

Together, these acclaimed musicians bring a wealth of experience spanning jazz, world music, theatre, dance, composition, recording and international collaboration.

Photography: Grant Leslie

Doors: 7:00pm
Music: 7:30pm
Tickets: $40 / $30