Stiff Gins at Troubadour

The Stiff Gins will be the guest performers at the November Troubadour concert in Woy Woy.

The concert will be held on November 12 at 1.30pm.

The Stiff Gins are Nardi Simpson and Kaleena Briggs.

In the seven years since their first meeting at the Eora Centre in Redfern, Stiff Gins have performed at cultural institutes in New Caledonia, Vietnam, Spain, been part of cultural exchanges to Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt and Cyprus, played festivals and shows throughout Canada, the US, Ireland and performed extensively throughout Australia. "Stiff Gins are, through harmony and song, reclaiming a derogatory term for Aboriginal women, instead declaring its meaning as proud, passionate and talented," said Troubadour Central Coast publicity officer Ms Leila Desborough.

"Nardi Simpson is from the Yuwaalaraay people, with roots in Sydney's inner West and country NSW.

"Nardi began musical study in high school and is proud to carry with her both formal training and oral musical tradition from her family.

"Majoring in voice for her HSC, and after two years of a Bachelor of Arts degree at Sydney University, Nardi then enrolled at the Eora Centre in Redfern where she met Kaleena and started Stiff Gins.

"Here, Nardi continued on to study a Diploma of Contemporary Music, after which she then returned to university to complete her bachelor's degree in 2003.

"Outside of music Nardi loves nothing better than listening to the cricket (she used to play competitively and even played a season in England in 1993), fishing and is starting to dabble in short film making.

"Earlier this year Nardi recorded with Aunty Wendy's Mob, helping to release children's album 'Happy to be Me', the second from Wendy Notley and Aunty Wendy's Mob."

Kaleena is from the Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta people, southern NSW and northern Victoria peoples, was born in Melbourne in 1979 and resides in Marrickville, Sydney.

Ms Desborough said Kaleena Briggs began musical study at high school, actively involved in school bands and vocal groups and continued that study through to her graduation in a Diploma in Contemporary Music at TAFE in 2000.

"Kaleena was a featured vocalist on YABUN, Voices with a Beat, a joint Gadigal Information Services and Koori Radio produced CD released in 1999 and performs the vocals to the opening credits of the ABC's Message Stick Program," Ms Desbourough said.

"A highlight for Kaleena was performing in a 'Welcome To Country' for the Opening Ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000."

The Stiff Gins have been nominated for, and won, many accolades over the years and have also performed at many festivals.

The concert will take place at the CWA hall in Woy Woy, on The Boulevard, opposite Fisherman's Wharf.

Floor spots are available, as is afternoon tea.

Entry is $10, $8 concession and $7 for members.

The concert will run from 1.30pm to 5pm.

Doreen Van Bree will also be hosting a singing workshop on the same day, at 11am, at the same location.

The workshop will last about an hour.

Press release, October 16 Leila Desborough, Troubadour Central Coast