The Bowerbird Collective, featuring violinist Simone Slattery and cellist Anthony Albrecht, are touring Tasmania throughout June to present their cinematic live concert ‘Life on Land’s Edge‘.

‘Life on Land’s Edge‘ takes the audience on a journey alongside migratory shorebirds as they connect continents and cultures. The performance draws on art, scienc, and music from across the ages.

Footage and soundscapes set the scene as you are immersed in one of nature’s greatest stories: the annual migration of migratory shorebirds from as far south as Tasmania to the tundras of Siberia.

All the music in the show is played live on violin and cello, with Slattery also providing vocals in her own composition, ‘The Godwit and Curlew‘, which features often on ABC Classic FM. The pair both play instruments made in the 18th century.

The project won the Independent Arts Foundation Award for Innovation in 2022. Much of the footage included in the show was filmed by Albrecht and Slattery as they toured around Australia, collecting scientific and cultural knowledge and inspiration, in locations such as the Broome Bird Observatory.

Covid times provided unexpected opportunities for unusual travel, when the pair hopped around Australian states, avoiding lockdowns, and at times spent enforced months in unexpected locations, such as King Island. They grew to love the island so much that they now annually produce the Moonbird Festival in venues on the island.

In partnership with BirdLife Australia, Slattery and Albrecht commissioned eight new works from five Australian composers. The recorded album of “Life on Land’s Edge” reached number 1 on the ARIA Classical charts on its release. The 60-minute performance is followed by a Q&A.

Swansea Town Hall | 18.06.25, 19:30
St Helens Portland Hall | 19.06.25, 19:30
Scottsdale Mechanics’ Institute | 20.06.25, 19:30
Launceston Earl Arts Centre | 21.06.25, 17:00
Deloraine Little Theatre | 22.06.25, 11:00
Cygnet Town Hall | 26.06.25, 19:30
Franklin Palais | 27.06.25, 19:30
Hobart Ian Potter Recital Hall | 28.06.25, 14:00 & 17:00
Bruny Island Adventure Bay Hall | 29.06.25, 17:00

 Bookings for all shows are at bowerbirdcollective.org.

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