Arts Centre Melbourne, September 2012

Raising the Roof

Melbourne Ukulele Kollective

La Doce Della Luna

Chao-Feng Chinese Orchestra

Skin Choir

Kew Band Melbourne

Mesopotamia Group

Drum Nation

MASSIVE Hip Hop Choir

Melbourne Mass Gospel Choir

The Bombay Royale

Flash-Mob Rural Voices

Flash-Mob Rural Voices

Julia Zemiro and GL

Mexican Wave of Laughter

​​Raising the Roof brought together hundreds of performers in a unique celebration of grassroots musical culture in Melbourne. Patrick Cronin and Graeme Leak invited five ensembles, five choirs and over 200 singers from Regional Victoria, all with one thing in common – they love what they do. 

A joyous carnival atmosphere greeted the public on arrival as the groups performed in the foyers before the show. Then each group performed on the Hamer Hall stage during the first half. 

After interval there was a set from the Bombay Royale followed by the Grand Finale, an eclectic composition by Graeme that united all artists into a multi-culti orchestra, with a part for the audience. After a quick rehearsal (to teach the audience their part) we RAISED the ROOF.

Raising the Roof 5min documentary made by Arts Centre Melbourne

Host Julia Zemiro talks about Graeme Leak’s Raising the Roof, an event that brought together hundreds of performers in a unique celebration of grass-roots musical culture in Melbourne – with a part for the audience!

Included in the show were three short videos starring Arts Centre staff performing in their natural habitat 

Devised and directed by Graeme Leak and Patrick Cronin, June 2011 to September 2012 | Commissioned and produced by Arts Centre Melbourne after a suggestion by Émer Harrington | Sound Design Jim Atkins | Stage Design Darryl Cordell | Choreographer Bec Reid | Lighting Design Niklas Pajanti