WISDOM OF A SENIOR MOMENT

From tribal Ghana and African refugee camps to urban Australia, 'Wisdom of a Seniors Moment' was a cross cultural music adventure that took the audience into the intimate lives of the performers.

The term a 'senior moment' was coined in the mid 1990's to indicate a brief period when someone, especially an elderly person, is unable to remember something. Since then the term has been used by everyone regardless of age - who hasn't said I'm having a senior moment when they're forgotten or misplaced something. 'Wisdom of Senior Moment' took this term and turned it on its head by bringing together two very diverse communities in Penrith to celebrate the wisdom, passion and fun of our community's seniors.

'Wisdom of a Senior Moment' was a music and spoken word performance that brought together the Penrith Seniors Choir, young artists from Sudan and Egypt, and musicians from across Western Sydney. 'Wisdom of a Senior Moment' was creatively led by Music Producer Richard Petkovic. Richard worked with the performers for over three months to develop an hour-long performance of original music that interwove their personal stories with the lessons they learnt working together as a group. 'Wisdom of a Senior Moment' premiered at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre during the 2011 NSW Seniors Week Celebrations. The group also recorded a CD and made documentary about the project.

'Wisdom of a Seniors Moment' was commissioned by the Q Theatre and performed at the Joan in March 2011.

CREATIVE TEAM
Penrith Seniors Choir: Winnie Amon-Reinen, Thelma Anderson, Wendy Croft, Julie Gillies, Elma Ollerenshaw and Cindy Walker
Rappers / Spoken Word: Abaker Athum, David Dut and Farid Farid

Executive Producer: Katrina Douglas
Producer & Musical Director: Richard Petkovic
Ghanaian Drums: Yaw Derchyi
Dancers & Percussion: Aba Derchyi, Kakraa Derchyi and Punyir Derchyi
Bass: Jonathan Nanlohy
Piano & Vocals: Kerrie O'Connor-Brown
South American Percussian & Vocal: Fernando Andres
Backing Vocals: Justine Eltakchi
Harmonium: Richard Petkovic
Production Photos: Tim Baines