Commemoration
From the Canberra Theatre Centre website :
Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen are five stellar performers whose roots run deep in the Canberra music scene , featuring Michael Simic on guitar , Pip Branson on violin , Phil Moriarty on clarinet , Guy Freer on accordion and Sam Martin on double bass . The group has packed houses from the Sydney Opera House to London ’ s West End , releasing four albums and building a dedicated following here and around the world . This December , they are back with a very special David Branson 20th Anniversary Concert .
During his life , David Branson loomed large on the Australian arts scene . In Canberra , he seemed to be everywhere , producing , directing and acting in a vast array of theatre projects . He mentored every young aspiring actor , writer or musician he encountered , inspiring people to great heights of creativity .
He was also a founding member of Mikelangelo and the Black Sea Gentlemen , playing violin and appearing on stage as Senor Handsome .
David died in a car accident on Anzac parade on his way to a Black Sea Gentlemen performance on December 11 , 2001 . Now , 20 years on , the band come together to pay tribute to their friend , brother and founding member with a very special one-off show at the Canberra Theatre Playhouse on Friday 10 December .
For readers who do not know , David Branson was the son of Margaret Hunt , and brother of Paul , Pip and Liz ( Bishop ). The commemoration concert is at the Playhouse on the evening of Friday 10 December . Tickets are available from the CTC website
https :// canberratheatrecentre . com . au
The following day Mikelangelo and the Black Sea gentlemen will perform again in the foyer of the Street Theatre during the launch of Joel Swadling ’ s book about David , titled If This Is The Highway , I ’ ll Take The Dirt Road - the Formidable Encounters of David Branson Esq .
Soft and hard cover versions of the book will , of course , be available for purchase - directly from Joel after worship on 21 November ( soft cover $ 35 , hard cover $ 60 ), at the launch ; also from all good bookshops in Canberra and online ( for higher prices ). There is also an e-Book option online . And there are posters and postcards at the church and various arts organisations - and in shopping centres near you ! Congratulations Joel !
St Margaret ’ s News 11 November 2021