The Butterfly Club Announces Winner Of Under Our Wing Award

Emma Dean was today announced winner of the prestigious annual ‘Under Our Wing Award', Australia's top award given to emerging cabaret performers.

Emma is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist whose music and performances delve into the magical world where live music meets theatre. Emma's theatrical fascination led her to the decadent world of cabaret in early 2009.

She has had two number one hits on TripleJ Unearthed so far this year, with her singles ‘Thunder' and ‘Thieving Hearts' reaching the top spots in May.

She is well known for her diverse collaborations, ranging from:
· performing as a guest artist for The Dresden Dolls' Amanda Palmer;
· world renowned Zen Zen Zo Physical Theatre Company;
· co-writer and co-lead in the musical Downside Up (2009);
· lead role in the short film Solitaire (2007);
· lead acting and singing role in the NIDA production of Medea, for which she also wrote several songs; and
· performances with Kate Miller-Heidke, Angie Hart (Frente), Teddy Geiger and David Campbell.

She is about to commence an east-coast tour with her latest cabaret show ‘Emma Dean and The Imaginary Friends':
Brisbane: The Old Museum, 14 Aug, tickets at www.oztix.com.au
Melbourne: The Butterfly Club, 18-21 Aug, tickets at www.thebutterflyclub.com
Sydney: The Old Fitzroy, 15-17 Sept, tickets at www.rocksurfers.org

‘The mixture of a well-written storyline and amazing vocal and musical talent ensured the audience was captivated throughout the entire performance. Emma Dean's unique cabaret style is especially unique and a pleasure to watch' - ninemsn.com.au (2010)

‘... curious, funny, astute and above all, weird. She could well stake a good claim to be the new Millennium's Kate Bush with her theatrical approach to music ...' - Album Review - allgigs.co.uk (2009)

About the award
The Butterfly Club's David Read said "the Under Our Wing Award is given by the venue to outstanding emerging cabaret performers who in our opinion deserve much more recognition than they are currently receiving."

Emma joins luminaries Tim Minchin (2003), Daniel Maloney (2004), Reuben Krum (2005), Sammy J (2006), Karin Muiznieks (2007), Joanne O'Callaghan and James Simpson (2008) and Tom Dickins (2009).

Like all of the previous Under Our Wing Award winners, Emma fits The Butterfly Club's preferred style of cabaret. While we welcome all forms of cabaret, we favour those of the European model that reflect the style of performance for which cabaret was originally created - shows that satirise or reflect contemporary life and enlighten audiences, performed in an intimate setting.

The inaugural recipient of this award (in 2003) was Tim Minchin at a time when he was an unknown. He has since gone on to win the coveted Perrier Best Newcomer Award at the world's largest festival, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, and is now regularly selling out in large venues across Australia, the UK and the USA. The Butterfly Club was the first producer to recognise and tour Tim's extraordinary talents and nurtured him for two years as a regular performer including his first show in the Melbourne International Comedy Festival before his rise to international acclaim.

Need more Australia - Melbourne Theatre News in your life? Sign up for all the news on the Winter season, discounts & more...