- Jose Calarco
Jose Calarco has had a long and varied association in the arts in Sydney and around the World for the last twenty years. In that time he has covered almost the entire spectrum of experience, from producer and administrator of large-scale events, to innovative artistic direction in the fields of dance, film, theatre and music. Jose’s strong management credentials have seen Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre grow into one of Australia’s leading international Cultural Exports in recent times. José had to show ability to multi-task in marketing, box office, administration, sales, computers, performing musician, and recording, writing and artistic direction, the success came with little financial support, but through years of research and hard work, now Descendance has begun to realise its dreams and potential, performing at the Worlds premier events. Jose’s was at the forefront of the world music and dance movement in Australia as a producer, promoter and performer.
Director of four successful performing dance companies from Australia, which include: Descendance, Ngaru Dancers, Flamenco Dreaming, and Antonio Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre. Jose gained valuable administration experience from managing three high profile arts companies in Sydney, Halftix (an internationally renowned discount arts box office), The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust (Australia’s initial funding source for the arts), and Ticketek (Australia’s premier box office). His five years as a Film Buyer & Programmer for Village/Roadshow helped broaden his general knowledge and skills in the arts.
Jose expertise in the International Market Place for the arts has seen him coordinate and successfully tour Descendance to over thirty countries and perform at the world’s major festivals and events these countries include 1.China mainland (Hong Kong), 2. USA (Hawaii, Orlando, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, Baltimore.), 3. Canada (Toronto, Ottawa, Banff, Vancouver), 4.Korea, 5.Germany, 6.England, 7. Hungary, 8.Singapore, 9.Russia, 10.New Zealand, 11.France 12.Reunion Island, 13.Austria, 14.UAE, 15.Spain,.16. South Africa, 17.Ghana, 18.Belarus, 19.Poland, 20.Lithuania, 21.Latvia, 22.Estonia, 23.Croatia, 24.Serbia, 25.Bulgaria 26.Trinidad 27.Italy 28.Netherlands. 29. Scotland, 30.Ireland, 31.Sweeden, 32.Denmark, 33.Norway, 34.Thailand, 35.Japan, 36.Taiwan.
Jose has coordinated and produced Descendance into winning a world dance title in Korea in 2004 for UNESCO, a Brolga award in tourism 2003, Disneyworld’s, Epcot Centre best show award 2003-2004, Performances at Major Events such as The Sydney Olympics 2000, Rugby Union World Cup 2003, The Soccer World Cup in Germany 2006, The United Nations indigenous Forums in New York 2006, The indigenous Forum in Pau France 2006, and Discovery Channels “Atlas Australia” the biggest film or documentary release ever out of Australia, reaching 170 countries and narrated by Russell Crowe.
Jose co-ordinated Descendance with Austrade, Tourism Australia and DFAT to promote “Australia Weeks” in the USA (LA & San Francisco) 2005-2006, Russia (Moscow) 2005, New Zealand 2006-2008, Croatia 2008, Serbia 2008, Hungry 2005-2006, and Canada (Toronto, Vancouver) 2007-2008, performed at Nicole Kidman and Mel Gibson’s Hollywood Tribute at G’Day LA in 2005. Launched the Baz Lurhman film Australia in Italy (2009), As well as produced performances for dignitaries and celebrities such as The Dali Lama, Queen Elizabeth, Justin Timberlake, and Cate Blanchett. Jose has been producing indigenous performances at International corporate events for over ten years, with distinguished audiences from the fields of science, technology, medicine, performing arts, and politics, and hosted and entertained many visiting international dance companies in Australia.
Indigenous culture has managed to reach unprecedented international audiences through Jose’s eye for the big international festivals, 87,000 (Midsummer Nights Dream Germany 2005) 60, 000,(Sziget Festival Hungary 2005) ,35,000 Drum Festival Korea 2004, 30,000 Disneyworld Florida Epcot Centre 2002-2005. Jose has created a blue chip client base for indigenous dance and gained immeasurable TV and Media around the world for the indigenous arts.
*2000-2009 Director of Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre.
*2000-2009 Red Centre Dreaming” (Alice Springs) contracted to Aurora Resorts, over 400 shows per year, Australia’s longest running dance event, winner of the Brolga Award for tourism.
*2000-2009 International Touring, 36 countries and over 100 cities, produce CD’s, DVD’s, Websites, Brochures documentaries and Marketing Strategies.
*2000-2009 International Conventions, each year Sydney and Australia hosts up to 50 conventions with Descendance providing the creative and cultural themes.
*2000-2009 Performances around Australia for Schools, Museums, Art Galleries, Corporate Events, Political Events, Festivals, Workshops, Community, TV, Radio, Jails.
*2006-2008 Community programs Palm Island, Performances, training and tutoring indigenous children.
*2000-2009 Performances on the world’s great cruise liners : Oriana, Aurora, Saga Rose, the World, Amsterdam, Queen Mary 2.
*2002-2005 Descendance festival performances Australia, Sydney Dreaming” and the Dreaming Festival (Woodford).
*2000-2007 Directs Theatrical Shows “Spirits’ of the Soil”, “Flamenco Dreaming”, Tree Of Life”, “The Lovers” and “Portal” cross cultural collaborations.
*1997-1999 Manager Ngaru Dance Company.
*1992-1997 Director Flamenco Dreaming. Direct shows “Antipodes”, To India with Love”
*1987-1991 Director of Antonio Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre, Produce Theatre performances “Chronicles of a Death Foretold” , Passion Grace & Fire.
*1987-1999 Manager Halftix and The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.
