Jose Calarco

Jose Calarco has had a long and wide-ranging association in the arts in Australia and around the World for the last twenty five years, in this 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. José’s ability to multi-task in marketing, box office, administration, sales, computers, performing musician, recording, writing and artistic direction was the foundation on which Descendance was built; the success of the company came with minimal financial Government support. Descendance has now realized its dreams and potential performing at the World’s premier festivals and events. Jose’s was at the forefront of the world music and dance evolution in the eighties and nineties in Australia as a producer, promoter and performer.

Jose has directed four successful performing dance companies in Australia, which include: Descendance, Ngaru Dancers, Flamenco Dreaming, and Antonio Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre. Jose gained valuable administration experience 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 across the arts.

Jose expertise in the International Market Place for the arts has seen him coordinate and successfully tour Descendance to over forty countries these include:  

1. China & Hong Kong, 2. USA, (Hawaii, Florida, Miami, Los Angeles, San Francisco, New York, and 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.Mauritius 29.Seychelles 30.Qatar 31.Vietnam 32.Netherlands. 33. Japan, 34.Taiwan 35. Scotland, 36. Ireland, 37.Sweeden, 38.Denmark, 39.Norway, 40.Thailand, 41.Slovenia 42.Slavacia

Jose orchestrated  Descendance s rise to International prominence  winning a world  dance award  in Korea in 2004 for UNESCO, a Brolga award in tourism in 2003, best show award 2003-2004 at Disneyworld’s Epcot Centre, then constructed performances at high profile events such as The Sydney Olympics 2000, Rugby Union World Cup 2003, The Soccer World Cup in Germany 2006,  The United Nations indigenous Forum in New York 2006 and The indigenous Forum in Pau France 2006, Jose was a consultant for Discovery Channels “Atlas Australia” the widest  film or documentary release ever to come out of Australia, reaching 170 countries, narrated by Russell Crowe and featuring Descendance, in 2009 he coordinated Descendance to  launch  the Baz Lurhman film “Australia” in Italy.

Jose in unison with Austrade, Tourism Australia, Australia Council and DFAT saw Descendance  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. Descendance performed at the Nicole Kidman and Mel Gibson Hollywood Tribute at G’Day LA in 2005 to illustrious reviews.

José has produced performances for dignitaries and celebrities such as The Dali Lama, Queen Elizabeth , Justin Timberlake, Cate Blanchett., Janet Jackson, Desree, Jimmy Cliff, Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Geoffrey Rush, Sylvester Stallone, Olivia Newtown John, Steve Irwin,  Keith Urban, The Dixie Chicks, Julio Iglesias, The Black Eyed Peas, Delta Goodram, Ian Thorpe, Jennifer Hawkins (Miss Universe), and Johnny Knoxville (Jackass), as well as Ambassadors, Governor Generals, Presidents, Prime Ministers, and many other political dignitaries both in Australia and abroad.

Jose has been producing  indigenous performances at International Corporate events for over fifteen years for diverse audiences ranging from the fields of Science, Technology, Medicine, Performing Arts, Government, Finance, Politics and many other widespread sectors .

Indigenous culture has managed to reach unprecedented international live audiences through Jose’s eye for the big international festivals, with Descendance performing to astonishing sized crowds:, 100,000 (Honolulu Festival 2005-2012), 87,000 (Midsummer Night’s Dream Festival Germany 2005),  60, 000 (Sziget Festival Hungary 2005), 35,000 ( Drum Festival Korea 2004), 30,000 (Food & Wine Festival Disneyworld Florida Epcot Centre 2003-2005)., 30,000 (Toast Festival London 2009),  20,000 (Pau Festival France 2006) , 50,000 (Guca Festival Serbia 2010), 20,000 (Vitebsk Festival Belarus), 60,000 (Asia Cup Festival Qatar), 30,000 (The Gold Show Festival Ghana)Jose has created a blue chip client base for indigenous culture whilst  gaining immeasurable TV and Media coverage culminating in Descendance reaching millions around the world .

*2000-2012

Director/Administrator Descendance Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Dance Theatre produced CD’s, DVD’s, Websites, Brochures, Documentaries and Marketing Strategies.

*2002-2009

Manager/Red Centre Dreaming (Alice Springs), contracted Descendance to Aurora Resorts, 400 shows per year, one of Australia’s longest running dance events, winner of the Brolga Award for tourism in 2003.

*2000-2012

International touring to over 40 countries and 150 cities

*2000-2012

International Conventions, each year Sydney and Australia hosts up to 50 conventions with Descendance providing the creative and cultural themes.

*2000-2012

Performances around Australia for Schools, Museums, Art Galleries, Corporate Events, Political Events, Festivals, Workshops, Community, TV, Radio, Jails.

*2006-2012

Aboriginal Community programs for Palm Island, Mapoon and Yarrabah, North Queensland, Performances training and tutoring of indigenous children.

*2000-2012

Performances on the world’s great cruise liners : Oriana, Aurora, Saga Rose, the World, Amsterdam, Queen Mary 2.

*2002-2012

Descendance festival performances in Australia, including “Sydney Dreaming” and the Dreaming Festival (Woodford).

*2000-2007

Directed cross cultural collaborations Theatrical Shows “Spirits’ of the Soil”, “Flamenco Dreaming”, Tree Of Life”, “The Lovers” and “Portal”.

*1997-1999

Manager Ngaru Aboriginal Dance Company.

*1992-1997

Director Flamenco Dreaming. Directed shows “Antipodes”, To India with Love”

*1987-1992

Director of Antonio Vargas Flamenco Dance Theatre, Produced Theatre performances “Chronicles of a Death Foretold”, Passion Grace & Fire, and the dance content for the film Strictly Ballroom.

*1987-1999

Manager Halftix and The Australian Elizabethan Theatre Trust.