What does Cha Cha Sam do?

Cha Cha Sam makes songs and stories that bring children and their communities closer together through singing, dancing and practicing communication.

Who is Cha Cha Sam?

On stage Cha Cha Sam is the singer/performer (Andrea Rieniets). In reality Cha Cha Sam is the Melbourne creative team of singer/composer Andrea Rieniets and writer/visual director Ande Lemon who both have over 30 years’ experience as respected artists and community cultural development workers.

Andrea Rieniets – songwriter, composer, musician, singer

Andrea Rieniets is a songwriter, composer, musical director, musician and singer performing at venues such as Womadelaide and the Famous Spiegeltent; and directing community choirs such as Adelaide’s Before You Were Blonde contemporary community choir, and Sing It Up Big Australian Indigenous Choir.

Her compositional works and concerts have featured in the Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide festivals; Helsinki National Opera and ABC radio. She has worked in schools with The Songroom; facilitates youth philanthropy in the Banyule region and has created over 40 recordings for solo, stage and film works. She was the first Australian composer to be awarded an ANARE berth to Antarctica, and is the recipient of the Centenary Federation Medal for services to society in theatre.

In Cha Cha Sam she is in charge of lyrics and tunes, and performing them. At our gigs Andrea is Cha Cha Sam on stage.

Ande Lemon – scriptwriter, author, curator, director

Amongst her achievements Ande was Artistic Director of Melbourne’s Women’s Circus (2002-2003) for women who identify as survivors of sexual abuse or assault; Coordinator of the Royal Children’s Hospital Wyndham region Arts and Mental Health programme working with primary and special needs schools, community agencies and mental health professionals; has written and directed over 50 community-based and professional scripts and productions.

She is the recipient of awards from the Australian Writers’ Guild; Victorian Green Room and the Edinburgh Fringe; and received the Centenary Federation Medal for services to society in theatre.

Ande was recently awarded a Doctorate for her thesis examining community belonging in the context of nomadic Australian circus communities. Her thesis was nominated for a University of Melbourne Chancellor’s Award, and her research formed the basis for her major photographic and oral history exhibition, The Circus Diaries at The Arts Centre, Melbourne.

At our gigs Ande is on the sound desk and merch table.

Ande and Andrea’s work takes a long-term, heart-centred view of children as collaborators in, and creators of community. They are also Directors of Kids Thrive  – a not for profit organisation using the arts to foster community connection and creative communication.

Mark Crees – Executive Producer

Mark is the guy who can’t wait to get Andrea and Ande out of the office and onto the road. It’s Mark you’ll talk to when you want a performance. But don’t worry, he’s onto it; if you haven’t rung him for a while, expect a call any day!

Delia Silvan – movement coach

Delia is Cha Cha Sam’s resident movement coach. A beautiful dancer and choreographer herself, Delia is gaining karmic points by working with Andrea to extend her movement vocab from ungainly weight shifts.

photo by CATHRYN TREMAIN

Where does the Cha Cha Sam name come from?

Andrea and Ande found Cha Cha Sam as a puppy at the Lost Dogs Home. She has a great talent for making children happy and loves to dance to music. So we’ve called our band after our dog! And Cha Cha Sam get grins and spins wherever she sings.

What sort of music is this?

Cha Cha Sam children’s CDs are folk/pop for children and their families. Made with love and laughter, Cha Cha Sam children’s CDs are dedicated to moving your body, heart and mind. Cha Cha Sam children’s CDs encourage children to play and communicate creatively in the early years of growth and discovery. The songs are made in close collaboration with specialists in children’s health, education and disability, to be inclusive of special needs.

Where does Cha Cha Sam perform?

Since our launch in 2007 Cha Cha Sam has performed to over 12,000 kids in venues ranging from the Melbourne Recital Centre, National Gallery of Victoria, All Stars Theatre in New York City to arts festivals, and remote community venues. It’s probably more apt to ask the question ‘where doesn’t Cha Cha Sam perform?