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BIOGRAPHIES

David Arden Sally Dastey Bevan Gabanbulu Rachael Maza Long Steven Richardson New Australian Work Artist, Repertoire Adviser Artist (Gapanbulu Yunupingu) Artist Artist, Stage Direction, Spoken Word Script Conception, Direction World Artist Premiere David Arden has worked with many Aboriginal As one-third of Tiddas, Sally Dastey released Ruby Hunter is an Aboriginal woman of the Originally from the Islands, Rachael Steven Richardson has broad experience in the artists, from Hard Time Band and Koori Youth two acclaimed albums and four singles with Gapanbulu Yunupingu (Bevan Gabanbulu’s clan of South and was the Maza Long comes from a family of actors that arts spanning 20 years in a variety of artistic, Band to and . accompanying videos, and was awarded an ARIA stage name) is the grandson of lead first Aboriginal woman to record her own album. spans three generations. A graduate of the producing and programming roles. He holds a As a guitarist with , he has toured Award. She launched her solo career with Secrets singer , and current yidaki She has recorded two albums, Thoughts Within Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, Fine Arts degree in visual arts and also studied extensively both nationally and internationally. To Keep (2002) and has performed at numerous (didjeridu) player with Yothu Yindi. Gapanbulu and Feeling Good, and has toured extensively in she has had an impressive career in theatre, film, contemporary dance at Victorian College of the He has also written and performed songs for festivals while working on a range of projects Yunupingu has performed everywhere from Australia and overseas. She performs regularly with television and radio. In 1994 she was nominated Arts before working professionally as a dancer with numerous albums and worked alongside music including working with inner city choirs. Sally has small communities in to a festival long-time partner Archie Roach. for the Corner Award by the Theatre Dance Works and Dance Exchange. Steven joined director Chong Lim and members of Goanna, performed with major Australian artists and has of indigenous music in Scandinavia. From the Critics’ Circle for Best Performance in Radiance, Circus Oz in 1987 and toured with that company , Not Drowning Waving, Hunters worked on film soundtracks including The Silver Gumatj clan, he also crafts didjeridus working with Bunna Lawrie and in 2002 she was awarded a Green Room locally and internationally until 1991. Since that and Collectors and Wedding Parties Anything. His Brumby, Radiance and Simone De Beauvoir’s Arts. Artist Award for her role in Holy Day. time he has worked in programming at the Arts latest album Googatha/ Clan is now Babies. Hidden Republic marks Sally’s debut with Centre, as Director of Contemporary Music Events, available. The . Bunna Lawrie is the charismatic frontman of Shellie Morris Artistic Director of Big West, Executive Producer for Artist , the band he co-founded in 1977 Artist Next Wave Festival and Artistic Director for Eureka Mark Atkins on the Kooniba Mission in . The 150 - Diversity, Dissent, Democracy. He is currently Artist Artist Joe Geia is a north Aboriginal band rose to prominence in 1984. Their music Darwin-based singer/songwriter Shellie Morris Artistic Director of Arts House, Meat Market and composer, guitarist, singer, traditional dancer featured on Australian national radio and they was adopted out to Ian and Dorothea Dixon North Town Hall – a City of Melbourne Mark Atkins is a descendant of the Yamijti people Emma Donovan grew up in a musical family in and didjeridu player. His best-known song “Yil toured extensively. In the ‘90s the group slowed at an early age. She has traced her roots back contemporary arts initiative. of and is also of Irish–Australian northern . She was a founding Lull” has been recorded by numerous Australian their recording and touring schedule but released to a Wardaman (Katherine area) grandfather heritage. He plays the didjeridu and is also a member of vocal trio, Stiff Gins, and has also artists. If there was an anthology of Aboriginal a greatest hits compilation in 1997. In 1999 remembered for his skills with guitar and voice, Archie Roach storyteller, songwriter, drummer and visual artist. appeared on a number of Australian Indigenous music Joe’s compositions would feature often, as Bunna became the first Aboriginal Australian to and a Yanyuwa (Borroloola area) grandmother Artist THE BLACK ARM BAND He has performed around the world, working compilation CDs. She has sung alongside many of his songs form a large part of the soundtrack of receive the coveted Don Banks Music Award, who was taken from her family at eight and with musicians including Donal Lunney, Peter Australia’s most respected Indigenous performers contemporary Indigenous music. a prize usually reserved for Australian classical brought up in Darwin’s Kahlin compound. She has Archie Roach is a singer and songwriter of and Ruby Hunter and she recently sang with Geoffrey Yunupingu HIDDEN REPUBLIC Sculthorpe, James Morrison, , Philip and in 2005, she recorded her debut solo album musicians. Hidden Republic marks Bunna’s debut shared the bill with many well-known Australian remarkable strengths and insights. A storyteller in legendary Irish performers, Mary Black, Eleanor Artist Glass, , Tiddas, John Williamson Changes. This year she has performed at the with The Black Arm Band. artists and was nominated for a Deadly Vibes the tradition of his ancestors, he relays and retells McEvoy and Stephen Cooney in Dublin. Hidden Presented by Melbourne International Arts Festival in association Developed and produced by Arts House, a City of Melbourne initiative and members of Led Zeppelin. He is also a prolific inaugural Dreaming Festival and has toured to Artist, Repertoire Advisor Award in 2002. She also works helping young intimate real life stories as well as traditional stories Republic marks Amy’s debut with The Black Arm Blind from birth, Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu is with Arts House and in collaboration with The Black Arm Band and Melbourne Symphony Orchestra instrument maker, making and painting didjeridus. and Paris. write music about their of . Having survived a personal Band. a powerhouse of musical creativity. Geoffrey, or Developed with the support of City of Melbourne, Arts , Shane Howard has recorded numerous albums Artist experiences. history that would have left most artists scarred and Gudjuk as he is also called, is from the Gumatj the Arts Centre, State Theatre Australia Council for the Arts (Aboriginal Torres Strait Islander Arts Kutcha Edwards as a solo artist and as part of the band Goanna, defeated, Archie has emerged as an extraordinarily nation, his mother from the Galpu nation, both Fri 24 and Sat 25 Oct at 8pm Board, Music Board), Besen Family Foundation, Helen Macpherson Artist, Vocals Supervisor Artist and his songs have been recorded by musicians Jimmy Little has been entertaining Australians Stephen Pigram gifted Australian artist with a truly visionary talent. Artist from north east Arnhem Land. His 1hr 45min no interval Smith Trust, Qantas, Annamila Pty Ltd, VicHealth and Andyinc including Mary Black, and Lene for over 50 years. Royal Telephone in 1963 sold Artist He continues to make music with his lifelong are a much loved and hugely popular Indigenous Foundation WARNING: Haze Effects As a member of the group Tiddas, Australian Kutcha Edwards is a Mutti Mutti man born in Siel. He has worked for many years with Aboriginal more than 75,000 albums and in 1964 Jimmy partner Ruby Hunter. Dan Sultan is an extraordinary talent who is quickly band, partly because of Geoffrey’s influence and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are Indigenous performer and songwriter Lou Bennett Balranald in New South Wales. He was ‘stolen’ musicians and has produced albums for numerous was named Pop Star of the Year. He began acting Stephen Pigram is a singer and musician who gaining the momentum and recognition that he guidance. His recently released debut solo album www.blackarmband.com.au warned that material included in this concert has has toured extensively around Australia and at 18 months of age and denied his birthright to artists. He is also a founding member of the in the late 1950s and in 1989 was recognised plays acoustic guitar, harmonica, requinto, vahlia, Amy Saunders deserves. In 2006 he was nominated for a Deadly highlights the tremendous talent this artist has to been gathered from a range of sources and may overseas. She has performed with numerous grow up with his family, to experience his culture Tarerer Gunditj Project Association – a group of as ‘Aboriginal of the Year’ for his work teaching ukulele and dulcimer. He is one seventh of the Artist Award for Most Promising New Talent and in 2007 offer Indigenous music in Australia and beyond. contain voices of Indigenous people who have Australian and international musicians and joined and to live his identity. As a teenager he was Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people committed young aboriginal students. In 1994 he was country folk/rock band The Pigram Brothers, he won one for Single Release of The Year. Dan In September 2008, Geoffrey was nominated in passed away US singer Jewel and female ensemble Sweet reunited with his family and began a journey to to cultural and environmental restoration in south- elevated to the prestigious Tamworth Roll of whose album Saltwater Country was voted Best Amy Saunders is a Gunditjmara singer/songwriter was invited by Paul Kelly to contribute to the Kev four categories of the ARIA Awards including the Honey in the Rock on their Australian tours. She retrieve his identity and reclaim his community. He west Victoria. Renown and in 1999 he was inducted into the Debut Album at the National Indigenous Music who joins the Hidden Republic concert to perform Carmody tribute album and his accomplished coveted Album of the Year and Best Male Artist. Supported by has composed music and performed songs for has travelled to China, Mexico and Japan and ARIA Hall of Fame. In 2004 Jimmy was awarded Awards in Sydney in 1998. Stephen has been a with her fellow Tiddas-members for the first time debut album, Homemade Biscuits, was funded by Hidden Republic marks Geoffrey’s debut with The film, television, theatre and public events and recently released his second album, Hope. the Order of Australia for his service to the member of legendary Broome bands Kuckles and since 2000. Tiddas toured Australia and the ’s JB Seed program. Black Arm Band. has also acted in three local theatre productions, entertainment industry, ongoing work in schools, Scrap Metal and he was musical director for the world for ten years forging a new musical genre Magpie, Conversations with the Dead and and his commitment and unsung work for the original production of the first Aboriginal musical, and inspiring a whole generation of artists and Principal Public Partner Public Partners Yanagai! Yanagai!. reconciliation process. . listeners, particularly women. Amy has performed with Archie Roach, Shane Howard, Dave Arden www.melbournefestival.com.au The Black Arm Band About Hidden Republic SONG NOTES – HIDDEN REPUBLIC

Featured Artists Melbourne Symphony Concept & Direction The Black Arm Band presents music of the There is great power and symbolism in the musical “Djarrimirri” “Black Boy” “I Have a Dream” “Aunty Across the Sea” “Lighthouse” Orchestra Steven Richardson Australian Indigenous experience. possibilities of contemporary Indigenous musicians Featuring Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu Featuring Bunna Lawrie Featuring Kutcha Edwards Featuring Lou Bennett, Sally Dastey & Amy Featuring Archie Roach and the ’Mara Choir David Arden, Mark Atkins, Lou Producer Kate Ben-Tovim working alongside the peak western whitefella Arrangement Iain Grandage, Michael Hohnen & Arrangement Jules Buckley Arrangement Eugene Ball & Kutcha Edwards Saunders Arrangement Aaron Choulai & Archie Roach Bennett, Sally Dastey, Emma Chairman Elizabeth Proust Stage Direction Rachael Maza Hidden Republic is the second major project of orchestra in the nation, side by side with trusted Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu When I sing this song I sing it from the bottom I wrote this song at the start of the Reconciliation Arrangement Eugene Ball & Sally Dastey I wrote the song “Lighthouse (Song for Two Donovan, Kutcha Edwards, Joe Managing Director Trevor Long The Black Arm Band and is the partner piece to musical mavericks from Melbourne’s vibrant jazz This song was written over 10 years ago but it’s of my heart. It’s a song about encouraging debate. I’d heard the speech by Martin Luther King Meeting the from Mothers)” to help ease Pauline’s pain. Her adopted Geia, Shane Howard, Ruby Green Musical Supervisor Iain murundak, which was presented first as part of scene. taken until now to find the right time to present it Aboriginal kids that they can be whatever they and I understood the injustice of the civil rights was, besides meeting the Tiddas girls, the most son, a young Aboriginal man, Louis Johnson, was Hunter, Bunna Lawrie, Jimmy Grandage the 2006 Melbourne International Arts Festival. publicly. Translated, the lyrics are: “I was carried want to be. Just like the lyrics say: “The colour movement. I needed to voice my opinion on what monumental introduction of my career. The song brutally murdered in a racist attack in in 1992 Little, Rachael Maza Long, Violins Vocals Supervisor Lou Bennett Where murundak honours the music and story Referencing Oodgeroo’s poem “Song of Hope” by my mother Wititj (the ancient Ancestor Rainbow of your skin is your pride and joy.” Go to school. true reconciliation was. I thought, it’s alright to is about those feelings you have for someone that on his 19th birthday. In the song I ask both his Shellie Morris, Stephen Pigram, Michael Kisin, Sarah Curro, Repertoire Advisors David of Indigenous Australia’s struggle for civil rights, on its 40th anniversary locates this project Serpent), I am a child conceived and carried by Stand up for yourself. Make them realise that they have a dream but it’s got to be a reality. People don’t fade with time, that distance can’t change. mothers, his birth mother and his adoptive mother, Archie Roach, Amy Saunders, Peter Fellin, Deborah Goodall, Arden, Shane Howard Hidden Republic turns our collective gaze historically. Wititj. I am Maralitja Dhar’yuna with my ancestors. can make their own lives, even if they’ve lost their would like to say that things have moved on but I felt so powerful and free when the six of us sang not to look for Louis “inside your pain” but rather to Dan Sultan, Ursula Yovich, Lorraine Hook, Eleanor Mancini, Cultural Consultant Sarah forward. I am a rainbow child.” – Geoffrey Gurrumul parents or been mistreated. Everywhere around nothing’s really changed. The words just ring together. I’m so glad I got the chance to meet the accept Louis’ spiritual embrace and strength and to Gapanbulu Yunupingu, Geoffrey Anne Martonyi, Alison Rayner, Jane Bond Tonight we offer you a small part of an Yunupingu Australia I meet kids and they say, “Black Boy louder now because it’s still only a dream, it still three aunties. This song is a dedication to them look for him “inside your joy”. – Archie Roach Gurrumul Yunupingu Robert Macindoe, Mary Allison, Arrangements & The premise of Hidden Republic is that a extraordinary songbook of hope – a collaboration inspired me.” I feel my music is about educating. hasn’t happened. – Kutcha Edwards all. They used to say us Tiddas had a note that the Isin Cakmakcioglu, Cong Gu, Orchestrations Eugene Ball, vast reservoir of hope for all of us is revealed with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra that “Swept Away” For this show I’m re-working the chorus to “Black wind can’t bend. They encouraged us girls like we “Chinwag” The Black Arm Band Patron Andrew Hall, Christine Johnson Jules Buckley, Aaron Choulai, in the music of Indigenous Australia. Just as offers a new future possibility for all Australians for Featuring Shellie Morris Boy, Black Girl.” It’s for everyone. – Bunna Lawrie Didjeridu Interlude were their own. – Sally Dastey Featuring Mark Atkins, Lou Bennett & vocalists Aunty Joy Murphy Violas Iain Grandage, Jason Yarde Aboriginal paintings have been used as a way another order of sharing, hearing and knowing. Arrangement Aaron Choulai & Shellie Morris Featuring Mark Atkins Arrangement Eugene Ball & Mark Atkins, Vocal Trevor Jones, Katie Betts, Rosia Introduction & Spoken Word to communicate knowledge about country and All through my life there were pieces missing. This “The Dead Heart” Arrangement Lou Bennett “Treaty” With Pasteur, Ceridwen Davies Underscore Iain Grandage traditional stories, the songs presented here – Steven Richardson for The Black Arm Band song was written about eight years ago about Featuring David Arden, Emma Donovan & Shane I’m Yamitiji (Aboriginal people from Western “Inside My Kitchen” I would like to dedicate this to my mother Eunice Featuring Kutcha Edwards & Shellie Morris Eugene Ball Trumpet Cellos Production Management & tonight present a kind of map of our country - an the journey of finding my family in the Northern Howard Australia). My mother is Aboriginal and my Featuring Lou Bennett, Sally Dastey & Amy Atkins, who never gave up on me. Thanks. – Mark Arrangement Eugene Ball Carlo Barbaro Alto Saxophone Sarah Morse, Joan Evans, Sound John O’Donnell important map, but one largely hidden from view Territory. How my mother and father who I grew Arrangement Iain Grandage father is Irish. I lived on the fence. But when I got Saunders Atkins It’s a great opportunity to sing “Treaty”. It’s a bit Julien Wilson Tenor Saxophone Andrew Weiss Choreography Marilyn Miller to many. up with supported me and came with me to meet Sometime in the last century white Australia older, I always felt comfortable in the Aboriginal Arrangement Eugene Ball & Lou Bennett “Blackfella/Whitefella” of an anthem. I know Manda (Yunupingu) and Shannon Barnett Trombone Double Basses Design Anna Cordingley all of my family and how the realisation of their developed the phrase and notion of ‘The Dead communities because, in a sense, Aboriginal I wrote “Inside My Kitchen” after my partner at the Featuring Jimmy Little & Ursula Yovich Paul (Kelly) [the co-writers of the song with Peter Rory McDougall Drums Andrew Moon, Anthony Smith Wardrobe Paula Levis love and support during this difficult and emotional Heart’. It was used to describe the arid interior people never pretended to be anything other time had a psychotic episode. It was one of my “Song of hope” Arrangement Jason Yarde Garrett]. It’s an honour to sing it but it’s not my Michael Meagher Bass Flute Lighting Phil Lethlean process just blew me away. It’s about being of the country, which is anything but dead. At than what they were. They had respect for each first compositions and it helped me cope with this I met GR Burrawanga several times and was songline. It’s different singing other peoples’ Sam Keevers Piano Wendy Clarke Spoken Word Script Wesley overwhelmed and swept away by the welcoming of the centre stands Uluru, the great giver of life other. Plus my Aboriginal side never had this new and traumatic experience. Then a few years Look up, my people, So long we waited To our father’s fathers always struck by his boundless energy and passion songs. But singing with Shellie is beautiful. She’s Oboe Enoch with Rachael Maza Long me and my story. – Shellie Morris in the midst of that vast red interior. Whitefellas individualism, this materialism. This ‘me and my’ later I recorded it with Amy and Sal on our first The dawn is breaking, Bound and frustrated, The pain, the sorrow; for life. “Blackfella/Whitefella”, co-written by lived. – Kutcha Edwards Special Guest Artists Jeffrey Crellin and Steven Richardson were scared of the emptiness, the loneliness, the thing. Even still today, it’s hard for Aboriginal EP recording titled Inside My Kitchen. It was an The world is waking, Till hate be hated To our children’s children GR and Neil Murray, was originally performed Genevieve Lacey, Michael Clarinets Pre-show Musical “Good to See Ya” silence. The blackfellas knew and loved every inch people to get on in a European society because important song in the lifetime of Tiddas. It became To a new bright day, And caste deposed; The glad tomorrow. by . I covered it on my 1999 CD Singing “Treaty” is a real privilege for me as the Hohnen Craig Hill, Mitchell Berick Soundscape Tristan Coleman Featuring Joe Geia of their country intimately. This was a living heart, whitefellas want to put fences around things and one of our main signature songs and still is today. When none defame us, Now light shall guide us, Messenger and in my opinion this is one of the song and the words are so very powerful and Bassoon Stage Manager Arrangement Eugene Ball & Joe Geia not a dead one. They were deeply ‘within’ their want to own things. It’s not ‘we or us’ it’s ‘me and We created many of our songs around the kitchen Nor colour shame us, And all doors open ultimate reconciliation songs. It says it all, “It strong. The song comes from the earth and for the Previous featured artists with Elise Millman Brock Brocklesby “In times like this I need your love carefully-evolved Law, lore and ‘Dreaming’ and my’. There’s a big difference. – Mark Atkins table together and after an eight year spell, it gives Nor sneer dismay. That long were closed. By Oodgeroo of the tribe doesn’t matter what your colour”… Are you the earth and for our people. – Shellie Morris The Black Arm Band have Horns Assistant Stage Manager To shine like stars from heaven above the whitefellas were ‘outside’, looking in, unable me great pleasure to come back to the stage with Noonuccal, from My People, one who’s gonna stand up and be counted?” Yes included Andy Alberts, Robbie Geoff Lierse, Trinette Mcclimont PJ Rosas You needed me I needed you.” – Joe Geia to see the hidden mysteries and the beauty of this “Where I B’long” Amy and Sal to perform it again. – Lou Bennett Now brood no more See plain the promise, 4e, 2008. Reproduced by we are! – Jimmy Little “Wukun” Bundle, Aaron Burrarrawunga, Trumpet Photos Ned Meldrum, John ancient, tough but fragile ecology and cosmology. Featuring Stephen Pigram On the years behind you, Dark freedom-lover! permission of John Wiley & Sons Featuring Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu G R Burrarrawunga, John Geoffrey Payne Sones “Your Love is Like a Song” It was mainstream Australia which has carried a Arrangement Iain Grandage & Stephen Pigram “Ngarrindjeri Woman” The hope assigned you Night’s nearly over, Australia For me “Blackfella/Whitefella” is the greatest “Storm clouds rising, storm clouds covering the Butler, , Liz Trombone Featuring Dan Sultan ‘dead heart’. – Shane Howard “Raised in big spirit country, Great Sandy Desert Featuring Ruby Hunter Shall the past replace, And though long the climb, Australian song ever written. It conveys a message land Cavanagh, Carole Fraser, Paul Brett Kelly Arrangement Eugene Ball & Dan Sultan near the shore Arrangement Aaron Choulai & Ruby Hunter When juster justice New rights will greet us, of both Aboriginal pride and unity as well as Storm clouds Mayawungarri Mayawuku Kelly, Jessie Lloyd, Della-Rae Percussion This song is essentially about the redemptive power Never questioning the seasons, letting nature take This is a song about being proud as an Aboriginal Grown wise and stronger New mateship meet us, reconciliation, both of which are very important Galapunbarri separating Morrison, Peter Rotumah and Robert Clarke, John Arcaro of love, triumphant over grief, loss, depression and its course … woman in the land today. Points the bone no longer And joy complete us messages to me. It is also inspirational and Oh my fathers, on my grandparents Bart Willoughby. self-doubt. Just when you think that everything has ... I can feel the country’s power, I’m going back “I am Ngarrindjeri woman At a darker race. In our new Dream Time. anthemic in its call for people of all colours to storm clouds why do you separate, why do you Conductor Brett Weymark gone to hell, someone shows up to remind you where I belong.” And I’m still here today “stand up and be counted”. To be able to sing form?” – Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu that love still exists. It hits like a wave and makes – Stephen Pigram To carry on our culture Thank you to the following individuals and organisations for their generous support: Kristy Edmunds and staff of Melbourne International Arts such a classic song with a true music legend The Wukun storm clouds are images of Geoffrey’s you drunk, gets you wild again. Suddenly the world In Ngarrindjeri women’s business ways” Festival, Sarah Caufield, Sue Beal, Jude Gun, Sarah Ernst, Adrian Aderhold, Tom Howie, Lexie Wood, Lauren Anderson, Brian Horder, Mike in Uncle Jimmy Little is a very rare honour and mother, the Gälpu people. Mullins, Genine Romagnoli, Eleni Arbus, Morris Bellamy, Frances Bond and the Cherbourg community, Jonathan Parsons, Angharad Wynne- doesn’t seem so bad anymore. This song reminds – Ruby Hunter Jones, Natasha Gadd, Aaron Choulai, Andrea Keeble, Andrea Keller, Ian Whitehead, Caerwen Martin, Rhys Graham, Suzanne Simpson, privilege and one for which I am very grateful. And Erkki Veltheim, Jason Yarde, Gus Kemp, Hannah Hookey, Dur-e Dara, Anna Howard, Annette Herschtal, Adele Howard, Teresa O’Brien, Luke me of people who have been through a lot, yet Flood, Kent Johnston, Huw Humphreys and staff of Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Ian Scobie, John Paxinos and staff of Auspicious Arts, the song rocks. I look forward to seeing everyone Yarra Trams is a long standing supporter of Melbourne’s vibrant arts community. We are extremely excited to be refuse to let it turn their hearts cold. – Dan Sultan Melanie Rice, Eloise Curry, Martel Ollerenshaw, Paul Kotz, Tracee Hutchinson, Loretta Mannix-Fell, Geof Webb, Lydia Miller, Liz Gilles, Debbie stand up! – Ursula Yovich a part of bringing this cultural collaboration to Melbourne and providing a way for Melburnians to travel to this Dadon, Julie Kantour, Alison Edwards, Emily Choo, Genevieve Timmons, Buzz Bidstrup, Buzz Thompson, Stewart O’Connell, Marguerite momentous event. Pepper, Kate Cashel, Yanya Boston, Jill Shelton, Jacobie Gray, Mark Gross, Bill Johnson, Pete Postlethwaite