Darwin Festival Program Guide 2021
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WELCOME 2 OPENING WEEKEND HIGHLIGHTS 4 YOUR AMPHITHEATRE GIGS 8 CIRCUS 10 THEATRE 13 FESTIVAL WORDS & IDEAS 18 DANCE 19 GUIDE CABARET 22 COMEDY 26 MUSIC 30 FESTIVAL PARK 38 FAMILY 44 OPERA & CLASSICAL MUSIC 46 VISUAL ARTS 50 FILM 54 DARWIN FESTIVAL FOR SCHOOLS 55 ACCESS 76 HOW TO BOOK 77 #DARWINFESTIVAL FESTIVAL VENUES 78 #HOTAUGUSTNIGHTS DAILY DIARY 80 Program details are correct at time of printing but are subject to change where necessary and without notice. Please Need more info? Visit DARWINFESTIVAL.ORG.AU/FRIENDS check darwinfestival.org.au for up-to-date details. or talk to our team on 08 8943 4222 (during office hours) Please be aware that you may be filmed or photographed while taking part in Festival events. Any footage or photos may be used to promote the Festival in the future. Darwin Festival takes your privacy seriously. For our full Privacy Policy visit darwinfestival.org.au/privacy-policy Printed by Lane Print using carbon neutral and PEFC certified stock. We are beyond excited to invite the very centre stage, showcasing Yolŋu culture best Australian artists to perform this year and a dazzling array of talent through (and a couple of Kiwis who made the a series of fresh artistic projects and bubble). They share the Festival spotlight collaborations. with an inspiring line up of Northern We also hear the voices of newer arrivals, Territory talent, with locals representing with refugees and asylum seekers sharing in every genre of the program – from stories of their lived experiences; and theatre, dance and cabaret, to comedy, artists collectively unpacking the mounting music and visual arts. tragedy that decades of Australian FELIX PREVAL Balmy nights under festoon lights and immigration policies have wrought. thrumming dancefloors aside (they’re all Darwin Festival Every hard-hitting moment in the program LET’S GET there of course!), the 18 Hot August Nights is paired with another to sooth the soul. Artistic Director of this year’s Festival open the stage to Take the time; come out as often as you big ideas and unique perspectives. can; let us connect you with your 2021: it’s big, it’s bold and above all it’s First up, we make space for the next community, and the world, through STARTED an invitation to come out and have fun! generation, turning our ears to the hopes shared experiences – whether it’s a Some of the incredible shows on offer and dreams of young people to find new Darwin Festival takes place on the land of the Larrakia people. communal dinner with new friends in have been years in the making, while ways of imagining our shared future. We wish to pay our respects to the traditional owners of this others were forged directly through the Festival Park, or a tissue kindly offered in Country and to their ancestors. As the Festival welcomes trials of 2020. Artists have weathered First Nations artists from across the the dark of the theatre. We’re lucky to be some of the hardest fallout this past year, country offer fresh perspectives on here, let’s make the most of it. contemporary artists and art from around Australia, we also yet their contribution to our lives has contemporary life with trademark humour See you at Club Awi! celebrate the continuing culture of the Larrakia. proven more important than ever. and heart. Arnhem Land artists take That means finding the best acts from around the country (and the world when we can) and also nurturing, supporting and showcasing our vibrant local industry. As the flagship major cultural and tourism event in the Northern Territory, we want to leave a lasting memory for those who visit and live in our wonderful city, but we‘re also mindful of leaving MICHAEL GUNNER KON VATSKALIS IAN KEW JAMES GOUGH minimal impact on the environment. Chief Minister of the Lord Mayor of Darwin Darwin Festival Chair Darwin Festival That’s why we aim to be the leader in sustainability practice in the NT events Northern Territory CEO landscape, and this year we’re proud to kick another goal and be a 100% carbon Darwin Festival shines brightly on the Darwin Festival is an icon on the Territory’s Every year Darwin Festival takes over the Darwin Festival is 18 days of great art neutral festival. events calendar. It has a loyal local city, transforming it into a tropical winter and great times but an event like this national events calendar and is the following, as evidenced by the success wonderland. Visitors and locals can take doesn’t just happen. centre piece of what makes August in As we expand and thrive into the future, of its homegrown edition in 2020. part in a magical celebration of culture, It takes dedication from our artists, hard Darwin the best time of year. we’re also trying to do our part to music, art and food in the Festival hub, work from our amazing team, commitment ensure there’s always going to It also attracts fans from around the We love bringing people together to Festival Park, theatres, galleries and some from our audiences – local and from be a planet to party on. country keen to experience the wide celebrate culture and the arts, and we surprise venues all around the city. around the country – and generous variety of shows on offer and our incredible work year-round to deliver the Dry financial support from our many Friends, August weather. We are pleased to City of Darwin is pleased to continue Season good times while promoting donors, corporate sponsors and partners, welcome back interstate Festival lovers supporting Darwin Festival as the Darwin to the nation and beyond. especially the City of Darwin and Northern and artists for a Dry Season event to major local government partner of this Territory Government. remember. magnificent event that activates and enlivens our city. There really is something It’s thanks to all of them that we can Thank you to the Festival board and staff for everyone, and I encourage you to dive enjoy these Hot August Nights together. for delivering a program that showcases in and enjoy! the best of the Territory and our amazing arts, tourism and hospitality industries. On behalf of all Territorians, we welcome you. 2 3 Darwin Festival kicks off with SPECIAL EVENT Northern Territory This project was initiated by the Yunupiŋu family and Skinnyfish Music SANTOS OPENING Produced by Perth Festival and Skinnyfish Music Darwin Amphitheatre a huge, free opening night Proudly supported by NIGHT CONCERT extravaganza Thu 5 Aug 7.30pm Gates open 5.30pm This year’s Santos Opening Night Concert sees The Duration 1hr 30mins Amphitheatre transformed into a meeting place of dance, song and ritual. Created on country in North FREE BUNGUL East Arnhem Land with the Yunupiŋu family, Buŋgul is Assisted by the Australian Government’s Major Festivals Initiative, managed a ceremonial celebration of Gurrumul’s seminal final NOTE Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander audiences by the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body, in association with the Confederation of Australian International Arts Festivals Inc., commissioned album that brings together western music and his are warned that this performance contains the GURRUMUL’S MOTHER’S BUNGUL, by Perth Festival, Darwin Festival, Adelaide Festival, RISING, Sydney Festival image and voice of a deceased person. GURRUMUL’S GRANDMOTHER’S family’s musical traditions. and Brisbane Festival. BUNGUL, GURRUMUL’S MANIKAY Experience the traditional songs, dances and paintings Capacity is limited, and entry cannot be guaranteed. that inspired Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow) in a live Arrive early to avoid missing the performance. No BYO alchohol. Unsealed bottles not permitted. With Darwin Symphony Orchestra performance by Yolŋu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. Festivals Australia Pack a picnic, bring the family and make a night of it with food and drinks from our onsite vendors. Reserve your place now for what promises to be a truly transformative opening night event. 4 Photo: Jacob Nash 5 v TELSTRA NATIONAL ABORIGINAL & TORRES STRAIT NATIONAL ISLANDER INDIGENOUS ART AWARDS FASHION Australia’s longest running and most prestigious Indigenous art awards showcase a wide variety of + contemporary two and three dimensional artworks AWARDS from across the country. Be part of the opening night celebrations and awards ceremony at MAGNT on COUNTRY Friday 6 August and immerse yourself in stunning works that capture stories of country from the coast and deserts, to the bush and cities. TO COUTURE Celebrate the innovation of Australian First Nations VISUAL ARTS fashion and textiles with two special events – the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) with its Museum and Art Gallery of the vibrant award ceremony on Tuesday 3 August and the Mimi Aboriginal Art & Craft at 2019 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Northern Territory Photo: Dylan Buckee popular Country to Couture on Wednesday 4 August. Opening Night & Awards Presentation This high-energy runway show presents innovative Fri 6 Aug 6pm collections from Indigenous designers and artists across Meet the artists and purchase directly from more than Australia, as well as unique collaborations between 70 Indigenous-owned Art Centres, with 100% of all Exhibition Dates 15TH Indigenous communities and well-known Australian labels. sales made going directly back to support the artists Sat 7 Aug 2021 – Sun 6 Feb 2022 and their communities. Immerse yourself in the vibrant Mon-Sun 10am-4pm SPECIAL EVENT DARWIN public program of traditional dance, workshops, artists FREE talks, food, film and fashion events and engage with the Darwin Convention Centre contemporary creations of the oldest continuous living Presented by the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern ABORIGINAL National Indigenous Fashion Awards culture in the world.