8 –25 AUGUST 2013 darwinfestival.org.au Our Festival Partners Welcome PrinciPAL PArTnEr GOVErnmEnT PArTnErS EdwinL A Unn, dArwin FESTivAL ArTiSTic dirEcTor The 2013 Darwin Festival celebrates ‘This Some truly exciting visiting artists are being Territory Life’; a unique life and lifestyle that is inspired by and responding to our Northern inextricably linked to landscape, climate and a context; and our local artists are, as always, shared history. This broad theme reflects on the willing to explore and challenge their own mAjor parTnErS extreme diversity of Territory life, but in the main practice when it comes to being part of this we focus on a Darwin capital city life. We rejoice great festival. in what makes this city such an extraordinary Parts of this year’s festival reflect others’ lives, place - a giddy hybrid of rustic charm and tropical experiences and observations that may well hold sophistication, with a program that reflects the a mirror to our own NT existence. If this provokes sensibilities of our contrasting mob of inhabitants hard discussions about our own cultural realities, mEdiA parTnErS - from those that were born here, brought here, then so be the power of theatre and the arts. landed or wandered here. Thanks to you our audience for your loyalty, In a special weekend of sharing at Bagot Festival curiosity and appetite for taking risks. I hope you you will experience and learn more about are rewarded with many festival experiences that community life and in our This Territory Life provoke reflection, inspiration, debate, laughter series, Darwinians share their stories of Top End and cheer. living, heritage, innovation, interest, practice or diSTinGUiShEd parTnErS research. Darwin Festival wishes to acknowledge that our event takes place on the land of AdAm GiLES katrinA FonG Lim Tom PAULinG Ao Qc the Larrakia People. nT chiEF miniSTEr Lord mAyor dArwin FESTivAL chAir AirLinE parTnErS dESiGn parTnEr rESEArch parTnEr We wish to pay ‘Being at a festival is like standing It is with great excitement each year Darwin Festival is once again set inside the mind of a culture that I check out the Darwin Festival to take over the town with artistic our respects to the as it dreams.’ This wonderful program. This is an event that activity around every corner and traditional owners sentiment, noted by Lonely brings the community together and we are very proud to unveil this Planet, certainly applies to Darwin exposes us to art forms that can be guide to all the action. star parTnErS of this Country in Festival — and we don’t even both challenging and entertaining. The diverse array of events you’ll have to travel far to experience it. Darwin and to their Darwin Festival showcases our local experience in August can only ancestors. Take 18 days, add to the mix talent and reveals both interstate happen thanks to the dedication a capital city considered to and international performances for and hard work of the Festival be Australia’s most culturally our consumption. It is a privilege staff and their team of volunteers As we welcome SUPPorTErS diverse, stir in local, national and to know that such an energetic and the incredible talent of our the work of international work, including a program is being hosted in the City Festival artists, both local and contemporary strong program of Indigenous, of Darwin. My congratulations to visiting. So for all that goes on cross-cultural and Asia Pacific the Board, Staff and Volunteers behind the scenes, as well as artists from artists. The result — dreams, whose hard work makes it so. under the spotlight, we say thanks. fantasy and outstanding creativity. around the world, So be prepared to be challenged, Darwin Festival wouldn’t be one the Festival also Congratulations to all concerned. entertained and energised and enjoy of the nation’s premier arts events And to the 2013 audiences—don’t all that is Darwin Festival. without the support of our Patron, celebrates the miss any of it! partners, sponsors and donors. continuting culture And of course a big thank you to you, our audiences, who make this of the Larrakia. Festival such a highlight in our city’s calendar. Find your Festival favourites at a glance Festival Hubs 2 Opening & Closing Nights 4 Bagot Festival 6 Special Events 8 Family Friendly 15 Theatre & Cabaret 19 Dinner 24 Dance 24 Comedy 28 Festival Club 30 Music 31 Map 33 Daily Diary 34 How to Book 36 More Music 37 Visual Arts 43 Talks & Films 48 Other Info 67 Access 68 George’s Green Where George Brown Darwin After introducing our new artistic hub George’s Green last Botanic Gardens year, we’re excited to once again take over a lush corner of When Thu 8–Sun 25 Aug George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens for some Festival 5pm ‘til late See individual event listings for frivolity and arty adventures full performance and ticketing details The centrepiece for the site will be our brand new If you want to whet more than just your cultural open-air bandstand, the Pendopo, which will appetite you’re in the right place, with a range boX oFFIce become your one-stop shop for free music, dance of food stalls on site, including the legendary barS & FoodSTALLS and the exchange of ideas. Hanuman, a feast of roast duck and noodles, Greek tHe lIgHtHouSe George’s Green is an entertainment oasis for the delicacies and more. Or why not really dine in broWn’S mart whole family. It’s the site for the annual People's style at our Gourmet Gala on the Green under FeStIVal club Choice Teddy Bears' Picnic and the cultural the palms. In conVerSatIon celebration Pesona Indonesia, as well as a The Amphitheatre is a focus for Festival action Free muSIc place to come for free nightly music. Look up in and the place to hear some of the biggest names our purpose-built treehouse and check out our in music. This year we’re also turning it into an glenn camPbell resident Treejay, spinning some discs nightly outdoor theatre with a series of plays and cabaret for your listening pleasure. And don’t miss our shows to experience by the light of the moon. huge African celebration on Fri 23 Aug, when Make George’s Green your art stop this Festival. Keyim Ba’s African Caravan takes over the site Festival Park with their high-energy drumming and wild dance moves. In fact you never know which Festival artists will be found roving the Green looking for boX oFFIce Festival Park is at the heart of the action at this year’s Darwin Where an audience. barS & FoodSTALLS Festival. Here you’ll find your fill of theatre, music, dance and Cnr Smith St & Harry Chan Ave tHe amPHItHEATRE When PendoPo plenty of laughs as we celebrate the dry season good times Fri 9–Sun 25 Aug 5pm ‘til late treeJaY The Lighthouse, our now famous tropical big local faves and Festival stars. Festivalgoers after Free muSIc top, returns to take pride of place under the some intellectual stimulation need look no See individual event listings for full performance and roVIng ENTERTAInment stars. Spice up your evening with some sweet further than our In Conversation series, where ticketing details sounds, rocking grooves or cabaret with a twist. you’re invited to get up close and personal with Then party on at the Festival Club, the place some of the Festival’s brightest sparks in Brown’s to be for all those late-night shenanigans your Mart Theatre Courtyard. mates are always raving about. This year’s Festival Park also offers a great range of food on program for nightowls features bands, cabaret site including tasty treats from Darwin’s iconic artists, DJs and more (see p30 for details). and delicious Hanuman and more. So settle back If you’re in the mood for music, Festival Park on the grass, raise a glass, get a bite and enjoy the provides the perfect stage, with a free nightly entertainment. program of DJ sets and chilled-out tunes from Welcome to Country Darwin Festival is held on Larrakia Country. Where & When Welcome to Country is a special ceremonial event George’s Green to acknowledge the ancestral spirits, traditional Thu 8 Aug 5pm custodians and elders of the Larrakia or Saltwater Festival Park people upon whose land the Festival takes place. Fri 9 Aug 6pm Join us at our Festival hubs, George’s Green and FREE Festival Park, as we officially welcome in the 2013 Festival with an important Indigenous custom that PIctured: one mob one countrY dancerS has been practised for thousands of years. Prudence uPton 2 Buy tickets darwinfestival.org.au 08 8943 4222 darwinfestival.org.au 08 8943 4222 buY tIcketS 3 “You have to let go of the pain and get on with life. Forget your troubles for a while and get up and dance. It’s a celebration of life and good medicine straight Into the Bloodstream.” arcHIe roacH Archie Roach’s Prudence uPton Into the Santos Bloodstream Music Opening Concert Music FaMily An uplifting and life-affirming night Bring the whole family to the massive free of music from Australia’s most • Santos Opening Concert, a suitably celebratory beloved songman way to kick off the 2013 Darwin Festival •• Experience a wonderful night of soul, gospel and emotive songs and velvety Get moving to some of the hottest acts around, for stirring live shows and music that simply Where uniquely Australian stories when the legendary voice of Archie himself. The Amphitheatre, George’s Green including some soon-to-be household names fresh oozes soul.