WELCOME TO COUNTRY
Apijirra Warumungu kari manu-kuna.
Ngalanya manu Warumungu kari alaparra ajjul marranta Patta.
Yurrmul manu
ngalanya ajjul kuyina pulkapulkkajja, payinti payinti ngini kunta ajjul payintilalkkajiljji karn. Akkil ngini ngurumantajja karn.
Apijirra akkul wilyarra winanjjikki, kapi, pujjali -kki .
Rosemary Narrurlu Plummer
Dear Friends of Barkly Regional Arts and Desert Harmony Festival,
As we get set for another exciting Desert Harmony Festival, we want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who will be involved in making this event a success.
Desert Harmony Festival is a vital celebration of the rich culture and creativity of our region. It brings us together, strengthens our community, and showcases the unique spirit of the Barkly region.
Welcome to the country where Warumungu people belong. Country they call Tennant Creek.
This country has been kept by those in the past, held by us in the present and will be looked after by our young ones in the future. We welcome everyone here to have fun, play music, dance and sing. Thank you.
-Rosemary Narrurlu Plummer
We are honoured to be hosting this event on Warumungu Land and acknowledge and extend our gratitude to the Traditional Owners, the Warumungu People, for welcoming our visitors and allowing us as an organisation to bring this amazing lineup and festival to life on your wonderful country.
To our dedicated volunteers, thank you in advance for your hard work and enthusiasm. To the Tennant Creek and Barkly Community, your support, passion for the arts, and hospitality are what make this town and event so very special. We are incredibly grateful to our sponsors and major funders, whose generosity and support makes this festival possible. To the talented artists, bands, and musicians, we look forward to the amazing performances you will share with us… and to all our visitors, your participation and energy are welcome here. Please enjoy the magic that is the Desert Harmony Festival. On with the show!
-Barkly Regional Arts Team
7:30pm-9:30pm
KEL & AMY’S COMEDY ROADTRIP
Goldfields Hotel Motel,113 Paterson St
Tickets: $25
2024 Adelaide Fringe award winners are headed to the Barkly! SA’s Kel Balnaves and NT’s Amy Hetherington (Best Comedy - Fringe World 2023) have packed the VS Commodore full of relatable stories and funny jokes. They’re heading to regional NT and the ‘burbs. A ripper night out in your neck of the woods. Book your tickets through www.barklyarts.com.au/events.
DESERT HARMONY FESTIVAL
SATURDAY, 27 JULY
FRIDAY, 2 AUG
5.00pm - 8.30pm
WELCOME EVENT
Karguru Centre Yard, 65 Staunton Street
Join us to kick off the 2024 Desert Harmony Festival with a vibrant Welcome Event celebrating Warumungu Country’s rich culture and traditions. Enjoy traditional dances, live music, and a delicious bush tucker cook-up. Don’t miss this unforgettable evening of music, dance, and community spirit!
PUJJALI DANCERS
JARRA JARRA DANCERS
MUNGA MUNGA DANCERS
RAY DIMAKARRI DIXON
ARRKULA YINBAYARRA ft. DR SHELLIE MORRIS
TENNANT CREEK PRIMARY SCHOOL CHOIR
Kel Belnaves & Amy Hetherington
Arrkula Yinbayarra
SATURDAY, 3 AUG
8:30am-10:30am
NURSERY TOUR WITH JERRY KELLY Karguru Nursery, Karguru Road
Join Warumungu elder and bush tucker expert Jerry Kelly at Karguru Nursery for an enriching bush food and medicine experience. Jerry shares profound insights into Barkly Region flora, showcasing their abundant uses. Explore the nursery’s sustainable practices, youth programs, and renowned seed store on this cultural tour. Enclosed shoes recommended. Limited spots available, register at www.barklyarts.com.au/events.
11am-12pm
DRAG QUEEN STORYTIME
Tennant Creek Public Library, 41 Peko Road
Katherine’s own Queen Constantina Bush is set to dazzle us in her glamorous best on a journey down the highway, bringing an enchanting session of inclusive storytelling. Join her for captivating tales of excitement, love, and acceptance, celebrating diversity and joy with one of the Territory’s finest queens!
Doors open at 7pm for 7:30 screening MOVIE NIGHT- NEXT GOAL WINS
Civic Hall, Peko Road
Join us on Saturday evening at the Civic Hall during Desert Harmony Weekend for a special movie night featuring ‘Next Goal Wins’ directed by Academy Award winner Taika Waititi. Follow the inspiring journey of the American Samoa national football team as they pursue their first-ever win. Bring your loved ones for a night of cinematic enjoyment and community spirit. Don’t miss this chance to see this fantastic film on the big screen!
Rated: PG
Run time: 104 minutes
1:30pm-2:30pm
BUSH MEDICINE PAINTING WORKSHOP
Barkly Regional Arts. 65 Staunton St
Explore Barkly region’s artistic traditions with Barkly Regional Arts’ talented artists showcasing their methods in depicting local bush tucker and medicine. This hands-on workshop invites participants aged 13 and up to paint their own creations, regardless of prior experience. Immerse yourself in local art and culture in this inspiring and educational session. Spaces are limited, register at www.barklyarts.com.au/events.
1pm
YUNG MILLA
MEET N GREET
Meet rap sensation Yung Milla at an exclusive Meet n Greet session.
1pm-7:30pm
YOUTH FEST
Tennant Creek Youth Centre,17 Peko Rd
Join us at the Tennant Creek Youth Centre on Saturday for a fun-filled day at Youth Fest! This special new event features an exciting program designed for young people aged 6 -17 years. Bring your friends and join us for a day of music and fun!
2:30pm DJ WORKSHOP WITH CHARLY TEMPLAR
Learn the art of DJing with a hands-on workshop led by the talented DJ Charly Templar.
5:30pm
YOUTH DISCO
Celebrate with a high-energy Youth Disco where you can dance the night away.
Constantina Bush
Jerry Kelly
Yung Milla
SUNDAY, 4 AUG
Sandridge Band
XAVIA
3PM ONWARDS
KUTCHA EDWARDS • SARA STORER
NEWBOYS BAND • RIPPLE EFFECT BAND
JAMESON CASSON • HAROLD DALYWATERS
MADDY SIMIONI & DAN THE UNDERDOG SAMOAN CULTURAL DANCE • AC REGGAE BARKLY WORKCAMP BAND
10am - 12pm
SONGWRITING WORKSHOP WITH KUTCHA EDWARDS
3PM ONWARDS
YUNG MILLA
RIPPLE EFFECT BAND
SANDRIDGE BAND
TOM CURTAIN
XAVIA
FIJIAN MEKE DANCE
PAW HOUSE BAND
COUNTRY GOSPEL BAND
AMY JAMES
Barkly Regional Arts Office 65 Staunton Street
Join Kutcha Edwards, proud Mutti Mutti man and award-winning artist, for a songwriting workshop at this year’s Desert Harmony Festival. All are welcome, from seasoned songwriters to aspiring artists, to learn from one of the best in the business. Bring your guitar or use one of ours and jam along! Lunch provided. Open to all ages and genders. Supported by the National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Music Office of APRA AMCOS.
Sara Storer
Kutcha Edwards
Jameson Casson is a Tennant Creek based artist from Ali Curung, he speaks Warlpiri, Warumungu and Alyawarr. A well known member of the Tennant Creek community, Jameson is passionate about sport, music and faith.
ABO UT THE ARTWORK
“This one is for the Desert Harmony Festival…..twenty-four. Because, this symbols [U shaped symbols] means people getting together, like for the festival
Different bands and different artists come from different communities, yeah. And they come for the festival, Desert harmony Festival.
These are people, these small people- if you have a gospel group or different bands, like bands from Top End- these all people coming together and that’s what harmony is all about- all getting together.”
-Jameson Casson
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS
DHF 2024, J ameson Casson, Acrylic on Canvas
© Artwork by Jameson Casson