The Spirit Festival reached all-time high! By Martin Pascoe The 2013 Spirit Festival went through the roof at Rymill Park (Mullwirraburka) on the weekend of 16-17 February. Around three thousand people attended the Saturday night welcome to country ceremony where dancers from Kaurna, Ngarrindjeri and Narungga
Nations joined guest dancers from the Yolgnu Nation in a stirring ceremony that ultimately welcomed everyone to the 5th Spirit Festival, hosted in fine style by Tandanya. This year the highlight was the writer’s program with writers such as Dr Anita Heiss and star of The Straits TV series Aaron Fao’oso. Local writers Dr Dylan
Coleman, Jared Thomas, Natalie Harkin and Alexis West were also part of the writers program. Newly signed rap sensation Jimblah warmed up the crowd before the stunning Jessica Mauboy took to the stage with a set that sent the crowd into a frenzy! The night was rounded out by an Electrifying performance by ‘The Medics!
The event was closed by two of Australia’s best performers, the exquisite Krista Pav and multiple golden guitar winner Troy Cassar-Daley. Timothy Richie, Tandanya Artistic Director said The Spirit Festival hit an all-time high this ear with record breaking attendances over the two day event.
This page: Clockwise from top left: Girl with facepaint photo by Colleen Strangways; Yamba the Honey Ant and Ms Jacinta; Jimbah; Sunset Ceremony; Jess on stage; Allen and The Medics.
14 Aboriginal Way, March 2013
