MY FRIENDS, WE’VE arrived. August. Oh my. This time of year is – no doubt – one of the biggest in the Top End’s Dry season calendar, with a fair bit of action in the chilly desert, too. Let’s dive in, baby.
Gracing the cover of this edition is a stunning artwork by Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer from Yuendumu, 290 kms north-west of Mparntwe/ Alice Springs. She’s one of the artists making the trek to Garramilla/Darwin for this year’s Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF).
This month, DAAF marks two decades of showcasing and celebrating the incredible First Nations work created on Country, from Art Centres across Australia. With DAAF bursting with art and culture across three huge days, and Indigenous Fashion Projects’ huge events – the Country to Couture fashion shows and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards – we are all incredibly spoilt. Get amongst it, it’s magic.
Another gorgeous event happening this month is one of my absolute favourites. The Annual Tiwi Exhibition sees artists from Jilamara and Munupi Arts & Crafts Associations, on Melville Island in the Tiwis, make the voyage to exhibit their work on Larrakia Country. Making this event extra special is the opening ceremony, which includes a traditional yoi (dance) to kick things off. It’s so gorgeous and will fill your heart to the tippy top. If you
need a mood boost, this is it.
We continue to be incredibly spoilt with visual art this month, with the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards, the Salon des Refusés – including five Outstation Gallery umbrella exhibitions – the Portrait of a Senior Territorian Award, and the return of Behind The Wire. Told ya, spoilt.
Of course, it’s Darwin Festival time! I had a heartfelt chat with outgoing Artistic Director Kate Fell for her last hurrah, and the OTL team had a great time catching up with some of this year’s acts. The Australian Ballet and Sydney Dance Company return with performances in the Top End and Red Centre, and Strut & Fret returns to The Spiegeltent with the world premiere – yes, world premiere! – of their new show Loca Vida.
Music also features heavily this month. The National Indigenous Music Awards celebrates the stars in Australia’s thriving Blak music scene, The Drones reunite to drop by to close out Darwin Festival, and The Southern River Band play The Rails – and Darwin – for the first time.
There’s honestly so much to experience and celebrate this month. On a personal note, I celebrate a milestone birthday on Picnic Day (how lucky is that?) so in addition to the thousands of extra visitors we have this month, I’m beside myself that my friends and family are among them.
Enjoy this magical month, mates. See you at Club Awi for a boogie.
FEATURE 4 & 5 VISUAL ARTS 6 festivals 12 explore 14
AROUND TOWN 19
BOOKS & FILM 21
PERFORMING ARTS 22 MUSIC 27
Tierney White Managing Editor & Development Manager
Brooke Gibbs Assistant Editor
Jonathan Munro Georgia Beach Graphic Design
Contributors Rosie Wild
OUR COVER Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer, 'Wardapi Jukurrpa (Goanna Dreaming)', 2025, acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 61cm. Image courtesy Warlukurlangu Artists
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This edition may contain the names, images, artworks and stories of people who have passed away. Please read with care.
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The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) showcases and celebrates the incredible work created on Country, from Art Centres across Australia on Larrakia Country. This month, the annual culmination of thousands of years of arts practice and culture celebrates its 20th year.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGE TREVOR VAN WEEREN, GAPUWIYAK CULTURE AND ARTS
IT’S A DELICIOUS time of year to be an arts lover in the Top End, with plenty of opportunities to check out original work across our tropical city. A true, true favourite is DAAF, always a highlight, reliably drawing thousands each year, locally, nationally, and internationally.
Flights booked and troopies packed, First Nations artists and arts workers make the trek from Australia’s corners to Darwin/Garramilla to share what they’ve been up to. Art enthusiasts, near and far, eagerly await the cracking of the doors for the three-day Fair or for the online shopping portal to go live – their purse strings loosened, credit cards at the ready, hoping to get in quick enough to purchase new treasures.
Presented by the DAAF Foundation, DAAF brings together around 75 Art Centres from across the country in one space to share their Dreamtime/ Jukurrpa stories and culture through their art.
DAAF Foundation Executive Director Claire Summers says the Fair continues to deliver on the important work the organisation set out to, all those years ago.
“DAAF started with a clear vision to create a platform for community owned Art Centres to showcase the vibrancy and rich cultural tapestry of Indigenous art and creativity, giving them the autonomy to showcase the work of their communities in their own way,” she says.
“20 years on, that vision remains at the heart of what we do –connecting Indigenous governed and community-led Art Centres directly with the world.”
The mind boggles when you think of the thousands and thousands of years of knowledge and storytelling coming together in one space at DAAF. For the artists, they get the chance to connect with mob from other parts of the country whilst sharing their own culture with the public. It’s truly a magical and moving experience.
The beloved event also includes a packed Public Program to further allow attendees to engage with culture in meaningful ways. Artistic Director Simon Carmichael, of the Ngugi people in South-East Queensland, says the program offers varied ways in which to connect.
“We recognise that audiences connect with culture in different ways, so the DAAF Public Program has been designed to offer a range of experiences – through conversation, hands-on learning, storytelling and performance, creating meaningful opportunities for people to engage with the fair and connect with culture,” he says.
“As part of this year’s 20th anniversary celebrations, we’re introducing a special installation that reflects on the journey of the Art Fair over the past two decades, while looking ahead to the future. We’re also excited to create more opportunities for Art Centres to present larger-scale works beyond the traditional booth format, giving artists new ways to share their works and connect with audiences.”
Also included in the 20th anniversary celebrations is an incredible line-up of cultural performances, including the Peppimenarti Dancers, Kerkar Kus Dance Team from Erub Island, the Tiwi Dancers from Munupi Arts & Crafts Association, and Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association, Manuel Pamkal, and an exciting performance from iconic First Nations band, Coloured Stone.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
Opening Ceremony
WHEN THU 6 AUG | 5-8.30PM COST $85
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
WHEN FRI 7 – SUN 9 AUG
COST FREE | REGISTER ONLINE AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE INFO daaf.com.au
There are two very important elements at the core of DAAF. The first, is that the works are authentic, genuine pieces, as artists share their ancestral stories across a range of mediums, techniques handed down through generations. The other, is that profits from all works go directly to the artists and their communities, rightfully giving them full agency over their art and culture, and the capacity to continue to create and share in the years to come.
“DAAF is unique in that the event is owned by the Art Centres themselves – they determine the evolution and growth of this remarkable event. Art fairs like DAAF play a critical role in ensuring artists are fairly represented and ethically supported,” Summers says.
“By connecting artists with buyers, we help generate real economic returns for Indigenous communities, while strengthening the Northern Territory’s cultural and tourism landscape.”
“These performances bring an extraordinary energy to the Art Fair, creating powerful moments of connection,” Carmichael says.
Darwin singer and actor Jessica Mauboy has teamed up with DAAF Foundation again as ambassador, and says it was an easy sell to be aligned with the Foundation, on her home turf.
“… it's something that's really close to my heart. Growing up in Darwin, I've always been surrounded by incredible First Nations art, culture and storytelling, so to see it celebrated on this scale means so much to me,” she says.
“DAAF is about bringing people together, celebrating who we are, and creating opportunities for our artists, designers and creatives to share their work with Australia and the world. I love that it all happens on Larrakia Country and that our communities are always at the centre of it.”
Mauboy says, when you walk into the space, there’s a strong sense something special hangs in the air.
“What I love most is the feeling you get when you're there. There's so much creativity, talent and pride all in one place. Every artwork, every design and every conversation tells a story. I always come away feeling inspired, and I love seeing the next generation of First Nations creatives stepping into their power and sharing their voices with confidence.”
This is a feeling we can all take away with us, made even more special in 2026 as we celebrate 20 years of celebrating thousands of years of our First Nations art and culture. And, if you’re lucky enough, you might also take away the most special of mementos. A sweet piece of art.
RUTH NUNGARRAYI SPENCER was born in Alice Springs Hospital, the closest hospital to Yuendumu, a remote Aboriginal community located 290 kms north-west of Alice Springs. She has grown up most of her life in Yuendumu. Ruth has been painting with Warlukurlangu Artists Aboriginal Corporation, an Aboriginal owned and governed art centre located in Yuendumu, since she was a teenager.
Ruth Nungarrayi Spencer, 'Wardapi Jukurrpa (Goanna Dreaming)', 2025, acrylic on canvas, 76cm x 61cm. Image courtesy Warlukurlangu Artists
Her grandfather and grandmother told her the stories of her Jukurrpa (Dreaming), but it was Daisy Napanangka Nelson (1930-2001) who also painted with Warlukurlangu Artists, Ruth’s Number two Grandmother or Big Sister (Wendy and Alma Sims) who taught her Yanjirlpirri Jukurrpa (Star Dreaming) painting.
DAAF Foundation’s Indigenous Fashion Projects (IFP) return to present its two hotly-anticipated events – the Country to Couture fashion shows and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA) – this year, with a couple of exciting new developments.
Country to Couture
WHEN SHOW 1 - SUN 2 AUG, 7PM SHOW 2 - MON 3 AUG, 7PM AT CDU DANALA CAMPUS
COST $65-$150
National Indigenous Fashion Awards
WHEN WED 5 AUG | 7PM DOORS 6PM AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA COST $65
INFO ifp.org.au
COUNTRY TO COUTURE celebrates an 11-year legacy of cultural integrity, artistic innovation, and community empowerment.
To mark the 20th anniversary of DAAF – recognising the popularity the largest runway showcase of First Nations fashion in Australia has so effortlessly garnered – the shows are presented, for the first time, across two huge nights by the boab tree at Charles Darwin University’s Danala Campus in Darwin City.
Show 1, Carried by Our Matriarchs - From Legacy we Rise, has already sold out, its 11 collections celebrating the artistry of women, their collaboration, their lore. It’s an honouring of matriarchal strength and the grace of ancestral knowledge moving through the sacred cycles of Blak women.
If you’re lucky, by the time this edition comes out, there may be some tickets left to Show 2, Imprints and Memory - Seasons of the Land, Waters and Sky. This runway’s 10 collections honours lands and waters, and the sky that stretches above us all. As a living archive, the sky holds memory. It moves in cycles, as Country beneath continues to evolve.
Returning to the beautiful starry setting of Deckchair Cinema, with a national broadcast on NITV, is NIFA, set to hand out seven accolades to the crème de la crème in Australia’s First Nations fashion. This year, 25 nominees have been shortlisted across the award categories, celebrating the
strength, innovation and future of First Nations fashion and textile design in our country.
“NIFA creates a space where First Nations designers and creatives are recognised and celebrated by their peers, communities and the wider industry. That acknowledgement is powerful,” says IFP Manager, Michelle Maynard.
“It's more than an award. It’s about community, visibility and celebrating the continuing cultural knowledge, creativity and hard work behind every designer and artist. These moments can be transformative for creatives and continue to strengthen the Indigenous fashion sector as a whole.”
If the above wasn’t enough, another exciting development this year to mark 20 years of DAAF, is IFP setting up camp at the Fair.
“One of the highlights this year is the expansion of our Indigenous Fashion Projects trade stall area at the Art Fair, creating more opportunities for audiences to engage directly with the incredible work of First Nations fashion creatives,” says DAAF Artistic Director Simon Carmichael.
“It’s an important part of our programming and reflects our commitment to celebrating and supporting First Nations creatives across fashion, art and design.”
Two Art Centres from Melville Island on the Tiwis join forces to present their beautiful annual exhibition, Natinga Ratuwati Papurruluwi Putuwuripira Kapi Awirangkuwi.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGES WILL HEATHCOATE
Natinga Ratuwati Papurruluwi Putuwuripira Kapi Awirangkuwi
WHEN FRI 7 – THU 13 AUG
OPENING FRI 7 AUG, 10AM
AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON
COST FREE
INFO munupiart.com jilamara.com
THIS ANNUAL EXHIBITION is a real hit, year on year. Each August, Tiwi owned and governed Art Centres from the communities of Milikapiti and Pirlangimpi – Jilamara Arts & Crafts Association and Munupi Arts & Crafts Association – make the trek across the gulf to proudly present their gorgeous artworks.
This year’s exhibition, Natinga Ratuwati Papurruluwi Putuwuripira Kapi Awirangkuwi, translates to ‘one island, the old people, what they left behind, what they gave us, and passing it on to the next generation’.
Featuring traditional and contemporary styles, Tiwi artists draw inspiration from jilamara (body painting designs), clan totems, and Tiwi creation stories. The works feature natural ochres on linen, canvas, stringy bark, and ironwood.
Traditionally, Tiwi art features ochre in hues of red, yellow, black, and white. Tiwi artists have been mixing these ochres to create different hues including pinks and greens for a very long time. These colours are constantly changing as the artists experiment with mixing the ochres to create new colours. In recent years, more pinks and earthy greens have been introduced.
Munupi Manager Dashielle Allain says the work is, first and foremost, the continuation of Tiwi culture and history.
“Art is so important on so many different levels, but one of the primary reasons is the fact that their history, their language, their culture, their way of life, their worldview, is traditionally not written in books. It's retained, shared. Its transmission is primarily through the arts,” she says.
“Without the arts, their stories, their culture, their history, their worldview may otherwise be lost. And so, when you purchase a piece of art from Aboriginal Australians, and from the Tiwi people in particular, you're not only buying something that's a beautiful thing to behold, it's not just an aesthetic experience, it's actually supporting their worldview, their ancient wisdom, their cosmology, to be expressed, heard, continued, and renewed”.
Artist Carol Puruntatameri often paints about the creation story of Purrukapali in her work on bark, canvas and, more recently, on pottery.
Purrukapali lived with his wife, Bima, and their son, Jinani. One hot day, as she foraged for food and secretly met with unmarried man, Japara, Bima left her child under the tree for too long and he died in the heat. Overcome with grief and fury, his son’s body in his arms, Purrukapali walked into the sea, declaring that death would now befall all people – a turning point for Tiwi people, when immortality ended.
Puruntatameri, who has again been shortlisted as a Finalist in this year’s Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards (NATSIAA), says she’s very excited to come to Darwin for the Tiwi exhibition, NATSIAA, and Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair.
“I feel good. Larrakia Country. I look forward to show my art, and stories … the story, our art, going to the world, you know? Talk to the people, tell them, have stories. Yeah, we dancing there.”
She’s right. As part of the exhibition opening, dancers from both Art Centres perform a traditional yoi (dance) on the AANT Centre Forecourt, presenting audiences with dances of their totems. It’s a beautiful event where everyone’s invited to join in and dance once the official performances have concluded.
In addition to creation stories, Tiwi art also depicts more recent significant historical events, such as the Bombing of Darwin, with planes featuring in several of the works.
“Although the Bombing of Darwin is relatively fresh compared to the ancient cosmology that we often speak of, it was an event that impacted Tiwi people, so that has become part of their unfolding story, part of their unfolding history. And it's really important that it be heard through the voices of the Tiwi people themselves, because it's their history,” Allain says.
The theme of this year’s show highlights the importance of passing knowledge down through generations, something Puruntatameri says is very important.
“We have to pass it down because the next generation. Yeah, so we’re gonna do that, positive to all our young ones.”
For a 43rd year, The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Awards (NATSIAA) returns to bring artists together to celebrate the very best of First Nations art.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE CHARLIE BLISS
Telstra NATSIAA Exhibition
UNTIL MON 24 JAN, 2027
AT MAGNT
Telstra NATSIAA Awards Ceremony
WHEN FRI 7 AUG | 6-10PM AT MAGNT LAWNS
INFO magnt.net.au
A HIGHLIGHT ON the national arts calendar, this year’s winners are revealed at a special Awards Ceremony at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), showcasing the extraordinary depth, diversity and brilliance of contemporary First Nations art.
NATSIAA continues to bring together artists from remote Art Centres to small townships to inner-city studios, with culture, storytelling, and creative innovation converging to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
The 64 compelling artworks selected from 221 entries this year reflect themes of intergenerational storytelling, the continuation of culture, connections to Country, and the enduring impacts of Australia’s colonial history of individuals and communities.
Presented by MAGNT, the Awards remain a vital platform for nurturing and celebrating Indigenous artists, providing a national and international stage to showcase their work.
MAGNT Director Adam Worrall says the Award was established in 1983 to celebrate the validity and cultural diversity of contemporary Indigenous artists at a time when it was largely undervalued and under appreciated.
“While it began as a small, 10-day exhibition, with a prize pool of $2,000, today it’s the longest running and most prestigious art award in the country,” he says.
“It totally represents that important place in Australian history – it’s documented contemporary, the best of contemporary Indigenous
countries for almost 40 years, and we’ll continue to do that in the future.”
With each entry offering a unique perspective while collectively reflecting the richness of Indigenous artistic practice today, Mr Worrall says he is impressed by the new and exciting emerging artists on display this year.
“There’s 64 extraordinary fine artists this year representing more than 40 communities across Australia. Out of those finalists, 15 emerging artists are featured, and they’re hanging beside those important senior artists who have brought their stories back to MAGNT over many years,” he says.
“I think the thing that most impresses me this year is the incredibly high quality of works and the incredible, powerful stories that are represented by female artists.”
This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award. Named in honour of the late Yolŋu leader, artist and cultural advocate, Wandjuk Marika OBE, the Award celebrates artistic excellence in three-dimensional practice while recognising the profound legacy of one of the Northern Territory's most influential cultural figures.
The Awards carry a total prize pool of $190,000, including the prestigious $100,000 Telstra Art Award, alongside category prizes recognising excellence in painting, bark painting, works on paper, multimedia, sculpture, and emerging artistic practice. NATSIAA offers a chance to experience works that challenge, educate and inspire in equal measure.
Hear stories from incarcerated prisoners across the Territory in an exhibition aimed at supporting rehabilitation and reducing reoffending.
BEHIND THE WIRE returns to Darwin for the first time since 2019, showcasing powerful artworks by currently incarcerated prisoners from across the Northern Territory.
This long-standing initiative showcases artwork created by people in custody as part of the Department of Corrections’ education and skills programs.
The exhibition, displayed at the historic site of Fannie Bay Gaol, demonstrates how participation in creative and cultural arts supports the development of practical and transferable skills, encourages personal growth, and provides meaningful pathways to learning, employment and reintegration.
Following its pause, the exhibition returns with 110 paintings and 66 sculptures created by artists from correctional centres across the Territory. Charles Darwin University art lecturer Susan McDonnell says painting and sculpture are powerful tools for rehabilitation.
“Both forms of art can lead to careers, and when released, they can have genuine careers in the art industry. Creativity and self-discovery help build positive and productive lives,” she says.
Featuring unique works from more than a dozen artists, the exhibition includes traditional Aboriginal painting, contemporary art, and sculpture. McDonnell says the paintings are mostly traditional Top End paintings characterised by intricate cross hatching and natural earth pigments.
“The stories are of ancient Dreamtime narratives, depicting regional wildlife and spirits. There
are also landscapes depicting local landscapes and animals. The sculptures are assemblages. The artists have skilfully welded found objects and recycled materials into a blend of industrial waste and whimsical, playful animals.”
Like what you see? Displayed artworks are available for purchase onsite, highlighting the talent and achievements of participants while promoting the important role that education, vocational skill development and creative engagement play in these programs.
The Northern Territory features heavily on the Finalist list, with 42 of the 64 selected artists calling the Territory home. Behind the Wire
The Bindi Digital Art Prize wants to see your creativity. Entries are open to anyone in Australia, across all ages, abilities and experience levels. This month, it’s time to grab a device, get creating, and submit your art.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
Bindi Digital Art Prize 2026
WHEN ENTRIES CLOSE
FRI 21 AUG | 4PM AT BINDI ENTERPRISES
COST $25 INFO bindienterprises.org.au
This Prize has a passion for digital art as a form that facilitates accessibility, inclusion and experimentation. While it’s now open to anyone, it originated with the Bindi Digital Art Program, where people with a range of abilities come together twice a week to create art with genuine joy, and the spirit of that inclusivity and celebration is in this Prize’s DNA.
“The digital art sessions at Bindi are honestly a party. People make multiple pieces of art, and we're running from the printer ... we're all clapping, putting it all over the walls. It’s such a celebration of everyone’s skills and creative abilities,” says Ginger Rankin, facilitator of the Bindi Digital Art Program.
The Prize is open to experienced artists, emerging artists, those who may not traditionally identify as artists, rural artists, remote artists, and anyone of any age who wants to give it a crack.
“Often, people who don't consider themselves artists probably already are, because they're making digital art without even realising. You can go for a walk with your tech, record something, draw something, film something and put it all together. You can be really quick and playful, or experiment and take your time,” says Rankin.
Turn your gaze towards the elders, mentors, and everyday legends whose stories deserve to be seen.
EVERY PORTRAIT TELLS two stories. There’s the one captured in paint, charcoal, clay or mixed media. Then there’s the life behind the face showing decades of resilience, humour, creativity, adventure and quiet contribution.
The Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award (POAST) celebrates both. Now in its 27th year, the muchloved annual exhibition invites artists from across the Territory to turn their gaze towards the elders, mentors, neighbours, trailblazers, and everyday legends whose stories deserve to be celebrated.
More than an art prize, POAST is a celebration of connection across generations, recognising the extraordinary lives of senior Territorians while showcasing the remarkable talent of local artists.
Aaron Moore took home the winning title last year with his portrait of signwriter and artist Bill Davies reflecting on the Darwin years.
Runner-up Alice Cirrottola, who painted a portrait of Robert Joel Cooper on a fishing trip, said it
“Digital forms break boundaries of what we might think of as art. Someone could submit a TikTok into the Prize, and we'd love it. The range of styles we’ll accept is really broad, and if you’re not sure, we’re always open to a conversation.”
Accepted formats include photography, animation, video, digital drawings, mixed-media and more. While AI-assisted work may be considered, entrants must clearly explain how and why it was used, needing to demonstrate genuine personal creativity rather than AI-generated output.
This Prize puts an emphasis on reclaiming digital art from AI, celebrating the very human resonance that happens when people use digital forms to express the beauty, humour, passion and personality of their own lives.
“The work we've loved seeing and that's been really successful is the stuff that's very self-expressive and individual in style, made about the things people see and love in their own world.”
Each entrant can submit up to four works. First prize is awarded $3,000, Highly Commended and People’s Choice $500 each, and an exhibition in October will display shortlisted entrants, with works available for sale.
Whether or not you’ve thought of yourself as an artist before now, it’s time to grab a device, explore how it can express what you love in the world, and send what you’ve made to the Bindi Digital Art Prize.
was great to have that recognition as an artist.
“It was a good opportunity for me to get back into art and I’ve been painting since. I haven’t stopped, and I participated this year as well,” she says.
Each work offers a glimpse into the diverse lives that make up the Territory. The exhibition becomes a visual archive of Territory life, told through faces, expressions and relationships. Cirrottola says she was drawn to participate again this year to bring honour to a special senior in her life.
“I feel like having a picture gives more honour for the character because, through their eyes, you can really represent what they do and what’s their personality, and I try to share that as much as I can.”
Alternating between Alice Springs and Darwin each year during Seniors Month, this year's exhibition is held at Parliament House in Darwin, creating an inspiring meeting place where art and storytelling intersect.
“I’m really excited to see my painting this year, because last year it was in Alice Springs and unfortunately, I couldn’t be there,” she says.
“I’m also really excited to see all the other paintings and if the subject could be there, that would be even better because I can see his reaction which would be so special.”
The people featured in these works have witnessed the Territory evolve, built communities, preserved culture, raised families, overcome challenges and shared knowledge that continues to ripple through generations. Their portraits become celebrations not only of individual lives but of the communities they've helped shape.
“It’s a good opportunity for visibility and celebrating our seniors. I think it’s really important we celebrate our elders, especially in the NT,” Cirrottola says.
Alongside the major art awards, POAST also includes the heartwarming Selfie with a Senior Award, encouraging Territorians to share photographs and personal reflections about an older person who has inspired them.
Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award
WHEN FRI 14 AUG – SUN 13 SEP AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE COST FREE INFO poast.com.au
UNTITLED GALLERY + STUDIO
8 McMinn St, Darwin darwinvisualarts.com.au
Linda Joy, 'Waterhouse' (detail), 2026, ink on canvas, 30x80cm
Northern Centre for Contemporary Art Vimy Lane, Parap | nccart.com
Unit 3/1 Clocktower Caryota Crt, Coconut Grove darwincommunityarts.org FRI 31 JUL – THU 20 AUG OPENING FRI 31 JUL, 5.30PM
Waterlines is a new body of work by Linda Joy exploring the rivers, wetlands, springs and aquifers of the Northern Territory landscape – the waterways that sustain ecosystems and communities.
Gleeson Briscoe, 'Safe Haven' (detail), 2026, acrylic on canvas, 91x46cm
This exhibition presents a broad spectrum of acrylic art works on canvas and pottery vases, showcasing Maggie's textural styles and colour transitions, whilst highlighting the beauty of the natural world.
This exhibition by Brendan and Yuka Hicks and Michael Totham, explores opposites, contrasts, and how they come together to create art. Polarity reflects the idea that artistic expression draws on the full range of human experience – joy and sadness, light and dark, tension and calm –to create something authentic and whole.
Lines of Life explores the inevitability of this cycle and the shared fate that unites us all. No matter how far we travel in our personal journeys, we are always drawn back to the earth from which we came. Life, death, and the space in between exist in constant coexistence.
A major exhibition responding to urgent contemporary conversations about incarceration, justice and systemic inequality in the Northern Territory and across regional Australia. It aims to foster public dialogue, increase awareness of the impacts of incarceration, demonstrating the capacity of contemporary art to contribute meaningfully to urgent national conversations. TUE 4 AUG – SAT 26 SEP
These are the characters of the Top End – bold, beautiful, and occasionally baffling. Ann Owen's debut solo exhibition brings together original watercolours painted from life across Australia's Northern Territory, birds and wildlife in vivid colour, with the kind of personality only close observation can capture. Go and meet them.
An exhibition by artist-educator, Jose Patalinghug, whose practice in oil and pastel explores portraiture, place, and perception. Faces and landscapes emerge briefly, reflecting impermanence and attentive observation.
Shop 4, 19 The Mall, Charles Darwin Centre aboriginalbushtraders.com
A photography exhibition showcasing life on Country through the eyes of artists and arts workers from remote Aboriginal Art Centres. Captured on disposable film cameras, these authentic, unfiltered images celebrate everyday moments, culture and connection, offering a rare and deeply personal perspective of communities across Australia.
Tjarlirli and Kaltukatjara Art Centres are located on either side of the Northern Territory and Western Australia borders. Their artists are part of the contemporary Western Desert art movement, creating works deeply connected to Country, culture and ancestral homelands, continuing stories passed down through generations.
BOTANIC GARDENS VISITOR AND EVENT CENTRE
George Brown Botanic Gardens sahulandsundaarts.org
Rifa'iyah batik tulis artists produce exquisitely detailed works that reflect their Sufi beliefs, Javanese heritage, and intimate botanical knowledge systems. Their unique tradition of samaran (abstraction) results in works full of hidden surprises. Truly a slow-art form, artists spend up to 12-months creating a single cloth.
WED 19 – WED 26 AUG
OPENING TUE 18 AUG | 5PM
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre
Lot 3238 Stuart Hwy, Katherine | gyracc.org.au
THE LAST DASH PAINTERS DAUGHTER
Anindilyakwa artists are renowned for bark paintings with floating manganese motifs and the distinctive dashpainting style unique to Groote Eylandt. As one of the last dash painters, Alice Durilla has passed this precise linework to her daughter, Chelsea Lalara, ensuring the practice continues.
and
A solo exhibition by
featuring woven works and sun-prints inspired by her recent international arts residency at the Museum of European Culture in Berlin.
Dadikwakwa-kwa (shell dolls) are considered alive by the women who create and care for them. Traditionally used as inter-generational learning aides for literacy, numeracy, kinship systems and women health. Inspired by stories shared by Elders, the women of Anindilyakwa Arts revived this unique cultural practice.
OUTSTATION GALLERY outstation.com.au
All photos of artworks: Fiona Morrison
Each year, the Telstra NATSIAA receives hundreds of submissions from First Nations artists across Australia. The works that don't make the cut are no less extraordinary. Now in its 14th year, Salon des Refusés, presented by Outstation Gallery, gives these works a stage they deserve.
WED 5 AUG – SAT 19 SEP
OPENING WED 5 AUG, 11AM MIDPUL ART GALLERY
Bakulaŋay Marawili was one of the great artists of northeast Arnhem Land. Now his sons Wurrandan, Napuwarri and Napunda continue that legacy and bring their own powerful voices to the world. Spanning bark, metal and ceremony, this is a significant and extraordinary exhibition of Ma arrpa art from Yilpara. In association with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre.
SAT 8 – SAT 22 AUG
OUTSTATION GALLERY
Community leader and artist Denise Brady turns traditional dotting techniques toward bold, contemporary storytelling. Nominated for awards, she featured in the 2023 Tarnanthi Festival at the Art Gallery of South Australia and held a sell-out solo at Outstation Gallery, Darwin.
THU 6 – SAT 15 AUG
QUBIT GALLERY
Denise Brady, ‘Spinifex and Buffel, acrylic on linen, 177x147cm
On the island of Yurrwi off the coast of northeast Arnhem Land, Milingimbi Art and Culture has been at the heart of Yolŋu artistic life since the 1920s. This exhibition brings together works from one of Australia's longest-standing art centres, where land, ceremony, family and art have always been inseparable.
WED 5 – SAT 15 AUG TACTILE ARTS
Julie Nangala
Sisters Julie and Sabrina Nangala Robertson (Yuendumu, Warlukurlangu Artists) are daughters of the celebrated Dorothy Napangardi. Both carry her Jukurrpa forward in fine, size-shifting dot work that builds shimmering, optically brilliant fields mapping their Country. Julie won the 2023 Telstra NATSIAA General Painting Award, and both were named 2026 NATSIAA finalists.
THU 6 – THU 13 AUG
GEORGE BROWN DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS
Julie Nangala Robertson, ‘Mina Mina Jukurrpa’ (detail), 2025, acrylic on linen. 152x122cm
Sisters Nancy and Rene Long Nungarrayi paint both collaboratively and independently. Their works are finely stippled and layered producing a sense of vibration or subtle movement. Their collaborative work "Pereltye" won the 2024 Ravenswood Indigenous Emerging Artist Prize and was Highly Commended in the Telstra General Painting Award at NATSIAA 2024.
THU 6 – THU 20 AUG
MIDPUL ART GALLERY (ANNEX)
Long,
Look, we’re both a bit emotional, so I guess, let’s start with the fun stuff! What’s close to your heart in this year's program that you’re so excited to share with everybody?
Oh, it's always so much because there's 100 events and, all of them, we're so happy about. I think the two things that really stand out are Roller Coaster at Marrara
there, the artists are loving it. Like, it's just the energy of watching live music. It impacts INPEX Sunset Stage, in Festival Park, and you just don't get that anywhere else, you know? You see music in other cities, and it just isn't the same. It's better when you see it here.
So yeah, that just that collective energy, and something about everyone coming together and the feeling that's always in the air. It's always really magical.
the family program that just keeps building, the schools program that more and more students are involved in. Those things have just been super close to my heart. And so that was the start and that's kind of the end. And, even though it's evolved, it didn't pivot in the middle. It's been a really beautiful four-year story.
Yeah, it has. I'm in 40s, in that midlife time where those big questions pop up. Beautiful Dr. Emily, who's on The Imperfects podcast, talks about this being a time of questions of the soul, and a time of reawakening and reimagining and who you can be, and Darwin has just been this perfect place to do that for me.
Lovely, Kate. Let’s have a quick chat about the incoming Artistic Director, Ben Graetz.
year as Artistic Director of Darwin Festival, a teary Kate Fell reflects on her time with a teary Tierney White. What a ride it’s been. Darwin
Indoor Stadium – it’s going to be such a joyous, fun, musical spectacular, with heaps of Darwin people in it on roller skates. I'm always wanting to do things in new venues, so thought [doing] something at Marrara was one I wanted to pull off – a big show that involves amazing professional artists as well as the Darwin community. So that's going to be really, really fun.
IMAGE GEORGE FRAGOPOULOS INSET HELEN ORR
Yeah, cute!
And then, I've always loved the Ski Club concerts. That's something that we started in my first year, and each year, they're just so special. It'll be the last weekend when I can just really picture all three of those concerts – Mama
Kin Spender on the Friday night, TISM on the Saturday night, which is gonna be wild, and then just these incredible musicians with Hiatus Kaiyote, Caiti Baker, and Bumpy on closing night. So, yeah, they're the things I'm super excited about.
They sure are a good time, those Ski Club nights! Being your outgoing year as Artistic Director, are there any moments that happen at Darwin Festival that you're gonna hold onto? Like the moments you share – nothing to do with the program – just being there in the space?
Yeah, I think for me, there is always something about being in Festival Park. Some of those music nights particularly, they are always so special. Just that sense of being outdoors, you look around and there's just such a mix of Darwin
Totally. And the scene is set – we have our beautiful balmy weather, the ‘yes attitude’ from Festivalgoers, the festoon lights, the atmosphere – it’s just electric. Do just wish you could get a jar and just catch it and put the lid on? Maybe you should do that. Yeah, that would be beautiful!
Reflecting on your time as Artistic Director, when you look back, how do you feel about the whole experience?
I mean, it's been an absolutely incredible experience. What feels really special is that I came to Darwin as a completely new person to this place, and I can see the depth of understanding and connection and sense of place that has grown and grown and grown.
But I also look back and think that what I wanted to do at the start is the same as what I want to do now, so I can really see that four years in its kind of entirety.
There's been these three programming pillars that have never shifted – Magical Moments, as we've talked about those beautiful, magical, ephemeral moments in these really special locations, Territory Stories – look at the four years of those amazing Territory artists and the stories we've been able to help share – and then Community Connect –
I am so thrilled. I'm so thrilled that it's Ben, I could not be happier! Ben is an incredible artist and curator and programmer, and I’ve worked with Ben the last few years on different shows, so I know him really well. He's from here – what an absolute, wonderful thing, for him and for Darwin and the Festival. I think, especially leading into the 50th anniversary of the Festival, that really, really just makes sense. I cannot wait to see what he does with the Festival.
Beautiful, Kate, beautiful. My final question for you is about Darwin. As you said, you were a total newbie, and things have changed significantly for you during this time. Could you share with our readers what Darwin means to you now?
I think, Darwin is a place that lets you become yourself. And that is such a special thing – you can strip away a bit of the past and baggage and just let yourself be you, or who you want to be. It’s a place of connection. It's a place people find love. It’s a place people find great friendships. The experiences that you can have here – social, cultural, and in nature. They're just those things that will stay with you. Always. I just absolutely have loved this place.
Would you say it’s been a highlight of your life, coming to Darwin, doing this job?
Oh, beautiful, Kate. It's never too late to redirect your life, it's never too late to give yourself another chance, a new direction, and that's resulted in some intense happiness, for you, I know. Absolutely. The other thing with Darwin and doing this job in Darwin, is that special place the Festival has in the hearts of so many people in Darwin. And that's been such a beautiful gift, too, that I've been able to connect with so many people. And that they've shared with me the things they love about the Festival, and the shows they've loved and the shows they've not loved so much.
That constant conversation between me and the community. It's such a gift, and it has helped me so much. The program every year is so shaped by those conversations I have, not just during the Festival, but all year ‘round.
What stays in people's minds and what's memorable for them and what they're looking for. I think the size and nature of Darwin means that conversation happens in a way that you might not get in a big city, like Sydney or something. That has been so special.
Very special. Big chookas for your last one, Kate, and thank you for your service!
Celebrate the Kurrung season in Kakadu, when the days are warm, the nights are cool, and the magpie geese are on the move.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE STEVE KELK, FOLDBACK MAGAZINE
Make the trip to Tennant Creek as Desert Harmony Festival returns this Picnic Day long weekend with four vibrant days of music, dance, workshops and celebration in the heart of the Barkly.
Desert Harmony Festival is presented by Barkly Regional Arts, a not-for-profit hub for arts that collaborates with remote Indigenous communities to foster access, development and recognition of arts in the Barkly. And boy, do they have a bounty of it.
Tennant Creek comes alive to celebrate culture, community, and creativity in the heart of Barkly.
HELD DURING THE Kurring season in Kakadu, Jabiru’s annual Mahbilil Festival returns to celebrate Kakadu culture, both traditional and contemporary.
Named after the cooling afternoon breeze, the Festival brings people from around Kakadu and West Arnhem together, as well as people from Darwin, Katherine, and many tourists.
Held over two days and running from midday to midnight, festivalgoers can enjoy a swag of activities including workshops for kids, Indigenous art exhibitions and demonstrations of weaving, competitions, painting, sport, film and more.
Bush food features prominently with traditional foods including magpie goose, buffalo and barramundi cooked in a traditional gungerre ground oven. Keen to get hands-on? Join one of the weaving, painting, cultural and spear-making workshops.
With a live art exhibition on display, view stunning works by renowned artist, Ivan Namarnyilk, that reflect Country, culture and connection. If you see any art that takes your fancy, the great news is that all artwork is available for sale at the exhibition.
As night falls, the Marrawuddi Arts & Culture lawns come alive with projections, light shows and music that’s gonna leave you dancing ‘til late. Headlined by Christine Anu and Shellie Morris, the main stage boasts a stellar line-up of music acts including B2M, Bininj Band, Nabarlek Band, and Nathan Fejo.
One of Australia’s most celebrated recording artists and live performers, Christine Anu brings a powerful voice and captivating stage presence. Multi-award-winning singer/songwriter Shellie Morris, sings in around 20 Australian Aboriginal languages, preserving and promoting culture.
The Festival also encompasses the Kurrung Sports Carnival run by West Arnhem Regional Council, which sees teams from across the Top End compete.
There’s no better time to do Kakadu!
This year’s theme, ‘Yarntarnpa Kululujju Nyinta (Living Together as One)’, acknowledges the diversity of the people in the Barkly region which continues to enrich the cultural fabric of the community.
This year’s line-up features some incredible music performances, with some absolute legends thrown in the mix.
Enjoy live tunes from Alice Kings, Amy James, Balaclava Peace Collective, Casii Williams, Coloured Stone, Drifting Clouds, Eleanor Jawurlngali, Emily Wurramara, Fejo & the Cruizers, Frank Yamma,
Jameson Casson, Jason Lee Scott, Joey, Kobie Dee, Kulumindini Black Soil, Newboys Band, North Tanami Band, Ray Dimakarri Dixon, Roger Knox, The Country Gospel Band, Wampana Band, and Workcamp Band. Huge.
Aside from the music, there’s plenty to see and do with cultural dancing, boomerang carving, bush medicine, food stalls and a Karguru Nursery Tour.
Whether you’re a local or just passing through, celebrate Tennant Creek’s diverse population with community-focused programming that platforms local artists alongside nationally renowned acts that bring together community members and visitors alike.
Desert Harmony Festival WHEN FRI 31 JUL – MON 3 AUG 11AM-10PM AT BARKLY REGIONAL ARTS COST GOLD COIN DONATION INFO barklyarts.com.au
HOT MONTHLY TIPS FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT TOURISM CENTRAL AUSTRALIA
August means winter is slowly approaching its end, a season many locals consider the best time of year to be outdoors.
Crisp mornings give way to sunny days perfect for exploring, whether that’s tackling a section of the Larapinta Trail or wandering one of the many walking tracks around town before enjoying a coffee in the sunshine after your morning adventure. For the brave, even the icy waterholes are hard to resist.
For a weekend escape, the East MacDonnell Ranges are an excellent destination, with 2WD-accessible Trephina Gorge Nature Park offering a range of scenic walks, beautiful waterholes and peaceful camping. Those with a 4WD can venture further to Arltunga Historical Reserve before continuing on to Ruby Gap Nature Park.
If you’re looking to get off the beaten track, Owen Springs Reserve offers another side of the Red Centre. Just south of Alice Springs, its network of 4WD tracks, bush camping areas and secluded spots, including Redbank Waterhole, provide a rewarding escape without travelling too far from town.
August is also one of the busiest months on the events calendar. The month begins with the Desert Harmony Festival in Tennant Creek over the Picnic Day long weekend, bringing together music, art, culture and community.
Later in the month, the Run Larapinta Stage Race welcomes runners from across Australia and overseas to experience some of the country’s most spectacular trail running.
Cyclists take on the region’s rugged landscapes during the Shimano Gravel Muster Stage Race, while the Red Dirt Desert Poetry Festival offers a slower pace, celebrating storytelling and the unique voices of the outback.
Whether you’re chasing a finish line, discovering a new trail, sitting around a campfire or simply soaking up the winter sunshine, August is a reminder to make the most of the season before the warmer days return. For now, the Red Centre is at its very best.
An opportunity for Larrakia people to spend time on Country, share knowledge, strengthen culture, and lead activities connected around four local creeks. Projects of all sizes are welcome.
www.creekconnections.org/
Op Shop Social Club Tour
Head along with friends or meet new people while discovering Darwin’s best op shops. Pick up a pre-loved bargain, get styling tips and take a break for a coffee or a cheeky cocktail along the way.
SAT 1, 15 & WED 26 AUG | 1.30-4PM
1 SEARCY STREET
$79 opshopsocialclub.com
Needle Felting Workshop
If you’ve never needle felted, or you have tried needle felting before and want a faster version, then this four-hour workshop is just for you! Under the tutelage of
experienced artist, Melanie Tribe, use a pre-made 100% wool dryer ball as your starting point.
SUN 2 AUG | 9AM-1PM
TACTILE ARTS STUDIOS
$126 MEMB | $137 NON-MEMB tactilearts.org.au
Tarot Night
Discover what the cards have in store with a 15-minute tarot reading from experienced reader Kelly, who brings over 35 years of insight and intuition. Enjoy a drink or meal before or after your reading.
WED 5 AUG | FROM 5PM THE LAST SUPPER
$36 thelastsupper.com.au
Ladies Meet Up
Looking to meet new people and build lasting friendships? Join the Ladies Meet-Up for great conversation in a warm, inclusive atmosphere. Whether you're new in town or just want a fun night out, everyone’s welcome.
THU 6 AUG | 6-7PM THE LAST SUPPER
$10 thelastsupper.com.au
Babylon Chess Club
Show off those chess tactics at Babylon’s monthly chess
tournament. Play the pro level or take it easy on the chill level. Winners receive prizes.
THU 6 AUG | 6-8PM BABYLON BAR FREE facebook.com/babylondarwin
Collage Club
A monthly art class for adults, perfect for unwinding and getting creative. Each session includes a short preso, time to make your own collages, and the chance to share your work. All materials provided.
THU 6 AUG | 6-8.30PM
THE LAST SUPPER
$25 thelastsupper.com.au
Lino Printing – Next Steps
Take the next step in your printmaking journey. Continue using easy-carve material to carve a new block and build on the lino printing process from design through to finished prints.
SAT 8 & SUN 9 AUG | 9AM-12.30PM
TACTILE ARTS
$130 MEMB | $145 NON-MEMB tactilearts.org.au
Glass Fusing Workshop
Decorative Window Panel
Discover the magic of fusing glass as you combine colourful murrini and frit to design and create your own striking window panel. Guided by experienced local glass artists, you can experiment with colour, texture, and composition to bring your vision to life.
International Test cricket returns to Darwin as Australia hosts Bangladesh at TIO Stadium this month. The Territory’s first Test since 2004 showcases world-class cricket, and delivers a landmark sporting experience for local families, travelling supporters, and fans across the region.
THU 13 – MON 17 AUG
TIO STADIUM $30-$50 cricket.com.au
SUN 9 AUG | 10AM-12PM
TACTILE ARTS
$112 MEMB | $125 NON-MEMB tactilearts.org.au
Paint & Sip:
Paint Your Own Peeny Vase
Gather your cheekiest friends for a playful, adult-humoured ceramics session featuring a 6.5-inch peeny vase, ready for bold decoration. Enjoy a relaxed, creative afternoon with vibrant paints, drinks, and plenty of laughs. Finish with a bouquet of included artificial flowers for a cheeky, standout piece, made to spark conversation.
SUN 9 AUG | 3-4.30PM THE LAST SUPPER $60 thelastsupper.org.au
Harmony & Humour Bar Choir
Guaranteed to lift your spirits, this unique experience with Shalom Kaa blends humour and harmony for a night of pure joy. Whether you're a seasoned singer or just love to have fun, this event promises laughter and camaraderie in equal measure.
SUN 9 & 30 AUG | 5.30-7.30PM THE LAST SUPPER $20 thelastsupper.com.au
Reboot Your Loot
Find a bargain as City of Palmerston's popular car boot sale returns. Rifle your way through bric-a-brac, clothing, homewares, plants, books, games, crafts and more. Don't forget your spare change and plenty of reusable shopping bags to cart away all your goodies.
SAT 22 AUG | 8-11AM CITY OF PALMERSTON CIVIC PLAZA COUNCIL CARPARK FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au
Top End Native Eco Fair & Plant Sale
The biggest gardening event and plant sale of the year is back!
Spend the day immersed in place-based learning, creative workshops, interactive displays led by local experts, kids’ activities, and a huge selection of Top End native plants –including 2000 for free!
SAT 22 AUG | 8.30AM-3PM
JINGILI WATER GARDENS
FREE landcarent.org.au
Tea Light Holders | Glass Fusing Workshop
Learn how to select, safely cut and shape class, how to use a range of glass tools, how to prep a mould suitable for draping, and lean into the magic of glass kiln.
SUN 23 AUG | 9AM-1PM
TACTILE ARTS
$270 MEMB | $245 NON-MEMB tactilearts.org.au
Spirit Hour:
An Evening with a Medium
Join Belinda for an intimate evening of mediumship, connection, laughter and storytelling. Known for her warm and down-to-earth approach, Belinda creates a supportive space to explore messages from spirit.
WED 26 AUG | 6-7PM THE LAST SUPPER $18.75 thelastsupper.com.au
Club Krock
An over-18s, all-abilities night created to bring people together in a safe, inclusive space where everyone can dance and be themselves. With music, dancing and giveaways, it’s a place to make friends, build confidence and feel included.
FRI 28 AUG | 6-10PM
CLUB TROPICAL RESORT
$10 | CARERS FREE clubkrock.org
Gaming After Dark
A safe, action-packed and inclusive place for young people aged 12-17 to hang out and socialise with new friends. No registration required, gaming gear provided and there's free snacks!
FRI 28 AUG | 6.30-8.30PM
CASUARINA LIBRARY FREE launchdarwin.com.au
Milkwood Bush Dance
Dust off your dancing shoes or get them a little dustier and dance the night away at Milkwood's famous Bush Dance. Four Bars In calls the steps. Enjoy guest performances, delicious dinner, cake, a craft stall and a raffle.
SAT 29 AUG | 5.30-9.30PM
MILKWOOD STEINER SCHOOL FREE-$10 milkwood.nt.edu.au
Sri Krishna Janmashtami Celebration
Join in the global celebration! Enjoy kirtan, dancing, feasting, songs and storytelling, as well as a beautiful welcoming and bathing ceremony. Featuring the kirtan band, Yadu & friends, all are welcome. Feel uplifted and open-hearted at this celebratory event.
SAT 29 AUG | 5.30-8PM
MALAK HARMONY HALL FREE asmy.org.au
Geek Up
A space for young people to get involved and have fun. Activities include Dungeons & Dragons, board games and art workshops led by local young creatives. Plus, there’s free snacks! Recommended for ages 15-25.
SUN 30 AUG | 1-4PM
CASUARINA LIBRARY FREE launchdarwin.com.au
Big Picnic
Darwin Waterfront needs your help to gather Darwin’s biggest picnic at Fort Hill Parkland. Bring your friends, family, and neighbours, to roll out your mats an enjoy a sunset on the coastline.
SUN 30 AUG | 4-7PM
FORT HILL PARKLANDS FREE darwinwaterfront.nt.gov.au
Fruit Bat Trivia
Grab your mates for an entertaining trivia sesh that'll have you flexing those brain muscles and battling it out over questions on pop culture, history, music, and more.
EVERY TUE | 7-9PM SILKS
EVERY WED | 6.30-8.30PM
BREEZES BAR & BISTRO
EVERY WED | 7-9PM
BEACHFRONT HOTEL
FREE facebook.com/ danielleandrewscomedy
Drag Queens Bingo
Round up your pals and head to the Zen Rooftop Lounge for Drag Queens NT Bingo. Hosted by the fabulous Sherri Lee Volua, expect laughs, prizes, music, and a whole lot of personality. It’s time to sparkle, sip, and shout BINGO!
EVERY WED | 6.30-9PM
ZEN ROOFTOP LOUNGE
$20 facebook.com/dragqueensnt
Silent Pages: Read, Write & Create Readers, writers, students, knitters, crocheters, sketchers, and creators of all kinds are welcome to bring a project and settle in for a peaceful, distraction-free evening dedicated to reading, writing, or creating.
EVERY WED | 6.15-7.30PM
THE LAST SUPPER
$10 thelastsupper.com.au
Musical Bingo
Be entertained by your host, Danielle, for a fun sesh of musical bingo. Instead of numbers, listen to snippets of pop songs to mark your boxes. Bingo!
EVERY THU | 6.30-8.30PM
BREEZES BAR & BISTRO
FREE breezesbarbistro.com
FREE | darwinfestival.org.au
City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Bring the family, pack the picnic rug and don’t forget your favourite teddy. From making and flying kites to music, magic, face painting and roving performers, there’s fun around every corner. Laugh, play, create and make some noise in a joyful morning designed especially for little festival-goers.
SUN 9 AUG | 9AM-12PM THE ESPLANADE
Dog Eared Darwin Print Fair
Artists, publishers, printmakers and storytellers come together for three days. The Fair offers an opportunity to connect with the world of art, books and contemporary print media, browse and buy works, and meet the people behind them.
FRI 14 – SUN 16 AUG | 10AM-5PM CDU DANALA CAMPUS
Darwin Festival in Palmerston: Family Fiesta
Kick off your Festival weekend with an unforgettable Friday night in Goyder Square. Enjoy circus, live music, dance, and free entertainment across the precinct. Shop the market stalls, grab a bite to eat, and soak up the electric atmosphere. It’s the perfect night out for the whole family.
Todd Mall Markets
FRI 14 AUG | 5-9PM
GOYDER SQUARE
Green Ant Craft Fair
Darwin loves a market, and this Festival, you’re invited to a vibrant celebration of local creativity, community, and handmade talent in the heart of the city.
WED 19 AUG | 4-8PM AUSTIN LANE
Soak up the atmosphere at the Todd Mall Markers where local makers, artists and food vendors bring the town centre to life. Browse handmade crafts, fresh produce and unique gifts while enjoying live music and a relaxed Sunday morning vibe.
SUN 2, 16 & 30 AUG | 9AM-1PM
ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL LAWNS FREE toddmallmarkets.com.au
Alice Springs Seniors Expo
Enjoy a free community event celebrating Seniors Month by bringing community members together. Browse interactive information stalls. Free refreshments provided.
WED 12 AUG | 10AM-2PM
ALICE SPRINGS CONVENTION CENTRE FREE cotant.org.au
Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance
An introduction to different elements of contemporary dance practice including technique, improvisation, learning choreography, sharing space with other bodies, and getting all your bones and muscles moving!
EVERY TUE | 6-7.15PM GUTS STUDIO
$20 | $160 CLASS PASS gutsdance.org.au
Bindi Enterprises
Discover a new skill with the chance to create digital artwork and transform it into fabric repeats. Open to all levels, the class fosters creativity, inclusivity and provides disability support.
EVERY TUE | 1-3PM
BINDI ENTERPRISES
$130-$300 bindienterprises.org.au
Pub Brew Trivia Night
Round up your mates and put those noggins to good use at this weekly trivia night. With pizza specials and happy hour if you scoot in a bit earlier, it’s a sweet way to spend a Thursday.
EVERY THU
5PM HAPPY HOUR | 7.30PM TRIVIA ALICE SPRINGS BREWING CO alicespringsbrewingco.com.au
In a four-day celebration of poetry and spoken word – including showcases, multi-disciplinary events, installations, workshops and panels – poets and audiences from around the world come together for the Red Dirt Poetry Festival in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.
WORDS ROSIE WILD IMAGE NICO LIENGME
RUN BIENNIALLY SINCE 2014, Red Dirt has grown into one of the most iconic literary events in the country. It presents diverse voices, grapples with gutsy themes, and creates spaces of experimentation, dynamism and word-driven joy.
This year, the Festival’s hub is at Gap View, beside the Ntaripe Ranges, while school workshops and night-time programming appear in satellite events across town. This makes for plenty of places where people can come together around the power of poetry.
The Executive Director of the Festival is Laurie May. They write and perform poetry all over the world, host spoken-word, commission poetry, curate events, and research poetry festivals as far afield as Rotterdam. Self-described as co-ordinating “desert rats doing stuff”, May collaborates with a crew dedicated to making poetry accessible to everyone.
“Poetry is a tool for connection ... It not only holds a mirror up to society, it documents each unique moment in time. You can look back at poetry across hundreds of years and get an understanding of the socio-political landscapes that each poet lived and wrote in,” says May.
“As we stand knee-deep in global shi[f]t, there is a deep uncertainty in the air, the arts, our homes and communities of what comes next. For this year’s Festival, we reflect on the concept of Survival in Fertile Ruins, partnering with poets, scientists, musicians, cultural institutions and industry leaders to eplore ... What is it exactly we want to leave behind? And is it too late to change the future to leave different ruins?”
This year’s program opens with a bold combination of creativity and science, bringing entertainment and education together in the showcase, Passageways [Caminos], presented in partnership with Chile’s International Poetry Festival (ACRUX), Festival of Poetry and Science.
The whole four-day poetry program includes music from bands and an event called Oscillations, where music experimentally weaves with words.
It includes food with the much-loved event Eat Read Zine, where poets draw on memory and connection to create a multi-sensory experience the audience can see, feel, hear and taste. The program spans workshops, installations, panels and dance. It honours a diversity of voices, and especially those that come from this land.
“We are really excited about our Saturday evening events, including a partnership with Running Water Community Press and the Cervantes Language Institute, designed to commemorate the poets who have passed away from the Arelhekenhe Angkentye – Women’s Talk collection, while sharing the works translated into Spanish, featuring flamenco dancing and guitar, and Arrernte Cultural dance group, Simpson Desert Dancers,” says May.
Don’t miss out on the full festival program of Red Dirt. It’s an exploration and celebration of a wide range of voices. It’s a place to witness, in real time, the creation of a poetic archive of our intense times. And it’s a place to hear words to survive by.
Flicnics in Palmerston Gather your crew for City of Palmerston’s free outdoor movie series. Enjoy a free screening of The Wild Robot under the stars with food trucks and pre-movie entertainment
SAT 1 AUG | 5.30-9PM HOBART PARK FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au
Writing for Wellbeing with Sian Prior Workshops
A therapeutic writing workshop designed to explore the key concepts in writing for wellbeing, including catharsis, self-awareness, self-acceptance and self-transformation.
THU 6 & 13 AUG | 5.30-7.30PM NT WRITERS CENTRE
$62.50-$78 ntwriters.com.au
French Short Film Festival
Join the Alliance Française de Darwin and Northern Lights NT for the inaugural French Short Film Festival under the stars at the old RSL site. Enjoy a curated selection of short and sweet French films. BYO headphones or borrow a pair.
FRI 7 AUG | 6PM, 7PM SCREENING 27 CAVENAGH ST (AUSTIN LANE)
$23.50 northernlightsnt.com.au
JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT
$20 | $16 CONC $11 MEMB/CHILD | $47 FAM deckchaircinema.com.au
Common Wealth
Director Kane Guglil travels to Darwin to present Common Wealth, delivered with NT Shelter as part of Homelessness Week 2026. Join a post-film Q&A and discussion after the film. The movie follows Kane on a personal journey to question the economic and political systems that shape modern life.
SAT 8 AUG | 7PM
Top End Wedding
A bright Australian rom com filled with heart, humour and Top End scenery, that follows an engaged couple racing to reunite family before their wedding. A feel-good story celebrating love, culture and the pull of home.
WED 12 AUG | 7PM
The Deb A sunny, mischievous Australian musical that pairs teen awkwardness with bold comic flair. Set around a country debutante ball, it balances friendship, identity and rebellion with infectious energy and a crowd-pleasing sense of fun.
SUN 16 AUG | 7PM
How to Talk Australians
A cheeky Australian comedy adapted from the viral web series, following a Delhi language class whose cultural study tour goes wildly off course in Dubbo.
SUN 23 AUG | 7PM
We Are Not Powerless
This inspiring Australian documentary follows Muzafar and Nagina Ali, who fled Afghanistan after the Talliban’s rise and found themselves living as refugees.
MON 31 AUG | 7PM
Writing the Weird with Johanna Bell
Join award-winning author, Johanna Bell, for a fast-paced writing workshop that embraces the odd and provides writers with practical ways to inject novelty and wonder into their writing.
SAT 1 AUG | 1-5PM
RED HOT ARTS
$115 | $85 MEMB ntwriters.com.au
Girls Night Out – One Night Only
Two New Yorkers search for love on the one night of the year when sex is legal.
FRI 7 AUG | 7PM
ALICE SPRINGS CINEMA $21 alicespringscinema.com.au
61 LARAPINTA DRIVE, ARALUEN
$26-$35 araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au
Top Dog Film Festival
Get ready to fall in love all over again. The Top Dog Film Festival returns with an electrifying collection of films that prove dogs aren’t just pets – they’re heroes, healers, and the best friends we never knew we needed.
SAT 8 AUG | 2-5PM
Gutsy Girls Adventure Film Tour
Celebrate 10 years of Australia’s premier adventure film tour spotlighting women who absolutely send it! Since day one, Gutsy Girls champions fearless female adventurers who push boundaries, shatter expectations, and prove that gutsy is a way of life – not just a moment.
SAT 8 AUG | 7-10PM
Presenting classical favourites, exciting new dance works, and interactive dance experiences, The Australian Ballet brings technical mastery and the wonder of dance to Darwin Festival and Alice Springs.
WORDS ROSIE WILD
IMAGE PIERRE TOUSSAINT
The Australian Ballet The Nutcracker Act II and Other Works
WHEN FRI 14 & SAT 15 AUG
7.30PM AT AANT CENTRE
COST $44-$79
INFO yourcentre.com.au
WHEN FRI 21 AUG | 7.30PM SAT 22 AUG | 1.30PM & 7.30PM AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE
COST $36-$77
INFO araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au
ENERGY, PRECISION AND creativity. These qualities define The Australian Ballet. This company trains sublime athletes with utter dedication to fitness, physicality and form.
In the On Tour program, these skilled dancers present a diverse assortment of works. From their repertoire of classical, the company presents The Nutcracker Act II and the Tchaikovsky Pas de Deux by George Balanchine. From a repertoire of new work, they present world premieres of Stephanie Lake’s Chrysalis and Sandra Parker’s We Dance.
The classic Nutcracker Act II is a tantalising assortment of wonder. In this medley of fairytale enchantments, sweets come to life.
Australian choreographer, Paul Knobloch, has adapted The Nutcracker’s Land of Sweets specifically for this company, set to Tchaikovsky’s orchestral score and arranged by Orchestra Victoria. Together, the music and movement make the kind of magic that is iconic of ballet.
In The Land of Sweets, a celestial, bell-like twinkle accompanies the Dance of the Sugar-Plum Fairy. Trumpet blasts and castanets bring on the bolero flair of the chocolate dance. Horns and oboes weave the hypnotism of the coffee movement. Tambourines and full brass accompany the frantic leaps of candy canes. Toy whistles, cuckoos and trumpets make big melodies for playfully clownish mischief. Harp strings bloom beautifully for The Waltz of the Flowers. And that’s just a taste of the balletic smorgasbord.
While The Nutcracker is known for its athleticism and diversity of style, these skills expand into new dimensions as the dancers take on the new works of Stephanie Lake’s Chrysalis and Sandra Parker’s We Dance.
Parker is an Australian choreographer who has collaborated with top-class dance companies and presented works all over the world, including Paris, Berlin, Portugal, and New York. This is her first time collaborating with The Australian Ballet. She has great admiration for the way these dancers shape their skills into new forms.
“The dancers of the Australian Ballet are professionally amazing and technically incredible. Together, we explored how they move, what they can do, and the kinds of things I'm interested in about movement, and
we came to build a shared language, somewhere to launch off from, into making this new piece,” Parker says.
To create We Dance, Parker made artistic offers, and the dancers offered motion back. Together, they found a series of movements. They made discoveries that emerged into shared understandings. They choreographed collaborative phrases of form whose meanings connect with audiences through our shared understanding of how it feels to be in motion.
“I think when we see dance on stage, there's something about physical connection that's at play. As little kids, we learned to ride a bike, to enmesh ourselves with it and push ourselves along. We jumped on a trampoline and kind of defied gravity. We sang, we danced, we jumped about, because that’s just something we did. We engaged in physical exploration,” Parker says.
“So, when we see these incredible professional dancers heighten and highlight that, taking that shared sense of motion to the edges of what it can be, I think that somehow triggers something for us. Whether it’s narrative or more abstract, we don't necessarily have to get it rationally. It’s experiential… Our shared sense of motion engenders understanding.”
We Dance is set to the music of Melbourne-based composer, Lawrence Harvey, whose electronically generated composition swells with arcs Parker describes as being very beautiful and very moving.
“I hope it feels sonically, physically and visually immersive. I hope audiences find themselves in an atmosphere where they can come on the journey with the dancers, and the dancers can go on the journey with them.”
For those who want to expand their journey with the dancers of The Australian Ballet, book to see Class On Tour for a unique behind-thescenes view of their training, with commentary from artistic staff.
Or book into Youth Masterclass, where dancers between the ages of 13-18, with minimum Grade Six ballet experience, can refine skills and learn techniques used by the company’s own dancers.
Renowned for its outstanding choreography, impressive set design and moving soundscapes, Sydney Dance Company (SDC) returns with a striking triple bill to leave audiences in Darwin and Alice Springs in dead set awe.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGE WENDELL TEODORO
SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY is always a hit with the Territory crowd, many enthralled by their triple-bill performance of Ascent in 2023. The company’s latest offering Engine is set to move us in the same way.
It features three performances from renowned choreographers, SDC Artistic Director Rafael Bonachela, Fran Diaz, and Melanie Lane, presenting an exhilarating performance of bold, fearless dance.
Up first is Rafael Bonachela’s The Journey Itself Is Home. This new work features music by Grammy Award-winning composer Bryce Dessner and inspired by 17th-century Japanese poet Matsuo Bashō, that world premiered at Sydney Opera House this year.
Next up is acclaimed Australian/Javanese choreographer Melanie Lane’s Love Lock – a re-imagined folk dance of the future. The work celebrates the binding ability of dance to move, warn and empower, and showcases costume design by celebrated Australian fashion designer Akira Isogawa, and a score composed by UK electronic artist Clark.
Rounding out this powerful performance is The Mass Ornament by the incredible Berlin-based Spanish choreographer, Fran Diaz. This 13-minute piece, commissioned by contemporary dance company Hessisches Staatsballett and performed in Australia with its kind permission, is a hypnotic work set to the music of Henryk Górecki reimagines Siegfried Kracauer’s seminal 1927 essay.
Diaz compellingly transforms the concept of mass movement into an exploration of connection and collectivity, where individuality coexists, not in opposition, but in dialogue.
Melanie Lane has collaborated with SDC over the years and was selected by Bonachela to develop WOOF, a work that toured Australia and went on to became part of their 50th anniversary program. She says the three works are all unique, but with a common thread.
“My work's always based around mythology and speculative fiction. So, I wanted to make a folk dance that kind of exists in the future. And then I was thinking about ‘what is this folk dance and celebrating?’ I was travelling a lot at the time, I was listening to a lot of music and sort of just recognising that love songs are such, I guess, an iconic part of pop culture.”
Lane was invited by Bonachela to make a work for the whole ensemble for Engine, which she says was a real gift to be able to play with.
“I was thinking a lot about group dances, whether it be in the club, like a rave, or whether it be those beautiful, sort of, community dances, rituals, folk dances. I knew I wanted to make something about that energy of dancing together, and I knew I wanted to make it kind of a folk dance,” she says.
“If you think about how far the idea of the poetry of love exists in sort of ancient poetry all the way up to pop music, that it's this kind of mantra that we all are really familiar with. Love Lock ended up being a folk dance about this matter of love songs or love poetry. It started from deconstructing a bunch of like really classic love songs and then creating this new dance. So, the dancers, they dance, but they also vocalise in singing as well.”
A real sweetener to this particular performance is the soundtrack by Clark. Lane and Clark are longtime collaborators, creatively, and in life.
“Okay, here's a secret. He is my husband! We've been working together for more than 20 years because that's how we've been together for,” Lane says.
“I think there's something really playful and fun, and like kind of wild and crazy about this work. It was just really fun to go there with him, because it does sort of go somewhere quite delirious and ecstatic. And I think that's kind of easy to do with someone that you know so well.
WHEN WED 12 AUG | 7.30PM
AT AANT CENTRE
COST $40-$65
INFO yourcentre.com.au
WHEN SAT 15 AUG | 7.30PM
AT ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE
COST $55-$62
INFO araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au
“I think the three works are really very different from each other. They're very diverse, but I think all three works have this really strong drive inside of them, in very different ways.”
Lane’s contribution, Love Lock, was inspired by her travels and the universal language of love.
“Love Lock, I would say, has got this sort of intoxicating drive to it because it's all about this idea of the mantras of love songs and deconstructing them and creating this folkloric dance that just sort of gets more and more ecstatic,” she says.
“You can be silly together and sort of dream up really wild things together and not feel insecure or embarrassed about those kinds of ideas, you know? So, I feel like, being able to do that with someone that you're close to just opens up all these possibilities, and you can really just go there.”
Don’t miss your chance to see some of the best dancers our country has to offer, with some of the best choreography this country has to offer, with some of the best creative costume and sound this country has to offer. Triple threat.
Across the waters that separate the Northern Territory and Taiwan, ancient cultures have long shared something deeper than geography.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE SAMUEL JAMES
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE GENEVIEVE GORMAN DEANE
A PROFOUND CONNECTION to land and sea. Stories carried through song. Knowledge passed between generations.
This Darwin Festival, those shared traditions come together in Gapu Ŋupan (Chasing the Rainbow), a contemporary performance born from five years of collaboration between Yolŋu artists from North-East Arnhem Land and the Indigenous Paiwan and Amis peoples of Taiwan.
Blending music, dance, storytelling, large-scale video and striking ceremonial costuming, the production invites audiences into a world where ancient traditions respond to one another, revealing remarkable parallels while celebrating their distinct identities.
Artistic Director and co-choreographer Rachael Wallis says, over time, she has built strong and trusting relationships which has allowed her creativity to unfold and flow.
“When recognising our shared struggles and beliefs, we acknowledge those of our ancestors and the importance of carrying these stories into the future. We create for our families, our peoples and our nations to survive.”
The title evokes the meeting of waters, a fitting metaphor for the
creative exchange at the heart of the work. Rather than merging cultures into one, the performance honours each tradition individually, allowing them to flow alongside one another in a shared artistic journey.
Following its critically acclaimed world premiere at Asia TOPA in Melbourne in 2025, the production returns to the Territory, where many of its artistic relationships were first formed. Performances at Garma Festival and Darwin Festival mark a homecoming of sorts, bringing the work back to the communities, landscapes and cultural connections that inspired its creation.
Yet the story of Gapu Ŋupan began long before audiences saw it on stage. Its origins stretch back almost a decade through Artback NT's ongoing cultural exchange program with Indigenous artists in Taiwan. Since 2016, artists have travelled between Taiwan and the NT, spending time immersed in each other's communities.
One pivotal residency in 2018 brought together Central Australian artist Rachael Wallis and Taiwanese artist Sang Mei-Chuan. Their collaboration planted the seeds of what would eventually grow into Gapu Ŋupan, with further creative development unfolding over the
next five years through workshops, residencies and conversations held across both countries.
“I hope audiences take away feelings of joy and empowerment. It’s the impact of different people coming together, truly connecting and creating works. I hope it provides insight into our cultures and more understanding for First Nations peoples and the knowledge we hold,” Wallis says.
The relationship between First Nations artists in the NT and Indigenous communities in Taiwan continues to deepen. Earlier this year, Artback NT led a delegation of First Nations arts and cultural leaders to Taiwan, strengthening partnerships and exploring future opportunities for artist residencies, touring and collaborative projects.
A reciprocal Taiwanese delegation travels to Darwin during Darwin Festival and the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, continuing the exchange and experiencing Gapu Ŋupan together.
Gapu Ŋupan
WHEN WED 5 & THU 6 AUG 7PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE
COST $25-$54 INFO darwinfestival.org.au
In an age of instant everything, Pencelupan / Immersion invites audiences to slow down and step into a botanical world where nothing is quite what it first seems.
PREMIERING AS PART of Darwin Festival, this cross-cultural immersive dance and live music performance unfolds, inviting audiences into the hidden botanical stories of one of Indonesia’s most extraordinary artistic traditions, rarely seen outside of Indonesia.
Produced by Sahul & Sunda Arts, this performance is choreographed and performed by Australian-Indonesian dancer Alfira O’Sullivan, with original live music by Javanese composer Cahwati. It features community dancers from Darwin’s Indonesian diaspora alongside visiting Rifa'iyah batik artists Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati and Ibu Nandiroah from Batang, Indonesia.
Artist Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati says this experience has meant so much for her.
“I am so grateful to God that I’ve been invited to Australia. It’s not
something I would have imagined in my wildest dreams,” she says.
“I feel so honoured to be sharing our art with another part of the world. I am grateful to my son, Rully, who has used his talents and the educational opportunities I never had to help me connect with others and to champion our work to outsiders.”
Choreographer and performer Alfira O'Sullivan leads the production, weaving movements inspired by the rhythm, symbolism and craftsmanship of batik.
"As a movement artist, I don't need words to tell a story. I embody the stories I want to share," O'Sullivan says.
"In Pencelupan I wanted to create a genuine journey, for both my dancers and the audience that weaves the themes of Rifa'iyah batik motifs directly into the body
through movement so that there is a conversation between the batik cloth in the exhibition and the choreography in the performance."
Mulyati says she hopes audiences gain an appreciation for how much patience, persistence and dedication is required to produce batik Rifa’yah, and how different it is from printed textile.
“We spend months creating each work. We fill every part of the textile with tiny motifs inspired by nature,” she says.
“This intense detail is what makes our batik different from other kinds. I hope they also gain an appreciation of how rich and varied batik Rifa’iyah is. We have
countless motifs and even I am still learning some of the ancient ones that few people make now.
“Each one has its own story, its own inspiration, reflecting our environment and our beliefs. Personally, I believe these stories carry over to the wearer – we heal from the healing motifs. We’re reminded to share the motifs about spreading good fortune, and we’re reminded to be sweet and graceful by the pandan with its delicious aroma.”
Hands-on Botanical Batik Workshops offer participants the chance to learn directly from visiting artists Ibu Trihandayani Mulyati and Ibu Nandiroh. For those wanting to delve even
deeper, a documentary screening and artist Q&A at MAGNT provides further insight into the Rifa'iyah community, while Batik Rifa’iyah: Be Immersed exhibition is on display.
Pencelupan / Immersion
WHEN FRI 21 – SUN 23 AUG 5.30PM
AT GEORGE BROWN BOTANIC GARDENS
COST $28-$36
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Relawati Screening and Q&A THU 20 AUG, 5.30PM, MAGNT, FREE
darwinfestival.org.au
Bron Lewis Chaos
Jim Jefferies | Son of a Carpenter Australia’s global comedy heavyweight Jim Jefferies brings his internationally acclaimed Son of a Carpenter tour home in 2026. Jefferies is at his unapologetic best – sharper, bolder, and funnier than ever.
SAT 1 AUG | 6PM
AANT CENTRE
$81.22-$182.87 yourcentre.com.au
Darwin Comedy Cup
Darwin's longest-running local stand-up comedy competition returns. Hosted by Scott McGowan, comedians battle it out for glory, bragging rights and the coveted Comedy Cup title.
SAT 1 AUG | 7-9PM
TOP FLOOR COMEDY
Bron Lewis’ life is complete and utter chaos – just ask her dog trainer. A glutton for punishment, Bron has welcomed the flourishing of her comedy career, which means she has a million plates in the air and even more smashed on the ground around her feet.
WED 5 AUG | 8.45PM
INPEX SUNSET STAGE
$45.90-$54
Michelle Braiser Average Bear A heartbreaking and hilarious hour of musical comedy from award-winning powerhouse Michelle Brasier. What if the people you love kept dying? What if you found out you might be next? And what if a bear was afraid of hibernation?
TUE 11 AUG | 8.45PM
Although the Dry season brings cooler conditions to the Top End, things are getting hot, hot, hot, as those fabulous, sexy rascals from Strut & Fret Production House return with their new show, Loca Vida, in its world premiere.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE
IMAGE FRANCOIS VACCARELLO
MUCH TO EVERYONE’S delight, The Spiegeltent returns to take up residence on the lawns by Parliament House (aka Sitzler Festival Lawn) for more than three weeks, the temporary digs for another bumper season of wild and seductive cabaret and circus.
Having brought shows such as BLANC de BLANC, The Party, and La Ronde to Darwin Festival audiences, the latest offering from Strut & Fret continues to deliver with sky-high kicks, exhilarating circus, and a pulsing soundtrack with show-stopping numbers choreographed by the best in the international biz.
Founding father of Strut & Fret, Scott Maidment, says it’s the people of Darwin that made the decision to world premiere the show here an easy one.
“It's true … because the Darwin audiences are so great, we went, ‘let's start the very first show at Darwin in Darwin Festival’,” he says.
“When we did Blanc de Blanc, we opened at the Sydney Opera House, and sometimes we’ve opened during a show during Adelaide Fringe, but this time we went, actually, Darwin audiences are really good, and let's let them be the first people to see the new show. So yeah, it's exciting.”
Loca Vida literally means crazy life, and Maidment and his merry crew are hoping to inspire audiences with this one.
“Loca Vida is basically telling you, not to dream about something, but to be it. You know, take a risk and live, live your crazy life,” he says.
“Basically [in the show] we meet a group of people who get together when night comes, and they fulfil their showbiz fantasies, and showbiz energies, and the audience become a part of that experience. It's really just a metaphor to have a great time, and dive in the deep end and, you know, live life to its fullest.”
Want to go get up real close? Grab a VIP ticket to enjoy the show ringside.
$20 topfloorcomedy.com.au
Emma Memma’s Jungle Picnic Tour The Jungle Picnic tour brings Emma Memma’s much-anticipated new album to life on stage, transforming its playful songs into a joyful, movement-filled live experience for children and their families.
SUN 2 AUG | 10-11AM
AANT CENTRE
$42.50 yourcentre.com.au
Jezz Watts: Animal Magnetism Love, bondage, and infinite possums. This is a comedy show for anyone who loves animals, a crazy person, or a person crazy in love with animals. Also, dirty jokes because there's a bunch of those.
SUN 2, TUE 4, THU 6, SAT 8 & MON 10 AUG | 7.50PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY
$10-$25 jezzwatts.com
Loca Vida
WHEN THU 30 JUL – SAT 22 AUG DAILY (EXC. MON)
AT SITZLER FESTIVAL LAWN
COST $59-$155
INFO darwinfestival.org.au
“There's amazing dance numbers in this one. I've been working with five different choreographers from right across the globe, and then spectacular circus. You are immersed in this in the world of the Spiegeltent the audience can definitely get ready to, you know, be covered in confetti and they might get a little bit wet at one stage. It's gonna be crazy because Loca Vida is the crazy life,” Maidment says.
If you’re ready to get a little hot under the collar, and keen to escape those chillier Dry season nights, let the cast of Loca Vida warm you up.
Young Sexy Indians Extravaganza Bonanza Volume 1: The Reckon Darwin's award-winning comedian Omar Gad joins rising star Dani A for a brand-new split bill packed with big laughs and sharp stand-up. Fresh from Brisbane, this dynamic duo delivers an unforgettable night of comedy that's perfect for a date night or a night out with friends.
SAT 29 AUG | 7-8PM
TOP FLOOR COMEDY
$25
topfloorcomedydarwin.com.au
INPEX SUNSET STAGE
$40.80-$48
SWAN?
The dark and ugly sister to the movie Black Swan. A chain-smoking, half-swan, half-ballerina turns the tragic story of Swan Lake into a dark and raunchy rom-com. And who knows... You may even get to open her box. Could you be the hero that helps her escape this living hell?
WED 12 – SAT 15 AUG | 6PM
BROWN’S MART STUDIO
$32.30-$38
Waverider
Get swept up in a thrilling acrobatic ocean adventure. Legs on the Wall brings Australian surf culture and jaw-dropping physical theatre together into an epic show celebrating a shared obsession with the sea. After the show, the inflatable wave turns into a play zone for everyone to enjoy!
FRI 14 AUG, 5PM | SAT 15 & SUN 16 AUG, 10AM & 5PM
AUSLAN-INTERPRETED SESSION SUN 16 AUG | 10AM
MAGNT
$25-$35
The Nanna Effect
The Nanna Effect is a beautiful collaboration between Tracks Dance Company's Grey Panthers seniors dance troupe and community members aged 12 and under. Nannas embrace the important responsibility of sharing their wisdom while welcoming fresh and younger perspectives.
SAT 15 & SUN 16 AUG | 2PM & 4PM
TRACKS DANCE STUDIO
$36 No Place Like Home
Charlie King and Lisa Pellegrino return to take you on another journey home through a night of heart-warming storytelling, performance and live music. No Place Like Home explores themes of home, identity and belonging – and how this can mean many things to many people.
SUN 16 AUG | 7PM
INPEX SUNSET STAGE
$29.75-$35
Amy Hetherington Mango Madness
Amy brings the heat in Mango Madness, a juicy, high-energy hour of new comedy from the Territory sweetheart. In her trademark cheeky and cheery style, Amy celebrates life in the tropics – the chaos, the characters and the small moments that somehow turn into big stories.
TUE 18 AUG | 8.45PM
INPEX SUNSET STAGE
$40.80-$48
MUM* Guilt Confessional – Hungry Hearts
This house welcomes the weary, the worn out, the weed-upon. Be guided by robed clergymums through MUM* Mass from confession to absolution, in a silly sacrament that is part-ceremony, part-comedy, part-act of solidarity.
WED 19 – SAT 22 AUG | 6.15PM
BROWN’S MART STUDIO
$32.30-$38
Cassie Workman
Traverse space and time, in a race to save an icon from himself. The critically acclaimed epic performance poem, Aberdeen, is an ode to Kurt Cobain, punk rock, rebellion and salvation.
WED 19 – SAT 22 AUG | 7.50PM
BROWN’S MART STUDIO
$32.30-$38
Desert Hothouse
Six years in the making, GUTS Dance's most ambitious project to date is here. Desert Hothouse unleashes three urgent and dynamic new dance works alongside each other in a bold, multi-platform dance event, staged across the theatre, gallery, and Aviation Museum forecourt of the Araluen Arts Centre Precinct.
WHITE LIES | SAT 1 AUG, 2PM PUBLIC PROPERTY | SAT 1 AUG, 6.30PM
TERRITORY | SUN 2 AUG, 11.30AM
SUN 2 AUG | 2PM
ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE
$20-35 | $100 FULL DAY PASS gutsdance.org.au
The Dirty Word
The Dirty Word is Alice Springs’ long-running open mic poetry night, the home of original poetry where spoken word, confession, satire, and truth collide. Step up or sit back – no polish required. Just bring your words.
THU 6 AUG | 6-9PM
THE ROASTERY $5 DONATION reddirtpoetry.com.au
Freefall
Freefall, a new solo theatre work by Jac Marriott, is a love letter to midwives. It also serves as a tribute to healthcare workers, and a homage to families navigating the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
FRI 14, SAT 15, FRI 21 & AUG 22 | 7PM SUN 16 & 23 AUG | 5PM
RHEBO HALL
$35-$55 jacquelinemarriott.com/freefall
Tickets through Darwin Festival Fri 21, Sat 22, Sun 23 Aug 5pm - Botanic Gardens Events Centre
Blak music’s night of nights is upon us, as the National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) returns to Darwin Amphitheatre on Larrakia Country to celebrate our country’s vibrant First Nations music industry.
WORDS & HEADER TIERNEY WHITE INSET LEICOLHN MCKELLAR
THERE’S NO DENYING our Indigenous music scene is as diverse in style as the regions the music comes from.
A highlight on the annual NT arts and cultural calendar, the NIMAs shine brightly on a national scale, where all eyes look to the north as artists are placed directly under the spotlight where they belong.
A full line-up of incredible live music accompanies the Awards presentation featuring Baker Boy, Big Noter, Bumpy, Casii Williams, Electric Fields, Stiff Gins, Zipporah and South Summit, with more to be announced.
“This year's line-up celebrates both iconic artists and the next generation of First Nations talent. It's a line-up that reflects the incredible depth and diversity of our music,” says NIMAs Production Coordinator, Catherine Satour.
“First Nations musicians are leading conversations and are making some of the most exciting music right now. To make the whole industry stronger, we are ensuring a platform for First Nations artists to be supported and thrive.”
From traditional to contemporary styles – both sometimes featured in the same artist (we’re looking at you, Drifting Clouds, Baker Boy, et al.) – the NIMAs celebrates the vibrancy, diversity, and resilience of our incredible Indigenous artists.
Emily Wurrumara took out Artist of the Year, presented by YouTube at the 2025 NIMAs, and says she was over the moon to receive that recognition.
“It felt deadly! I’ve been doing this a very long time so to be able to get the nod from NIMAS meant a lot to me. In the past, I’ve been nominated and have played or have just turned up with fam. So, this was a huge win for my community, more importantly,” she says.
“To be seen up there and look down and see members of the next generation made me emotional. I’m the only Warnindilyakwa artist in this space so I rep my mob hard and proud when I’m out here.”
This year marks 22 years since the inception of the NIMAs, created back in the day by MusicNT as the NT Indigenous Music Awards. MusicNT Executive Director Mark Smith says the Awards continue to honour the creativity of First Nations musicians, as the organisation set out to do all those years ago.
“The NIMAs started as the NT Indigenous Music Awards, a platform to
showcase the amazing music we saw being played and recorded across regional and remote NT that wasn’t able to build broader audiences through that isolation,” he says.
“Celebrating this music and musicians over the years saw the scene itself build and grow, so much that the decision was made to broaden the event over time to be a national awards platform, extending the ability to recognise achievement right across the country.
“The NIMAs remain a platform to raise awareness of the incredible First Nation music from around the country, as well as a national celebration bringing the scene together every August in Darwin.”
MusicNT continues to deliver the annual event, which is presented as part of Darwin Festival and livestreamed online via the NIMAs YouTube channel.
An important element of this huge night is support for those that come in from community to see their heroes perform, with an allocation of tickets available for mob that may need financial assistance to attend. For Wurrumara, having her family at the Awards last year meant everything.
“My family travelled from all over NT to come watch, and then to celebrate with me. Having my mum (aunty) Shellie Morris come and stand next to me while I received the award was a huge win. She paved the way for me – if it weren’t for her showing me that I can sing in my language, and have a music career, I wouldn’t be here. It was a full circle moment. Knowing this award came from mob means the world,” she says.
“For me, the NIMAs is a humbling, grounding reminder that my community is watching what I do, that I have a responsibility – not just to the music – but the people, the kids, the community at home. That I am representing in an ancient practice and how sacred that commitment is.”
The NIMAs are, without a doubt, magic. Round up your people, bring your picnic rug, and settle in under the stars for a beautiful night of Blak artistry.
Some great covers came out of that song. I loved Missy Higgins’ take on that classic! That’s very lovely she did that. Wow, I just had forgotten. We did a tribute show to Kev Carmody some years back, and Missy was on that. I think that would have been where she thought, ‘this band is not as bad as I thought they were.’ We certainly weren’t travelling in the same circles up until that point.
Darwin crowds have a reputation for being loud, sweaty and up for anything. What’s your most memorable audience moment?
Wow. We did a show in France and the entire audience ended up on stage. I think it was because Gareth was just heckling the shit out of them, saying they were boring. They decided to show us that they weren’t. No damage was done, but it was pretty memorable.
Back by popular demand after a 10-year sabbatical, The Drones reform for a one-off tour of Australia, kicking things off at Darwin Festival.
Sauntering along the edges of chaos and precision, The Drones built a reputation off the back of their iconic live shows, delivering epic live shows that are both confrontational and liberating at the same time. Brooke Gibbs caught up with guitarist Dan Luscombe for a chat.
Dan, great to see you returning to Darwin.
Yeah, we were last there in 2015, which was actually the Darwin Festival as well. It’s a little, as you know, as I’m sure you’ve heard so many times, it’s a tricky one to just put on the route, you know.
Absolutely!
But, we’re very happy we got the chance to do this run and we’re starting the tour there.
Well, it’s great to see The Drones back together after 10 years. What’s the first thing that surprised you when ya’ll got back together?
Well, we’ve been in many rooms together during our time off, which thankfully makes things easier. We’re all still pretty good mates, so we kind of hang around the same ... Our Christmas barbecues and our mid-year get togethers.
I was in Greece last year with Gaz
and Fi, and this year, Gaz and I went to Japan. So, it doesn’t feel like a bunch of strangers reuniting. I think our last show was 2015. Yeah, it is 10 years. Oh, my God. And we did a couple of shows last year, just a couple of sneaky ones in Melbourne. That was to raise money for somebody who was in need of some cash, and it was a fun way to do it.
We did two nights at the Croxton Hotel. We had Paul Kelly support us one night and Don Walker from Cold Chisel the other night, so we kind of broke the seal in a very small way last year, but there were kind of short sets. This time around, we’ve got to do a proper show.
Oh, beautiful! And no better way to kick off those proper shows than Darwin! Why here?
Well, the offer from the Festival came through and we thought that would be a pretty good opportu-
nity to tuck an entire tour on the back of, so we’re grateful for the impetus. I’m looking forward to going back there.
I’ve played the Darwin Festival twice before. I used to play in Paul Kelly’s band many, many years ago before I joined The Drones. We used to go up there a bit with PK, but I don’t think I’ve been back for some time.
Well as I said, stoked to have ya back! If someone has made it through life without hearing a Drones song, which song would you tell them to play first? Well, look, it’s probably ‘Shark Fin Blues’. But look, I’d say you need to listen to five because we cover a lot of sonic sort of territory. There’s that kind of classic guitar, bass, drums, Neil Young, Crazy Horse-ish kind of world in that song, and things get progressively more different as the record progresses.
I don’t know if Gaz employs it anymore. I haven’t seen him do it at any [Tropical F-ck Storm] shows. But sometimes, just berating the audience can bring out the beast in them, even when they don’t deserve it.
What’s the one thing on your list when you’re back up here? I want to go to the Ski Club. Is that still there?
It sure is!
That’s one of the best places to have a drink in the country, so I’d start my day there and it might well end there too. I think we do have a day off there, and I think I will go to the Ski Club. Just please be kind to us at Darwin Festival. It’s our first show for some time and please forgive any hectic moments that weren’t intended.
We’ll forgive you just this once, Dan.
The Drones WHEN SAT 8 AUG | 9PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE COST $44.20-$52 INFO darwinfestival.org.au
For the first time, Perth rockers The Southern River Band (SRB) hit Darwin for a gig at what can only be described as the perfect home for their vibe, Darwin Railway Club.
A QUICK SEARCH online or on the streaming apps for these guys, and you’d be forgiven for mistaking their music and videos for the Aussie rock gods of the 70s. Channelling the classic energy of greats like Cold Chisel, The Angels and AC/DC – whom they’ve supported – their music has earned them a loyal following, with more in the Top End surely on the way this Darwin Festival.
Charismatic frontman Cal Kramer, who was in another band in 2013 when they formed, recalls a feller at his local pub called Bear – with big stainless-steel rings on his knuckles – asking if they were in a band, going on to say he’d book them to play at the pub. Two weeks later, they were on, with a fortnightly gig that lasted about 18 months.
“Within, sort of, six months, we were, like, ‘oh, we're onto something here’, and started playing around Perth. And the rest, as they say, I don't really remember,” he laughs.
Kramer is the epitome of Aussie rock, with one heck of a mullet, attire you’d expect from a seasoned rocker, and endearing banter. His band mates – bassist Pat Smith, guitarist Dan Carroll, and drummer Tyler Michie – also play the part, the four bringing incredible artistry and chemistry to their live performances.
SRB’s star has been on the rise
in recent years, and Kramer can pinpoint the exact moment their fortune shifted, in 2023, thanks to a little help from one of their friends.
“Our mate Justin Hawkins from The Darkness put us on his podcast, and it's literally like, when you look at, things like data – people love to use that word now, so it's like spikes and everything – it's when he put us out [and said] ‘now, this is a proper f-cking rock band’, and that just sort of really exposed us to a worldwide audience,” he says.
“Then six months later, we were selling out tours of Europe and everything like that. And playing with [The Darkness] was an alltime dream for us, and becoming friends … and it's just like, mate, you know, it's pretty hard to put into words, as you can tell by my stutter on display!”
With high-energy shows and to desire to rock out in the company of other joy-seeking humans, SRB are a perfect fit for Darwin. They simply want you to have fun.
“[We want audiences to] have a f-cking good time. Honestly, look, that's what it's all about,” Kramer says.
“It's like, you go there, we put on a show, we have a good time, and we just hope that the audience responds to that … there is like a nostalgia for the time before
Hear some of the best choral music from the United Kingdom and the USA in Vocalective’s newest concert, Across The Atlantic.
WORDS TIERNEY WHITE IMAGE JARED HINZ
people had phones and people were doing sh-t, like human to human, you know? … That's such a human feeling. And it's one that we try to put forth at every show we do, and I think we succeed, you know, more often than not. Well, I know that at least every time we have a f-cking good time.”
SRB is supported by Mertas, a punk band from the remote community of Nhulunbuy in Arnhem Land, their star also on the rise. The band’s played BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival, have shared the stage with King Stingray and Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, and are about to rep’ the NT at BIGSOUND – Australia's leading artist showcase and industry conference – in September.
If you’re on the fang for a ripper night of rock’n’roll, in one of Darwin’s most iconic music venues with two incredible bands, you need this ticket.
UNDER THE DIRECTION of Michael Loughlin, this one-hour concert brings together a carefully curated program of lyrical, reflective, and uplifting works. Audiences can enjoy beloved choral favourites alongside contemporary gems.
Highlights include the radiant beauty of Morten Lauridsen’s ‘Sure on This Shining Night’, the haunting simplicity of Randall Thompson’s ‘Alleluia’, and the deep lyricism of Stephen Paulus’ ‘The Road Home.’
The program also features music by distinguished composers such as John Rutter, Gustav Holst, Edward Elgar, Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, and Florence Price, alongside engaging arrangements including Billy Joel’s ‘And So It Goes.’
Vocalective Music Director and Conductor Michael Loughlin says he is confident the audience can enjoy the varied, mostly secular, selection.
“The British pieces pay tribute to well-known and loved composers such as John Rutter, Gustave Holset and Edward Elgar, and the immensely popular younger composer, organist and choir director, Anna Lapwood,” he says.
“There are a couple of pieces by my father, George Loughlin. Some of you may remember our premier performance of his Saint Cecilia’s Day in 2023.”
The Southern River Band
Supported by Mertas
WHEN SAT 15 AUG | 8-10.30PM AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB COST $45 | $41 CONC INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Also featured, keeping it in the family, is a short, fun work by George’s brother Joseph on nursery rhyme themes.
Adding a distinctive voice to the program are original and
imaginative arrangements by Joe Loughlin and George Loughlin, including ‘The River God’s Song’, ‘Six Nursery Rhymes’ and ‘Johnny Come Down to Hilo’.
On the American side, concert-goers can experience classic pieces by Morten Lauridsen, Randall Thompson, Stephen Paulus, Florence Price, and Amy Beach.
“There is also an excerpt from the musical, Wicked, and a beautiful arrangement of Billy Joel’s And So It Goes,” says Loughlin.
From serene and meditative moments to lively and character pieces, Across the Atlantic promises an afternoon of evocative storytelling, rich harmony, and musical beauty.
Keen to hear more from Vocalective? The following Saturday, they join the Darwin Symphony Orchestra in their Shakespeare & Symphony concert, also featured in this edition of Off The Leash. Two great concerts for the Dry season!
“We are thrilled to be performing a most beautiful work with the orchestra by Ralph Vaughan Williams, Serenade to Music,” Loughlin says.
“Williams chose text from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, so Vocalective is presenting some wonderful choral music on both occasions.”
Across the Atlantic
WHEN SUN 16 AUG | 4.30PM AT DARWIN MEMORIAL UNITING CHURCH
COST $10-$25
INFO facebook.com/ vocalective.singers
Shakespeare’s greatest stories collide with a full symphony orchestra, powerhouse local performers, and live theatre.
WORDS BROOKE GIBBS
IMAGE CHARLIE BLISS
THE PLAYHOUSE STAGE transforms into a world of star-crossed lovers, enchanted forests, royal fanfares and timeless poetry, in a breathtaking collaboration between the Darwin Symphony Orchestra (DSO), Darwin Festival, and Brown’s Mart.
Blending orchestral masterworks with spoken performance, movement, and choral music, the production invites audiences to experience Shakespeare through a new lens.
Marking the first collaboration between DSO and Brown’s Mart in more than 30 years, this showcase brings together the worlds of theatre and classical music in a unique and powerful artistic partnership.
Leading the orchestra is DSO Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Richard Mills, guiding audiences through music that spans centuries while remaining deeply connected by Shakespeare’s themes of love, ambition, loss, and redemption. He says it’s important that the DSO is open to collaboration with all the professional arts companies in the Territory.
“Brown’s Mart has a proud history of new work and First Nations work. And it’s interesting, the approach to Shakespeare is then quite original, and interesting, and somewhat out of the ordinary, which will shed fresh light on Shakespeare as well,” Mills says.
“So there are lots of good reasons to work with a really innovative company with a First Nations focus on a very traditional text.”
The evening opens with the regal splendour of William Walton, whose music for Richard III and Henry V captures both the pageantry and political intrigue of Shakespeare’s history plays.
From there, the mood shifts into the spellbinding world of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Then come two of classical music’s most passionate interpretations of literature’s greatest love story.
Hector Berlioz’s Romeo and Juliet Symphony offers a deeply lyrical portrait of the young lovers, with the famous balcony scene unfolding in waves of tenderness and longing. It’s followed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, one of the most recognisable works in the orchestral repertoire.
The evening concludes on a luminous note with Ralph Vaughan Williams’ Serenade to Music, performed with Darwin vocal ensemble Vocalective under the direction of Michael Loughlin. Drawing its text from The Merchant of Venice, the work is a celebration of harmony, beauty, and the transcendent power of music itself.
Threaded throughout the performance are Shakespeare’s own words, brought vividly to life by two of the Northern Territory’s most acclaimed performers, Rob Collins and Ursula Yovich. Under the direction of Gail Evans, with movement director Balla Neba adding another layer of visual storytelling, their spoken performances weave seamlessly through the orchestral works, creating a dialogue between music and theatre.
LAST MONTH, THE NT Music Awards, presented by MusicNT, celebrated and acknowledged the work of our robust music sector, both on stage and behind-the-scenes, at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory Amphitheatre. One thing’s clear – we are batting.
Congratulations to all finalists and winners – what a bunch of legends.
Blues and Roots
‘Mila’ Aidan Lijanga (Katanga Junior)
Country
‘26 Hours’ David Crowe
Electronic/Dance
‘Bawuypawuy’ Terry Guyula (Drifting Clouds)
Folk
‘Timeless Love’ Micaela Hull, Madison Hull & Emmett Butler (The Wanted Gems)
Hip Hop/Rap
‘Makin' It Out’
Faith Aroyan (FAITH)
Metal/Hardcore
‘River Mirror’
Andreas Kalambokas, Kieran Pearce, Nikos Antonoglou, Lucas Sharp & Lachlan Linkson (KOH)
Pop
‘So, Thank You’
Micaela Hull & Madison Hull (The Wanted Gems)
Youth
‘So, Thank You’
Micaela Hull & Madison Hull (The Wanted Gems)
NT Song of the Year
‘Bawuypawuy’
Terry Guyula (Drifting Clouds)
People’s Choice Song of the Year
‘Here We Go Again’
Matt Kane McLean, Ned Odell, Juran Timu & Will Bridgfoot (Mertas)
People’s Choice Hot Shots
Fire & Flips - Kacie Austin
Hot Shots Live
Pit Thing at The Black WreathGreg Barnes
Hot Shots Portrait
Lightest Touch - Kacie Austin
Tech of the Year
Letitia Inez
Metro Festival of the Year
Blacken Open Air
Shakespeare & Symphony
WHEN SAT 22 AUG | 7.30PM AT AANT CENTRE
COST $20-$65 INFO dso.org.au
Shakespeare’s stories have endured through centuries, and continues to connect with new audiences through mixed performance mediums.
“I think audiences will discover the music of the words that have inspired so much music,” Mills says.
Rock
‘Everything Gonna Be Alright’
Gavin Baird, Caleb Goman & Joey Klarenbeek (The Holy Dimes)
Regional Festival of the Year
Yarrapay Festival
Hall of Fame
Matthew Cunliffe
Swelterfest is back with its all-ages, DIY, all-inclusive ethos. It delivers a tasty mixed bill of interstate and local artists for an evening of rad tunes and good vibes. With an improved stage layout, the fest runs three stages sequentially with no clashes to ensure a complete aural immersion. Line-up includes KOH, Burn In Hell, R.U.B, Emma Rowe, Stellar Sea, Indestructible Horse and more.
This relaxing monthly arvo of music is a must-see, must-do, must-hear. Strum a song and belt out a ballad or kick back with a drink in the shade while other talented musos do!
SUN 2 AUG | 3-7PM
TRACY VILLAGE FREE facebook.com/firstsundayblues
Cheeky Docs – Open Hearts
Cheeky Docs is a group of NT-grown general practitioners turned musicians, playing together for more than 20 years. Their sound ranges from folky and soft to full rock and roll with five voices, twelve musicians, and a horn section. Enjoy big songs, good company and dancing.
THU 6 AUG | 6.30-9.30PM
DINAH BEACH YACHT CLUB FREE dbcya.com.au
Live at the Lake With Young & Barba and Adam Scriven bringing the tunes, food by Madame Ahn and the Smoothie Van crew, Top End Critters and facepainting, there's no better place to roll out the picnic blanket and enjoy some sweet sounds on a Saturday afternoon.
SAT 8 AUG | 5-7.30PM
LAKE 10 FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au
The Music of Elvis Presley –Tribute Show
The Music of The King. David Moore performs a fully produced Elvis Presley tribute, with rock band Happenstance opening and MC Rusty Rhubarb guiding you through the night.
SAT 8 AUG | 7-10PM
TRACY VILLAGE FREE-$40
Amplify The Youth Vol 3 Expect a phat night of some of Darwin's best youth bands, with hostess in drag Eureka Weed. Line-up includes Chapel Act, Stone
in Focus, Jacobs Ladder, Death By Insane Circumcision, Reclaimed and Violetta & Eric.
SAT 22 AUG | 6PM
DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB $10 darwinrailwayclub.org
Hot n Cold Big Band
The Hot n Cold Big Band celebrates the timeless appeal of jazz and swing music. Experience this 18-piece sensation, live on stage. Entertaining Darwin audiences every week since 2009, these cats are cool. Entry includes a dance lesson with Swing Dance NT – a sure way to impress your friends.
EVERY WED | 7.30-9.30PM
DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
$10 hotandcoldbigband.weebly.com
darwinfestival.org.au
Club Awi
Your fave nightclub returns to Darwin Festival, with an entourage of music makers dancing into the early hours, under the night sky. Time to shake it up, yo.
FRI 7, 14 & 21 AUG | SAT 8 & 15 AUG 10PM-2AM INPEX SUNSET STAGE $20-$45 | FREE with prior SUNSET STAGE SHOW darwinfestival.org.au
The Great First Nations Songbook
Join celebrated "Quandamooka Crooner" Adam James and his band, The Dreamtime Swing, as they take you on musical journey of swing and soul. This concert-length performance features the beloved hits of Australia’s iconic First Nations musicians, reimagined with the electrifying flair of 1960's big band music.
SUN 9 AUG | 6-10PM
AANT CENTRE
$15-$50
Darwin Festival in Palmerston: Global Rhythms
A world-class multicultural music showcase to have you up and dancing under the stars, featuring The Kandola Allstars, Gaba Gaba Bayan, Larry Gurruwiwi and Malawurr. This stunning program of music immerses you in culture, music, and dance across generations, genres, lands and seas!
SAT 15 AUG | 5.45-9.15PM
GOYDER SQUARE
$25-$36
Alice Cotton, Eleanor Jawurlngali & Hayley Stone | With Kapok String Quartet
Songwriters Alice Cotton, Eleanor Jawurlngali and Hayley Shone come together with the stunning texture of a contemporary string quartet for an intimate and immersive one-night only performance.
SUN 16 AUG | 5.30-7PM
DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB
$30
TISM
TISM returns to Darwin as frantic, frightening and funny as ever. They bring a mind-bending collision of highbrow and lowbrow poetry and profanity, choreography and chaos, and a playlist full of giant, singalong anthems skewering modern life with a wink. TISM are supported by Humpty Doo's Swamp Jockeys and DJ sets.
SAT 22 AUG | 5-10PM
DARWIN SKI CLUB
$59.50-$70
Hiatus Kaiyote
These Grammy-nominated visionaries close Darwin Festival with an electrifying night of funk, progressive R&B, hip hop, rock and jazz. Support on the night comes from award-winning Naarm-based artist Bumpy, who is joined by Darwin's own Caiti Baker.
SUN 23 AUG | 5-9PM
DARWIN SKI CLUB
$59.90-$70
SAT 29 AUG | 4PM-2AM
BUSTARD TOWN
$50-$65 | FREE U13 bustardtown.com
Red House Festival
For two decades, the Red House Recording Studio has been home to countless artists, bands, stories and songs from Central Australia and beyond. Celebrate this milestone with an evening of live music, fires, food and bevs.
SAT 8 AUG | 5-11.45PM
RED HOUSE RECORDING STUDIO
$60 facebook.com/ redhouserecordingstudio
Laneous (Lachlan Mitchell)
Widely regarded as one of Australia's most original musical voices, Laneous weaves together soul, jazz, funk, folk and left-field pop into performances that are equal parts heartfelt, playful and utterly captivating.
FRI 7 AUG | 7-9PM THE ROASTERY CAFE $30 duyucoffee.net
Live Lunches at the Roastery
Every Friday from noon, The Roastery fills with music from local and travelling musicians. Enjoy lunch in an intimate setting with live music setting a cozy scene. For updates on who's playing next, keep an eye on their socials!
EVERY FRI | 12-2PM THE ROASTERY CAFE FREE duyucoffee.net
Friday Vinyl Revival
Start your weekend right with The Roastery's selection of shareable or scoffable dishes!
This relaxed and intimate event in the courtyard offers a kids’
space, stocked bar, and delish menu. Music is dished out by the legends at 8CCC Community Radio. It's the perfect way to kick off your weekend.
EVERY FRI | 5-8PM THE ROASTERY FREE duyucoffee.net
Sunday Sessions
Dive into some sweet tunes every Sunday at Alice Springs Brewing Co, and enjoy a few cold ones and a feed in the sunshine with friends and fam. Keen to strum a ditty or two? Throw your name in the hat!
EVERY SUN | 4-8.30PM
ALICE SPRINGS BREWING CO facebook.com/aspbco
