Off The Leash - September 2026

SEP 2026 ISSUE #194

R YOU

E FRATE’S ON

WH IDE TO GU E NT TH

FROM LANDS AFAR TO LARRAKIA COUNTRY Darwin International Film Festival

TWO-WHEEL SHOWDOWN

MXGP of Australia in the Top End

NAZEEM HUSSAIN

Would like to tell you about some jokes

DESERT MOB

The art of culture, continuity & reclamation

SOS FROM THE DEAD CENTRE Campaign to save The Black Wreath

AROUND TOWN | VISUAL ARTS | MUSIC | PERFORMING ARTS | BOOKS & FILM | FOOD & DRINK | FESTIVALS

WED 9 — FRI 11 SEP

FRI 11 SEPTEMBER

SAT 12 SEPTEMBER

FRI 18 SEPTEMBER

SAT 19 SEPTEMBER

THU 24 SEPTEMBER

BLUES BY THE CREEK

On sale now — SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre • Nazeem Hussain • Björn Again • Forever Farnham • Vika & Linda • A Taste of Ireland yourcentre.com.au DA R W I N ’ S P R E M I E R L I V E E N T E RTA I N M E N T V E N U E

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Mitchell Creek

Settle in for an afternoon of live Blues and Soul music beside Mitchell Creek, featuring Caiti Baker and Kuya James, alongside local support artists.

Palmerston (Zuccoli) Pump Track

Sunday 20th September 4:00-6:00pm

ED'S LETTER Nazeem Hussain returns to Darwin with his new show, the Top End a fitting final stop on his mammoth Australian tour given he loves it so much – if you run into him, don’t hesitate to invite him over for dinner.

SLIDE Youth Dance returns to present their 2019 hit Someone Else’s Story, and Irish dance and culture is celebrated in A Taste of Ireland.

YOU CANNOT BE blamed for feeling a little bit weary this time of year, as festival season makes good on the happy times.

But I encourage you to tap into your reserves, as the festival fun isn’t done with us yet.

Big screens light up with features and shorts for the 2026 Darwin International film Festival (DIFF), boasting 11 huge days and nights of film, music, and food, plus industry connections and opportunities.

With award-winning films from the world’s biggest film festivals, six international guests – the largest number to date! – and some very exciting NT world premieres, this year’s DIFF program is packed with the oh-so-goods.

The festival vibes continue in the Red Centre, as Desert Mob returns with its hotly anticipated exhibition and public program to celebrate the art, culture, and Country of the central desert region, plus the Vincent Lingiari Art Award. Making Desert Mob extra special this year is that it marks 50 years of Indigenous land rights and celebrates the recent High Court decision over the Singleton Water licence, in favour of Traditional Owners.

Don’t miss this stunning desert celebration.

The world’s best riders on two wheels hit the track at Hidden Valley for the MXGP of Australia presented by Sitzler, with national and international races and family fun across three huge days of action.

THIS EDISH FEATURE 4 & 5 AROUND TOWN 6 PERFORMING ARTS 8 FOOD & DRINK 14 BOOKS & FILM 15 VISUAL ARTS 16 EXPLORE 20 MUSIC 21

With bougie dining experiences, workshops, and demonstrations, September offers a plethora of opportunities to wrap your chops around the freshest local ocean produce for the inaugural NT Seafood Month.

There’s also a tonne of music to check out, but I really want to take a moment to talk about something very important – our desert friends from The Black Wreath need your help. They’ve launched a campaign to save the venue, one that has seen musos from a wide range of genres perform over the years, making it an institution for live music in Mparntwe/Alice Springs.

The need to support live music in the desert has never been more crucial, for artists and punters alike. We’ve shared their campaign, which would also see the continuation of Blacken Open Air Festival, an event I had the absolute pleasure of attending in 2025. Please consider making a pledge so they can continue to operate in the years to come.

That’s it from me. Enjoy September, friends. And my biggest appreciation goes to the wonderful OTL team for getting this mag together amongst the craziness of festival season – that’s no easy feat!

GET IN TOUCH editor@offtheleash.net.au 08 8941 7413 GPO BOX 2325, Darwin NT 0801

SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY | 9

TEAM OFF THE LEASH Tierney White Managing Editor & Development Manager

LOCAL CATCH | 14

TURN UP THE BEAT | 22

OUR COVER Cover proudly sponsored by Darwin International Film Festival

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT Off The Leash Inc. acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the Traditional Custodians of the lands on which we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present, and emerging.

Cover image: La Bola Negra Screening at DIFF Closing Night

Brooke Gibbs Assistant Editor Jonathan Munro Graphic Designer Contributors Rosie Wild

This edition may contain the names, images, artworks and stories of people who have passed away.

Please read with care.

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A C C O U N T A N T S

OTL is a Territory‑wide publication due to the generous support of Michael Sitzler, for all Territorians.

offtheleash.net.au | 3

FEATURE

FROM LANDS AFAR TO

LARRAKIA COUNTRY I

Cinephiles rejoice, as award-winning films screened at the biggest film festivals in the world screen at the 17th Darwin International Film Festival (DIFF), with some very exciting local inclusions.

WORDS TIERNEY WHITE IMAGE GEORGIA POLITIS

F YOU'RE A cinema lover or movie maker, September always brings with it a true highlight on the NT arts and culture calendar. DIFF2026 is here.

debut feature film … a story about young people in Darwin, based on real experiences in Darwin, and made by people from Darwin," Lucas says.

Across 11 huge days and nights at Deckchair Cinema, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT), and VMAX and Goyder Square in Palmerston, 30 countries are represented across 24 feature films and 70 shorts, including an impressive number of NT flicks (nine, to be exact!).

“It's a really strong debut, really beautifully shot. Jacob is definitely a filmmaking talent to watch, and we want to be part of that story – with its world premiere, here at the Deckchair – we can say we’ve been there from the beginning. That's going to be very special."

Curated under the direction of Festival Manager Erin Lucas, the DIFF committee has worked thoughtfully to create a program where local audiences are exposed to international films, with experiences within our own multi-cultural community.

Having his debut feature film screened at DIFF, let alone at the Deckie, is something the young filmmaker is pinching himself about.

“We open with a fantastic Indonesian film, we've got an Australian/ New Zealand/Papua New Guinea documentary, and an amazing Filipino community engagement event – there's a lot of opportunity to connect with our diverse cultural groups here in Darwin, and make it an international affair,” Lucas says.

Some of the featured international film festival flicks include Elephants in the Fog, Jim Queen, Yellow Letters, All of a Sudden, Minotaur, Everybody to Kenmure Street, Blue Heron, and more – all winners of major awards around the world.

Indonesian film Levitating (Para Perasuk) is programmed for opening night, with director Wregas Bhanuteja in town for the occasion, one of six international guests making the trek to Larrakia Country for the Festival, the most in attendance to date.

Another exciting inclusion is Spanish/French film, La Bola Negra, winner of the Best Director Award at Cannes, and the Audience Award for Best International Feature at Sydney Film Festival.

“La Bola Negra is an example of international film at its most powerful.

Bold, beautiful, and deeply human, it reminds us why stories of love, loss, and resilience must be seen on the big screen,” Lucas says.

We also see the return of DIFF2DIFF: ASEAN edition, a lovely partnership between DIFF and the Dili International Film Festival that recognises our close international neighbours and showcases the best short films from the Asean region. Young film fans are considered, too, with a sweet kids’ program from the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.

Darwin International Film Festival WHEN THU 10 – SUN 20 SEP COST FREE-$23 | FLEXIPASS $150 INFO diff.net.au

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But DIFF isn’t just about screening award-winning films from the big international film festivals. It’s about giving local filmmakers the chance to share their cinematic creations with audiences, with a couple of world premieres and the return of the SPARK NT Short Film Initiative.

“We have two NT film world premieres this year. The first one is About The Soufflé – a film made by young director Jacob Hazeldine. It's his

“I felt elation. It was the culmination of three years’ hard work, and it was a positive culmination. Yeah, it was affirming. It was a good feeling.

[Deckchair Cinema] is a world-class venue – it's one of the best cinemas in the world,” Hazeldine says.

“And it's funny, because when we set out in pre-production, I remember talking to the cinematographer, we were talking about the aspect ratio, and one of the deciding factors for us in selecting the aspect ratio that we did, was that it's the same aspect ratio as the screen at the Deckchair, and we were kind of like, ‘what if? Imagine, you know, imagine!’. So, it's a real full circle moment.”

A legend of the NT film industry and multi-award-winning filmmaker also features, with the world premiere of his new film, Chasing Chaos.

“It's a documentary by Andrew Hyde, a prolific Darwin filmmaker. We're premiering that on the opening weekend, in the newly upgraded cinema at MAGNT, so it's just a really big first weekend, really, with strong NT content,” Lucas says.

Opportunities continue for local creatives, with the aforementioned SPARK - NT Short Film Initiative – which historically sells out, by the way! – four industry workshops, and the Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS) Awards. Huge.

For the punters, you’re nothing short of treated this month, with everything already mentioned plus free family-friendly screenings across two weekends at DIFF in Palmerston and the Indigenous Shorts program showcasing First Nations storytelling from across Australia. And each night at Deckchair, you can tuck into delish fare from local food vendors and enjoy live music from an entourage of local musicians.

If you really want to make the most of it, grab a FLEXIPASS for 10 screenings that can be kept for yourself or shared with your mates. You can even use them all on the same screening, if you like. What a shout.

Whether you’re a filmmaker, film lover, or in it for the food, music, and to keep that festival vibe rolling, DIFF is the place to be, listen, see, and feel.

DIFF2DIFF: ASEAN edition Continuing the lovely partnership from 2025, this showcase of seven shorts is curated by Lena Lenzen, Director of the Dili International Film Festival, to celebrate the best short films from the ASEAN region. With special guests from Timor-Leste, Abrao de Carvalho Nobre, Ana Agostinha Boavida, and Megalichandra Silva.

CANNES

COMES TO DARWIN

Fresh from the prestigious international Cannes Film Festival, a selection of films screen at the iconic Deckie. With great food and live music each night by the seaside, each screening offers a unique international experience, right here on Larrakia Country.

Elephants in the Fog

SAT 19 SEP | 7PM MAGNT $11-$23 Industry Workshops MAGNT | FREE DIFF is over the moon to host four free industry workshops at MAGNT, with two local filmmakers presenting events following the screening of their films, plus two workshops with visiting filmmakers from interstate. These workshops are for filmmakers at all stages on their journey, whether you’re a curious film lover or a seasoned filmmaker, these are great opportunities to learn and connect.

Solo Doco The role of the shooter/director in modern documentary and factual production, presented by Andrew Hyde.

Winner of the Un Certain Regard Jury Prize at Cannes, this masterfully visual debut blends mystery and social insight into an unforgettable cinematic experience. Set within a rarely portrayed Nepalese third-gender Kinnar community, respected matriarch Pirati is forced to choose between the future she longs for and the people who depend on her when a young woman disappears.​ SAT 12 SEP | 7PM MUSIC: ADAM SCRIVEN FOOD: YOGI'S WAY

Jim Queen

MON 14 SEP | 11AM

SPECIAL EVENTS BUS STOP FILMS TAKEOVER

Making Something Out of Nothing This workshop, hosted by Jacob Hazeldine, focuses on the approach and techniques used on his feature film About the Soufflé, shot in Darwin for $1500.

Come along as he takes you from the film’s inception, through pre-production and shooting, to post-production and release.

TUE 15 SEP | 11AM The Perfect Short Film in a Day What does it actually take to make a short film in 24 hours, and make it good? This session pulls back the curtain on the fast, high-pressure world of one-day shoots, featuring a candid conversation with Dianna La Grassa and Mikey Hamer from Bus Stop Films who've done it, mistakes and all.

When Paris's most celebrated gay influencer is struck by a mysterious virus that begins turning queer men straight, his glamorous world is thrown into hilarious chaos. This wildly inventive animated feature is packed with razor-sharp satire, outrageous comedy and genuine heart, delivering a joyous celebration of queer identity. A standout from the 2026 Cannes Film Festival, Jim Queen received nominations for both the Caméra d'Or and the Queer Palm.

SAT 12 SEP | 9.20PM

All of a Sudden THU 17 SEP | 11AM

Bus Stop Films is an award-winning, disability-led Australian social enterprise that champions inclusive filmmaking. Join the team for a hands-on workshop, (see Industry Workshops further down) catch a powerful showcase of Bus Stop Films-produced shorts, and don’t miss the NT premiere of their gorgeous new feature, Boss Cat. Bus Stop Films Shorts THU 17 SEP, 2PM | MAGNT | $11-$51 Boss Cat THU 17 SEP, 7PM | MAGNT | $11-$51

Approaches to Independent Filmmaking This one-day workshop takes a practical look at independent filmmaking models in contemporary Australian cinema.

Led by Kalu Oji, participants will work through exercises in writing, direction and distribution, building skills they can put into practice immediately.

FRI 18 SEP | 11AM

From acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Ryusuke Hamaguchi comes a deeply moving meditation on compassion, friendship, and what it means to care for one another. Set between France and Japan, two women from very different worlds form an extraordinary

bond that reshapes their lives.

Premiering at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival where its two leads shared the Best Actress prize, this expansive and humane drama is rich with empathy, wisdom and emotional grace.

MON 14 SEP | 7PM MUSIC: KIM KOOLE FOOD: SALTWATER @ BUNDILLA

Minotaur

As war and personal betrayal converge, a successful businessman watches his carefully constructed world unravel with devastating consequences. Returning after almost a decade, master filmmaker Andrey Zvyagintsev delivers a powerful portrait of moral collapse, using one man's disintegration and the 14 sacrifices of the ancient Minotaur myth to reflect the fractures of a nation. Winner of the Grand Prix at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and the 2026 Sydney Film Prize.

TUE 15 SEP | 7PM MUSIC: MIA GROSSER FOOD: THREE MUM'S KITCHEN

La Bola Negra

Spanning three generations of queer lives across modern Spanish history, La Bola Negra is a sumptuous drama inspired by the unfinished work of Federico García Lorca. Filmmakers Javier Calvo and Javier Ambrossi weave together stories of love, loss and resilience, brought vividly to life by an outstanding cast. Winner of the Best Director Award at the 2026 Cannes Film Festival and the Audience Award for Best International Feature at the Sydney Film Festival.

SUN 20 SEP | 7PM MUSIC: SHE'S WITH ME FOOD: YOGI’S WAY

offtheleash.net.au | 5

AROUND TOWN Outback Experience featuring Tom Curtain, plus interactive demos, working dogs, whip-cracking, and live music. The festival season continues.

Tourism and Events NT Executive Director of Events, Aimee Luxton, says events like this are important in shining an international light on the NT, with important flow-on effects to local businesses in the shoulder season.

TWO-WHEEL SHOWDOWN After its Northern Territory debut in 2025, the Motocross Grand Prix Championship (aka the MXGP) returns to Darwin, bringing with it three days of the world’s best riders, where everything is on the line.

WORDS TIERNEY WHITE IMAGE MXGP OF AUSTRALIA

IF YOU DIDN'T know, the MXGP – or the FIM (Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme) Motocross World Championship, as it’s officially known – is a pretty big deal. We’re talking worldwide big deal, baby.

Returning after a huge Northern Territory debut last September, which saw more than 36,000 attendances, the 2026 program continues to deliver on the standard that was set in 2025.

Infront Moto Racing Chief Executive Officer David Luongo says Darwin has demonstrated its right to host the international event again after such a successful debut last year.

"Darwin has earned its place on the MXGP world calendar, not by accident, but because every element that makes a Grand Prix

truly great comes together here,” he says.

“The Hidden Valley circuit challenges our riders in ways that produce spectacular racing … and the atmosphere that Australian fans create is something that has stayed with all the riders and team. What we are building in Darwin is a permanent fixture on the global motocross map.”

Motocross fans from across the world turn their attention to the Top End, as the three-day program sees the all-Aussie MX3 and MX85 State Challenge kick things off on the Friday. International competitors – alongside Australian wildcard riders in all three international classes – take to the track on Saturday to practice, qualify, and battle it out for the

first official race in the afternoon.

Expect to be on the edge of your seats with the final Australian MX3 and MX85 races, making Saturday one jam-packed day of trackside action.

The championship intensity comes to its peak Sunday morning, with the final WMX race and two races each for MXGP and MX2, boasting a full day of elite racing as the world’s best fight for crucial points in the final round of the 2026 title chase.

There’s plenty of action off the track, too. The kiddos can get amongst the dirt in a huge sandpit in the interactive, family-friendly precinct, where spectators can relax in the shade while immersing themselves in the world of motocross. There’s also the

“It’s fantastic to welcome a global event of this scale back to the Territory. The MXGP of Australia brings world-class sport to our doorstep, and delivers real benefits for our tourism and hospitality sectors right across the Top End,” she says.

“Events like this showcase the NT to the world and inspire visitors to experience everything our region has to offer, reinforcing our reputation as a premier destination for world-class sporting events.”

If you’ve got the need for speed and want to experience a world-class event, right here in the NT, get along to the purpose-built circuit at Hidden Valley for three days of dirt, speed, and fun – on and off the track.

MXGP of Australia presented

by Sitzler WHEN FRI 18 – SUN 20 SEP AT HIDDEN VALLEY MOTORSPORTS COMPLEX COST $45-$1,750 INFO mxgpaustralia.com.au

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE EMMA LUPIN LANDCARE NT OFFERS a range of opportunities to get outdoors this month. Kicking things off is an accessible bird outing led by local youth worker, bird watcher, and nature advocate, Mitch Rose. Designed to be welcoming to people of all abilities, these slower-paced birdwatching experiences are suitable for people living with disability, and neurodivergent people looking for a relaxed introduction to birding.

“Running these outings has reinforced to me that birding, however people choose to do it, is as much about community, respect, and enjoying the company of the things we love as it is about the birds themselves,” says Rose.

GET TWITCHING If you’ve been looking for a reason to slow down, get outside, and reconnect with the natural world, September provides plenty of opportunities to explore Darwin’s wild side.

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Accessible Bird Outing SAT 5 SEP | 8-10AM JINGILI WATER GARDENS | $15 Ludmilla Landcare 101 SUN 13 SEP | 8.30-11.30AM LUDMILLA CREEK | $10 Guided Bird Walk SAT 19 SEP | 8-10AM SANDY CREEK | $15 INFO

landcarent.org.au

“For some people, that might mean birding with very few other people around, using a particular sensory experience to notice birds, moving at a different pace, or choosing a pace that is accessible and comfortable for them. Ultimately, it comes down to care and connection – to each other and to the world around us.”

Landcare NT teams up with local restoration champion Simon Love for Ludmilla Landcare 101, a practical introduction to environmental restoration.

Taking place at the Ludmilla Creek revegetation site, the session explores everything from revegetation and restoration to weed identification and control, fire and fuel management, and the importance of long-term community conservation. It’s also a chance to discover how local Landcare groups are making a difference and find out about future volunteering opportunities.

Bird lovers have another opportunity to get out in nature when Rose leads a guided walk through the mangroves and shorebird habitats of Sandy Creek.

Participants learn how to identify local bird species, understand their behaviour and habitats, and even contribute to citizen science projects that help build a better picture of Darwin’s wildlife.

There’s no better time to get twitching!

H

O AT N 'S

W

TOP END Babylon Chess Club

Harmony & Humour Bar Choir: Songs from Live Aid ‘85 Guaranteed to lift your spirits, this unique experience blends humour and harmony for a night of pure joy. Whether you’re a seasoned singer of just love to have fun, this event promises laughter and camaraderie in equal measure.

SUN 13 SEP | 5.30-7PM THE LAST SUPPER $20 thelastsupper.com.au

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

THU 3 SEP | 7-8.30PM BABYLON BAR FREE facebook.com/babylonbardarwin Collage Club Collage Club is 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 3 SEP | 6-8.30PM THE LAST SUPPER $25 thelastsupper.com.au Unleash Your Inner Comedian Ever wanted to try stand-up or share a funny story? Join Danielle Andrews for a welcoming comedy workshop for first timers and comedy-curious creatives. Build confidence, craft material, and discover your comedic voice, with the chance to perform a debut five-minute set at a supportive Comedy Showcase.

SUN 6 SEP | 12-4PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $55 thelastsupper.com.au Nightcliff Orchid Society Spring Show

SAT 12 & SUN 13 SEP | 9AM-4PM TRACY VILLAGE SOCIAL AND SPORTS CLUB GOLD COIN DONATION facebook.com/ nightclifforchidsociety

End of Month Milonga FRI 25 SEP | 8-11PM COCONUT GROVE COMMUNITY HALL $10 northerntango.com.au

Alice Springs revs into gear with Red CentreNATS, expanding to four huge days. This automotive festival showcases one of Australia’s largest street parades, a reimagined Show ‘n’ Shine, and the return of the RCN Fringe Festival alongside the town’s night markets.

THU 3 – SUN 6 SEP VARIOUS LOCATIONS FREE-$54.60 redcentrenats.com.au Todd Mall Markets

Sunset Yoga

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 23 & 30 SEP | 5PM THE LAST SUPPER $36 thelastsupper.com.au 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 25 SEP | 6.30-8.30PM CASUARINA LIBRARY FREE launchdarwin.com.au Geek Up A space for young people aged 15-25 to get involved and have fun. Activities include Dungeons & Dragons, board games and art workshops led by local young creatives.

SUN 27 SEP | 1-4PM CASUARINA LIBRARY FREE launchdarwin.com.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

The Nightcliff Orchid Society invites all orchid enthusiasts to its annual Spring Show. Showcase your cherished specimens in the community competition. Entry for participants is free, with the chance to score some sweet prizes.

Sunset Kirtan Gathering TUE 29 SEP | 6.30-8PM NIGHTCLIFF FORESHORE FREE asmy.org.au

Kirtan Meditation EVERY SUN | 5-7PM NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE

BY DONATION asmy.org.au

Tarot Night

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.

asmy.org.au

Escape the noise and enjoy an hour of quiet focus in the company of others. 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

MIND & BODY

Senior Pilates EVERY WED | 9-10AM DARWIN WATERFRONT $8 | FREE MEMB waterfront.nt.gov.au Senior Yoga at the Waterfront EVERY THU | 9-10AM $8 | FREE MEMB waterfront.nt.gov.au InVogue Dancing EVERY FRI | 10AM-12PM NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE $10 facebook.com/invoguedancing

SUN 6 SEP | 10.30AM, 12PM & 2.15PM CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY $80 meditatedarwin.org

Movement Medicine EVERY SUN | 10-11.30AM $20 NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE movement.magic@yahoo.com

Club Tropical Milonga SAT 12 SEP | 7-11PM CLUB TROPICAL RESORT FREE northerntango.com.au

FREE facebook.com/ danielleandrewscomedy Drag Queens Bingo Round up your pals and head to the Zen Rooftop Lounge for Drag

FRI 18 SEP | 6-8PM DURACK COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE FREE

EVERY WED | 7-9PM BEACHFRONT HOTEL

Vinyasa Flow at the Waterfront EVERY WED | 6.30-7.30AM DARWIN WATERFRONT $8 | FREE MEMB waterfront.nt.gov.au

Choose Happiness: A Buddhist Approach to Life According to Buddha’s wisdom, happiness is a state of mind – when our mind is peaceful, we are happy, and when it is not, we are not. Join Buddhist Monk Kelsang Rabten to discover the freedom and joy that comes from creating happiness within.

Kirtan Mantra Night Enjoy an authentic evening of guided heartfelt kirtan – mantra meditation accompanied by music.

Enjoy the atmosphere, make friends, and immerse yourself in a truly spiritual experience. The program includes kirtan, mantra breathwork, and a delicious vegetarian meal.

EVERY WED | 6.30-8.30PM BREEZES BAR & BISTRO

EVERY TUE & WED | 6-7PM RICH LIFE HEALTH & FITNESS $20 | $18 SEN | FREE MEMB rlhf.com.au

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 13 & 27 SEP | 9AM-1PM ALICE SPRINGS TOWN COUNCIL LAWNS FREE toddmallmarkets.com.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 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance

Mat Pilates at the Waterfront EVERY FRI | 6.30AM-7.30AM $8 | FREE MEMB waterfront.nt.gov.au

Breathwork and Meditation EVERY SUN | 11.15AM-12.30PM RICH LIFE HEALTH & FITNESS $20 | $18 SEN | FREE MEMB rlhf.com.au

RED CENTRE Red CentreNATS

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 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 offtheleash.net.au |

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PERFORMING ARTS

NAZEEM HUSSAIN

Nazeem Hussain returns to Darwin with his new show I’d Like To Tell You About Some Jokes, the Top End an appropriate final stop on his mammoth Australian tour.

Hussain remembers the city for its laid-back atmosphere, spontaneous friendships, and strangers inviting him out for dinner. Now, after his biggest-selling tour to date, he’s looking forward to returning to a place he describes as feeling less like work and more like a holiday. Brooke Gibbs caught up with the comedian ahead of his show at AANT Centre.

IMAGE CHILLARY

Nazeem Hussain - I’d Like to Tell You About Some Jokes WHEN FRI 11 SEP | 7PM AT AANT CENTRE COST $39.90 INFO yourcentre.com.au

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You’re coming back to Darwin for the final show of the tour. What do you remember from your last visit?

I remember meeting lots of random people, out and about. That’s what I really like about Darwin. People are just … I don’t know, they’re a bit like me. They lack that level of politeness where they just don’t go up to strangers. So many people came up to me and just invited me out for dinner and meals and coffee and wanted to be my tour guide. I think I remember eating dinner before the show with some random person. I don’t remember his name, but that just doesn’t happen anywhere else on tour.

Normally I just put my headphones in and shuttle between the hotel and the venue, but in Darwin, it definitely feels like some sort of community vibe that I’m just not used to anywhere else.

But I love it. It feels like a really different type of Australia. It’s just way more laid-back and fun. Whenever I’m there, I’m already in a good mood.

It doesn’t feel like work or like I’m on tour. Honestly, it feels like I’m on a holiday.

Your new show promises wild stories, unhinged characters and “still no sign of a filter”. How much trouble are you planning to get yourself into here?

It’s probably the last leg of my tour, so I’m happy to just really leave it all out there on the stage, to be honest. I’ll throw up what I’ll throw at them.

Whatever comes to mind. And I don’t think I’m going to second-guess myself too much because it is literally the last time I’ll be doing this show.

So, yeah, no less of a filter than usual. And yeah, just hoping no one’s recording so that I can just really let it all out. And hopefully no troubling emails afterwards to my manager.

What a place for Darwin to be your last show, given everything you’ve just said about the city!

I honestly feel like it’s the perfect place to end the tour because they’re just the loosest and kind of most up for it. I feel like some other cities can be a little bit more uptight and they’re probably a little bit … you know, they sort of sit there with the attitude of, “We’ve seen a lot of comedy, so what are you bringing in?”. You’ve really got to perform for them in a way.

You’ve got to prove yourself.

Whereas I think in Darwin there’s not that expectation. They’re just there

for fun. It’s a bit more of a party. For me, it feels like a big wrap party for this tour, which feels like it’s been going on forever. I’ll be packing shorts to Darwin and I’m not a shorts person. I have skinny ankles being a Sri Lankan. After the last joke, I’ll be feeling a little emotional because I really love performing this show.

You’ve just come off your biggest selling tour ever. Does that make you feel like some sort of comedy rock star or are you still just someone desperately trying to make us laugh for a living?

I think every comedian wants to be a rock star, but at the end of the day we’re not. We’re not as cool. We’re a bunch of dorks. And, you know, we leverage our otherness and quirkiness to people who are probably similar to us. I feel like people that come to comedy shows and people that really like my comedy anyway are often a bunch of misfits.

But Darwin, it seems like people haven’t blocked me on their social media feeds, which is where I’m telling them to come to the show, and they’re coming. So, I’m thankful for that. Maybe they can block me after this, but I want to keep coming back, so actually don’t block me. In fact, highlight me or whatever the hell you do on social media.

It’s such a weird life to have to just travel around and tell people jokes and stories about your life. Normally this is reserved for, I guess, your therapist, but I guess this is a form of therapy. Getting stuff off your chest and getting paid for it.

For anyone who hasn’t seen you perform live before, what can they expect from I’d Like To Tell You About Some Jokes?

As I’ve got a bunch of jokes to tell, each show is completely different. Each show is basically tailored to the audience. It’s a bit of a choose-your-ownadventure based on what people are laughing at. That’s where the show goes.

And look, it doesn’t always go well. But when it does go well, it’s euphoric.

But when it doesn’t … Well, it’s the opposite of what euphoria is. But, you know, so long as we’re all sharing that feeling, it’s not just mine to wear.

And before we let you go, is there anything else you want Darwin audiences to know?

Just if anyone wants to invite me out for dinner, to their family home or whatever … you know, I’ve got time, I think.

A TASTE OF IRELAND Forget the plane ticket – a little slice of the Emerald Isle is coming to town.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS

SOMEONE ELSE’S STORY Communities are made up of vulnerable, unique and beautifully flawed people. And that’s a good thing, because it would be boring if we were all the same.

PRESENTED BY AANT Centre and SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre, Someone Else’s Story is a sharp, comedic exploration of society’s moral fabric, when an ordinary morning train ride quickly derails and the commuters, a band of misfits, find themselves in a very tricky position.

Collectively, these strangers must work together to solve a huge dilemma before they reach the end of the train line. Caught in the crossfire of conflicting opinions, quiet crushes, prickly personalities and problem-solving geniuses, Heather is having a difficult day.

As an Artist in Residence at AANT Centre, SLIDE provides young artists with a professional company experience, from the creative process through to the performance on the stage of Darwin’s premier live entertainment venue.

Artistic Director Joanna Noonan says this piece aims to explore the empathy and connection you can have with one another in a setting where you don’t know what other people’s stories are.

“It’s about treating everyone with kindness and goodness, and to accept difference and uniqueness,” she says.

“When you’re there at the train station or bus stop, it’s like ‘did somebody get to have their cup of coffee this morning?’ or ‘are they grumpy because they didn’t?’. ‘Did they have a phone call last night that made them happy or unhappy?’. I suppose the connection between the characters is about love, compassion and empathy.

“It’s a really heightened world, so there’s a lot of caricature and a lot of really vibrant, unique and really special characters, but all of them have a beautiful heart and a beautiful story to tell. They all travel together without really knowing one another, but being accepting of each other is the heart of the show.”

A reimagining of the 2019 hit, this production delivers hilarious storytelling, bold physicality, poignant characters, and mandarin essence.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE SLIDE YOUTH DANCE THEATRE

DIRECT FROM OFF-BROADWAY and London’s West End, the internationally acclaimed A Taste of Ireland: The Irish Music & Dance Sensation brings its high-energy celebration of Irish music, dance and storytelling to Darwin.

straight back to the land of rolling green hills, lively pubs and music spilling into the streets. For those with Irish parents or grandparents, it’s a chance to reconnect with the songs, stories and traditions passed down through generations.

Think world-class Irish dancers, toe-tapping tunes, plenty of laughs and enough infectious energy to have the whole audience feeling like they’ve been handed a pint and invited to the best céilí in town.

“The whole show is one big emotional roller coaster – there are so many different characters you have to portray,” says O’Neill.

“We remount or revisit our shows and cycle them where we feel they connect with the present, and we all feel it was a good time to reimagine Someone Else’s Story because there is a bit of disconnect, and sometimes it’s nice to bring us back to the present and find new ways of connecting and lifting one another up,” says Noonan.

Performed by former World Irish Dance champions, the cast brings together seasoned professionals fresh from London’s West End, including dancers from the company’s own productions Éireann, Lord of the Dance, and Riverdance. Joining them is a new generation of talent, including rising stars fresh from the top placings at this year’s World Irish Dance Championships.

“I suppose there’s a lot of things in the world that are really daunting for young people. They really are connected with global events, and they understand because they study it, they listen, and they learn about it through their news feeds.

And I suppose right now in Darwin, SLIDE is able to find a voice for the 2026 audience of young people through this piece.”

“A Taste of Ireland is a live Irish dance and music production that transports the audience through Ireland’s tumultuous history. It begins at the start of Ireland’s story, taking you on a journey through historical moments such as the Viking invasion, the Easter rising, the Great Famine, and continuing to modern-day Ireland,” says Assistant Tour Manager Callum O’Neill.

In Someone Else’s Story, you might see the vulnerable, unique and beautiful parts of yourself.

“Because A Taste of Ireland is a live show, it feels personal to every audience. We have a lot of moments where we break the fourth wall and really play off the crowds, giving them a chance to get involved in the story of the show.”

WHEN WED 9 – FRI 11 SEP 10.30AM & 7PM AT AANT CENTRE COST $21-$35 INFO yourcentre.com.au

For those that have been there, A Taste of Ireland is a nostalgic trip

“There are definitely more emotional moments in the show where we fuse a little bit of contemporary dancing with Irish dancing, and I feel these moments can definitely pull at the heartstrings. The moment that gets me during the show is always the very end – just seeing all of the audience standing up cheering and clapping is such an immense feeling.

“It is absolutely amazing being able to share the stage with such a phenomenal cast. Not only do we have some of the best dancers, but our musicians are also incredibly talented.”

One thing O’Neill wants the Darwin audience to take away with them is to learn something about the story of Ireland and their culture.

“I feel like everyone always says they have some form of Irish descent, so if we can help them reconnect with that, that would be amazing.”

A Taste of Ireland: The Irish Music & Dance Sensation WHEN THU 24 SEP | 7.30PM AT AANT CENTRE COST $49.90-$94.90 INFO yourcentre.com.au

offtheleash.net.au | 9

THU 3 SEP | 6-9PM THE ROASTERY $5 DONATION reddirtpoetry.com.au

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Comedy Workshop Showcase

GRIMM | Tales from the Brothers Grimm

TOP END Happiness and Other B*llocks

Following a sold-out Fringe show, Anna Goat returns with her signature dry Gen X humour.

After reading 619 self-help books in search of a better version of herself, she discovered something unexpected. She's not a ray of sunshine. She's a defiant, competitive arsehole, and she's perfectly happy with that.

SAT 5 SEP | 6.30PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $25 topfloorcomedydarwin.com.au Risk Appetite

Enjoy an uplifting night of laughter as participants from Unleash Your Inner Comedian take the stage for the first time. After training with Danielle Andrews, these brave performers share their debut five-minute sets, celebrating fresh voices, confidence, and local talent. Get around ‘em.

SUN 6 SEP | 5PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $12 thelastsupper.com.au Tyson Popplestone | You Can’t Say That Tyson Popplestone returns with a brand-new hour of stand-up that’s sharp, honest, and just the right amount of unpredictable. Known for saying what most people are thinking, but probably shouldn’t, Tyson delivers a show that’s fast, funny, and hard to look away from.

Happily, ever after? Nah. GRIMM, the latest tour de force from Shake & Stir Theatre Co, beckons you into a world where fairytales are reimagined with a profound intensity. Be warned… these bedtime stories may cause nightmares.

SAT 26 SEP | 7.30PM ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE $62-$68 araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

SAT 19 SEP | 6PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $35 topfloorcomedydarwin.com.au Big Comedy Doesn’t Want You to Know About This Show

Bad judgement. Live.

Consequences pending. Fresh from a sold-out Darwin Fringe show, local comedian Dessie Green returns with Risk Appetite – a sharp, dark stand-up set exploring bad decisions, everyday absurdities and the fine line between reasonable and reckless.

Dry, witty and thought-provoking, it's comedy that finds humour in life's questionable choices.

SAT 5 SEP | 8PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $25 topfloorcomedydarwin.com.au Two Psychics and a Medium

Local comedians become selfappointed experts in this hilarious PowerPoint comedy show, presenting bizarre conspiracy theories, cults, paranormal mysteries and questionable "evidence”. Packed with chaotic presentations, suspicious graphs and laugh-out-loud absurdity, it's a night of comedy that dives headfirst into the world's strangest rabbit holes.

SUN 20 SEP | 6PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $25 topfloorcomedydarwin.com.au

SEVEN DEADLY GINS

A trip back home to the Gulf forces Magenta to confront what has been buried for so long.

It’s time for her to move forward. But her past has different ideas... Is she strong enough to handle the truth?

By Yvette Walker

Co-Directed by Shari Sebbens & Ursula Yovich 6-17 October Brown’s Mart Theatre

RED CENTRE Two Psychics and a Medium brings together the remarkable talents of psychic mediums Julia Cartagena, Donna Maree Richardson, and Australia’s renowned Ghost Whisperer, Anthony Grzelka. This captivating live show invites audiences on a powerful journey into the unseen, where spiritual realms meet everyday reality.

SAT 5 SEP | 7PM AANT CENTRE $89-$160 yourcentre.com.au 10 | offtheleash.net.au

The Dirty Word

brownsmart.com.au 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.

offtheleash.net.au | 11

FRI

4 DIFF 6 MXGP of Australia 7 Kirtan Mantra Night 7 InVogue Dancing 7 Mat Pilates 14 Fridays at Speargrass 16 Desert Mob 23 Forever Farnham 23 Nat, Max & Rick Trio 23 Live Lunches at the Roastery 23 Friday Vinyl Revival

17 THU 18

4 DIFF 7 Musical Bingo 7 Senior Yoga 7 Pub Brew Trivia Night 16 Desert Mob 23 Nat & Max Duo

7 Musical Bingo 7 Senior Yoga 7 Pub Brew Trivia Night 9 A Taste of Ireland 16 Desert Mob 20 Field Notes of the NT (last chance) 23 Nat & Max Duo 23 Warren H Williams

FRI

7 Gaming After Dark 7 End of Month Milonga 7 InVogue Dancing 7 Mat Pilates 14 Fridays at Speargrass 16 Desert Mob 23 Sunset Sounds: Tiarnie 23 Nat, Max & Rick Trio 23 Live Lunches at the Roastery 23 Friday Vinyl Revival

23 WED 24 THU 25 7 Tarot Night 7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Drag Queens Bingo 7 Silent Pages 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Vinyasa Flow 7 Senior Pilates 15 NT Writing Awards Ceremony 16 Desert Mob 23 Hot n Cold Big Band

7 Tarot Night 7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Drag Queens Bingo 7 Silent Pages 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Vinyasa Flow 7 Senior Pilates 16 Desert Mob 23 Hot n Cold Big Band

14 NT Seafood Month (ends)

29 TUE 30 WED

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Sunset Kirtan Gathering 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Bindi Enterprises 7 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance 16 Desert Mob 23 Vinyl Candy Trio

21 Vika & Linda

4 DIFF 7 Movement Medicine 7 Kirtan Meditation 7 Breathwork and Meditation 10 Big Comedy Doesn’t Want You To Know About This Show 14 Sunday Share Brunch 14 High Tea 16 Desert Mob 23 Sunday Live at Splash 23 Sunday Sessions

6 MXGP of Australia

19 SAT 20 SUN 4 DIFF 6 MXGP of Australia 6 Guided Bird Walk 10 Tyson Popplestone 14 NT Seafood Celebration 14 Kimbolton Wine & Cheese 15 Writing Practice 16 Desert Mob 19 Salon des Refusés (last chance)

17 iNFLUiZZY (last chance)

7 Geek Up 7 Movement Medicine 7 Kirtan Meditation 7 Breathwork and Meditation 14 Dip & Sip 14 Sunday Share Brunch 14 High Tea 15 Book Besties Bingo 16 Desert Mob 23 Sunday Live at Splash 23 Sunday Sessions

7 Todd Mall Markets

26 SAT 27 SUN

10 GRIMM 14 Oktoberfest 15 Writing Practice 16 Desert Mob 17 DVA Exhibitions (last chance) 18 Bush Life (last chance) 20 IncarcerNation (last chance)

Although all care is taken to ensure information in Off The Leash is correct, it is subject to change. We recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Bindi Enterprises 7 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance 16 Desert Mob 23 Vinyl Candy Trio

21 MON 22 TUE

16 Desert Mob

28 MON

16 Desert Mob

FOR A CHANCE TO SEE YOUR EVENT LISTED IN PRINT, UPLOAD IT TO OUR WEBSITE

AROUND TOWN | VISUAL ARTS | MUSIC | PERFORMING ARTS | BOOKS & FILM | FOOD & DRINK | FESTIVALS

SEPTEMBER 2026

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Drag Queens Bingo 7 Silent Pages 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Vinyasa Flow 7 Senior Pilates 22 The 2026 BEAT Festival 23 Hot n Cold Big Band

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Bindi Enterprises 7 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance 23 Vinyl Candy Trio

4 DIFF 7 Nightcliff Orchid Society Spring Show 7 Club Tropical Milonga 15 Writing Practice 16 Desert Mob | Art Market 18 Bush Life (opening) 22 The Black Wreath (campaign ends) 23 Frack Me Dead – C.O.F.F.I.N. 23 Tracks Masterclass Series 23 Hotel Red 23 Bjorn Again – ABBA Forever Tour

OCT WEB UPLOADS & AD BOOKINGS DEADLINE

7 InVogue Dancing 7 Mat Pilates 7 Red CentreNATS 14 Fridays at Speargrass 15 Moana 17 DVA exhibitions (opening) 20 Field Notes of the NT (opening) 22 The 2026 BEAT Festival 23 Nat, Max & Rick Trio 23 Live Lunches at the Roastery 23 Friday Vinyl Revival

4 DIFF 6 Ludmilla Landcare 101 7 Nightcliff Orchid Society Spring Show 7 Harmony & Humour Bar Choir 7 Movement Medicine 7 Breathwork and Meditation 7 Todd Mall Markets 14 Sunday Share Brunch 14 High Tea 23 Shred Fest 23 Sunday Live at Splash 23 Sunday Sessions

12 SAT 13 SUN

7 Babylon Chess Club 7 Collage Club 7 Musical Bingo 7 Senior Yoga 7 Red CentreNATS 7 Pub Brew Trivia Night 10 The Dirty Word 22 The 2026 BEAT Festival 23 Nat & Max Duo

01 TUE 02 WED 03 THU 04 FRI

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Bindi Enterprises 7 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance 14 NT Seafood Month (starts) 23 Vinyl Candy Trio

FRI

15 Nouvelle Vague

07 MON 08 TUE

11 4 DIFF 7 InVogue Dancing 7 Mat Pilates 8 Nazeem Hussain 9 Someone Else’s Story 14 Fridays at Speargrass 16 Desert Mob | Artist Talks 17 iNFLUiZZY (opening) 23 Nat, Max & Rick Trio 23 Live Lunches at the Roastery 23 Friday Vinyl Revival

16 Desert Mob

7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Drag Queens Bingo 7 Silent Pages 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Vinyasa Flow 7 Senior Pilates 9 Someone Else’s Story 15 Breathless 23 Hot n Cold Big Band

7 Red CentreNATS

4 DIFF 7 Musical Bingo 7 Senior Yoga 7 Pub Brew Trivia Night 9 Someone Else’s Story 16 Desert Mob Opening Night 23 Nat & Max Duo

09 WED 10 THU

7 Unleash Your Inner Comedian 7 Choose Happiness 7 Movement Medicine 10 Comedy Workshop Showcase 14 Sunday Share Brunch 14 High Tea 23 First Sunday Blues 23 Darwin Celtic Music Sessions 23 Sunday Live at Splash 23 Sunday Sessions

05 SAT 06 SUN

6 Accessible Bird Outing

7 Red CentreNATS 10 Happiness and Other B*llocks 10 Risk Appetite 10 Two Psychics and a Medium 15 Pike River 15 Writing Practice 18 Umaaka (last chance) 18 Maguj/Nanja (last chance)

Darwin International Film Festival THU 10 - SUN 20 SEP

OCT ADVERT ARTWORK DEADLINE

4 DIFF 7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Bindi Enterprises 7 Open Contemporary with GUTS Dance 16 Desert Mob 23 Vinyl Candy Trio

4 DIFF 7 Fruit Bat Trivia 7 Drag Queens Bingo 7 Silent Pages 7 Sunset Yoga 7 Vinyasa Flow 7 Senior Pilates 16 Desert Mob 23 Hot n Cold Big Band

14 MON 15 TUE 16 WED

4 DIFF 16 Desert Mob

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FOOD & DRINK

Kimbolton Wine & Cheese with Winemaker Nicole Clark

Fridays at Speargrass

Join winemaker Nicole Clark for an intimate guided tasting of three premium Kimbolton wines, each expertly paired with artisan cheeses and accompaniments.

Discover the stories behind the wines, learn why each pairing works, and enjoy a relaxed afternoon celebrating exceptional wine, food and great conversation.

Get amongst the Friday fun at Speargrass as the doors to the distillery open to the public. Try the new cocktails each week, listen to some music, and up your gin education. Learn something new, meet someone new, and drink something delicious. Cin-cin!

Zach Green, The Storyteller Chef

LOCAL CATCH It’s no secret we love our seafood up in these parts, so it’s only fitting we spend a whole month celebrating the people, places, and produce behind the Northern Territory’s world-class seafood.

WORDS TIERNEY WHITE

Oktoberfest THROUGHOUT THE INAUGURAL NT Seafood Month, presented

by Territory Taste and Sprout, restaurants, cafés and bars unite to celebrate seafood caught and grown across the Northern Territory.

Zoodsm – and six courses from five NT seafood producers.

From barra to mud crab, September offers a plethora of opportunities to wrap your chops around the freshest local ocean produce, with the NT Seafood Trail. Diners delight their tastebuds through curated menus and one-off dishes crafted for the occasion, with two exciting fine dining experiences announced at time of this masthead’s production.

The seaside setting brings together chefs, fishers, farmers, sea farmers and industry representatives for an afternoon of talks, tastings and entertainment, with live cooking demonstrations – including how to tie mud crabs!

Join Executive Chef John “Jojo” Borlagdan for the Humpty Doo Barramundi Dinner at Darwin’s newest restaurant, The Aviary, at voco Suites. Feast upon barramundi done four ways, before the hero of the evening is dished up – Humpty Doo Barramundi with lemongrass and galangal beurre blanc, Jarrahdale pumpkin purée, seasonal vegetables, and mustardchive sabayon – the whole shebang paired with wines from Wicks Estate in the Adelaide Hills.

Head over to Wharf One for the NT Seafood Long Table Dinner, featuring three chefs – NT Seafood Ambassador Corey Costelloe, Storyteller Chef Zach Green, and Wharf One Executive Chef Boats

14 | offtheleash.net.au

SAT 19 SEP | 3.30PM THE LAST SUPPER $59 thelastsupper.com.au

In addition to bougie seafood dinners, foodies can enjoy a fullday free, family-friendly celebration at Darwin Waterfront’s Beach Club.

Peruse producer and sea farmer displays, sit in on industry panels and conversations with the people who catch, grow and supply Territory seafood, and enjoy live music, with kids’ activities also on the cards.

If you’re a seafood lover and keen to learn more about where your local catch comes from, try new dishes, or learn a thing or two about how to prep your own haul, whet your tastebuds this NT Seafood month.

NT Seafood Month WHEN TUE 1 – WED 30 SEP NT Seafood Celebration WHEN SAT 19 SEP | 11.30AM-4PM AT BEACH BAR, DARWIN WATERFRONT COST FREE INFO

territorytaste.com.au/ ntseafood

Celebrate Oktoberfest with a Bavarian-style lunch featuring smoked sausages, pork belly, house-made pretzels, walnut cheese, sauerkraut, and traditional accompaniments from B’Rad BBQ. Enjoy German-style beers and schnapps available for purchase, an oompah soundtrack, and a best-dressed competition for those rocking lederhosen or dirndls.

EVERY FRI | 4-10PM SPEARGRASS DISTILLERY FREE speargrass.au Sunday Share Brunch Enjoy a relaxed dining experience designed for generous share plates and easy conversation.

Delve into the brunch favourites and signature spritzes, perfect for gathering friends and family over good food and free-flow beverages.

EVERY SUN | 11.30AM-2PM PEPPERBERRY $15-$65 pepperberryrestaurant.com.au High Tea

SAT 26 SEP | 1-3PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $50-$85 thelastsupper.com.au Dip & Sip: A French Apéro Experience Experience the relaxed elegance of a French apéritif with Dip & Sip. Enjoy five artisan French truffle dips paired with three premium wine tastings, served alongside fresh bread and accompaniments.

Discover delicious flavour combinations in an intimate tasting experience, limited to just 10 guests.

Add a touch of Italian-inspired indulgence to your Sunday.

Set within the warm and living atmosphere of il Piatto, this elegant experience blends relaxed dining with beautifully curated and savoury creations.

SUN 27 SEP | 3.30PM TOP FLOOR COMEDY $59 thelastsupper.com.au

EVERY SUN | 3-5PM IL PIATTO $30-$79 mindilbeachcasinoresort.com.au

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BOOKS & FILM

TOP END

Nouvelle Vague

Book Besties Bingo

TURNING THE PAGE ON A NEW CHAPTER The Northern Territory has never been short on stories. Territory writers have long captured the people, places and cultures that make the Top End and Central Australia unlike anywhere else.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE LISA HATZ

THOSE VOICES TAKE centre stage at the inaugural NT Writing Awards, bringing together some of the Territory’s most celebrated authors, emerging writers and literary champions.

Combining the long-running NT Book Awards with the NT Literary Awards for the first time, the new event marks an exciting evolution for the Territory’s literary calendar.

Taking place simultaneously in Darwin and Alice Springs, with audiences also able to tune in online, the celebration aims to unite communities across the NT while recognising excellence in writing across multiple genres.

For more than 15 years, the NT Book Awards have recognised published works that capture the richness and diversity of Territory life. Whether exploring remote communities, contemporary issues, remarkable histories or unforgettable fictional worlds, the Awards have showcased books that resonate well beyond the NT while remaining deeply connected to Country and place.

This year’s Book Awards honour books published during 2024 and 2025 across Fiction, Non-Fiction and Children’s/Young Adult. The shortlist is announced after this edition rolls off the printing press, with category winners revealed at this month’s ceremony.

NT Writing Awards Ceremony WHEN WED 23 SEP | 5.30PM AT CDU DANALA CAMPUS & ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE STREAMED ONLINE COST FREE INFO ntwriters.com.au

Alongside the published book categories, the NT Writing Awards also celebrates emerging voices through the NT Literary Awards, recognising unpublished work across a range of forms and encouraging the next generation of Territory storytellers.

Executive Director of the NT Writers’ Centre, SezzaJai Sykes, says the Awards continue to shine a spotlight on the extraordinary breadth of writing coming from the Territory.

“These Awards continue to raise the profile of remote, regional and First Nations voices celebrating the diverse literary culture of the NT,” they said.

“Written by incredibly dedicated and skilled NT authors, these unique books and stories are an important contribution to the Australian literary canon. These varied texts often reveal the beauty and complexity of the NT.” Leni Shilton is one of the judges of the 2026 Awards and says she is impressed by the wide range of themes and ideas coming through.

Enjoy an afternoon of books, bingo, prizes, and great conversation. Match titles from bestselling novels, cult classics and beloved series for your chance to win bookish goodies.

Includes a $10 food and drink voucher, Book Besties merch, and the chance to score some sweet prizes.

SUN 27 SEP | 5PM THE LAST SUPPER $20 thelastsupper.com.au

DECKCHAIR CINEMA JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT $20 | $16 CONC $11 MEMB/CHILD | $47 FAM deckchaircinema.com.au Moana

“You see this amazing richness of life in the Northern Territory and a lot of cultural diversity through varied stories. What I feel is that sometimes the rest of the country may not be super aware of the depth and richness of life in the Territory,” she says.

“So, by having the Awards and the best books rise to the top, it becomes shining examples of what the Northern Territory has to offer. I feel like there’s a platform for the rest of the country to see what’s going on, what people are talking about, what’s important and what people are focusing on in the Northern Territory. It makes me a bit homesick reading all these books.”

With entertainment, refreshments and audiences joining from Darwin, Alice Springs and online, the inaugural NT Writing Awards promise to be more than an awards presentation – it’s a celebration of storytelling in all its forms and the community that makes it possible.

Whether you’re an avid reader, an aspiring writer or simply curious about the people documenting life across the Northern Territory, the NT Writing Awards offers the perfect reminder that some of Australia’s most compelling stories are being written right here.

Richard Linkater turns cinephile affection into a stylish blackand-white comedy drama about the making of Breathless. With Guillaume Marbeck, Zoey Deutch and Aubry Dullin, it captures Jean-Luc Godard, Jean Seberg and Jean-Paul Belmondo at the moment French cinema found a thrilling new rhythm.

MON 7 SEP | 7PM Breathless

Jean-Luc Godard’s 1960 French New Wave landmark remains a cool, energetic crime romance starring Jean-Paul Belmondo and Jean Seberg. With jump cuts, Paris streets and effortless style, it reshaped modern cinema and still feels alive with youth, attitude and invention.

WED 9 SEP | 7PM

RED CENTRE A spectacular live-action Disney adventure filled with music, oceanic wonder and heartfelt family appeal. A young way finder sets sail beyond the reef with Maui, embracing courage, identity and destiny in a visually rich journey.

Writing Practice: An Introduction with Sue Fielding

FRI 4 SEP | 7PM Pike River

Melanie Lynskey and Robyn Malcolm lead this powerful New Zealand true story about two women demanding accountability after the 2010 mine disaster that killed 29 men. Grounded in friendship, grief and moral courage, it is a moving portrait of ordinary people confronting extraordinary loss.

Get going, loosen up and explore new territory through six ‘rules’ of writing in this this workshop with Sue Fielding. Participants must be able to attend the first session.

EVERY SAT | 10AM-12.30PM CRISPE STREET YOGA STUDIO $200 MEMB | $250 NON-MEMB ntwriters.com.au

SAT 5 SEP | 9.10PM offtheleash.net.au | 15

VISUAL ARTS

THE ART OF CULTURE, CONTINUITY & RECLAMATION This September, the stunning Desert Mob program and prestigious Vincent Lingiari Art Award coincide. They’re bringing extraordinary presentations of desert art and culture to Araluen Arts Centre, Mparntwe/Alice Springs, and celebrating the milestone of 50 years of land rights.

WORDS ROSIE WILD IMAGE SARA MAIORINO

THE DESERT MOB program and the Vincent Lingiari Art Award (VLAA) are eagerly anticipated. Troopies bump down desert roads, locals keenly save the dates, and travellers flock together for exhibitions, talks, music, food, markets, awards, and celebrations.

At these events, desert art and its many visual languages communicate about land, family, culture, Country, advocacy, and legacy. They offer a visual cornucopia of sculpture, carvings, painting, fashion, animation, and ceramics.

Experiencing these events is an essential yearly ritual. Co-curator of Desert Mob, Hetti Perkins (Arrernte and Kalkadoon), explains that, for mob from the desert, they help celebrate identity and transmit intergenerational cultural inheritance. For everyone else, they’re a big, warm invitation.

“By painting the country and showing how beautiful it is, the work really expresses that enduring familial relationship. You know, land is not property. It's something the Ancestors created. Ancestors remain in the land. People portray Country in a way that is very intimate and familiar and loving. It's like a portrait of family. Art shows our country as a corporeal entity… There are works that celebrate the wins we have had, that reuniting with family, that reclaiming of Country.”

Art has this kind of power. It can symbolise reclamation. It can influence how history is remembered, who is visible, and what is celebrated.

Excitingly, a piece that exemplifies this is on loan from the National Portrait Gallery and on display during the exhibition period – the Mervyn Bishop photograph of Vincent Lingiari, Gough Whitlam, and the handful of sand. This loan has been organised

by Kelli Cole (Warumungu and Luritja), curator of the VLAA.

“For us, its very name is what it's about. It's by desert mob for desert mob. The art shows what’s always been here and continues today. These things are maintained.

They’re valued. They’re for future generations. That comes through very strongly,” says Perkins.

Contemporary artworks of cultural visibility and remembrance continue to emerge. The Desert Mob exhibition alone displays nearly 200 works from 32 Art Centres across the central desert region, spanning the Territory, WA and SA, from a range of artists that are emerging and midcareer to veterans with established international profiles. Not only are the works available to view and vote for in People’s Choice, they’re also available to purchase.

“I think that's why a lot of people make the trip from interstate and even around the world. Because it feels like an Aboriginal event that they're welcome to and invited to.”

Lindy Nungarrayi Brodie, ‘Old Station’, 2025, synthetic polymer paint on cotton,

Of all the years to make sure you To truly get amongst the acquisition 92x122cm. Courtesy of Barkly Regional Arts and Desart. Photo Fiona Morrison take up this invitation, this is a opportunities, the Art Market on significant one. It marks 50 years of Indigenous land rights and celebrates Saturday is an absolute must. People queue for the opening and flood in the recent High Court decision over the Singleton Water licence, in favour for the buzz of art stalls, food trucks and workshops. It’s colourful, vibrant, of Traditional Owners. and celebratory.

Official opening celebrations on Thursday see the exhibition doors open, as opportunities for acquisitions beginning, Eleanor Jawurlngali Dixon performs live, special guests speak, and the winners of the VLAA and CLC Delegate’s Choice Awards are announced.

Desert Mob 2026 Official Opening & Vincent Lingiari Art Award THU 10 SEP, 5PM | VLAA 'TIL SUN 18 OCT Artist Talks WHEN FRI 11 SEP | 10AM-3.30PM Art Market WHEN SAT 12 SEP | 10AM-2PM Exhibition WHEN THU 10 SEP – SUN 25 OCT COST FREE AT INFO

ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE desertmob.com

16 | offtheleash.net.au

Friday begins with a panel hosted by Central Land Council (CLC), including eminent guests – Professor Marcia Langton, who has also written the essay for the catalogue, CLC’s Warren Williams and Dr. Josie Douglas, granddaughter of Vincent Lingiari, Rosie Smiler, and artists, Lindy Brodie and Ned Kelly, both active in the Singleton Water License Campaign.

The talks continue with artists, advocates and their descendants coming together from many different families and communities to share their stories. Through it all, there’s acknowledgement that art plays a part in the continuing work of reclamation, in the struggles, successful claims, and ongoing communication of Aboriginal connection with Country.

“Art has been part of Land Rights in numerous ways. Whether it's people painting up [their bodies] and dancing at hearings with land rights commissioners, or paintings that have been made on conventional canvas, documenting those connections like a title deed, art demonstrates that ongoing connection,” says Perkins.

“There are always so many really fantastic works. It's very ethical, with us providing the stalls and infrastructure so all the proceeds go directly to artists. The Market evens the playing field between art-lovers and collectors, but you need to be quick. If you see something that speaks to you, you need to grab it,” says Perkins.

Desert Mob, VLAA and satellite events are wonderful in their entirety. Their visual languages speak with contemporary adaptation and deep, ancient continuity. They reclaim ways of seeing and knowing. They celebrate the advocacy that carries culture and country on to future generations. They’re grounding, inspiring, and hopeful. And everyone is welcome to come along.

As Perkins says, it is worth coming to bear witness to this positivity and strength.

“The artists and speakers are all just so brilliant and quietly changing the world. It's really good to acknowledge all of that, to take the time to come together and acknowledge these people have made significant contributions as academics, as artists, as singers, as dancers, as advocates.

It's really wonderful.”

*Check individual gallery websites for opening hours

DARWIN VISUAL ARTS

8 McMinn St, Darwin darwinvisualarts.com.au

Hyderabad Shimmer, Nisita, 2026, Abstract Acrylic on Canvas, 23.6 x 29.5 inches

REFLECTIONS OF A WANDERING SOUL

ART FOR CHANGE’S SAKE

iZZY iBiS, ‘OUR WORD iS OUR RECORD’, 2026, digital screen print process image

There are few birds that divide public opinion quite like the Australian White Ibis. Once a wetland regular, now an urban scavenger with a taste for chips and a knack for gatecrashing city life, the ibis has become something of an Australian cultural icon whether we like it or not.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS

FOR ARTIST BRENDAN Penzer, the ibis is much more than a bin chicken. It is a muse, a social commentator, a political symbol and, occasionally, a convenient excuse for a good pun.

derogatory terms brandished regarding my subject matter, to the contrary. I question the ecological, environmental and cultural paucity of the colonisers that has led to this phenomenon."

This exhibition traces Nisita’s journey through paint, clay and colour as tools for healing and grounding. From childhood road trips through India, New Zealand, and Australia, to her ceramics residency at Tactile Arts, the work values process over outcome, finding solace one reflection at a time.

GARAGE SALE "A collection of paintings of everything and anything, that evolved from a self-set task of painting every day until I found my 'thing'."

- Karen Hill

His latest exhibition, INFLUiZZY, developed during a residency at Tactile Arts, brings together 15 years of ibis-inspired thinking and making across printmaking, ceramics, sculpture, installation, performance and digital media. At its centre is iZZy iBiS, the alter ego that emerged from Penzer’s artistic practice and his long fascination with these strange, resilient birds.

The story began in 2011, when two very different events collided in Penzer’s community. One involved a campaign to have Australian White Ibis culled along Sydney’s Cooks River. The other was an anti-Islamic racist public artwork attracting widespread media attention.

relationships between ecology, culture and psychology. For Penzer, art isn’t simply about making something aesthetically pleasing.

It’s a platform for questioning how we live, what we value and how we relate to the world and each other.

“I come to art as a platform for exploring these and other issues.

Art for change’s sake, not art’s sake,” he says.

In exhibition iNFLUiZZY, the ibis becomes a feathered vehicle for exploring speciesism and anthropocentrism, while also drawing parallels with race relations, reconciliation and cultural change. The bird’s ability to survive and adapt in environments dramatically altered by humans becomes a particularly useful metaphor for resilience and difference.

And then there’s humour.

Penzer responded through action and performance art, and somewhere along the way, an artist colleague bestowed upon him the name iZZY iBiS. The pun stuck. So did the bird.

“I value humour highly. I think it provides entry points and connections into the themes and work with a degree of fun and subtlety. It provides a safe place to start a dialogue,” he says.

“I’ve been fascinated by ibises since I first laid eyes on the strange looking creatures as a child,” he says.

“Irony and paradox play a huge part in this body of work and that is consistent in my work at large. It’s serious, but I have fun with it.

That fascination has since developed into an expansive artistic inquiry into the

“My art and the use of humour is not about ridicule or derision – it’s deeply serious. I don’t use the

Auburn Glow (detail), Karen Hill, 2026, Acrylic on canvas, 51x40.5cm

ECHOES OF THE EARTH AND SOUL

His time in the Top End has added another layer to the work. Visitors encounter references to significant moments in Australia’s political and cultural history, from the Indigenous land rights movement to the recent referendum.

And while the White Ibis might get most of the attention, Penzer wants us to look a little closer. The Northern Territory is home to three ibis species – the familiar White Ibis, the mostly black Straw-necked Ibis, and the brown Glossy Ibis.

Penzer invites exhibition visitors to reconsider the birds we think we know and to question the assumptions we carry. And if you happen to have a little fun along the way? Well, Izzy would approve.

Lady in Frangipanis, Renata Robinson, 2025, acrylic on canvas, 40 x 50 cm, photographed by Chloe Petersen of Perfectly Candid Photography

Water Soul, Dorothea Janczewska, 2025, Watercolour and mixed media, 28x38cm

Echoes of Earth and Soul brings together Polish-born, Darwin-based artists Dorothea Janczewska and Renata Robinson in a reflection on migration, belonging and home. Robinson explores portraiture, human presence and identity, while Janczewska works through abstraction, land and feeling.

Together, their works trace how culture reshapes memory, connection and perception today.

“I hope that my dedication to reconciliation, ecological, cultural and environmental wellbeing comes through, utilising humour as a crutch to elicit thought and reflection.” iNFLUiZZY WHEN FRI 11 - SAT 26 SEP OPENING FRI 11 SEP | 6PM AT TACTILE ARTS GALLERY INFO tactilearts.org.au

FRI 4 – SAT 26 SEP | OPENING FRI 4 SEP, 6PM offtheleash.net.au | 17

*Check individual gallery websites for opening hours

ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS

Shop 4, 19 The Mall, Charles Darwin Centre aboriginalbushtraders.com

WATCH THIS SPACE

8 Gap Road, Mparntwe (Alice Springs) wts.org.au

UMAAKA WAARI's first solo exhibition, Umaaka (Kalkutungu for ‘black paint’) works as both material and metaphor. It refers to the black residue left by mining, the scars embedded within Country and the human body, and the permanent imprint of colonial extraction.

UNTIL SAT 5 SEP WAARI, Umaaka, 2026, acrylic paint on canvas, image by Jet Nikitina-Li

BUSH LIFE Bush Life, by Harry Hayes and family artists, brings the past and present of Central Australia desert life to Watch this Space gallery, with all its colour, movement, and glorious characters.

SAT 12 – SAT 26 SEP | OPENING LUNCH BBQ SAT 12 SEP, 11AM-1PM Digital image, taken on Kodak disposable camera, Ngurawanajirri Art Centre. Arthur Puruntatameri outside the Art Centre carving shed with works in progress. Photo Marie Yvonne Tipumantumirri.

COMMUNITY LENS 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.

Harry Hayes, Cowboys & Honeyants, sculpture, image by Milyika Scales

TACTILE ARTS

19 Conacher St, The Gardens tactilearts.org.au

MAGUJ/NANJA

UNTIL THU 31 DEC

(PANDANUS/GHOST NETS)

KAPI (WATER).

A fibre art exhibition by Numbulwar Numburindi Arts weaving pandanus baskets and ghost nets into stories of tradition and change.

UNTIL SAT 5 SEP

Virginia Wilfed and her giant Bulpu (dilly bag). ​Photo courtesy Numbulwar Numburindi Arts

GYRACC

Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre Lot 3238 Stuart Hwy, Katherine | gyracc.org.au

STEALING MY DAD

DORA GRIFFITHS

Sandy Willie​, 'Kali Kali (Sandy Willi)​', acrylic on canvas​, 40.6x55.9cm

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.

UNTIL SAT 3 OCT

18 | offtheleash.net.au

This exhibition tells the real story of Dora’s Dad, Alan Griffiths, when he was a young boy in the 1930s living at Victoria River Downs Station. One day, a head stockman tied Alan to a tree in Jasper Gorge, planning to take him away from his family.

UNTIL SAT 10 OCT Dora Griffiths, 'Stealing My Dad' (detail)

*Check individual gallery websites for opening hours

MAGNT

19 Conacher Street, The Gardens magnt.net.au

TELSTRA NATSIAA EXHIBITION Telstra NATSIAA is the longest running and most prestigious event for Indigenous artists in the country. The 2026 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) exhibition celebrates and reflects the breadth and specificity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories, histories, cultures and connections to Country.

UNTIL MON 24 JAN, 2027

2026 TELSTRA NATSIAA CATEGORY WINNERS Telstra Art Award

Ryan Presley, ‘Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed’, 2026 “Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed appears as a dreamscape that mediates the Orwellian slogan: ‘Who controls the past controls the future; who controls the present controls the past.”- Ryan Presley “Ryan’s painting is a standout in terms of successfully drawing together diverse cultural, cross cultural and art history references to successfully hold a viewer in affective contemplation about the past, present, future of the figure centrally depicted and by extension the cultural life, memories and responsibilities, they and their compatriots are maintaining, at all costs.” – 2026 Judges

Telstra General Painting Award Vanessa Inkamala, ‘Arrkurla Nukala / Lyaarta Ntema’, 2026 Telstra Bark Painting Award Barayuwa’s Munuŋgurr, ‘The hidden reef at Yarrinya’, 2025 Telstra Work on Paper Award Jenna Mayilema Lee, ‘Taking back taken’, 2026

Wandjuk Marika Memorial 3D Award (sponsored by Telstra) Napuwarri Marawili, ‘Djambatj – Deadly hunter’, 2025 Telstra Emerging Artist Award Guruwuy Murrinyina, ‘Prismatic arc’, 2026 Telstra Multimedia Award Telstra Colin Heenan-Puruntatameri, ‘Ngirramini Ngini Amparruwu (The story of the widow)’, 2026

Ryan Presley​, 'Our lifestyle of tranquillity undisturbed​', 2026​, oil paint on polyester​, 187x152cm​. Photo Charlie Bliss

MIDPUL GALLERY

54 Cavenagh St, Darwin City NT 0800 cdu.edu.au

SALON DES REFUSÉS 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.

Daniel Reiff, ‘Cowboy Story’, 2026, digital print, 84x59cm

UNTIL SAT 19 SEP

offtheleash.net.au | 19

EXPLORE UNTITLED GALLERY + STUDIO

Unit 3/1 Clocktower Caryota Crt, Coconut Grove darwincommunityarts.org

FIELD NOTES OF THE NT

SHANNON BELLAMY

Field Notes of the NT celebrates the natural environments and biodiversity of the Northern Territory. Drawn from quiet moments exploring bushland, wetlands, coastal rock pools and suburban streets, these works reflect the seasonality of life in the Top End and the wonder found in everyday encounters with nature.

FRI 4 – THU 24 SEP OPENING FRI 4 SEP | 5.30PM Back burn pandanus, Shannon Bellamy, 2026, charcoal on Saunders Waterford paper, 560 x 760mm Desert Mob Art Exhibition at Araluen. Photo Tourism and Events NT

NCCA

DISCOVER CENTRAL AUSTRALIA

Northern Centre for Contemporary Art Vimy Lane, Parap | nccart.com

INCARCERNATION

HOT MONTHLY TIPS FROM OUR GOOD FRIENDS AT TOURISM CENTRAL AUSTRALIA September is one of the best times to experience the Red Centre. Crisp mornings, warm sunny days and a calendar packed with iconic events create an energy that can only be found in the heart of Australia.

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.

Sara Maiorino, 'Untitled I​', 2024​, silver gelatin print​, dimensions variable

20 | offtheleash.net.au

UNTIL SAT 26 SEP

The month roars into life with Red CentreNATS, as Alice Springs welcomes thousands of automotive enthusiasts for four days of burnouts, street cruises, show cars and family friendly entertainment. Held over Father's Day weekend, it's the perfect excuse for a memorable outback escape.

From mid-September, the focus shifts from horsepower to creativity as Desert Mob opens at the Araluen Arts Centre. Presented

by Desart, this six-week celebration brings together contemporary Aboriginal artists from across

Central Australia, offering visitors the opportunity to meet artists, explore works from Aboriginal Art Centres throughout the region, and gain a deeper understanding of the world's oldest living culture.

This year also marks the inaugural Vincent Lingiari Art Award, a significant new national award celebrating the enduring legacy of Gurindji leader Vincent Lingiari, and the Indigenous land rights movement. It's another compelling reason to experience the Red Centre's thriving arts and cultural scene.

The much-loved Alice Springs Rodeo returns to Blatherskite Park after a year's break. From bull riding and bronc riding to barrel racing and live music, it's an authentic outback celebration where Akubras, cowboy boots, and country hospitality come together under the wide open sky.

Whether you're drawn by roaring engines, world class Aboriginal art or iconic outback traditions, September in the Red Centre buzzes with life. Come for the events, and stay to discover the ancient landscapes, unforgettable experiences, and heartfelt connections that make this place unlike anywhere else.

INFO discovercentralaustralia.com

MUSIC

HARMONY, HEART AND HOME Fresh from an extraordinary year that has seen them inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame and mark their first-ever number one album, Where Do You Come From?, legendary sisters Vika & Linda bring their biggest Australian tour yet to Darwin.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE BRIAN PURNELL

"I think Vik and I, we're just dealing with it in the best way we can, which is saying with gratitude, I think, and just kind of moving, trying to always produce some new music. We like to look forward. But that was a really great honour, for sure.”

Their latest album is their most personal work yet, tackling themes of identity, belonging and family. After spending years interpreting other songwriters' work, writing their memoir, No Bull, inspired them to tell their own stories through music.

That honesty has sparked conversations well beyond the stage. Linda says audiences have been opening up after hearing the title track.

"What it's done is open up conversations with our audience about how they felt alienated in their own way. It doesn't matter about the colour of their skin.

They keep telling us these stories about how they felt alienated.”

She has also noticed something changing in the crowd.

"Our audience has also changed. I think that's been really interesting. It's a different type of person coming to our show and way more multicultural than it was before, I'd have to say. And I like that. I think that's a positive sign."

FOR AUDIENCES AT their upcoming Territory show, it's more than just another concert. It's a celebration of nearly four decades of music, storytelling, and the unmistakable harmonies that have made Vika & Linda two of Australia's most beloved voices.

The tour showcases songs from Where Do You Come From? alongside fan favourites spanning their career, from their Black Sorrows days through to the deeply personal songs that have resonated with audiences across the country.

Reflecting on the whirlwind of the past year, Vika admits the success still feels surreal.

"I mean, the number one, we were really wrapped because the album is so personal,” she says.

Vika & Linda: Where Do You Come From?

WHEN SAT 19 SEP | 7.30PM AT AANT CENTRE COST $89 INFO yourcentre.com.au

“And so, to have the response that it's had, it was like, because when you feel like you're very exposed, when you write very personally and it's like, ‘oh, are people going to hate this?’, and you really worry about it. But to debut at number one was just the best. It was the best feeling.”

Linda says, while being inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame was another unforgettable milestone, the sisters are already looking ahead.

That message feels especially fitting for Darwin, one of Australia's most culturally diverse cities. Linda says she's excited to see how the songs connect with Territory audiences.

"It'll be interesting to see how it goes over in Darwin. I'm keen to hear what people think. We've loved coming to Darwin since we were in our early teens. It always had a different vibe, and I really like that,” she says.

“I think it'll be interesting to see what the people think of our new music, especially because it is a sort of cultural. It's all about identity. So, looking forward to that."

For the sisters, those stories and the connection they create, are what keep them returning to the stage.

"I think the connection is really important. I think when they go away and they think, ‘oh, I know them a little bit better, I understand that song a little bit more, and I like it more because I get it’,” Linda says.

And for Darwin, the feeling is mutual.

"We just haven't forgotten Darwin. We want to come up to Darwin. We just love the different energy that Darwin has. I think that's what we like about the Territory." offtheleash.net.au | 21

SOS FROM THE DEAD CENTRE

Our desert friends from The Black Wreath need your help. They’ve launched a campaign to save the venue, one that has seen musos from a wide range of genres perform over the years, making it an institution for live music in Mparntwe/ Alice Springs.

With the closure of Epilogue Lounge earlier this year, the need to support live music in the desert has never been more crucial, for artists and punters alike.

We wanted to help them out by sharing excerpts from their campaign with you, which would also see the continuation of Blacken Open Air Festival. Please read on and consider pledging to support them so they can continue to operate in the years to come.

IMAGE SHAUN WILLIAMS [WE'VE LAUNCHED] OUR campaign to Save The Black Wreath. We’ve spent the last six months working on this. We have just one shot at it. It’s extremely ambitious, but the level of positive feedback we’re getting so early on is really encouraging. So far over $400,000 has been pledged … We’re well on our way! Thank you so much to the early adopters. If we can pull this off, The Black Wreath will live forever. … If it fails, no money is taken, so

there’s nothing to lose. But that’s not going to happen, because there are way too many good people getting behind it!

We have the greatest community in the world, and our entire existence is thanks to you guys and the support you’ve shown for Blacken Open Air. We want to continue doing this forever, and we have announced plans for exactly that.

The Blacken Open Air trilogy is a two-year journey, taking heavy music to new places. Our Blacken

ethos is much more than just music. We thrive at the intersection of metal, nature and community.

So, if you believe in what we do, and want to experience this new era with us, please, please, please get behind the Pozible campaign.

We’re not asking for donations, we’re just looking for a pre-commitment. A commitment to metal, to community, and to music thriving in the most remote places on Earth.

The loss of The Black Wreath

TURN UP THE BEAT

venue would be devastating to our community and would seriously damage the local music industry.

The stakes are high, so we’re giving this everything. We’re running the campaign until September 12. On that day, some big things are going down around the country.

In return for your pledge, we will continue to deliver the greatest festivals on the planet and take heavy music where it's never been before! Please share it far and wide, with whoever will listen and help

where you can. If you love what we do, we really need you right now.

Let’s make sure Blacken and The Black Wreath can continue forever, and together we’ll make heavy metal history.

WHEN SAT 12 SEP | CAMPAIGN ENDS INFO pozible.com/project/ save-the-black-wreath

There’s nothing quite like the sound of hundreds of young voices filling a theatre.

WORDS BROOKE GIBBS IMAGE JULIANNE OSBORNE hundreds of other students from across the Territory to create a powerful combined sound,” he says.

“What students often talk about most is the excitement of performing on a professional stage in front of a large audience. For some students, this is their first time performing in such a setting, while many returning students are energised by knowing what to expect and looking forward to the experience once again.”

FOR MORE THAN four decades, The BEAT Festival has been putting the Northern Territory’s brightest young performers centre stage, and this year’s spectacular three-night showcase is set to be bigger, louder and more energetic than ever.

Since 1979, The BEAT Festival has brought together talented students and teachers from public schools across the Territory for an annual celebration of music, dance, and live performance. Presented by 22 | offtheleash.net.au

the Northern Territory Music School and the NT Department of Education, it’s become one of the Territory’s most anticipated cultural events by young people.

Held each September at AANT Centre, The BEAT is a spectacular combined-schools production featuring a 250-voice choir, 30-piece orchestra, contemporary rock bands, solo artists, dance ensembles, and an eclectic mix of musical groups. Vocalists aged 12-18

also take the spotlight, showcasing the incredible range of emerging talent coming through Territory schools.

Manager Simon Pedder says that, for many students, being a part of BEAT’s massed choir is an opportunity to be part of something much bigger than themselves.

“They spend months learning repertoire, rehearsing with their school choir, and then joining

Pedder describes a genuine sense of pride when students hear the full choir come together for the first time and realise they are contributing to something extraordinary.

“For many, it becomes a highlight of their school year and a memory that stays with them well beyond their time at school.

NT Music School staff are regularly approached by people of all ages who share fond memories of participating in The BEAT and speak about the lasting impact it had on them as young people.”

One of the most special aspects of

The BEAT Festival is that it brings together students from a diverse range of schools, communities and backgrounds through a shared love of music.

“Students who may never otherwise have the opportunity to meet are united by a common purpose and work together towards a collective performance,” Pedder says.

“Students learn that every voice matters and that the success of the performance relies on listening, teamwork, and mutual support.

They also see first-hand the results of the hard work, commitment and effort they have invested in the months leading up to the event.”

After more than 40 years, The BEAT Festival continues to prove that the Territory’s young performers have plenty to say, and they’re making one heck of a [beautiful] noise.

The 2026 BEAT Festival WHEN WED 2 – FRI 4 SEP | 7PM AT AANT CENTRE COST $24-$36 INFO yourcentre.com.au

FRACK ME DEAD C.O.F.F.I.N. An anti-fracking rock ‘n’ roll show.

From Gadigal to Garramilla, for the first time ever, Australian hard working punks C.O.F.F.I.N. come to Darwin. Elite local support from FUXACHE, Swing Jaw and Chapel Act, plus an exclusive screening of the new C.O.F.F.I.N. documentary, 10,000 miles from Oslo.

Limited edition merch available on the night.

SAT 12 SEP | 6PM-2AM BUSTARD TOWN $32-$40 bustardtown.com

TOP END

TRACKS DANCE STUDIO $55 tracksdance.com.au

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!

Hotel Red – Annie Gastin Darwin’s own Hotel Red brings a rich mix of rhythm & blues, jazz, swing and soul to the harbour. Annie Gastin and her seven-piece band of local legends promise a captivating night of sophisticated live melodies and magic.

SUN 6 SEP | 3-7PM TRACY VILLAGE FREE facebook.com/firstsundayblues Darwin Celtic Music Sessions Drop in with your mates and your instruments for good tunes and some good craic at Darwin's monthly Celtic music session.

These sessions feature local and visiting musicians playing an array of traditional and contemporary music from Ireland, Scotland, and the Celtic diaspora. Newcomers welcome.

SUN 6 SEP | 4.30-7.30PM FREE THE LAST SUPPER topendfolkclub.org Tracks Masterclass Series – How Do We Listen to Music?

Through guided listening led by James Mangohig (Kuya James), open discussion and hands-on creative exercises, participants unpack the ways we consume and connect with music, from the playlists that soundtrack our lives to the rhythms that move our bodies. James Mangohig is an ARIA award-winning producer and ARIA nominated artist. This is gonna be special.

SAT 12 SEP | 11AM-1PM

SAT 12 SEP | 6.30-9.30PM DINAH BEACH CRUISING YACHT ASSOCIATION FREE dbcya.com.au

Forever Farnham Enjoy this powerful live concert experience that celebrate the songs of the legendary John Farnham. Led by acclaimed vocalist Mike Vee and his exceptional live band, the show features the hits including 'You’re the Voice', 'Pressure Down', 'Age of Reason' and 'Two Strong Hearts'. It's a true celebration of The Voice.

FRI 18 SEP | 7.30PM AANT CENTRE $42-$49 yourcentre.com.au

SAT 12 SEP | 7-10PM AANT CENTRE $75-$85 yourcentre.com.au Shred Fest Prepare your necks and brace your ears. Shred Fest 2026 hits Darwin!

Headlined by extreme metal titans Obscura (GER) and Fallujah (USA), with support from LÏVEWÏRE (NSW), ASHEN (WA) and Roymackoney (NT), Shred Fest offers a showcase of technical precision, power, and devastating heaviness.

SUN 13 SEP | 3-10PM KALYMNIAN BROTHERHOOD HALL $107 antaralive.com

araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

EVERY SUN | 2-4.30PM NOVOTEL DARWIN AIRPORT FREE darwinairporthotels.com.au

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!

Vinyl Candy Trio EVERY TUE | 9PM-MIDNIGHT SWEETHEARTS FREE Nat, Max & Rick Trio EVERY FRI | 12-2.30AM SWEETHEARTS FREE

Sunset Sounds: Tiarnie Nat & Max Duo EVERY THU | 6-9PM THE HOTEL DARWIN FREE

Björn Again – ABBA Forever Tour

The world’s number one – and only ABBA-endorsed tribute show – brings the ABBA Forever Tour to town with a setlist stacked with hits, including 'SOS', 'Mamma Mia', 'Dancing Queen', and more.

A full-blown ABBA revival for the family.

poolside space. Bliss.

Tiarnie is a singer-songwriter whose honest, heartfelt songs blend folk, indie and country influences. Pack a picnic, gather your friends, and settle in for a beautiful evening of live music under the sunset at the GYRACC Amphitheatre.

FRI 25 SEP | 6-9PM GODINYMAYIN YIJARD RIVERS ARTS & CULTURE CENTRE $10 facebook.com/gyracc Hot n Cold Big Band 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 Sunday Live at Splash Get out your togs, bathers or swimmers for a chilled afternoon of music, food, and drinks, set against the beautiful backdrop of the new

EVERY SUN | 4-8PM CAVENAGH HOTEL FREE Crystal Robins EVERY SUN | 6-9PM FORESHORE RESTAURANT & CAFE FREE

RED CENTRE Warren H Williams | Under Wermar

This Australian Country Music Hall of Famer, and multi-award-winning singer-songwriter, shares his new album, Are You Listening? Warren H Williams attempts to create enduring Australian and cultural legacy by revealing his true heart, culture and beginnings through language. With special guests Kasey Chambers, Shane Nicholson, KYARNA, and the Williams family.

EVERY FRI | 12-2PM THE ROASTERY 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 kid's 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 FREE facebook.com/aspbco FOR A CHANCE TO SEE YOUR GIG LISTED IN PRINT, UPLOAD IT TO OUR WEBSITE SCAN FOR DEETS

THU 24 SEP | 7-10PM ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE $85-$105 offtheleash.net.au | 23

Celebrating the people, places and produce behind the Northern Territory's world-class seafood

OUR CULTURE, OUR COUNTRY: 50 YEARS OF LAND RIGHTS

chef demonstrations seafood specials producer dinners special events ALL throughout September

FREE NT SEAFOOD CELEBRATION Sat 19 Sept | 11:30am - 4pm Darwin Waterfront

2026

Scan & explore the NT Seafood Trail and events territorytaste.com.au /NTSEAFOOD @territorytaste

WORLD MOTOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIP FINALE 18-20 SEPTEMBER 2026 TOM CURTAIN SHOWS • KIDS ENTERTAINMENT • FOOD TRUCKS

General Admission from $45 • Kids 12 and under free

TICKETS ON SALE MXGPAUSTRALIA.COM.AU