DARWIN FESTIVAL
INDIGENOUS ART
LIMBO up for hot August nights
Celebrating the best of Indigenous art and culture
NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK Look to the skies
AUGUST
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INSIDE
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t’s upon us – The Lighthouse is taking shape and the call of Festival Park is becoming stronger. Darwin Festival is about to explode with 18 days of spectacular performances. Off The Leash is proud to be a partner of DFest, taking you behind the scenes with special artist interviews and loads of hot picks throughout this edition. Darwin Festival’s doing things a little differently this year, stringing up the lights at a new satellite site at the Esplanade – complete with its own bar and food – housing The Aurora Spiegeltent. Be sure to check out the electrifying cabaret show, LIMBO – see page 4.
F R OM T H E
Ed
There’s plenty of free family fun, as Festival Park morphs into a playground for curious young minds. A new narrative-driven audio tour, Darwin: A Tale of Four Cities, guides listeners through historic Darwin city locations. Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair’s From Country to Couture marries high-end fashion and contemporary fine art. Battle it out in the Ultimate Drone Challenge – see Around Town. The crew at One Mile Brewery are celebrating their fourth birthday this month – help them party at Bar-BQ. The team at Little Miss Korea tell us what’s in store for their new Darwin Festival pop up. Grab a pushy and learn about local produce – see Food & Drink. The story behind Aboriginal country music, Buried Country, kicks of this year’s Darwin Festival.
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Tracks Dance looks across generations – and sporting codes – in In Your Blood. Step back in time at Letters To Lindy. Pathetic Fallacy takes a look at our obsession with weather – see Performing Arts.
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AROUND TOWn | 5 FOOD & DRINK | 10 FESTIVALS | 11 Performing ARTS | 12 Youth | 14 Word on the Street | 19 BOOKS & FILM | 20 Visual Arts | 23 Music | 28 calendaR | PULL-OUT
What does it take to get that job? Check out some tips from industry experts. Live music events Sounds @ Sunset and Sanctuary Sessions continue. We had a chat with Festival artist Natano Fa’anana about breaking into the performing arts industry – see Youth.
Head to the Deckchair for three very different Australian films – Surviving the Kimberley, Terror Nullius and Goldstone. Science lovers can chill under the stars at Scinema. Kate Rendell reviews two books from the Territory Read shortlist – see Books & Film.
LES MOUTONS | 7
August is a massive month of visual arts with the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair, and Salon Indigenous Art Projects. The Northern Territory Library’s new semipermanent exhibition, A Territory Story, has recently opened. For a unique gallery experience, check out Kitschgrotesque in the WWII Oil Storage Tunnels – see Visual Arts.
FREEDOM DAY FESTIVAL | 11
From The Lighthouse and Bamboo Bandstand to Club Awi and the Railway Club, Darwin will be pumping with beats this month. Check out the inspiring list of finalists at the National Indigenous Music Awards. Roger Woodward, one of Australia’s greatest pianists, stops by Darwin – see Music.
ELECTRIC FIELDS | 29 OTL is proudly supported by Roslyn Perry Managing Editor and Development Manager Tamara Howie Journalist
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Liz Trevaskis Music Editor
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DARWIN FESTIVAL
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LIMBO; image by David Solm Cover proudly sponsored by Strut & Fret Production House for LIMBO | Thu 9 – Sun 26 Aug | The Aurora Spiegeltent, The Esplanade, Darwin
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Keep your eyes peeled for the Festival leaf in this edition for #dfest18 events August 2018
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FEATURE
Every year, Darwin Festival appears to magically transform Civic Park into Festival Park overnight – but months of work and hard slog go into the artistic take-over. This year, things will look a little different in Darwin with an exciting new satellite site.
Darwin
WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 9 – SUN 26 AUG THE AURORA SPIEGELTENT, THE ESPLANADE $68 | $60 CONC, GROUP 8+ | $57.80 FRIENDS | $55 PREVIEW | $78 PREMIUM darwinfestival.org.au
WHEN THU 9 – SUN 26 AUG INFO darwinfestival.org.au
FESTIVAL umour has it the iconic Darwin Festival Lighthouse was first imagined on a napkin in 2009 by then-artistic director Jo Duffy. Current production manager, Mat McHugh, was in his first year working with the Festival, and saw the beloved venue in its initial stages.
LIMBO
by Tamara Howie
Park in the heart of the city into the bustling Festival Park. This year, the production crew were thrown an extra challenge after Tropical Cyclone Marcus tore through and felled nine trees in the park. “It was not a good day,” McHugh says.
“Our artistic director at the time drew a sketch on a napkin and gave it to our then-production manager, Anna Reece, and said ‘can we build this?’,” he says.
“There will be some new elements for both design and practical reasons. We want to pay homage to the trees that we’ve lost in the park.”
“So she did.”
Not only will Festival Park look a bit different this year, the return of The Aurora Spiegeltent will see a new satellite site brighten up the Darwin Esplanade – complete with its own bar and food from Little Miss Korea.
It wasn’t an easy task – a huge amount of planning and engineering went into the initial construction.
The original owners completed the interior in a classic, dark style, using the finest materials for the dance floors and walls. But when the money stopped coming in, the interior was locked up and abandoned – until the Van Rosmalen family caught wind of it. The renowned spiegeltent makers restored and finished it, and named their newest addition The Aurora. It was finally debuted in 2015 with a show by Strut & Fret Production House who now travel all over the world performing in the iconic venue. Strut & Fret production manager Alison Neville says it takes a team two days to erect the spectacular structure, including two of the Dutch owners who fly around the world helping with construction.
“It was epic,” McHugh says.
LIMBO; image by Tony Virgo
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Clockwise from top left: LIMBO, The Aurora Speigeltent; image by Daniel James Grant. The Lighthouse and Festival Park; images by Elise Derwin for Darwin Festival.
“It was very hard to install that first year – it took us about six days just to dig the holes for the anchors. The production crew bonded strongly that year,” he laughs. The Lighthouse is now resurrected every year and is just one of the many elements that transform Civic
But the origins of The Aurora Spiegeltent are surrounded in mystery – for decades, it sat gathering dust in a storage container, seemingly forgotten. Construction of the 24-metre transportable venue began in the early 20th century during the ‘golden era’ of spiegeltents.
“It’s a pretty amazing sight – there’s no screws or bolts, each piece slots in or rests on the other pieces,” she says. “They go up and down so often so they’ve got a longer life in them if you’re not drilling holes – they’re pretty amazing engineering.”
The Aurora will be home to the show LIMBO, which was created specifically for the spiegeltent. Director Scott Maidment says the team is thrilled to finally bring LIMBO to the Top End after a sell-out season of BLANC de BLANC last year. “It’s great because some of the performers have never been to Australia and none have ever been to the NT,” he says. The sexy show features an electrifying mix of sword swallowing, acrobatics, fire breathing and cabaret. “The concept behind LIMBO is being in the place between heaven and hell and imagine there was a party there – what would that be like?” Maidment says. “It’s very sexy, there are amazing skills and there’s a tonne of fire sequences – it’s really an on the edge of your seat experience.” So this August, when you find yourself sitting in The Lighthouse or The Aurora Spiegeltent, take a moment to soak up the history of both of these iconic Festival sites.
AROUND TOWN
DARWIN A TALE
e
FOUR CITIES
PUT YOUR HEADPHONES ON AND BE TRANSPORTED BACK IN TIME WITH A NEW SELF-GUIDED AUDIO TOUR TAKING YOU THROUGH DARWIN’S HISTORY. Darwin: A Tale of Four Cities is a narrative-driven audio tour that guides listeners though historic locations around Darwin’s CBD. Creator Caddie Brain says she wanted to make the stories of Darwin’s history more accessible for locals and tourists. “When I moved to Darwin many years ago I found it was a very difficult city to understand,” she says.
“You wander around and there are all these new high-rises and to find its history of destruction you really have to know where to look,” Brain says. “You can find out about some of these chapters quite easily but I just thought there wasn’t something that tried to capture the history in a nutshell.” The audio walking tour is a downloadable app that directs the user through the CBD streets, unearthing stories from the city’s history, including pre-colonial Larrakia tales and stories from the bombing and Cyclone Tracy.
Narrator Charlie King weaves in personal stories from his own life throughout the journey. “Charlie is basically Territory history,” Brain says.
Charlie King
“His stories are so much about the Darwin experience, and not just the good, he has the hard stories too and I didn’t want the tour to shy away from some of the darker history we have here.”
Caddie Brain
WHEN BEST EXPERIENCED MON – SAT | 7AM-6PM AT COMMENCE AT TOURIST INFORMATION CENTRE, DARWIN COST $2.99 INFO darwinaudiotour.com
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CONGRESS
Pivot
EIGHT EVERYDAY DARWINITES WILL STEP UP TO THE PODIUM IN PARLIAMENT HOUSE and tell the world about the issues closest to their hearts. Congress, one of the Darwin Festival shows celebrating 40 years of NT self-governance, sees the speakers paired with local wordsmiths to develop their personal ‘first speech’ to parliament. The concept for Congress was developed as part of the 2017 Melbourne Fringe. Creator Bec Reid, from All The Queens Men, says they were given a brief with the words ‘democracy’ and ‘participation’ and found themselves stuck on the idea of first speeches. Reid sat down with Off The Leash to tell us more. What’s so special about first speeches? It’s the one time you can outline your vision for the collective future and it’s also the one time the public can look straight into a politician’s heart and see them just go for it, because they don’t have to toe the party line. And the most important rule of the first speech is that a speaker cannot be interrupted. Whose voices did you seek out in Darwin? We wanted a living, breathing portrait of Darwin. We wanted to hear from people who we know represent contemporary Australia, but whose voices we don’t get to hear from, because traditionally it’s white, middle-class men speaking for all of us. We’ve got people like well-known Darwin identity Charlie King through to Sophie Kuswadi, who is a freshly elected environmental school captain in grade six. What are these Territorians speaking about? Some of the younger speakers are talking about what the future looks like, others are talking about recently arriving in Darwin and there are some great queries about self-identity. They’re all deeply personal. Do you think people will be more politically engaged after seeing this show? I think there’s potential to pique people’s sense of civic engagement and sense of where activism lies in their life. How you live your politics is what Congress reveals – and all of those things I would argue can be just as effective as being a politician. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 25 AUG | 6PM PARLIAMENT HOUSE $25 | $21.50 FRIENDS darwinfestival.org.au
emBARK!
Family fun at DFest THE DARWIN FESTIVAL ISN’T JUST FOR THE TOP END’S BIG KIDS – there’s plenty on for the little and not-so-little family members, too. Every year teddies and teacups take over the Esplanade for the beloved City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic. This year is no different and Danielle Andrews and Amy Hetherington from Team Fun will be among Big Ted’s guests, hosting a special jungle party disco in The Aurora Spiegeltent. The free picnic, packed with performances and delicious food, is just one of many family events on this year’s Darwin Festival line-up. Festival Park will be a playground for curious young minds with a huge range of interactive activities. Mini humans will have their own mini festival, emBARK!, with three nights of artistic adventures. Chill out in the City of Darwin Libraries’ pop-up story corner, see the
world in a new light thanks to virtual reality, get moving at a dance party, explore robotics or build with Lego.
City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic
There will also be some new play equipment in Festival Park – with a twist.
Team Fun
Three semi-intelligent seesaws will invite festivalgoers to jump on and have a chat and talk about what’s important to them. Over at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) a light will be shone on the great beasts that inhabited Central Australia more than six million years ago – quite literally. The renowned Melbourne-based theatre company Barking Spider Visual Theatre has teamed up with MAGNT to create a unique and captivating shadow puppetry installation, bringing stories of ancient megafauna to life in an event sure to enchant the whole family.
WHEN SUN 12 AUG | 9AM-12PM AT DARWIN CENOTAPH COST FREE
WHEN SUN 12 AUG | 9AM-12PM AT THE AURORA SPIEGELTENT COST $5 DOOR
emBARK! WHEN TUE 21 – THU 23 AUG | 5.30-7PM AT FESTIVAL PARK COST FREE
Pivot WHEN AT COST
FRI 10 – SUN 26 AUG | FROM 4PM (CLOSED MONDAYS) FESTIVAL PARK FREE
Megafauna: In The Shadow Of Great Beasts WHEN FRI 17, SAT 18 & SUN 26 AUG | 10AM-5PM AT MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NT COST FREE
INFO
darwinfestival.org.au
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DAAF presents
From Country
f Couture
DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR’S (DAAF) FASHION SHOW, FROM COUNTRY TO COUTURE, HAS FAST BECOME ONE OF THE FAIR’S HIGHLIGHTS SINCE ITS DEBUT IN 2016.
The show marries high-end fashion and contemporary fine art with textiles and garments on the catwalk, from art centres and private designers from across the country. The 2018 event will see Brisbane based designer and photographer Shannon Brett launch her debut solo fashion line, after impressing on the runway with collaborations in previous years. “In the past few years I have been designing for art centres as a facilitator and teacher, but this year
I will go it on my own and present my first solo fashion line, Lore,” she says. “Lore has been born out of my understanding as an Aboriginal person who respects the lores that we as first peoples recognise as our values and traditions. That the stories on these fabrics are lore to us and to all communities who choose to express themselves visually. “I am at an exciting point in my career and hope that I can continue to support Indigenous textiles for many years.” Brett has been involved with DAAF for a number of years and says the fair is a supportive springboard for artists.
“The Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair has supported me by understanding that I want this to be a win-win situation for myself as a proud Aboriginal woman, a designer and for the art centres whose fabrics I create these pieces with,” she says. “I love visiting DAAF each year as it offers an open arms approach to all communities and I feel that DAAF has created the perfect vehicle for remote art centres to endorse how they carry on their cultural traditions and to create new pathways for young people interested in art.”
WHEN WED 8 AUG | 4PM & 8PM AT SKYCITY DARWIN COST $55 | $46.75 FRIENDS INFO darwinaboriginalartfair. com.au
Les Moutons NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK THE SKY WILL BE FULL OF BUZZING DRONES THIS NATIONAL SCIENCE WEEK as competitors battle it out for the title of Ultimate Drone Champion.
But Acres says the drone challenge needs no prior experience, and everyone will have a bit of time to get used to their individual drone before tackling the course.
The Northern Territory Young Engineers have created obstacle courses and challenges that will test the skills of 50 competitors in knockout rounds.
“All you need to know is how to use a little remote control,” she says.
Event organiser Jaimi-Leigh Acres says the friendly competition is to highlight how drone technology is being used in different industries. “We wanted to put on an event that benefited the community and raised awareness of how versatile drone technology is,” she says. “Drones are being used in so many different ways – mines are using them and so are builders and engineers – it’s just great technology that’s being taken advantage of in so many ways.” As the popularity of drone technology has increased, the flying devices have become more accessible to the general public.
“They’re surprisingly difficult – you’d think they’d be easy being all of three inches, but they’re hard to manoeuvre around so we’re offering people a bit of time to wrap their heads around them. We want everyone to start on the same playing field.” Late teens and adults are invited to participate, and all competitors will get to take their drone home at the end of the event. National Science Week WHEN SAT 11 – SUN 19 AUG INFO scienceweek.net.au
Ultimate Drone Challenge WHEN TUE 14 – FRI 17 AUG AT ENGINEERS AUSTRALIA, DARWIN COST $35 | REGISTRATION CLOSES FRI 10 AUG INFO engineersaustralia.org.au
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THREE HEALTHY EWES AND A RAM FROM THE CORPUS PRODUCTION LES MOUTONS ARE PREPARING TO MAKE THEMSELVES AT HOME AT FESTIVAL PARK. The show has been an international success and Darwin Festival-goers can get up close and personal with the woolly creatures. Artistic director David Danzon spoke to Off The Leash about what’s made the show such a huge international success since its inception in 2003. Where did the idea come from and, of all the animals on the planet, why sheep? We started with very little – the starting point was a shepherd’s hat. I pulled it out during a studio session and it was used as a prop for improvisation. We were first interested in exploring the symbiotic relationship between a shepherd
and a sheep. Then came the idea of forming a flock of sheep with more performers. Finally we created an installation with a sheep pen and audience all around. What kind of show did you want to create? Our interest – and challenge – was to create a show in which practically nothing happens. Studying sheep behaviour became our main focus. We worked in great detail to recreate not just sheep behaviour, but the experience of watching sheep itself. Sheep don’t move much. What a fantastic animal to inhabit for dancers! How can people interact with the sheep? We let the audience decide. We let them behave the same way they would behave at a farm, or petting zoo. They can pet or feed them, or just watch.
WHEN FRI 24 – SUN 26 AUG | VARIOUS TIMES AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS COST FREE INFO darwinfestival.org.au
What’s the trick to pulling off a convincing sheep? The breath, the stare, the chewing, the being, sitting, standing, walking, scratching, eating. It takes tremendous concentration and focus for the performers to stay in “character”. Hardest of all is to stay perfectly relaxed and serious, or emotion-free. What is it about the show that’s made it so successful and resonate with so many people around the world? It’s light and funny, weird and disturbing, random and profound all at the same time, in equal measure. It’s a wordless performance. It’s a mysterious piece that invites people to make up their own conclusions. Spectators become actors without realising it. Children and adults both get a kick out of it.
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NORTHERN TERRITORY WRITERS’ CENTRE
8941 2651 ntwriters.com.au executive@ntwriters.com.au Workshops | Monthly Events | Opportunities
2018 SEASON dso.org.au | 8946 6214
How will you science this National Science Week?
NEW HORIZONS A celebration of Mozart, Dvořák and Márquez with new Artistic Director/Chief Conductor Jonathan Tooby 25 August, 7.30pm Darwin Convention Centre
BALLET: LIGHT, GRACE & BEAUTY 20 October, 7.30pm Darwin Convention Centre
ALL I WANT FOR CHRISTMAS
11–19 AUGUST 2018
Find events near you at scienceweek.net.au 8 Off the Leash ad.indd 1
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Tickets $30-60. Subscribe to DSO Master Series to receive 10% off! See dso.org.au/buy-tickets for details
58495 Uniprint
8 December, 2.00pm Darwin Convention Centre
Reboot Your Loot
LISTINGS
Palmerston is leading the way with sustainable shopping at their Reboot Your Loot markets. Spend a morning perusing through more than 50 stalls from locals selling everything from bric-a-brac, clothing and homewares to fishing equipment. WHEN AT COST INFO
First Thursday GLAMR Social Group GLAMR: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums and Records Management. 21st century technology is changing our professional information industry. Gather with colleagues each month to collaborate and discuss. WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 2 AUG | 5-7PM RORKES BEER WINE FOOD FREE | REFRESHMENTS AT OWN COST 0419 844 603
Persona Indonesia
Pure Enjoyment: The Magical Practice of Taking and Giving Buddhist monk Gen Kelsang Dornying explores the ancient and powerful meditations of taking and giving. WHEN AT COST INFO
Fabulous 40 Anula School Fair Help Anula Primary School celebrate their 40th birthday with food stalls, musical entertainment, trash ‘n’ treasure, children’s activities and more. WHEN AT COST INFO
Darwin’s rich Indonesian culture comes to life at this vibrant celebration of music, dance and food. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 4 AUG | 4-9PM DARWIN WATERFRONT FREE waterfront.nt.gov.au
Dragonfly Craft Fair
Purchase unique, locally-made arts and crafts at this annual showcase market celebrating local artisans. WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 5 AUG | 9AM-3PM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY NT FREE tactilearts.org.au
Canapes & Constellations Enjoy a magical evening as you join an astronomer for an unforgettable tour of the night sky. Kick off with a spectacular sunset and enjoy canapés and beverages throughout the night.
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WHEN FRI 17 & SAT 18 AUG | 6PM AT RAMADA SUITES ZEN QUARTER COST $85 | $50 CHILD INFO zenquarter.com/stars
WED 22 AUG | 7PM CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY, CASUARINA $30 meditateindarwin.org
EVERY TUE | 7-8.30PM TENNIS PALMERSTON $15 tennispalmerston.com
Mindil Beach Sunset Market As the sun dips into the Arafura Sea feast upon Thai, Sri Lankan, Indian and Greek food – to name just a few options – take a wander through the palm lined boulevards for some unique gifts or soak up the sunset and entertainment. WHEN EVERY THU & SUN | 4-9PM AT MINDIL BEACH, DARWIN INFO mindil.com.au
Malak Marketplace Enjoy fresh produce at this local organic farmers’ market, or grab a bite to eat from the delicious food stalls. WHEN EVERY SAT | 4-9PM AT CHAMBERS CRESCENT CARPARK, MALAK INFO malakmarketplace.org.au
Aqua Zumba Join the Zumba pool party for a cool calorie burning dance fitness session at Darwin’s Wave Lagoon. WHEN AT COST INFO
DARWIN FESTIVAL
EVERY SUN | 9AM DARWIN WATERFRONT $12 | $8 U15 waterfront.nt.gov.au
LET’S DANCE
darwinfestival.org.au Dancing in the Park Have a sunset boogie with local dance groups including the Upai Purri Torres Strait Islander dancers, Transwings Bollywood Dance and the Australia China Friendship Society dancers. WHEN AT COST
EVERY SAT & SUN FROM SAT 11 AUG | 5.45PM RIMFIRE ENERGY BAMBOO BANDSTAND, FESTIVAL PARK FREE
Behind the Scenes: Performing Arts and the NT
SAT 25 AUG | 11AM-2PM ANULA SCHOOL, ANULA FREE 8997 7500
Social Tennis Do you enjoy a hit of tennis but don’t want the pressure or commitment of a serious comp? Learn to play or advance your skills in a social setting. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 11 AUG | 8-11AM PALMERSTON COUNCIL CAR PARK FREE facebook.com/palmerstonnt
No Lights No Lycra A weekly dance jam in the dark – no teacher, no steps to learn, no alcohol, no talking – no worries! Just dancing and great tunes. Perfect for all ages, shapes and sizes. No need to book, just turn up when you’re in the mood for a boogie. WHEN AT COST INFO
Argentine Tango Tango is a fun, social activity that can be danced by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. It’s an improvised dance, and one that will exercise your mind as well as your body. WHEN AT COST INFO
Curators from the Northern Territory Library invite you to don the white gloves and turn the pages of our performing arts history whilst they share the back-story and significance of collection items. WHEN WED 15 & 22 AUG | SAT 18 & 25 AUG | 5PM AT NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY COST FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
SPUN: Power From prison cells, skyscrapers and bush camps comes a line-up of locals who will have you giggling, gasping and gripping the edge of your seat in this live storytelling event. WHEN AT COST
TUE 14 AUG | 7.30PM THE LIGHTHOUSE, FESTIVAL PARK $25 | $21.25 FRIENDS
Happy Hour in The Aurora Spiegeltent Listen from home or join in the fun as Festival guest artists perform live and chat about their work with ABC Radio Darwin host Kate O’Toole. WHEN THU 16 AUG | 4PM AT THE AURORA SPIEGELTENT COST FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
EVERY WED | 6-7PM HAPPY YESS THEATRE, BROWN’S MART $7 nolightsnolycra.com
EVERY THU | BEGINNGERS 7PM | FOCUS 9PM COCONUT GROVE HALL $12 | facebook.com/nthntango
Grey Panthers A unique seniors dance group of Territory women and men over the age of 60. Want to be part of the fun? Join in weekly to learn new dances and rehearse for special performances. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY FRI | 9.30-11AM TRACKS DANCE STUDIO $5 tracksdance.com.au
Movement Medicine – Conscious Dance This guided free-form dance class explores using movement as medicine. WHEN EVERY SUN | 10-11.30AM AT NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE COST $15 | $10 CONC INFO 0431 929 145
for a night of social Argentine Tango dancing. WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 31 AUG | 8-11PM COCONUT GROVE HALL $5 facebook.com/nthntango
PALMERSTON LIBRARY palmerston.nt.gov.au/library Lego Club Create your own masterpiece and display it in the library. Suitable for ages five to 12 years. WHEN EVERY TUE | 3.30-4.30PM
Storytime Say goodbye to quiet libraries! 1-5 year olds and their caregivers will love singing, dancing, listening to stories and engaging with puppets in these fun, interactive sessions. WHEN EVERY TUE & THU | 10-10.45AM COST FREE
Nursery Time You’re never too young to enjoy reading. Treat your baby to songs, puppets, nursery rhymes and movement to enhance their early literacy development. Suitable for 0-1 year olds. WHEN EVERY WED | 10-10.45AM COST FREE
Gadgets & Games Club For kids five to 12 years who like hands-on, problem based learning activities. Gadgets and Games is based around STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) learning activities and the equation that learning plus games equals fun. WHEN EVERY WED | 3.30-4.30PM
Argentine Tango Practica Hosted by the Northern Tango dance community, join fellow tango dancers to practice, refine technique, build musical skill, inspire each other and talk tango. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY SUN | 4.30-6.30PM STUDIO 13, COCONUT GROVE $5 facebook.com/nthntango
Milonga Join the Northern Tango community
Code Club Coding is an awesome skill to help kids live in the digital age. Part of a nationwide network of volunteer-led creative coding clubs for kids aged nine to 12 years, Code Club is free but places are limited, so bookings are essential. WHEN EVERY SAT | 10AM–1PM COST FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
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FOOD
&
DRINK
Little Image by Mick Novinetz
WHEN SUN 5 AUG | 10AM-10PM AT 8/111 COONAWARRA RD, WINNELLIE COST FREE INFO onemilebrewery.com.au | facebook.com/onemile brewery
Chung Jae
BAR-BQ
BEER AND A BBQ IS A MATCH MADE FOR THE TROPICS.
The crew from One Mile Brewery is hosting a family-friendly ‘Bar-BQ’ at their Winnellie site as a thank you to the community for their support over the last four years. Local lads Bardy Bayram and Stuart Brown first set up shop in a shed in Stuart Park before quickly outgrowing the space as the thirst for locally brewed beer increased. “We still have other full time jobs and this is sort of a hobby that got out of control,” Bayram laughs. The pair, now set up in Winnellie, is inviting everyone to a day of good
food, good beer and good tunes.
“We opened the brewery about a year ago and opened it to the public in November,” Bayram says. “The Bar-BQ is just to let people know we’ve moved into Winnellie and to put on a bit of a soiree for ourselves.” There will be a variety of food vans selling all sorts of different types of BBQ’d goodness. There will also be tunes from local musos, complete with an open mic spot, a jumping castle for the kids, and, of course, beer and cider from the One Mile Brewery catalogue. “We’ve got Smokey J’s coming down and all sorts of different styles of
THE TEAM AT LITTLE MISS KOREA (LMK) HAVE BEEN BUSY PLANNING THE OPENING OF A NEW BAR AND A POP-UP AT DARWIN FESTIVAL. BBQ including German style sausages,” Bayram says. “It’s a bit of a festival to get everyone together and we thought beer and BBQ is a perfect mix.” The company, celebrating their fourth birthday in August, has grown with demand for different types of beer over the years. “The market has really evolved over the last four years and we’ve started to make some IPAs, which weren’t really on the radar back when we started,” Bayram says. “We make beers for the tropics – they’re easy drinking and brimming with flavour.”
Thing DARWIN FESTIVAL BAR MANAGER JOSHUA DOLEMAN HAS GIVEN Off The Leash a sneak peek into the cocktails set to wet your whistle this Darwin Festival.
“Quinine, which is the bitterness in tonic water, was created for sailors to drink to avoid getting malaria. They made it more palatable by adding gin to it.”
There are four gin cocktails on the menu to complement a few gin-inspired shows on stage.
The cocktails on the menu will explore the versatility of the spirit.
“There’s a comedy show called Mother’s Ruin all about gin which tipped us off to the idea,” Doleman says. “Gin and tonic works well in hot weather, tonic water was initially crated for a tropical environment.
“Gin is really popular and it’s accessible but it’s not a huge deal up here yet,” Doleman says. “There are a few places doing gin, but it’s going to be good to provide a range to work with people’s palates and see what types of gins they like – it’s a very versatile spirit.”
The new hole-in-the-wall bar, The Loading Bay, will be a cosy venue channelling vibes from Melbourne city streets. Owner Sam Lee says there will be a great selection of boutique beers, cocktails and a range of spirits on the menu – plus some delicious LMK tasty treats.
30ml Never Never Triple Juniper Gin 90ml of good quality Ginger Ale Build over ice and garnish with a fresh mint sprig and sliced ginger.
The Clover Club 45ml Never Never Triple Juniper Gin 15ml Dolin Blanc 25ml fresh lemon juice 15ml Raspberry Shrub (3 parts raspberry syrup to 1 part apple cider vinegar) 1 egg white Shake with ice and then dry shake and double strain into a coupe glass – garnish with fresh raspberries.
“It’s our first year with the Festival and being on the Esplanade on a Dry season night sounds pretty good to us,” Lee says. “I think everyone is going to be relaxed and excited about watching a magnificent show. “Chung Jae Lee, our chef, will have dumplings, Banh Mi and lots of other treats up his sleeve.” Chung Jae
Little Miss Korea “It will have a funky little bar menu – very Asian orientated.” The Loading Bay will be attached to the existing LMK restaurant in the graffitied Austin Lane in Darwin.
“It’s just a small bar. When you go to other capital cities there are not as many big bars anymore, that’s why
Gin & Ginger
LMK will also bring their tasty treats to the Spiegeltent at Darwin Festival for revellers to have a feed pre or post show.
“Darwin’s not all about beer and burgers and crocodile – we’re pretty trendy as well,” she says.
“Once the roller door goes up we’re open and there will be a glass door to enter – when you’re sitting inside you’ll be able to look out on to the street,” Lee says.
The Gin
10
Miss Korea
we wanted to do something similar in Darwin.”
PEDAL c PRODUCE Image by Emma Lupin
WHEN MON – FRI, 11.30AM-2PM, 5.30-10PM | SAT 5.30-10PM AT AUSTIN LANE, DARWIN
The Loading Bay WHEN AT
OPENING SOON! LITTLE MISS KOREA, DARWIN
Little Miss Korea Pop Up WHEN THU 9 – SUN 26 AUG (CLOSED MON) | FROM 5.30PM AT BICENTENNIAL PARK, THE ESPLANADE
INFO littlemisskorea.com | facebook.com/ littlemisskoreadarwin
Pedal your way around the city streets to some of Darwin’s most iconic markets. Take a scenic route to Parap Market or taste your way around the town to Rapid Creek Market. Rapid Creek Market Tour WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 12 AUG | 8-11.30AM MEET AT LUCKY BAT CAFE $20 | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL darwinbiketours.com
Parap Market Tour WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 18 AUG | 8-11.30AM MEET AT PARLIAMENT HOUSE $20 | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL darwinbiketours.com
FESTIVALS make sure the history of what took place here is known right across the country and gets taught in schools,” Roy says. “We want people to come for our festival to help us celebrate the movement that started off modern day land rights.”
Freedom Day
Festival
52 YEARS AGO, A GROUP OF ABORIGINAL PASTORALISTS AND THEIR FAMILIES walked off the Wave Hill Station into the unknown – the first powerful steps for Aboriginal land rights. Now known as the Wave Hill Walk-Off, the brave defiance of the exploited workers, led by Vincent Lingiari, pushed the battle for land rights onto the national political agenda.
The historic walk-off route is now heritage listed, with guided tours for visitors to the region. The festival is held in Kalkaringi, about 800km south of Darwin and is the southern gateway to the Judburra/Gregory National Park.
every year,” he says. “It happened for land rights, fair wages and better futures for our kids.” “It makes us proud to preserve the legacy of Vincent Lingiari and the other 200 people who walked off the station.”
Gurindji traditional owner Rob Roy says the annual Freedom Day Festival keeps this story of their elders alive.
This year’s lead Friday night concert, featuring Baker Boy, Warren H Williams, Rayella, Janama, Robbie Mills, Mambali and Tjupi Band, kicks off a full weekend of music, art, sports and cultural events.
“It brings us happiness to commemorate the walk-off with the festival
“We want to make the festival a successful event every year and
Gurindji Aboriginal Corporation general manager Phil Smith says the community is working with Tourism NT to highlight the beauty in the area and create more experiences for tourists – including a tag-along 4WD adventure.
Mahbilil Festival IT’S KURRUNG SEASON IN KAKADU. The days are warm, but the nights are cool and the magpie geese are on the move, which means the annual Mahbilil Festival is just around the corner. Fresh off the back of winning rock song of the year at the NT Song of the Year Awards, Black Rock Band will be one of the acts on the line-up for the art and culture festival in Jabiru. Running from early afternoon to midnight, Mahbilil is a family friendly event crammed with activities, workshops for kids, displays, Indigenous art exhibitions and demonstrations of weaving, painting and other crafts. On the day, there will be art from across Arnhem Land, plus perfor-
mances from local traditional dance groups. Bush food activities are always a highlight with large earth ovens, Kunkerre, to cook buffalo and barramundi on the coals. Magpie goose is a specialty of the region and is the hero of the cooking events at the highly competitive magpie goose cook-off. At sunset, the festival transforms with an evening program of projections, performance, music and dance till late. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 1 SEP | 1-11PM JABIRU FREE mahbililfestival.com
“The vision is to invite people for the festival but also to showcase the region as the entry to Gregory National Park, which comes with stunning country,” he says. WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 24 – SUN 26 AUG KALKARINJI AND DAGURAGU FREE freedomday.com.au
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Conference with Oaks Elan Darwin and be rewarded! Take advantage of our all-inclusive Day Delegate Packages and celebrate afterwards in the bar at The O.A.K with 30 minutes of complimentary post event drinks and canapes. For all enquiries please contact our Events Coordinator on 08 8982 1829 or email eventsdarwin@theoaksgroup.com.au.
Valid for new bookings until 30 September 2018. oakshotels.com Oaks Elan Darwin, 31 Woods Street, Darwin NT 0800 P (08) 8982 1888 | E elandarwin@theoaksgroup.com.au *Terms and conditions for eligibility apply - please enquire within. Minimum of 15 people on the day delegate package. Valid for new bookings until 30 September 2018. DAR3120
11 DAR3120 Darwin Conference Reward Yourself Flyer A4.indd 2
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PERFORMING ARTS d Behin E
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Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton; AP via AAP
LETTERs to
LINDY PATHETIC FALLACY CANADIAN ARTIST ANITA ROCHON IS OBSESSED WITH THE WEATHER and a good challenge – so she created a show with a touring party of zero, finding local actors to perform centre stage in a factual and personal look at our changing relationship to weather.
What was the inspiration to develop this show? I come from a family of farmers, so weather’s always been deeply linked in my mind to survival. I once had an art history teacher talk about how you could paint the sky any colour (except green) and it would look realistic. I love how big and amorphous and eternal the weather is. For the same reason, it seemed totally huge and daunting to create a piece about it – so I thought I’d try. Tropical Cyclone Marcus tore through Darwin in March – does local weather play a role in the show? I’m in no way happy that Marcus hit
During the 32-year ordeal, Chamberlain-Creighton received more than 20,000 letters from the public. Playwright Alana Valentine delved into the 199 boxes of letters and spent time interviewing Chamberlain-Creighton about them for the theatre show Letters to Lindy. Valentine had a chat with Off The Leash ahead of the play’s Darwin
debut, which she will attend for a Q&A after the show. What was your initial reaction to all the letters? I was a bit intimidated, how am I going to look through this? What was extraordinary when I opened the boxes was that every letter had its own manila folder and they were colour coded with information – on the right hand corner of every folder was a yellow Post-it Note that summarised what was in the letter. At what point did you think it would make a good play? It was the relationship that Lindy had with the collection and the fact she had taken so much trouble to meticulously file them. Not just the nice letters, there was a small amount that were really nasty – the trolls that showed the really horrible part of human nature – that were treated the same way. Tell us more about the play. There’s a central monologue which are all Lindy’s words and it’s set on the day she’s putting the letters into
the library. There are three other actors who are the chorus who read and re-enact the letters and take you on the narrative journey. Was Lindy involved and what was her reaction to the final product? I tried to involve her at every stage. She read the first draft of the play and after the first performance in Wollongong she came out and said ‘this is the closest to what I experienced of anything I’ve seen made about my story’. I promptly burst into tears because I was so relieved. It was more than relief – thank goodness she can feel this represents her. Do people still write to her? She still gets about 1000 emails a year.
WHEN TUE 14 & WED 15 AUG | 7PM | POST SHOW TALK TUE 14 AUG AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $42 | $38 CONC | $35.70 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Joel Bray
Darwin, but I feel lucky to be doing a piece where its residents are in such immediate relationship with an extreme weather event. Local weather does play a role, mostly through the local performer. Why did you want a local performer in each location and what does having a local add to the show? The piece is about existence and the impact of one person, which is all at once huge and tiny. After years of getting on planes touring with shows, I wanted to see if I could upend that approach and create a really personal piece but have someone else perform it. The performer is reading instructions on a monitor but it’s really up to them to decide how they are going to perform the piece.
WHEN FRI 10 & SAT 11 AUG, 6PM | SUN 12 AUG, 1PM AT BROWN’S MART THEATRE COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Behind
tHE S SCENE
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t’s the story that gripped – and divided – the nation. An infant snatched by a dingo. Her mother, Lindy Chamberlain-Creighton, trialled by the media and jailed by the courts for murder. Multiple inquests and finally, three decades later, a coronial finding that a dingo took nineweek-old Azaria from a tent.
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BILADURANG JOEL BRAY GREW UP AS A QUEER, LIGHT-SKINNED ABORIGINAL in a country town and never felt like he quite fit in.
Bray turned those feelings of displacement into an awardwinning, one-man, dance theatre show, performed in the familiar yet foreign setting of a hotel room. The show, Biladurang, is based loosely on the Dreamtime story about a platypus of the same name. The platypus’s mother – a duck – was exiled from her home after straying into forbidden lands and having a baby with a water rat. Why does the story of the platypus resonate with you? It talks of being displaced from your home and being a kind of a mutant. I’m fair-skinned but Aboriginal, I grew up in connection with my culture through my father, but I also lived with my mother who’s
of European heritage. I grew up kind of not fitting in either world. I was also queer and grew up in a conservative religious family, so not being quite sure where you fit is a really palpable thing for me – that’s what the work is really about. Tell us more about the show. It’s autobiographical about a person who is in his mid 30s, queer, lightskinned Aboriginal, who takes a moment to ask ‘where am I’? Is this who I’m supposed to be? It’s a lot of fun. The kind of work I make is making fun of the weird stories of my life and there’s a lot of selfdeprecating humour – I don’t want to spoil it, but people get to have a lot fun. Why did you want to perform the piece in a hotel room? The hotel room is perfect because it’s a super familiar place. They’re pretty standard but also nowhere – it’s not home or work or a place
of leisure, it’s a temporary version of all of those. Space makes us respond by habit. When we walk into a theatre we know when to clap and we sit in the dark and shut up, we have a certain way of behaving. Being able to have the performance in a difference space allows people to respond however they want to. It’s quite an intimate space – what’s the relationship between yourself and the audience? There’s a lot of interaction but mostly people get to sit and watch up close and personal. It’s like a conversation – in the moment I can craft it especially for the audience that’s there.
WHEN FRI 10 – SUN 12 AUG | 6PM & 8PM AT H HOTEL COST $32 | $28 CONC | $27.50 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
LISTINGS
TRACKS DANCE PRESENTS
IN YOUR
BLOOD THE SPORTS FIELD MEETS THE DANCE FLOOR at Darwin Festival for Tracks Dance’s latest production.
In Your Blood looks across generations, cultures and sporting codes to find what makes people tick, and features a huge cast of dancers from Darwin’s Balinese and Sri Lankan community in an outdoor theatre. Dancer Vaneska Cheliah says the show is a great opportunity to see a huge number of locals on stage sharing something they love. “Our cast is so diverse,” she says. “We all share this passion for dance and some have a huge passion for sport.”
93 Mitchell St, Darwin yourcentre.com.au
Justin Crooks MC
Cricket and footy take a lead role in the show, as does a contemporary twist on traditional music, which producer James Mangohig has enjoyed the challenge of creating. “The roots of deep cultural music around the world are so sophisticated and intricate, getting my brain around it is really challenging,” he says. “I hope to highlight the beautiful rhythms and melodies that are coming from (Bali and Sri Lanka).” Mangohig says the show is great for anyone who loves dance, sport or music. “For people who wouldn’t necessarily go to a dance show, but love sport, there will be a cheeky humour that comes though,” he says. “You’ll also find out more about the community you live in.” WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 12 – SUN 19 AUG | 7PM DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS $30 | $20 CONC | $ 25.50 FRIENDS | $15 PREVIEW darwinfestival.org.au
BURIED COUNTRY Roger Knox
DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Secrets Slide Youth Dance Theatre presents the third instalment of the Awareness Trilogy. An original dance theatre work, Secrets is based on a story of friendship, love and life, which, over time, becomes splintered, scarred and devastated by an addiction to ice. WHEN WED 1 AUG | 10.30AM COST $15
First Thursday Comedy – Toxic See some of Darwin’s hottest comic talents unleash some of the more intelligent, interesting and well-executed standup comedy in the country. Presented by Top End Comedy, there are always a couple of open mic spots for anyone who wants to launch their stand up career. WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 2 AUG | 7.30PM BROWN’S MART $10 facebook.com/topend comedy
Carmen Melbourne City Ballet returns to Katherine with the evocative opera ballet Carmen. Budding young dancers are encouraged to join the afternoon workshop for a chance to dance in the performance. WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 3 AUG, 7.30PM | YOUTH WORKSHOP, 3.30PM GYRACC, KATHERINE $30 | $25 CONC | $20 CHILD | $90 FAM | $10 WORKSHOP gyracc.org.au
WHILE AMERICAN COUNTRY MUSIC STARS WERE HOUSEHOLD NAMES IN AUSTRALIA, the powerful songs from Aboriginal country musicians were being played out of earshot of the mainstream radio waves.
The story behind Aboriginal country music will pay tribute to the forefathers of the genre in a special stage production of Buried Country to kick off Darwin Festival. Country music icon Roger Knox will be in Darwin to share his story on stage alongside other Indigenous performers including Warren H Williams, Leah Flanagan and three generations of the Knox family, including his son and blues musician Buddy Knox and grandson Teangi Knox “It’s based on Aboriginal musicians in the early years and the song
The Beginning Of Nature Portrayed by nine stellar dancers from the Australian Dance Theatre, The Beginning of Nature explores nature’s life cycles, metamorphosis and transformation accompanied by a spellbinding score combining electronica, strings and vocals. WHEN THU 9 AUG, 10AM | FRI 10 AUG, 8PM COST $49 | $45 CONC | $25 U18
Chasing Smoke Circus feats, stand-up and sketch comedy, dance and personal monologue come together in this unique glimpse into the world’s oldest living culture. WHEN FRI 10 – SUN 12 AUG COST $36 | $28 CONC
Ross Noble – El Hablador Ross Noble returns to spin all the nonsense in his head into a hilarious stand up show this Darwin Festival.
Prize Fighter Tackling issues of immigration, war and personal struggle, Prize Fighter is adrenaline-pumping, full-contact theatre at its best. WHEN THU 16 – SUN 19 AUG COST $42 | $38 CONC | $35.70 FRIENDS | $25 PREVIEW
Cockfight A cross between The Office and a cage fight, Cockfight questions our culture’s desperate struggle for achievement in a full-throttle mash up of extreme physical risk-taking, graceful movement and slow-mo fight scenes. WHEN WED 22 – FRI 24 AUG | 7PM COST $42 | $38 CONC
The Australian Ballet – Coppélia A sparkling tale of magic and mischief, with irresistible melodies and dolls that come to life, treat the family to a night at one of ballet’s most charming comedies. WHEN THU 23 & FRI 24 AUG | 7.30PM COST $69 | $62 MEMB, FRIENDS | $59 CONC | $49 U27 | $35 U18
Akmal – Transparent Paramedics will be on call as Akmal returns with his funniest show yet. WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 8PM COST $46.90 | $42.90 GROUP 10+
Yo Diddle Diddle Inspired by the hilarious rhyme and rhythm of The Cow Tripped Over the Moon, Cow, Cat and Dog are set to bring the farm to life in this hip-hop infused adventure. TUE 28 AUG, 6PM | WED 29 AUG, 10AM $29 | $25 MEMB, CONC | $20 U18
WHEN SAT 11 AUG | 8PM COST $54.90 | $49.90 MEMB, CONC, FRIENDS
WHEN COST
writers and our struggles,” Knox says.
and outrage about the Stolen Generations.
Knox grew up in Toomelah Aboriginal Mission on the NSW/ Queensland border to the sounds of gospel tunes. He was introduced to country music when his family members would visit with their guitars in tow.
Buried Country began as a book and film by Clinton Walker in 2000, and was adapted for the stage in 2016.
“I didn’t hear Slim Dusty songs sung by Slim Dusty – I heard my cousins sing them. I didn’t know anything about country music at the time, but these cousins and uncles who introduced me to it were my heroes back in those days.” Music became a way for Aboriginal people to share their stories, which were unrecognised at the time. Songs like Bob Randall’s ‘Brown Skin Baby’ spoke of forced removal of light-skinned babies long before there was national attention
Knox says he believes one of the reasons the story has been so successful is not just because there’s great music and powerful stories, but because it taps into an unappreciated and unknown part of Australian history. “People come not knowing the story and go away with a better feeling and understanding,” he says. “There’s nothing political, just hard hitting raw truth.” WHEN THU 9 AUG | 7PM | GATES 5.30PM AT DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS AMPHITHEATRE COST FREE INFO darwinfestival.org.au
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CHaSING SMOKE SAMOAN PERFORMER NATANO FA’ANANA HAS TAKEN AN UNCONVENTIONAL PATH TO PERFORMING ARTS, breaking into the industry in his 30s. Now, Fa’anana is the co-founder and creative director of Casus Circus, and is bringing Chasing Smoke, an all-Indigenous circus show, to the Darwin Festival.
Q&A
Fa’anana sat down with Off The with creative producer Leash with some advice for aspiring Natano Fa’anana performers. How did you get to where you are today and how did you learn your skills? A lot of humble pie and hard work. I first tried circus at the age of 29 and fell so much in love with the craft that I pursued a career in circus in my 30th year. Having not had conventional circus training I am what I call ‘backyard trained’. I learned from individuals and trained wherever I could. I was always a creative person from an early age so once I attained enough skills as an acrobat I began using circus as my canvas and created works.
WHEN FRI 10 AUG, 7PM | SAT 11 AUG, 2PM & 7PM | SUN 12 AUG, 2PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $36 | $28 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
What practical advice would you give to young people interested in performing arts? Don’t subscribe to trends in your chosen art practice. Create the trend.
What were some of the unexpected challenges you had along the way? Unexpected and quite alarming is the severely poorly monitored financial worth of your art. The art we create in contemporary circus takes years of dedication and the result being one that few can actually deliver. The lack of understanding of the value of what we do as circus artists needs addressing in Australia. What keeps you going? Family, culture, balanced life and the ability to create. I need to keep making art. In order to create I need my ‘aiga (family) – they are like my ocean, my big mass of support. My culture is the current; it keeps the flow for my creative thoughts. Balanced life and health ensures the va’a (canoe) is in a strong and healthy condition to carry my ideas. Tell us more about Chasing Smoke and what attendees can expect at the Darwin Festival? Chasing Smoke is a glimpse into the life and mind of modern day Indigenous people told through contemporary circus. We tell personal stories of culture, struggles, land issues, racism, history, pride and empowerment using circus.
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WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 18 AUG | 4-7PM SANCTUARY LAKES, GUNN FREE facebook.com/palmerstonnt
Drop-in Youth Zone Chill with friends after school. Check out the PS4 elimination games for your chance to win prizes or BYO board games or cards to share. Suitable for ages 12 and above – no bookings required. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY TUE | 3-4.30PM PALMERSTON LIBRARY FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au
Skate Nights Make Wednesday your motivator for getting in that weekly workout. Tunes and extra safety gear provided and new skaters, regular shredders and spectators are invited to head along. Send your name and phone number to youthprojects@ darwin.nt.gov.au to receive weekly text updates. WHEN AT COST INFO
WED 1, 15 & 29 AUG | 6-8PM JINGILI SKATE PARK FREE | BYO SKATES launchdarwin.com.au
GET THAT JOB!
Take advantage of Darwin’s tight-knit community. Independent producer Katy Moir says that Darwin is a great place to get started because it’s such a small city. There is a lot less competition for work than in other capital cities. It also means that there are fewer degrees of separation between you and the person who can green light a project you’ve been dreaming up.
@ SUNSET
Image by Hannah Illingworth
IT CAN BE HARD TO GET A GIG PLAYING ORIGINAL LIVE MUSIC IN DARWIN, and it’s even harder when you’re still in high school.
Choice winner Phoebe Wear, Fish Slappa, The Finger Buns Remastered and Jordan Ravi, who finished high school last year.
But the producer for the next Sounds @ Sunset gig, Joel Keith, has given the stage to a diverse mix of young musicians.
“I tried to get as much of a range of artists as I could,” Keith says.
This month’s line-up includes 2017 NT Song of The Year People’s
Sanctuary Sessions This family-friendly arvo of live music, food and relaxation is brought to you by the Palmerston Young Producer’s Team.
FESTIVAL TIME IS UPON US AND A GROUP OF YOUNG DARWINITES had the opportunity to pick the brains of events staff at last month’s panel discussion for Get That Job! Didn’t make it? Don’t worry! Here’s a run down of the top tips from the industry experts. Work Hard! Production manager Brenton Ryan started out by pitching in at friends’ events. People notice anyone who is hard working, enthusiastic and proactive – so be that person. Attitude is really important, especially when you’re new and don’t have the experience yet.
SOUNDS
“As high school students it can be hard to find gig opportunities in Darwin, so I thought why not reach out to the people who want to start out, or have started out, and give them a show?” he says.
LISTINGS
YOUTH
“I wanted a relaxed vibe and I’m hoping lots of people come down and hang out.” The August event is the fourth instalment of Sounds @ Sunset, a program run by Launch Darwin to upskill young producers. Keith says the previous events have all been hits, and he’s learned a lot
along the way. “We’ve had quite good turnouts at the last few and we’ve been surprised by how many people have come along,” he says. “There’s a lot to keep track of and on top of organising these gigs but I’ve learnt it’s all doable. “All the people in the team are great to work with.”
WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 3 AUG | 5-7.15PM NIGHTCLIFF FORESHORE FREE launchdarwin.com.au
Network, network, network. Darwin Festival program coordinator Natasha Woodcock believes that networks are super important – if you don’t yet have them, volunteering and internships are good places to start building. Volunteer – with intent. All of the presenters recommend volunteering – but also to make sure you’re clear about why you’re volunteering and what you want to get out of it. If you are hoping to turn your interest in festival and events into employment, you can’t volunteer forever, so make sure you have a game plan for transition from unpaid into paid work. If you’re serious, get qualified. The presenters agree that, in general, a qualification isn’t 100% necessary, but some roles are more likely to require it. Qualifications, or short courses, do show potential employers that you’re serious, as you have invested in building your skills. Doing courses is also a great way to network and meet those already working in the industry. INFO
launchdarwin.com.au
Kaylene Whiskey Mingkulpa Yeah!, synthetic polymer paint on linen, 2017, 34th Telstra NATSIAA
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16 Thu
Wed
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 7 Drone Challenge 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Happy Hour in The Aurora Spiegeltent 9 Argentine Tango 9 Storytime 13 In Your Blood 13 Prize Fighter 21 Poetry & Coffee 23 Face to Face 30 Mall Tunes 31 Lunch Box Series
22
Tue
4 LIMBO 5 emBARK! 5 Pivot 9 The Magical Practice of Taking and Giving 9 Performing Arts & the NT 9 No Lights No Lycra 9 Nursery Time 9 Gadgets & Games 13 Cockfight 23 Face to Face 23 Behind the Wire 31 Rob Ruha & Ria Hall
28 9 Lego Club 9 Storytime 9 Social Tennis 14 Drop-in Youth Zone 30 The Simon & Garfunkel Show 31 Brass Band Rehearsals
17 Fri
Thu
4 LIMBO 5 Megafauna 7 Drone Challenge 13 In Your Blood 13 Prize Fighter 21 Scinema 23 Spectacular Failures (opening) 24 Wetlands in the Dry (opening) 31 Lunch Box Series 31 Club Awi 31 Xavia 31 RPM vs Bad Apples 31 Adam Page
23 4 LIMBO 5 emBARK! 5 Pivot 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Argentine Tango 9 Storytime 13 Cockfight 13 Coppélia 23 Face to Face 30 Mall Tunes 31 Lunch Box Series 31 Kimberley Echoes 31 The Teskey Brothers
See Performing Arts 13
13 Yo Diddle Diddle
See Performing Arts 13
Fri
13 Prize Fighter See Around Town 6
24 Wed
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 7 Les Moutons 9 Grey Panthers 11 Freedom Day Festival 13 Cockfight 13 Coppélia 23 Face to Face 23 Behind the Wire 30 Loud at the Library 31 Lunch Box Series 31 Club Awi 31 Young Hearts Run Free 31 Tia Gostelow Miranda Tapsell
29
9 No Lights No Lycra 9 Nursery Time 9 Gadgets & Games 13 Yo Diddle Diddle 14 Skate Nights 31 Acoustic Jam Sessions
18 Sat
4 LIMBO 5 Megafauna 9 Dancing in the Park 9 Performing Arts & the NT 10 Pedal to Produce 13 In Your Blood 14 Sanctuary Sessions 20 Surviving the Kimberley 21 FlicNics 23 Behind the Wire 30 Adam Harvey & Beccy Cole 31 Club Awi 31 Mama Kin Spender 31 Heaps Good Friends
Thu
7 Les Moutons
See Around Town 7
30
9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Argentine Tango 9 Storytime 30 Mall Tunes Melanie Gray
19 Sun
Sat
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 7 National Science Week (concludes) 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Dancing in the Park 13 In Your Blood 13 Prize Fighter 23 Face to Face 23 Spectacular Failures (artist talk) 26 Darwin Art Trail 26 Get It On (last chance) 31 David Spry
25
4 LIMBO 5 Congress 9 Anula School Fair 9 Malak Marketplace 9 Dancing in the Park 9 Performing Arts & the NT 11 Freedom Day Festival 13 Akmal 21 Despicable Me 3 21 FlicNics 29 Electric Fields 30 DSO Master Series II 31 Club Awi 31 Electric Fields 31 Didirri
See Visual Arts 26
See Music 31
Sun
31 Mission Songs Project
26
Fri
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 5 Megafauna 7 Les Moutons 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Aqua Zumba 9 Dancing in the Park 9 Movement Medicine 9 Argentine Tango Practica 11 Freedom Day Festival 21 Wild Words 23 Face to Face 28 Shania Choir 30 Live in the Square 31 Open Mic
31
26 Reach for the Skies (opening)
9 Grey Panthers 9 Milonga 27 Kitschgrotesque (last chance) 30 Loud at the Library 31 Live on Fridays 31 Dadcore 2018 31 Acoustic Jam Sessions
20
Mon
21 Terror Nullius 31 Monday Jam Nights
See Feature 4
4 Darwin Festival concludes
21
Tue
Mon
4 LIMBO 5 emBARK! 5 Pivot 9 Lego Club 9 Storytime 9 Social Tennis 14 Drop-in Youth Zone 23 Face to Face 31 High Mountain Flowing Water 31 Brass Band Rehearsals
27
31 Monday Jam Nights
AROUND TOWn Books & fILM Performing Arts YOUTH Visual Arts Word on the STREET Food & Drink Music FESTIVALS
offtheleash.net.au
Although all care is taken to ensure information in Off The Leash is correct, it is subject to change. Not all events can be listed on this calendar, so we recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.
1 Caiti Baker
7
Wed
23 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
See Visual Arts 23
9 Lego Club 9 Storytime 9 Social Tennis 14 Drop-in Youth Zone 31 Brass Band Rehearsals
Tue
9 No Lights No Lycra 9 Nursery Time 9 Gadgets & Games 13 Secrets 21 French Film Night 25 Barayuwa Mununggurr (opens) 25 Mulkun Wirrpanda (opens) 25 Pepai Jangala Carroll (opens) 31 Acoustic Jam Sessions
Calendar
Mon
14 Skate Nights
See Youth 14
6 Fri
31 Monday Jam Nights
10 4 LIMBO 12 Biladurang 12 Pathetic Fallacy 13 The Beginning of Nature 14 Chasing Smoke 23 NATSIAA – Awards Night 23 DAAF 23 Our New Work (opening) 25 Mick Rictor (opening) 25 Taylor Cooper & Witjiti George (opening) 31 Lunch Box Series 31 Club Awi 31 Baker Boy 31 Donny Benét
2 Thu
Sat
9 GLAMR Social Group 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Argentine Tango 13 First Thursday Comedy 28 Roger Woodward 30 Mall Tunes
11
4 LIMBO 7 National Science Week (commences) 9 Dancing in the Park 12 Biladurang 12 Pathetic Fallacy 13 Ross Noble 14 Chasing Smoke 21 FlicNics 25 Pepai Carroll (opening) 25 Mulkun Wirrpanda (opening) 29 NIMA 31 Club Awi 31 Tiny Little Houses 31 Senyawa
3 Fri
9 Grey Panthers 13 Carmen 14 Sounds @ Sunset 30 Loud at the Library 31 Live on Fridays 31 The Esoteric Order of Lungbuster
See Around Town 9
20
Sun
5 City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic
See Around Town 5
18
AUG
12
4 LIMBO 5 Team Fun 5 Pivot 9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Dancing in the Park 10 Pedal to Produce 12 Biladurang 12 Pathetic Fallacy 13 In Your Blood 14 Chasing Smoke 23 DAAF 23 Face to Face 30 Live in the Square 31 Stiff Gins 31 Helen Gillet
4
Sat
9 Persona Indonesia
Mon
See Visual Arts 24
9 Malak Marketplace 9 Code Club 21 FlicNics 23 Marnie Jay 27 Midawarr/Harvest (opens) 27 Momentum (opens) 31 Tapestry 31 Polka Party 31 Have Fun with Brass
13
13 In Your Blood 21 Goldstone 27 Kitschgrotesque (opening) 31 Monday Jam Nights
5
Sun
9 Dragonfly Craft Fair
Wed
9 Mindil Beach Market 9 Aqua Zumba 9 Movement Medicine 9 Argentine Tango Practica 10 Bar-BQ 21 Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom 30 North of the 23rd Parallel 31 The Roy Boys 31 First Sunday Blues 31 Open Mic
8
Tue
7 From Country to Couture 9 No Lights No Lycra 9 Nursery Time 9 Gadgets & Games 21 Book Launch – Black Pearls 23 Salon des Refusés (opening)
14
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 7 Drone Challenge 9 Social Tennis 9 SPUN: Power 9 Lego Club 9 Storytime 12 Letters to Lindy 14 Drop-in Youth Zone 23 Face to Face 31 Brass Band Rehearsals
See Around Town 9
DARWIN FESTIVAL
9
Thu
Wed
4 Darwin Festival commences 4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 9 Mindil Beach Market 13 Buried Country 13 The Beginning of Nature 24 An Unbroken String (opening) 25 Barayuwa Mununggurr (official opening) 26 Tropical Gothic (opening) 30 Mall Tunes 31 Lunch Box Series
15
4 LIMBO 5 Pivot 7 Drone Challenge 9 Performing Arts & the NT 9 No Lights No Lycra 9 Nursery Time 9 Gadgets & Games 12 Letters to Lindy 14 Skate Nights 23 Behind the Wire 31 Gawurra 31 Acoustic Jam Sessions
Images kindly supplied by Darwin Festival (Elise Derwin Photography, background image and image on right), Brown’s Mart Theatre (left), and Spun (Helen Orr Photography, centre).
Proudly a Partner in Excellence for Darwin Festival
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WORD ON THE STREET
REVIEWS, TIPS AND ADVICE FOR TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH KIDS While lots of families headed out of town for the holidays we stayed local and revisited some of our favourite haunts, including an awesome weekend away at Litchfield National Park with cousins from Melbourne. We had good intentions to camp, but ended up staying at the boys’ favourite place, the Batchelor Butterfly Farm – which I’m happy to report, is as wonderfully eclectic and welcoming as I remember. Chris, the owner, is always a huge hit with the boys and this time was no different. They were enthralled once again by the bunnies who’ve recently upgraded to five star quarters; were in fits of laughter
feeding the noisy pigs and piglets, feisty goats, ducks and gaggling geese; and befriended Nick, a blackheaded python, and a new addition since our last visit. We arrived in Batchelor late on a Friday afternoon and headed out to Buley Rockhole for sunset. As you may know, it’s pretty rare to get these sublime plunge pools to yourself, but as the soft afternoon light set in and people left we were all by ourselves – pure bliss! The cousins were impressed. The next day we set off for Tjaetaba Greenant Creek which is a 2.7km return walk along shady sections of the creek to a gorgeous round plunge pool with a picturesque waterfall. We saw a Mertens’ water monitor, and the boys were pretty chuffed with their efforts jumping into the rock pool. I even proved to myself that I can still do it! We were all spoilt from the evening
before, so when a big group arrived we decided to head off to Walker Creek, one of my favourite places in Litchfield. No secret to locals, Walker Creek comprises a series of lovely little private rock pools along a creek with a small camping site at each waterhole. We arrived late afternoon and checked the board at the track entrance to see which sites were free – they were all taken by campers. With fond memories of campsite three – pre kids – I was determined to check it out again. Thanks Rob and Anastasia for sharing it with us for a while! It was the most fabulous way to end the day and the highlight of the waterholes for the Melbourne cousins. Following an icy swim at Wangi Falls on Sunday, we headed back to Darwin. Despite being really busy, Wangi is always spectacular – the perfect way to finish our getaway.
Libby Larsen Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that, importantly, parents love too.
Clean Living is being mindful of what you put in your body, mindful of keeping a healthy home and work environment, and mindful of your environmental footprint. I’m excited about the huge variety of Dry season events in the Territory, especially the ones with a focus on clean living – already we’ve had A Taste of Kakadu, the Seabreeze Festival, Barunga Festival and, of course, Malak Marketplace continues. It’s so easy to get outdoors at this time of year, so I’ve put together some of my favourite Dry season activities and hotspots to explore.
• Swap your cyclone kit for a camping one – I love an adventure at Litchfield National Park
• Meditate at sunrise – I love the sense of space at Lee Point Beach and the view is simply priceless
• Feel an incredible boost of energy with a sunset walk, followed by instant calmness as the sun goes down – East Point Reserve and Casuarina Beach are favourites
• Forget the car and ride your bike to work – turn it into a challenge with colleagues and get some movement happening before a long workday starts
• Buy local organic produce – it’s now peak season
• Try your hand at paddle boarding – Lake Alexander is a personal fave
• Escape the city buzz and plan a long weekend out of town to connect with nature – I love Kakadu • Mid-week dinner under the stars – try Needle in a Haystack Street Bistro at Nightcliff Jetty
Lina Paselli is the joint owner of Clean Living in the Tropics, an online publisher dedicated to championing clean living individuals and businesses in the Top End. Lina is also the co-founder and General Manager of award-winning Malak Marketplace, Darwin’s premier organic, sustainable farmers’ market and eco-tourist destination. She also owns Paleo in the Tropics. FOLLOW cleanlivinginthetropics.com.au | facebook.com/cleanlivinginthetropics
CORNER SHOWCASING TOP END COMICS AND LOCAL STAND-UP PERFORMERS
DARWIN FESTIVAL FUNNIES. It’s August and the lure of Hanuman dinners and cool breezes at Festival Park is strong. The hypnotic call of the comedy sirens catch your ear. Felix and the Darwin Festival team have assembled an astounding array of comic talent, so strap yourselves to the mast of the goodship comedy and enjoy the best of the Fest. Be sure to catch Zoë Coombs Marr’s Barrie award-winning show, Trigger Warning. Coombs Marr is one of the hottest talents in Australian comedy. The slick humour of her meat-headed character Dave has the uncanny ability to simultaneously revolt, delight and make you think – and has not been seen in character comedy since Barry Humphries’ Les Patterson. Urzila Carlson is another comedian whose star is very much on the rise. Her recent performances on Have You Been Paying Attention showcase her cheeky and biting one-liners. From South Africa, via New Zealand, Carlson is a formidable comic talent who is unafraid to go to dark places, including at midnight when your four-year-old won’t go to sleep. A naturally funny comic, she’ll leave you wishing you’d brought your oxygen mask.
FOLLOW growinguptroppo.com | @growinguptroppo
DISCOVER, LOVE, SHARE
COMICS'
Sam Simmons is a truly original and exciting comic writer who will surprise you with his creative meanderings. A mesmerising surrealist stand-up, Simmons has one of the most unique and absurd comic minds in the business. Think
of your silly, dorky and easily distracted Uncle Neville and you will be close. Joel Creasey, also known as the acid tongued prince (allegedly following an indiscrete post-regurgative pash), is fast and furious and will be sure to leave you gagging for more. Sharul Channa is one of the pioneers of Singaporean stand-up comedy. In her show Sharul Weds Sharul, this very funny IndianSingaporean comedian delves into the cross-cultural minefield of an Indian wedding to pluck out some raita of comedy gold. Not to be missed. For the conformist, Anglo heteronormative, Dave Thornton might be for you. Not saying he’s a poor man’s Dave Hughes, was rejected by Dave O’Neil’s stylist or failed an audition to be Dave Callan’s back up dancer, but he is called Dave and he is good at telling jokes. Gillian Cosgriff also looks promising. A musical comedian with a great voice and some disarmingly honest songs, Cosgriff will be sure to deliver a hilarious night out. The headliner of the Festival is surely Ross Noble. Firmly trespassing in the pantheon of comedy gods, Noble is one of the world’s great improvisers and storytellers. His whimsical and intertwining stories will leave you breathless. INFO
darwinfestival.org.au
Zoë Coombs Marr
• Pack a picnic to share with friends – even in town, the vibe at the Darwin Waterfront is always relaxing, and the shaded trees keep you cool
Will Crawford is an up-andcrawling comic. He moonlights as a land rights lawyer and policy activist.
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& Lagoon Bay
Mike Atkinson
WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 18 AUG | 7.30PM DECKCHAIR CINEMA $16 | $12 CONC | $8 CHILD | $35 FAM deckchaircinema.com
The pair survived for five weeks after their seaplane ran out of fuel, before being rescued by the local Aboriginal people who found them, near death, in a cave.
Surviving the Kimberley Mike Atkinson braved wild, crocodile infested waters and extreme temperatures to recreate the survival of two German aviators lost in the Top End wilderness more than 80 years ago.
The adventurer’s self-shot documentary of his solo expedition will make its debut in the Top End, with screenings in Darwin and northern Western Australia, 12 months after the completion of the six-week sojourn. Atkinson, aka Outback Mike, became fascinated with the story of Hans Bertram and Adolph Klausmann – who were stranded in the Kimberley in 1932 – after watching a documentary as a nine-year-old.
is of course, the iconic strike led by Vincent Lingiari and Gurindji elders, now recognised as an instigating event in the national movement for Aboriginal Land Rights.
OFF THE SHELF REVIEWS FOR READERS
Welcome to my column where each month I’ll take a book (or two!) from the shelf to share. This month I was inspired by the recently announced 2018 Territory Read shortlist to return to two works of non-fiction that I love: A Handful of Sand by local historian Charlie Ward and Living in Hope, a memoir by Frank Byrne. Re-reading the works alongside each other, I was once again struck by the diversity of contemporary history writing. These two books
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are ostensibly very different. Ward’s is thick – a chronological narrative covering decades of change, complete with footnotes, images and an extensive bibliography. Byrne’s is slim – a story of his childhood told in first person, barely the length of a novella. Yet A Handful of Sand and Living in Hope both offer rich insight into the ways in which the past continues to inform and shape our present. Published in 2016, A Handful of Sand details the extraordinary story of the Wave Hill Walk-Off. This
Yet, Ward’s narrative is less a commemoration of this historical moment than a journey into the inner trappings of policy and politics. Indeed, A Handful of Sand is interested in understanding what has happened since this iconic moment – how the real struggles began for the Gurindji, rather than ended, with Whitlam’s symbolic sand. Drawn from over 100 interviews, A Handful of Sand is a history informed by many conversations – it is a complex story that unfurls through deep listening. In writing of this history, Ward is an astute, considered and humble narrator. I learnt so much from this book – about power, compromise and the ways in which state politics and bureaucracy too often undermine Aboriginal self-determination. Ours is a devastating track record. Yet at the heart of Ward’s history is a sensitive and respectful inscription of unwavering Gurindji sovereignty, proudly and powerfully sustained in spite of the many cruel ironies and broken promises.
Drysdale River
Last year Atkinson, a former defence force pilot, followed in their footsteps in an ultimate survival challenge – and filmed every step of the 450km expedition, solo. “It’s super difficult doing an expedition and filming it too,” he says. “If I want to go and pick a bush cucumber, I can’t just go and pick it up and eat it – I need a shot of me picking it up, every step. Something that should take one minute takes 30,” he says.
Darwin with all profits going towards the Balanggarra Rangers who made the trip possible. Atkinson first attempted the expedition a decade ago, but his busy career meant he was unable to make a second attempt until last year – which gave him plenty of time to plan and time for drone technology to become accessible. “I tried the same trip 10 years ago but I only had two weeks off work and it was in the middle of the Wet season,” he says. “A cyclone hit within seven days, but it taught me all the problems with the filming so I’ve had 10 years worth of thought go into the final product.”
The adventurer’s documentary Surviving The Kimberley, screens in
In contrast to the vast scope of Ward’s work, Living in Hope operates at the scale of the personal. Published in 2017 by Alice Springs run Ptilotus Press, Living in Hope is Byrne’s story of being taken from his loving family at the age of six. ‘My family was gone… this was the start of survival for me’. It is a tragic account of life as one among the Stolen Generation. Particularly moving are the rare moments of love in Byrne’s life, so few and far between in institutional life, yet so familiar in their expression of a child’s need for connection. It is here, through Byrne’s childhood memories, that the truly devastating impacts of ‘benevolent’ government policies and mission practices are registered and felt deeply. Yet far from despondent, Byrne’s voice throughout Living in Hope is assured and strong – guiding the reader through harrowing events with a sense of determination and hope. His are pragmatic descriptions of how it was: ‘What I knew, even as a young boy, was that noone argued with a white fella’. Living in Hope is written in collaboration with Frances Coughlan and Gerard Waterford who support various storytelling projects in their
work as social workers. Evidently these are collaborators who know the value of listening. Yet while edited by Coughlan and Waterford, this is Byrne’s story. It is an offering that feels like a gift to readers. A gift that will captivate and move you. The Territory Read Awards will be announced at an award night on July 29. Also in the running is the play Broken by Mary Anne Butler, the novel The Windy Season by Samuel Carmody and children’s books There’s a Crocodile on the Golf Course by Rachel Barnett and Go Home, Cheeky Animals by Dion Beasley and Johanna Bell.
Kate Rendell works as a Communications Manager in the arts. She is also a freelance writer and researcher. First and foremost though she is a reader.
LISTINGS
Scinema
WHEN AT COST INFO
Scinema will be on the outdoor big screen at Casuarina Secondary College (CSC) to celebrate National Science Week. CSC senior science teacher Peter Ramsay says there will be a diverse mix of flicks for movie-goers. “We’ve chosen to screen the Best of Scinema which is all the winners
from the different categories of the film festival – some are short animations, and some are sections of the longer feature films,” he says. Ramsay says he hopes to share how exciting and dynamic the science field is with the wider community and younger people who may be thinking about their future. “We wanted to promote science in the community,” he says. “Science can be interesting and creative – it’s not just about people in white coats in laboratories.
WED 1 AUG | 6.30PM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NT $20 | $14 MEMB, STUDENT afdarwin.org
“These films show people doing really interesting things.”
Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom Three years after the destruction of the Jurassic World theme park, Owen Grady and Claire Dearing return to save the remaining dinosaurs from a volcano that’s about to erupt. A fundraiser for the Greyhound Rehoming Association NT.
Among the films on the bill is The Kingdom – How Fungi Made Our World, which won Best Picture.
WHEN AT COST INFO
The festival judges say the film “takes us on a wonderfully creative journey from the beginning of time to the present, revealing the hidden world of fungi with beautiful cinematography.”
Book Launch – Black Pearls: The Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame Introduced in 1994, the Aboriginal and Islander Sports Hall of Fame has grown to feature 267 sporting heroes across 36 sports. Celebrating more than their sporting achievements, Black Pearls reveals a history of inclusion and of Aboriginal determination in the face of enormous obstacles.
The Best Short Film winner iRONY explores the relationship between humans and technology, told from the perspective of a phone.
WED 8 AUG | 5.30PM NT LIBRARY FREE ntl.nt.gov.au
Despicable Me 3 After failing to arrest an 80s child star turned supervillain, Gru loses his job but gains a family member when he learns he’s got a long-lost twin.
French Film Night Enjoy the French movie, Victoria, along with French cheese and wine at this monthly Alliance Française de Darwin event.
WHEN FRI 17 AUG | 7.30-9PM AT CASUARINA SECONDARY COLLEGE COST FREE INFO scienceweek.net.au
Science lovers can chill out under the stars and see the best flicks from the 2018 International Science Film Festival.
WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 5 AUG | 6PM DECKCHAIR CINEMA $16 | $12 CONC facebook.com/greyhoundnt
WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 25 AUG | 7-9PM DARWIN WATERFRONT FREE waterfront.nt.gov.au
FlicNics Pack a picnic, chair, beanbag or rug and enjoy free movies under the stars every Saturday night. WHEN EVERY SAT | 7PM AT GOYDER SQUARE, PALMERSTON COST FREE INFO palmerston.nt.gov.au
NT WRITERS’ CENTRE ntwriters.com.au Poetry and Coffee Connect with fellow poetry lovers and share your favourite verses, or your own originals. No criticism, just enjoyment. WHEN THU 16 AUG | 10-11AM AT EAT AT MARTIN’S, COCONUT GROVE COST FREE
Wild Words Here’s your chance to try out a new poem, rant or rave in front of a friendly live audience. WHEN AT COST
SUN 26 AUG | 3-5PM RAILWAY CLUB $5 | FREE FOR PERFORMERS, CHILD, NTWC MEMB
Goldstone
Australian Film:
Desert Redux TWO VERY DIFFERENT AUSTRALIAN FILMS ARE ON THE DARWIN FESTIVAL bill this year, including the ‘neo western’ meets ‘outback noir’ film Goldstone and political revenge fable Terror Nullius. Goldstone producer David Jowsey told us more about the award-winning film, shot in the dusty remote Queensland town of Middleton. Tell us about the premise behind Goldstone and some of the themes explored in the film. The story is about the power and corruption in the country. Goldstone is a sequel to the first movie Mystery Road – it follows the further crime solving adventures of Detective Jay Swan, played by Aaron Pedersen, with themes exploring the history and identity of Australia.
Can cinemagoers expect a similar style and storyline to Mystery Road or something very different? It’s similar to Mystery Road in that it’s a western genre with a compelling mystery crime to solve. However, it adds a great buddy cop character to Detective Jay Swan and a rich soundtrack, too. What went into making the film in remote Queensland? It was difficult – we started with no accommodation, power, water or internet. Middleton is really remote. This was one of the last films to feature Tom E. Lewis – what was he like to work with? Tom E. Lewis was wonderful. He is an Australian screen legend. The film has received international recognition and a swag of award
nominations and wins – what is it about the film that’s made it so successful? I think Ivan Sen is an amazing writer and director. Goldstone is entertaining and accessible to audiences worldwide – but it’s also saying something powerful about us. How does it feel to have Goldstone screening as part of Darwin Festival? Very happy – love Darwin.
d Behin E
tH S SCENE
Terror Nullius
Goldstone WHEN MON 13 AUG | 7.30PM AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA COST $16 | $12 CONC | $10 MEMB, FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Terror Nullius WHEN MON 20 AUG | 7.30PM AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA COST $16 | $12 CONC | $10 MEMB, FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
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August Events Pesona Indonesia Saturday 4 August| 4pm to 9pm Celebrate our fascinating Indonesian community by joining the festivities at the Darwin Waterfront. The free festival will showcase Darwin’s rich and vibrant Indonesian culture through music, performances and delicious food. Top End Gran Fondo Sunday 19 August | 6.30am start | free Gran Fondo, meaning “big endurance”, is a long-distance, timed cycling event that welcomes competitive, amateur and recreational cyclists of all abilities starting and finishing at Darwin Waterfront. For more information visit www.topendgranfondo.com.au Free Movie Under The Stars Despicable Me 3(PG) Saturday 25 August | from 7pm | free Experience the magic of a moonlite cinema every month during the dry season. Sundays Live at the Lagoon Every Sunday | 12pm to 4pm | free Pack a picnic or enjoy offerings from local retailers as you sit and unwind to the sounds of a different musician each week. All events are alcohol and glass free. waterfront.nt.gov.au
ENSEMBLE
JOIN CITY OF PALMERSTON’S MASSIVE CAR BOOT SALE!
SATURDAY
11 AUGUST 2018
8 11AM COUNCIL CAR PARK Crn Chung Wah Tce and
University Ave, Palmerston
Register at h ps://cityofpalmerston.checkfront.com/reserve/
WITCHES AND WIZARDS
Music inspired by fairy tales and folklore Dress up and enjoy the show!
Sunday 2 Sep
9.30am & 11:00am
CDU Theatre, Orange 3 Casuarina Campus
Sunday 9 Sep
9.30am & 11:00am Taminmin College, Humpty Doo
Families $25 / Adults: $10 / Kids $5 Babes in arms free! Bookings at dso.org.au/buy-tickets or through Darwin Entertainment Centre 08 8980 3333
dso.org.au | 8946 6214 22
VISUAL ARTS
WHEN FRI 10 – SUN 12 AUG AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE COST FREE INFO darwinaboriginalartfair.com.au
Betty Muffler, ‘Ngangkari Ngura (Healing Country)’ (detail), synthetic polymer paint on linen; 34th Telstra NATSIAA
NATSIAA THE WINNERS OF THE NATIONAL ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER ART AWARDS (NATSIAA) will be announced at a public event as the Awards celebrate 35 years. Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory (MAGNT) curator of Aboriginal Art Luke Scholes says the more than 300 entries this year show a wide breadth of artwork from around the country. “This year’s Awards have attracted entries of an extraordinary artistic calibre, from diverse geographic regions, highlighting the continuing growth of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts sector,” he says. The awards ceremony, held on the lawns of MAGNT, will feature entertainment from Baker Boy, Emily Wurramara, the NT Dance Company and Mau Power.
There will also be a full weekend of public programs at MAGNT. Now in its 35th year, the Telstra NATSIAA is the most prestigious and longest running award recognising the work of Indigenous artists. This year, 67 pieces were selected as finalists with work representing stories from every state and territory. In 2017, two new awards were added – the Telstra Multimedia Award and the Telstra Emerging Artist Award – tapping into the next generation of artists. This year, the number of entrants in these categories has grown, reflecting new talent and opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists with 17 multimedia entries and 107 emerging artist entries; of these, seven are multimedia finalists and 12 are emerging artist finalists.
Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair
MAGNT Director Marcus Schutenko says the Awards are an important part of the museum’s program each year.
THE 2018 DARWIN ABORIGINAL ART FAIR (DAAF) WILL WELCOME A RECORD NUMBER OF INDIGENOUS OWNED AND OPERATED ART CENTRES FROM AROUND THE COUNTRY.
“Telstra NATSIAA provides a platform for Indigenous artists to voice the views of the broader Indigenous community and contribute to the political, social and cultural dialogue in Australia.”
This year 76 centres will take over the Darwin Convention Centre and generate more than $2 million for the Indigenous art sector.
Presiding over this year’s Awards, as the Telstra NATSIAA judging panel, will be artist Daniel Boyd; Director of the Ian Potter Museum of Art at the University of Melbourne, Kelly Gellatly; and artist Judith Inkamala, senior member of the Hermannsburg Potters.
WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 10 AUG | 6PM MAGNT FREE magnt.net.au/natsiaa
There’s loads on the agenda across the weekend including cultural performances and story telling, workshops and demonstrations, a kids activity centre and the popular fashion show From Country to Couture (see page 7). Executive director Claire Summers says this year the fair will also host the parliamentary inquiry into fake Indigenous art, which was launched in response to the Fake Art Harms Culture campaign spearheaded by DAAF in 2016.
“Not only can you immerse yourself in this rich cultural and artistic experience, it’s also a place for conversations to have robust outcomes and to think about the more difficult issues that are faced by Indigenous communities from right across the country,” she says. “DAAF is an important event where these serious conversations take place.” Summers says the annual event is a welcoming place to meet some of the 2000 artists who gather in Darwin for the fair and that you can be sure you’re buying Indigenous art ethically. “In many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, art sales are the main source of income – buying ethically and authentically ensures that we preserve and respect the world’s oldest living culture and a sustainable future for Australia’s Indigenous art industry,” she says.
POP-UP EXHIBITIONS Various locations
Freddie Mugarra, ‘Long Neck Turtle and Barramundi’
Marnie Jay, ‘Turmoil’ (detail), 2011, acrylic on canvas
Marnie Jay Behind the Wire
Providing Northern Territory prisoners with an opportunity to exhibit their works of art to the public, this exhibition showcases the depth and creativity of work being produced by prisoners in correctional facilities. WHEN SAT 11 – SAT 25 AUG AT FANNIE BAY GAOL INFO darwinfestival.org.au
Past the Berrimah line, is a horse called Neddy. Kids excitedly wave and call out to him as they pass by. Nestled behind him is the art that instigated Neddy, including cards, magnets, prints and original acrylic paintings. WHEN AT INFO
EVERY SAT & SUN | 10AM-2PM COOLALINGA CENTRAL marniejay.com
Images by Naina Sen
Ian Hance, ‘Darwin stubbie 2’, 2018, oil on canvas
Face To Face
Spectacular Failures
Indian-born, Darwin-based video artist and documentary filmmaker Naina Sen shines a spotlight on 40 Darwin residents in a series of intimate video portraits. Looped together and projected in the park, Sen explores the emotional impact of the simple human act of seeing one another.
Creative Arts PhD and Masters candidates of Charles Darwin University respond to the theme ‘spectacular failures’, discovering that sometimes what seems like a spectacular failure can be simply spectacular.
WHEN AT INFO
FRI 10 – SUN 26 AUG | FROM SUNSET FESTIVAL PARK darwinfestival.org.au
Josephine Burak at Munupi Art Studios
Our New Work
WHEN AT INFO
TUE 14 – FRI 31 AUG | OFFICIAL OPENING FRI 17 AUG, 5.30PM | ARTIST TALK SUN 19 AUG, 12PM NAN GIESE GALLERY darwinfestival.org.au
This exhibition brings together Tiwi Island artists from Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association, Munupi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Association and Ngaruwanajirri Incorporated to showcase the profusion and vibrancy of Tiwi artists across several generations. WHEN FRI 10 – THU 16 AUG | OPENING FRI 10 AUG, 10.30AM AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON, DARWIN INFO darwinfestival.org.au
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NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY
DVAA
4 Bennett St, Darwin | 8999 7177 | ntl.nt.gov.au
Darwin Visual Arts Association Woods Street, Darwin | 8981 9351 | dvaa.net.au
TUE, THU, FRI 10AM-5PM | WED 10AM-8PM | SAT & SUN 1-5PM
Robert Walter, ‘Paperbarks’, watercolour, 38 x 58cm
MON–FRI 12-5PM | SAT 10AM-3PM]
A Territory Story Using the Northern Territory Library collection, A Territory Story delves into NT history through the lenses of 10 themes – Larrakia Country, Courage, Tracks and Mapping, All Aboard, Territory Made, Home, Check it out!, Territorians, Darwin and Territory Classics. WHEN THIS IS A SEMI-PERMANENT EXHIBITION
Wetlands In The Dry Motor cars in the high grass, Central Mt Stuart, 1927; Northern Territory Library, Resonians Automobile Tour Collection
This exhibition celebrates the dramatic seasonal changes and incredible adaptations of the flora and fauna in our Top End wetlands and adjoining sandstone escarpments. Featured artists include Jane Moore, Veronica Priestley, Robert Walter, Alison Worsnop and Dawn Beasley. WHEN FRI 17 AUG – SAT 1 SEP | OPENING FRI 17 AUG, 6PM
NCCA
Northern Centre for Contemporary Art Vimy Lane, Parap | 8981 5368 | 0402 379 630 | nccart.com.au WED–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
Kanalaritja: An Unbroken String
Dulcie Greeno, stripy buttons, marina and rice shells, Launceston 2016; purchased TMAG Foundation 2016
Art Educators NT
Celebrating the unique practice of Tasmanian Aboriginal shell stringing, this Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery touring exhibition focuses on one of the community’s most culturally significant and closely-guarded traditions. Featuring stunning shell necklaces created in the 1800s, alongside necklaces from acclaimed makers of today, the exhibition includes works by the new wave of stringers who have learned the tradition at cultural renewal workshops.
An exciting collection of artworks from Darwin’s very own Art Educators NT. Help the NT’s talented art educators celebrate their 40 year anniversary.
WHEN THU 9 AUG – SAT 8 SEP | OPENING THU 9 AUG, 6PM
WHEN UNTIL SAT 11 AUG
Salon Indigenous Art Projects THE ANNUAL SALON DES REFUSÉS EXHIBITION IS SET TO LOOK A LITTLE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR. Co-organiser Matt Ward says the show will surprise regular viewers of the exhibition, now in its sixth year, which highlights the work rejected from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. “Salon des Refusés is going to be quite different,” he says. “We’ve really curated this show and thought about what Salon des Refusés is. “The hang is going to be very different and people are going to
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Martha McDonald Napaltjarri, ‘Warlukuritji’, 2017, acrylic on canvas, 183 x 153cm
be surprised when they see it – it’s unlike anything we’ve done before.” The Salon empire has also expanded, with Ward and colleague Paul Johnstone combining their curatorial expertise in Salon Indigenous Art Projects, launching five complementing exhibitions for Aboriginal art lovers to sink their teeth into this August. “We’re really excited – we’re not sure if two commercial galleries have ever attempted anything like this before,” Ward says. “I’m really thrilled about the diverse range of artistic styles – we’re covering a massive area of country in these shows.”
INFO
salonartprojects.com.au
Their Searcy Street Gallery has been open since June, and Ward says the presence in the city has been valuable. “It’s been good to have a gallery in the CBD for us to spread the word about the important role that arts centres play. “We have been working with Art Centres for a long time. “Supporting the Art Centre model is integral to sourcing good quality artwork, and doing the right thing by the artists and communities. Not only that – but it is something Paul and I find extremely rewarding.” A map linking all the galleries is available.
CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
SEARCY STREET GALLERY
Building Orange 12, CDU Casuarina Campus | 8946 6621 | cdu.edu.au/artgallery WED–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
9/41 Cavenagh St, Darwin | 8981 3030 | salonartprojects.com.au MON–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
Minyawe Miller, ‘Kulyakartu; Make a hole there, sing him, water come’, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 61 x 61cm
Barayuwa Munungurr, ‘Yarrinya’ (detail), 2018, ochre and fixative on bark
Salon des Refusés 18
Barayuwa Mununggurr
Now in its sixth year, the highly anticipated Salon des Refusés exhibits works not selected for the Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, demonstrating the high calibre of artwork submitted. From intricately painted earthy barks to vivid desert paintings, don’t miss this opportunity to revel in this some of Australia’s finest Indigenous art for 2018.
The Bones Beneath
(Ngaraka Ngoyngura)
Emerging Arnhem Land artist, Barayuwa Munungurr, paints his own Djapu designs, and his mother’s Munyuku clan designs from her ancestral home near Blue Mud Bay. His striking barks and larrakitj (ceremonial poles) are imbued with the visceral qualities of the Arnhem coast – the rocks, the beach, and the ocean. WHEN
WED 1 – FRI 31 AUG | OFFICIAL OPENING THU 9 AUG, 4PM
OUTSTATION
VisOitN
SAL ART S CT PROJE
2/3 Parap Place, Darwin | 8981 4822 | outstation.com.au TUE & SAT 10AM-2PM | WED–FRI 10AM-5PM
Pepai Jangala Carroll, ‘Ilpili’ (detail), 2018, acrylic on linen, 100 x 150cm
Pepai Jangala Carroll Pepai Jangala Carroll began painting and making ceramics in 2009 for South Australian art centre, Ernabella Arts, and the artist’s unique style has quickly positioned him as one of the district’s most sought after. Outstation Gallery celebrates this artist’s work in a rare solo exhibition,
PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY
2/2 Harriet Place, Darwin | 8941 2220 | pauljohnstonegallery.com.au | TUE–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
Witjiti George, ‘Piltati Wanampi Tjukurpa’, 2018, acrylic on Belgian linen, 198 x 193cm. Taylor Cooper, ‘Malara Wanampi Tjukurpa’, 2018, acrylic on Belgian linen, 101 x 76cm
WED 1 – FRI 31 AUG | OFFICIAL OPENING SAT 11 AUG, 11AM
Ka pula nyangatja kutjara nyinanyi malparara (These two are sitting together as friends) Taylor Cooper and Witjiti George often sit together while painting at their art centre, Kaltjiti Arts, located in Anangu
Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Both artists use traditional iconography to share their knowledge of country and depict Tjukurpa (Dreaming) stories, using an earthy palette spliced with vibrant colour. Discover the subtle nuances of their
TACTILE ARTS
VICKERS ST GALLERY
MON–SAT 10AM-4PM
TUE–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay | 8941 2220 | salonartprojects.com.au
Mick Rictor, Untitled, 2018, acrylic on canvas, 137 x 90cm
WED 8 AUG – SAT 6 OCT | OPENING WED 8 AUG, 6PM
Taylor Cooper and Witjiti George
bringing together a collection of sublime works – elegant in composition, sophisticated in palette and alive with Carroll’s individual style. WHEN
WHEN
mark making, composition and palette, as they present their works side-by-side – together as friends. WHEN FRI 10 – SAT 25 AUG | OFFICIAL OPENING FRI 10 AUG, 1PM
1/3 Vickers St, Parap | 8941 3935 | salonartprojects.com.au
Mulkun Wirrpanda, ‘Gan’Karr (tectus pyramis - Pyramid Top Snail)’ (detail), 2018, ochre and fixative on bark, 2018
Mick Rictor Mick Rictor was a young boy when he and his family ‘walked in’ from the Great Victoria Desert in 1986, making him one of the last Aboriginal people to withdraw from a traditional nomadic life. Now a senior man painting for Spinifex Arts Project, he carries his knowledge of traditional lore and custom with him everywhere, as demonstrated artistically through his expressive paintings. WHEN FRI 10 – MON 20 AUG | OPENING FRI 10 AUG, 3.30-5.30PM
Mulkun Wirrpanda
Maypal – Shellfish of the Arafura Coast
Mulkun Wirrpanda is the daughter of the great Yolgnu leader Dhakiyarr Wirrpanda. She is a respected elder of the Dhudi-Djapu Clan and has been making art since the 1980s. Over the past seven years she and
fellow artist John Wolseley have been documenting the food plants of NE Arnhem Land. This collaboration can be seen in the National Museum of Australia’s travelling exhibition Midawarr – Harvest. Wirrpanda has
now turned her hand to painting and documenting Maypal – Shellfish of the Arafura Coast. WHEN
WED 1 – FRI 31 AUG | OFFICIAL OPENING SAT 11 AUG, 12.30PM
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MAYFAIR
TACTILE ARTS
THU & FRI 12-6PM | SAT 10AM-3PM
TUE–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 10AM-4PM
7 Harriet Pl, Darwin | 0421 983 995 | facebook.com/mayfairdwn
19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay | 8981 6616 | tactilearts.org.au
Sandra Kendell, 2018, watercolour on paper
Tropical Gothic Four of Darwin’s enigmatic art divas – Marita Albers, Sandra Kendell, Sonia Martignon and Nat Quintos Uhing – indulge their darker natures to offer a curio-case of tropical twilights, beasts and beauties, with expeditions to the recesses of monsoon forests, psychic shadows and salty shipwrecks. WHEN THU 9 – SUN 26 AUG | OPENING THU 9 AUG, 3PM
Reach for the Skies Protecting our Native Wildlife Each year the Territory Wildlife Park aims to raise awareness of the wildlife and habitats of Northern Australia. Featuring artists from the Territory Wildlife Parks Artists-in-the-Park program, this exhibition raises the spotlight on National Threatened Species Day, engaging viewers to discover the intrinsic beauty of our native wildlife and the importance of protecting it. WHEN FRI 31 AUG – SUN 16 SEP | OPENING FRI 31 AUG, 5.30-8.30PM
GYRACC
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre Stuart Highway, Katherine East | 8972 3751 | gyracc.org.au | TUE–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM–3PM
43rd KATHERINE PRIZE
ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS
Lyons Cottage, 74 The Esplanade, Darwin | 8942 4023 | aboriginalbushtraders.com MON–FRI 9AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 9AM-3PM
The annual Katherine Prize encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of the Northern Territory to develop their art practice and showcase their skill to the region. The non-acquisitive awards include the $5,000 Brian and Jeanette Lambert Award, $2,000 Katherine Town Council Award, the Godinymayin Youth Award and the People’s Choice Award. WHEN UNTIL SAT 1 SEP
Sue Carmody, ‘Waterlillies in Bloom’ (detail), 2017, acrylic on canvas
DARWIN ART TRAIL
Various locations | darwinarttrail.com.au
Getrocked Gallery Image courtesy of Injalak Arts, Gunbalanya
Showcasing local artists in their private studios, the Darwin Art Trail provides an opportunity to talk with, and purchase artworks directly from, the artists. See where the magic happens!
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WHEN SUN 19 AUG | 10AM-4PM
Get It On
2018
This showcase brings together Australian Aboriginal fabric design, designers and sewers to promote Indigenous hand-printed fabric. Encouraging the wearing of handmade clothing and slow fashion, it provides a platform for emerging designers. WHEN UNTIL SUN 19 AUG
MAGNT
WWII OIL STORAGE TUNNELS
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens | 8999 8264 | magnt.net.au |
Kitchener Dr, Darwin | 8985 6322 | ww2tunnelsdarwin.com.au | MON–SUN 9AM-4PM
MON–SUN 10AM-5PM
Momentum Recent Aboriginal Art Acquisitions The MAGNT collection comprises more than 2,500 items that relate to Aboriginal groups living across northern Australia. This exhibition highlights selected acquisitions that have been added to the Aboriginal Art and Material Culture collection over the past three years. WHEN SAT 4 AUG – SUN 3 MAR ‘19
Ray Mudjandi, ‘Bininj Ikon’, 2015–2016; donated by Matt Ward through the Australian Government’s Cultural Gifts Program 2017, MAGNT Collection.
Midawarr/ Harvest Immerse yourself in a vast Arnhem Land floodplain and lose yourself in a forest of bark paintings in this ambitious and beautiful crosscultural collaboration between renowned landscape artist John Wolseley and the great Yolngu artist, Mulkun Wirrpanda.
Ian Hance, ‘Madonna and Child’ (detail), 2018, oil on canvas, 80 x 56cm
Kitschgrotesque
WHEN SAT 4 AUG – SUN 3 MAR ‘19
An exploration of a unique Northern humour, Ian Hance’s paintings show the kitschgrotesque wit that underpins the dressing of termite mounds along the highways of Australia’s tropical north and highlight the larrikin humour within the Top End psyche.
Artists Mulkun Wirrpanda and John Wolseley; image by Angus Cameron
Unruly Days Territory life 1911 – 1921
WHEN MON 13 – FRI 31 AUG | OPENING MON 13 AUG, 6PM COST TUNNEL ENTRY FEE APPLIES
The Northern Territory has always been an impossible land to master. From its monsoonal Top End to its arid centre, it promises bountiful resources, but almost every attempt to exploit them has failed. It is too immense, too remote, its resources too inaccessible. WHEN UNTIL SUN 17 MAY ‘20 First aircraft to land in the Northern Territory; photographer unknown, MAGNT MPR_211
OUT OF THE DARK Comprising over 400,000 natural science specimens from terrestrial and marine ecosystems and 21,000 history and culture objects and artworks, MAGNT’s collections are nationally and internationally significant.
ciplines and promoting the interplay of unusual juxtapositions across collections, this exhibition aims to inspire curiosity in the world and lead to deeper and more integrated understandings of past and present.
By dissolving barriers between dis-
WHEN UNTIL SUN 17 FEB ‘19 Frilled Neck Lizard
Pedal to
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Tactile Arts
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DRAGONFLY
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RKET A M E G A L L mber RAP VI
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RKET A M K E E R RAPID C ptember 12 August
• 9 Se
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• 15 Sep 18 August
CONTACT Tactile Arts | 08 8981 6616 admin@tactilearts.org.au www.tactilearts.org.au
CRAFT FAIR Tactile Arts, Museum Grounds
Bookings are essential: darwinbiketours.com • 0487 453 488 Visit darwin.nt.gov.au/pedaltoproduce for more information
27
MUSIC WHEN THU 2 AUG | 8PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $49 | $46 MEMB, CONC | $25 U18 INFO yourcentre.com.au
Roger Woodward
Roger Woodward d Behin E
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Shania Choir Amongst the line-up of music, theatre, comedy, film, cabaret and dance at this year’s Darwin Festival, you’ll also find a whole lot of Shanias. Production manager and choir soprano Shania Cassie spoke to Off The Leash about why this is one Darwin Festival show not to miss.
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I don’t think there’s anyone in Australia who doesn’t know who Shania Twain is… but if there was, how would you describe her? Shania has a classic rags to riches story. She had a pretty troubled childhood and used her singing as an outlet. The majority of her early success was from music she made with her first husband, “Mutt” Lange. She was one of the first female artists to cross over from country to pop, and had amazing success with three albums. The decline of her marriage saw her disappear from the music scene for 15 years, but we are so happy she
is back making music and touring again! What is it about her life and music that inspired the formation of the Shania Choir? To be honest, the choir was formed when a friend of ours realised that the word “choir” rhymed with “Shania” and thought it would be a great concept! On looking through her back catalogue, and digging a little deeper into her personal life, we realised there was more than enough material for a full show. Who’s in the choir – and what does it take to be selected to perform? The choir is made up of 15 members – all friends who were invited to join due to their singing ability and for their love of Shania. We have three boys and 12 girls – singers and musicians and actors. You’ve only been together since last year. What’s been the reaction of audiences so far? Have people been overjoyed? Confused? We always say that watching our audience react is one of our favourite parts about performing.
First they laugh – because we look ridiculous – 15 Shania Twain clones! Then they go quiet, and appreciate the talent. Then they cheer and whoop and sing along. We have audience members dancing in the aisles, we have people yelling out support for Shania’s tough life, and we have people singing along almost as loud as us. For Darwinites trying to determine which festival shows they should make it to this year… why should they definitely NOT miss Shania Choir? Everyone we invite to see the show loves it. Even if people aren’t necessarily fans of Shania, they will be impressed by the talent and won’t be able to help but be strung along for the ride. Our show has been described as infectious – it’s a fun-filled, dramatic, comedic celebration of all things Shania, and so it’s well worth anyone’s time. WHEN SUN 26 AUG | 9-9.55PM AT THE LIGHTHOUSE COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
ROGER WOODWARD IS ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S GREATEST PIANISTS. After decades travelling the world, he finds home when he sits down to play and will be bringing his world-class performance to Darwin this August. You’re a classical pianist, but do you play other styles of music? Can you liven up a dinner party with a pop song? I toured with Cecil Taylor (New York jazz pianist) and sometimes like to fool around with friends, improvising a kind of music that is created on the margins between recent jazz and experimental classical improvisation. Together with James Morrison and other friends it was fun having a crack at that genre earlier in my career, when I also worked with Frank Zappa at the Hollywood Bowl. I also composed and improvised my own music, which was premiered at the Festival d’Automne à Paris. Apart from such music-making adventures, I was content, however, to stay at home with the classical greats, sharing the great beauty of their timeless melodies. When you’ve been playing piano for so long, can you say that you’ve achieved everything that you’d like to in your career? There’s a long way to go yet. No sooner do I play a piece which I know well – than it reveals yet another aspect of itself or secret moment about its creative origins, life and vicissitudes. It’s probably impossible to know a work of art so well that you have completed the visit to the galaxy of meaning it holds within itself. Musicians have such important connections with the instruments they play – so what’s it like having to adapt to different pianos wherever you play? The celebrated Russian pianist Sviatoslav Richter was once asked this very same question, and I felt his answer was exactly the one I and many other pianists would also have given – namely, that we take whatever piano is presented to us as fate. The technician who prepares the instrument beforehand has their own responsibilities of course and their commitment has a very big influence on determining the outcome of a concert, but when I sit and first play an instrument I am asking it questions; not imposing myself upon it. I want it to reveal its possibilities including an emotional range extending from intimacy to grandeur and the celestial heights of its existence. I then tune into its possibilities as I tune into myself… and take it from there. Tell us about the show audiences can expect in Darwin. Well, I want to open the concert by sharing that same feeling I always experience when I come to this beautiful part of the world, where the visual turquoise expanse embraces the timeless, looking towards distant, exotic, cultures. So I want to begin with a work by Debussy (a great friend of Monet), which was composed in 1903. Entitled Estampes (engraved images from wooden or copper plates) it consists of three pieces. ‘Pagodes’ depicts a visit to an ecstatic oriental temple; the second, ‘Evening in Granada’, takes us to the south of Spain. The third, ‘Gardens in the Rain’, depicts a Parisian summer garden before a sudden deluge. Debussy composed Estampes before his symphonic masterpiece La Mer, which is very close to his similar reverence for nature where the sea meets sky in all its various moods.
WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 11 AUG | 7PM | GATES 6PM DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS AMPHITHEATRE $40 | $33 CONC | $34 FRIENDS | FREE U12 nima.musicnt.com.au
NIMA
Below clockwise from top left: Jessica Mauboy; Baker Boy; Alice Skye; Yirrmal; Emily Wurramura
NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS
Each year, the National Indigenous Music Awards celebrate not just the greatest music being made by Indigenous artists but, quite simply, some of the greatest music being made in Australia and the world. And this year’s list of finalists – marking the 15th anniversary of the awards – is no exception. Nominees this year include some familiar and much loved names, such as Gurrumul Yunupingu (Album, Song and Artist Of The Year), Dan Sultan (Album and Song Of The Year), Jessica Mauboy (Film Clip and Artist Of The Year), and Archie Roach (Artist Of The Year).
rap sensation Baker Boy leads the finalists with three nominations for Song Of The Year, Film Clip Of The Year and Best New Talent, and is sure to set the awards night on fire as he takes to the stage for his second NIMA appearance, following his debut last year.
‘Marryuna’ is one of the main songs Baker will perform, and he wants everyone on their feet dancing.
But amongst the list of potential award winners are names that were unknown to most just a few short years ago, highlighting the depth and diversity of talent that continues to emerge from the Indigenous music scene.
“It was amazing,” says Baker of last year’s show.
So will they be up on stage this year as well?
“I was so nervous, but when I walked out and started rapping, it was just a really good feeling. I had an amazing time on the stage. I can’t wait to do it again.”
“Hopefully! And also Yirrmal, who provided the amazing chorus, hopefully he’ll be performing ‘Marryuna’ with us as well so everyone can see the whole film clip come alive on stage.”
Amongst some of the relative newcomers are Birdz and Black Rock Band (Film Clip Of The Year), Emily Wurramura (Best New Talent and Album Of The Year) and Alice Skye (Best New Talent and Film Clip Of The Year).
At the show last year, many of his family took to the stage in traditional dance, and Baker says he’s looking forward to bringing more family up on stage this year – but with some very different moves.
Alongside Gurrumul, Arnhem Land
Film Clip Of The Year nominated
d Behin E
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Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross
ELECTRIC FIELDS WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 9-10PM AT THE LIGHTHOUSE COST $36 | $28 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS INFO darwinfestival.org.au
“The best part of the video clip is that I had my dad and my uncle, who pretty much started me dancing, dancing with me in the clip.”
Baker and Yirrmal will be joined at this year’s NIMA by Busby Marou, Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram, Stiff Gins, Alice Skye, Roger Knox, Kardajala Kirridara, Kenbi Dancers, and the Central Australian Women’s Choir.
MERGING ANCIENT LANGUAGE WITH MODERN ELECTRONICA, Electric Fields will take you on an epic sonic journey. Michael Ross spoke to Off The Leash. I can remember watching Zaachariaha on The Voice and being transfixed. But when did Electric Fields emerge? We met about eight years ago, before The Voice, working on a few of Robyn Habel’s new songs. It was a relaxed and leafy studio in the Adelaide Hills, very casual and we were both a bit shy. After Z came off The Voice five years later, he called me up to ask if we could work on some new songs together. It was the birth of a fiercely beautiful something we’d never experienced before, so we joined each other to see what this energy was. Tell us about the marriage of your styles and backgrounds. How do they fit together, and what is it that you’re hoping to create?
We both create and perform music from honest emotion and love early 90s electro pop and soul – so that was the obvious place to start. We just experimented and as we did, wove ourselves into each track, culturally and musically. We paint the harmonisation like a nest so we can sit ourselves into each lyric and melody until we feel that happy-sad mixture. We’re not driven by genre, but story. How important is it to you to be sharing the language of the APY Lands, not just with Australian fans but also around the world? It’s a huge element of what we do. We believe the best art is born from truth. And Anangu culture is unmovable from Zaachariaha’s truth, so it was only a matter of time before Anangu language entered the lyrics we wrote. The audience love it. Traditional culture has a way of reminding us that we’re all family sharing the same mother planet. Seeing people from all dif-
ferent backgrounds singing Anangu language is beautiful to watch from the stage. Speaking of the world, are you on tour right now? Yes! In the last month or so we’ve performed in Poland, Germany, Malaysia, a few shows in Oz for NAIDOC Week, then over to England for WOMAD, Scotland and Budapest for the Sziget Festival headlined by Kendrick Lamar, Arctic Monkeys and Lana Del Rey. It’s been a whirlwind! You were in Darwin last year for the NIMAs. What was that experience like for you? Truly beautiful. To perform at such an important celebration of First Nations music was an honour. After our performance we got a high five and a hug from Paul Kelly. To win Best New Talent was giant. We’re a bit of a curveball and for them to give us the nod means so much.
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AUGUST
DSO presents
GIG guide
The
Faste Fiv
Master Series II
d Behin E
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OTL's quick and essential guide to live music in the Top End. Rock on! To find out more, head to offtheleash.net.au
New Horizons
ADAM HARVEY ADAM HARVEY AND BECCY COLE, TWO OF THE BIGGEST NAMES in Australian country music, hit the Pint Club this month. Harvey answered The Fast Five – very honestly – for Off The Leash. What’s the first album you ever bought? This is pretty sad really... Different Light by The Bangles. Remember ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’? It was a huge hit back then! I got it on cassette. Incidentally, I showed my kids a cassette the other day and they both said... ‘what is that’!! If you could see any artist or band – living or dead – this weekend, who would it be? Johnny Cash – and I would take my dad because he was a huge fan and he introduced me to country music. Whose posters did you have stuck to the wall as a teenager? It was a mixed bag really. I had AC/ DC posters, skateboarding posters, and a Phantom poster. I used to collect Phantom comics and I had hundreds. Unfortunately for my wife I still have them! What song would you like played at your funeral? Willie Nelson has a great song called ‘Roll Me Up and Smoke Me When I Die’. I think that would be pretty good. I also like the idea of having ‘On the Road Again’ playing at the end of the ceremony. Finish this sentence. The thing people would be surprised to know about me… is I’m a mad keen gardener. I was going to go to university and complete a Bachelor of Science in horticulture... but I went on tour instead! Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole
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WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 18 AUG | 8PM PINT CLUB, MARRARA $49.80 pintclub.com.au
NEW DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA (DSO) ARTISTIC DIRECTOR AND CHIEF CONDUCTOR JONATHAN TOOBY CONDUCTS HIS FIRST CONCERT AT THIS YEAR’S DARWIN FESTIVAL. Welcome to the DSO, Jonathon! Can you tell us a bit about your journey to us? I’ve always heard great things about the DSO and have been to Darwin twice before as a cellist, but it was my transition into conducting that ultimately led me here. I started playing cello at 11 and have spent the bulk of my 30-year music career as a professional cellist. But 11 years ago I took the crazy, winding road to conducting. Over the last few years it’s really begun to pay off and I’ve done some fabulous concerts and productions with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. When I saw this position advertised it seemed like the obvious next step. How did you end up playing cello at such a young age? I started at Darlington Primary School in Perth. It was part of the instrumental music program, which offered instrumental lessons to students at the school in year two. Asked would I like to play an instrument I said yes, and was ushered along with a few others to a room with a violin, a cello and a bass for us to try. Someone was already trying the violin and making a god awful noise, so that was right out of the question. Then there was the bass, almost twice my size, and I remember thinking it was quite silly really. Then I saw the cello and, without playing it, just said ‘I want that one’. I call it my Goldilocks moment; it was ‘just right’. I laugh a lot now because my older brother took up the double bass a year later – he wanted it because it was bigger than mine. Don’t get me wrong, the double bass is an important instrument in the orchestra, but I still think it’s quite silly. My brother Mark is an excellent professional bassist but I can’t help but chuckle whenever
I see him carrying it around or getting it into the car. Will you be looking for opportunities to play in Darwin? I love my cello – a lovely 200-yearold Tyrolean cello – so much, and I know I will play it for as long as I am able. It has taken me all over the world and I have had so many memorable experiences with it. Any opportunity to play in Darwin will be a no brainer for me, particularly chamber music. I would love to build a chamber music series in Darwin or even an international chamber music competition. What else are you looking forward to about living and working here? I have known a number of players who have worked with the DSO over the years and all I have ever heard is great things, including the sense of community, the touring, the outreach, the amazing volunteer base and of course the amazing performances they deliver, all of which I’m looking forward to being part of immensely. I’m also keen to catch a barramundi and maybe a mud crab or two. Can you tell us about the show you’re conducting during the Darwin Festival this month? Opening the show will be Danzón No. 2 by Marquez – a Latin American work – so it’s festive and fun and a real crowd pleaser. Then we’ll have DSO concertmaster Monica Naselow perform Mozart’s 4th violin concerto, showing off what a remarkable musician she is. The concert ends with the New World Symphony by Dvorak, a giant in the symphonic repertoire full of hope and optimism and one of the most stunning slow movements ever written. As the new chief conductor I feel like I’m starting out on a journey with the DSO much like Dvorak did when he went to the USA where he wrote this piece. WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE COST $60 | $50 CONC, GROUP 10+ | $51 FRIENDS | $30 CHILD INFO dso.org.au
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Sounds @ Sunset
The Simon and Garfunkel Show
Phoebe Wear, Fish Slappa, The Finger Buns Remastered and Jordan Ravi.
From their humble beginnings as 50s rock n roll duo Tom & Jerry, The Simon and Garfunkel Story takes you through the songs and stories that have shaped the iconic duo.
WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 3 AUG | 5PM NIGHTCLIFF FORESHORE FREE launchdarwin.com.au
North of the 23rd Parallel Arafura Ensemble presents an intimate performance featuring the works of seven NT composers. WHEN SUN 5 AUG | 3PM & 5PM | MEET THE COMPOSERS 4.15PM AT BROWN’S MART THEATRE COST $30 | $20 CONC | $5 CHILD | $65 FAM INFO brownsmart.com.au
Kasey Chambers WHEN AT COST INFO
FRI 10 AUG | 4PM DARWIN SKI CLUB $58.50 | $28.50 11-16 YRS dtix.com.au
National Indigenous Music Awards Baker Boy, Busby Marou, Yirrmal, Kasey Chambers with Alan Pigram, Kardajala Kirridarra Stiff Gins, Roger Knox, Central Australian Women’s Choir and Kenbi Dancers. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 11 AUG | 7PM | GATES 6PM DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS AMPHITHEATRE $40 | $34 FRIENDS | $33 CONC | U12 FREE nima.musicnt.com.au
Sanctuary Sessions This family-friendly arvo of live music, food and relaxation is brought to you by the Palmerston Young Producer’s Team. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 18 AUG | 4-7PM SANCTUARY LAKES, GUNN FREE facebook.com/palmerstonnt
Adam Harvey and Beccy Cole WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 18 AUG | 8PM PINT CLUB, MARRARA $49.80 dtix.com.au
DSO Master Series II – New Horizons WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 7.30PM COST $60 | $50 CONC, GROUP 10+ | $51 FRIENDS | $30 CHILD AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE INFO dso.org.au
WHEN TUE 28 AUG | 7-9PM AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE COST $99 | $79 A RES | $59 B RES INFO ntix.com.au
Mall Tunes Enjoy free live music in the Smith Street Mall with Scott Murphy and Tracey Bunn. WHEN THU 2 & 30 AUG | 12-1PM AT RAINTREE PARK COST FREE INFO darwin.nt.gov.au/ libraries
Loud At The Library Enjoy free live music at your local library every Friday lunchtime. WHEN EVERY FRI | 12-1PM COST FREE INFO darwin.nt.gov.au/ libraries CASUARINA LIBRARY 3 AUG
WAYNE CRISTAUDO
10 AUG
MIKE FOLEY
17 AUG
METTAPHOR
24 AUG
PHILLIP SPENCER
31 AUG
DAVID GARNHAM
CITY LIBRARY 3 AUG
TRACEY BUNN
10 AUG
SCOTT MURPHY
17 AUG
CHARLIE POWLING
24 AUG
KEVIN MCCARTHY
31 AUG
PHILLIP SPENCER
NT News Live On Fridays Taking a break during the Festival, Live on Fridays will still be around to book-end your August with Tracey Bunn and Ben Quinn. WHEN FRI 3 & 31 AUG | 5-7PM | BAR 4.30PM AT BROWN’S MART COURTYARD COST FREE INFO brownsmart.com.au
Live in the Square Featuring funk jazz band The Governors, and feel good cover band The Groove Factor. WHEN SUN 12 & 26 AUG | 5-7.30PM AT GOYDER SQUARE,
PALMERSTON COST FREE INFO palmerston.nt.gov.au
The Roy Boys WHEN EVERY SUN | 5-8PM AT THE BELL BAR & BISTRO, BELLAMACK COST FREE INFO roymackonkeyofficial. com.au
DARWIN FESTIVAL darwinfestival.org.au Lunch Box Series
Gawurra
Cavenagh Street Social
WHEN WED 15 AUG | 7-8PM COST $36 | $28 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Enjoy some of the best locally made music with resident MCs and DJs – including Jem, Juno, MisS Possum and Mangohig – plus special guests each week. Cavenagh Street Social is proudly brought to you by Perambulator Management, the team behind some of the Territory’s freshest up-and-coming talent, including Caiti Baker, Stevie Jean and Serina Pech. So put some good food in your tummy, some good music in your ears and have some good times with great people – and get social, at the Cav!
RPM vs Bad Apples WHEN FRI 17 AUG | 9-10.20PM COST $25 | $21.25 FRIENDS
Mama Kin Spender WHEN SAT 18 AUG | 9-10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Mission Songs Project WHEN SUN 19 AUG | 7-8PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
David Spry WHEN SUN 19 AUG | 8.45-9.45PM COST $30 | $26 CONC | $25.50 FRIENDS
Check out local and visiting artists every Thursday and Friday of the Festival. WHEN THU 9 – FRI 24 AUG | THU & FRI | 12.45-1PM AT RAINTREE PARK, DARWIN COST FREE
Santos Opening Night Concert – Buried Country
WHEN WED 22 AUG | 7-8PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Kimberley Echoes WHEN THU 23 AUG | 7-8.10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
The Teskey Brothers
WHEN AT COST
FRI 10 – SAT 25 AUG | FRI & SAT | 10PM-LATE HAPPY YESS, DARWIN $10 DOOR | FREE, FRIENDS, DFEST SAME NIGHT TICKET HOLDERS
Bach Together WHEN SUN 12 AUG | 6-7PM AT BROWN’S MART THEATRE COST $30 | $26 CONC | $25.50 FRIENDS
Xavia WHEN FRI 17 AUG | 7PM AT CASUARINA SQUARE COST FREE
THE LIGHTHOUSE Festival Park, cnr Smith St & Harry Chan Ave darwinfestival.org.au Baker Boy
DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
Heaps Good Friends
WHEN SUN 5 AUG | 2-7PM AT PINT CLUB, MARRARA COST GOLD COIN DONATION INFO facebook.com/first sundayblues
Roger Woodward WHEN THU 2 AUG | 8PM COST $49 | $46 MEMB, CONC | $25 U18
With support from Naz. Ghost of Me EP launch with Summit, We Burn Bridges and Fat Pigeon. WHEN SAT 4 AUG | 7PM COST $22 WHEN THU 23 AUG | 9-10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Young Hearts Run Free WHEN FRI 24 AUG | 9-10.15PM COST $30 | $25.50 FRIENDS
Electric Fields WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 9-10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Shania Choir WHEN SUN 26 AUG | 9-9.55PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Gao Shan Liu Shui – High Mountain Flowing Water WHEN TUE 21 AUG | 7PM COST $42 | $38 CONC | $35.70 FRIENDS
Festival Park, cnr Smith St & Harry Chan Ave darwinfestival.org.au
WHEN FRI 10 – SAT 26 AUG | 6.30PM & 8PM COST FREE
Tia Gostelow With support from Sam Carmody. WHEN SAT 24 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
The Esoteric Order of Lungbuster
Dadcore 2018
Acoustic Jam Sessions
WHEN SAT 4 AUG | 7PM COST $15
Release your inner daggy-dad this Father’s Day weekend at the first ever Dadcore – a celebration of fashion and music so bad it’s good. With appearances by the Choir of Man, The Anula Dad’s Band, comedy from Danielle Andrews and cringe worthy dad-style mixed tape DJ sets, there are prizes for worst dressed, so start scouting the op-shops today.
Donny Benét
WHEN FRI 31 AUG | 7PM COST $25 | $15 CONC
Joy Greer, Mitchell Williams and Temperamental. WHEN FRI 3 AUG | 7PM COST $15
Gleny Rae Virus with Archer Old Time Sing Song Man.
With support from Resin Moon.
Senyawa
Rachel Rachel
15 AUG
JAMES DAMIEN
With support from Kris Keogh.
WHEN EVERY THU | 5-8PM
16 AUG
MELANIE GRAY
17 AUG
SILK VILLAGE
Glen Forner
Stiff Gins
18 AUG
BON TEMPS
WHEN SAT 11 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
WHEN SUN 12 AUG | 7-8PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
19 AUG
THE BOATS ASHORE
21 AUG
JORDAN RAVI
Adam Page
James Damien
22 AUG
PHOEBE WEAR
23 AUG
DANIEL J TOWNSEND
24 AUG
EPI(C)PHANNYS
25 AUG
DESTRAIT
WHEN SAT 11 AUG | 9-10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
Helen Gillet WHEN SUN 12 AUG | 8.30-9.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
11 AUG
BEN EVOLENT BAND
12 AUG
TRES TOROS
14 AUG
26 AUG ARAFURA WIND ENSEMBLE
Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals
WHEN SAT 25 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
With support from Stevie Jean.
MANDY GARLING
Tiny Little Houses
JAMES GRAVY BROWN
WHEN EVERY MON | FROM 7PM AT DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS COST FREE INFO eo@darwincomm unityarts.org.au
17 Somerville Gardens, Parap 8981 4171 | darwinrailwayclub.org
RAILWAY CLUB
Didirri
HOTEL DARWIN
10 AUG
Monday Jam Nights
WHEN EVERY TUE | INTERMEDIATE 5.30PM | MAIN BAND 7-9.30PM AT 2 ABALA RD, MARRARA COST $10 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP INFO darwincitybrassband. org.au
Polka Party
BAMBOO BANDSTAND
WHEN SAT 18 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
WHEN FRI 10 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
WHEN FRI 10 AUG | 9-10PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC
93 Mitchell St, Darwin yourcentre.com.au
Tapestry
WHEN THU 9 AUG | 7-9PM | GATES 5.30PM AT DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS AMPHITHEATRE COST FREE
For all your Festival post-show good times.
WHEN EVERY THU | 9PM-LATE AT THE CAVENAGH HOTEL, DARWIN COST FREE INFO facebook.com/thecav darwin
Rob Ruha and Ria Hall
Roger Knox, L.J. Hill, Warren H. Williams, Buddy Knox, Leah Flanagan, Luke Peacock and James Henry.
Club Awi
Juno
With support from Colin Lillie. WHEN FRI 17 AUG | 8-10.30PM COST $36 | $32 CONC | $30.60 FRIENDS
39 Mitchell St, Darwin 8941 7947 | thehoteldarwin.com.au
WHEN EVERY FRI | 6-9PM
WHEN EVERY SAT | 6-9PM
Shawn Morrow WHEN EVERY SUN | 4-7PM
Bring your guitar or any acoustic instrument and song suggestions. WHEN WED 1, 15 & 29 AUG | 8-11PM AT DURACK COMMUNITY CENTRE COST FREE WHEN FRI 31 AUG | 6.30-11PM AT PALMERSTON LIBRARY COST FREE INFO eo@darwincommun ityarts.org.au | 8945 7347
Have Fun With Brass Entry level and developing players welcome. WHEN EVERY SAT | 10-11.30AM AT 2 ABALA RD, MARRARA COST $10 ANNUAL MEMBER SHIP INFO darwincitybrassband. org.au
Open Mic Bring your acoustic and sing your favourite songs. The craic is back. WHEN EVERY SUN | 5-9PM AT GLOBIES SPORTS CLUB, DARWIN COST FREE INFO 8942 2569
31
DARWINFESTIVAL.ORG.AU #DFEST18