JULY
20 17
Celebrating 10Years in 2017 OUR 10TH BIRTHDAY EDITION
FRINGE & WALKING WITH SPIRITS
THE SOUND OF WAITING
Read the story of how it all began...
Make the most of festival season
Mary Anne Butler's powerful new play
MUSIC
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PERFORMING ARTS
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VISUAL ARTS
•
BOOKS & FILM
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CULTURE
•
FOOD & DRINK
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COMMUNITY
Yo u r fre e what ’s o n g u i d e TO TH E TO P E N D
INSIDE
OFFTHELEASH.NET.AU
/OTL.magazine
years ago a funky new arts mag burst onto the scene, providing a much needed goto guide to the Top End. This month, Off The Leash celebrates its 10th birthday and in recognition of this milestone, the team at OTL HQ has pieced together a look at the mag’s journey, delving into the past and catching up with former editors. We put the call out for an anniversary cover and received many fabulous entries. A huge thankyou to all the entrants, including winner Bronwyn Dann, and to competition sponsor Belle Property Darwin. A big birthday cheer also to our loyal readers, advertisers, supporters, partners and volunteer board members. Off The Leash exists today because of you – see page 4.
F R OM T H E
Fringe boasts an impressive and eclectic line-up of cutting edge theatre, cabaret, comedy, dance, music, film and more. Walking with Sprits has scored a significant drawcard in Aussie musician David Bridie and Papuan music star George Telek’s a Bit na Ta. They join an already notable list of musicians – see Festivals. Two powerful plays take the stage this month with Mary Anne Butler’s The Sound of Waiting and Ilbijerri Theatre Company’s Coranderrk. Melbourne City Ballet visits Darwin and local favourite Tracks Dance presents Fresh Tracks – see Performing Arts.
#OTLmag
For some home cooking of your own, we’ve been taking a closer look at the food and faces of Rapid Creek Market, and this month investigate how to cook green jackfruit – see Food & Drink.
r o t i d E
Continue to enjoy delicious Dry season breezes at the Dragonfly Craft Fair, Royal Darwin Show and Wagait Beach Arts Group’s community weekend, this year running as part of the Darwin Fringe Festival program – see Around Town.
@OTLmag
E: roslyn@offtheleash.net.au T: 088941 7413 GPO BOX 2325, Darwin NT 0801
School Holidays have started and there are plenty of free activities on offer at Darwin Waterfront and Palmerston Library, or join the team at Project Empower for an App Making session – see Youth.
In recognition of NAIDOC week, the Deckie screens two great films with an NT connnection, and Darwin Entertainment Centre continues its new music doco series MUSIC on The Big Screen. The environmentallyfriendly Transitions Film Festival returns with a curated lineup of compelling documentaries. Literature lovers are bound to enjoy Book Club Trivia – see Books & Film.
AROUND TOWn | 6 FESTIVALS | 10 Performing Arts | 12 FOOD & DRINK | 14 YOUTH | 19 BOOKS & FILM | 20 Word on the Street | 23 Visual Arts | 25 Music | 29 calendaR | PULL-OUT
CRAFT FAIR | 7
There are many significant exhibitions this month, including Tjungunutja: From Having Come Together opening at the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Kuruyultu a solo exhibition by Eunice Napanagka Jack at Outstation Gallery, The Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award visits Darwin and it’s your last chance to catch The Sculptures of Atauro Island at the Charles Darwin University Art Gallery – see Visual Arts. There’s something for all ages with performances by Queens of The Stone Age, Sampa The Great, REMI, Grinspoon and the Darwin Chorale. MusicNT’s Saltwater Divas present Sista Set and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra kicks off its new Kids’ Classics series – see Music.
CORANDERRK | 13
Food and conversation – the two go together. Combine them with local produce and a bunch of chefs with diverse stories to tell, and you have Eat my Words.
KURUYULTU | 27 OTL is proudly supported by Roslyn Perry Managing Editor and Development Manager Rosa Ellen Editorial Assistant
Zoe Beatty Graphic Designer
Chelsea Heaney Acting Music Editor
Sarah Novinetz Mike Frier Art Directors
DARWIN
Distributed to remote Indigenous communities with the assistance of
JULY
20 17
Celebrating 10Years in 2017 OUR 10TH BIRTHDAY EDITION
FRINGE & WALKING WITH SPIRITS
THE SOUND OF WAITING
Read the story of how it all began...
Make the most of festival season
Mary Anne Butler's powerful new play
BOOKS & FILM
•
CULTURE
•
FOOD & DRINK
•
COMMUNITY
Yo u r fre e what ’s o n gu i d e TO TH E TO P E N D
#dfest17 launch
VISUAL ARTS
•
@darwinfringefestival
MUSIC
•
PERFORMING ARTS
•
g a m l t o # TO SEE YOUR PICS HERE
Cover proudly sponsored by Belle Property Darwin
#hula @ntlibrary
@francesbgrant
MAGAZINE OF THE YEAR 2015
Bronwyn Dann, ‘Wet Season Backyard: Darwin,’ 2015, 29.7 x 42cm
NT Media Awards
AUSTRALIAN WEB AWARDS 2015
Not-for-profit winner Caroline from GYRACC rocks a skirt made @caddiebrain of recycled OTL mags at Junk Fest
@cre8ivterritory
Although care istotaken to ensure information in Off TheisLeash is correct, it is subject to change. We recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates. Although all careall is taken ensure information in Off The Leash correct, it is subject to change. We recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.
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FEATURE
INFO
As OTL continued to grow, it became a fixture at Top End cafes, restaurants, hotels, galleries, theatres and cinemas.
10 YEARS AGO THIS MONTH, A BRAND NEW LITTLE WHAT’SON GUIDE TO THE TOP END WAS LAUNCHED KICKING AND GRINNING, INTO THE WORLD.
right time. The NT News was patchy, people found out things were happening the day of the event, too late to get a ticket or a babysitter. It was all hit and miss.”
circulating in the community,” says McEwen.
But as with everything in the arts, the funding axe was always hovering.
“Some people came on straight away, others took many months.”
In the tradition of street press, gig guides and Time Out magazine – finally, here was a creative, bold, bright read that told you what art, music gigs, theatre performances and cinema was happening in our home town – and it was free.
McEwen ran Top End Arts Marketing, a consortium funded by Arts NT and the Australia Council that put out a monthly what’s-on page, printed on coloured A4 photocopy paper. But McEwen felt they needed to dream big.
Eventually they did come around, and an exciting new platform for local events took form.
With its funding gone, Top End Arts Marketing had no choice but to fold and OTL was left to go on precipitously alone.
For artists, it was a much-needed outlet. An accessible way to promote and celebrate the visual arts in print; to talk up local theatre, film, dance, lectures, community events and the plethora of Top End festivals.
She had been in London working for the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament when Time Out was launched and saw the impact that mag had on the local community.
It can be easy to forget how much has changed in 10 years. 10 years ago, we only dimly knew what an iPhone was. Crocs (the shoes and the B-grade film) found unlikely success and social media meant reading the newspaper over someone’s shoulder – a paper filled with news of The NT Intervention, Harry Potter and Kevin 07. Flashback to Darwin in 2007 and “there was no timely, reliable, detailed source of arts information,” recalls Off The Leash (OTL) founder Janice McEwen.
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by Rosa Ellen
“ABC radio was good but not comprehensive and audiences couldn’t rely on listening at the
“They used to phone us for listings of demos and events. So I had roughly that format in mind. We did some costings and worked out what percentage of space we would need to fill with advertising, and how many pages we would need to make the mag self-financing.” And what about the name? Off The Leash was given the thumbs up one night over drinks for creative types at Happy Yess. We may never know exactly who came up with it, but if you do, please let OTL know! “It took a while and lots of phoning and nudging to get arts organisations involved and to recognise the benefits of having 15 or 20,000 magazines with their information
“I can remember life with Off The Leash but I can’t imagine Darwin without it!” says Darwin artist Aly de Groot, who featured on an early cover. “There’s a respect amongst local practitioners and galleries, but there wasn’t a dedicated publication to acknowledge that,” says gallery owner Paul Johnstone.
“OTL galvanised a whole lot of community spirit …and put it into one magazine.” Over the years OTL covers featured the ascending or established careers of Territory artists like Leah Flanagan, Shellie Morris, Sunrize Band and de Groot. Festivals like Barunga, Mahbilil in Jabiru, Walking With Spirits, Word Storm and Fringe found a dedicated local arts mag that Top Enders and tourists alike could rely on for comprehensive information.
Luckily, canny editor Kate Roseth shook things up, bringing in local galleries and businesses to advertise to OTL’s growing readership. “By that stage OTL had a name for itself and people saw its value. It was good timing,” Roseth says. “It really shifted from being funded by the government to being more selfsufficient.” Things changed again when former Centralian Advocate journalist Miriam Raphael took over as editor in 2011. “Only in Darwin could you get a job running the city’s arts magazine!” Raphael says now. Raphael relaunched OTL as an A4-sized mag with room for longer articles and interviews, as well as releasing an app. “I just wanted to grow it. I felt Darwin needed a proper what’s-on magazine and I really styled it so that it was more like a Time Out magazine, so that it had proper articles. I wanted people to be able to enjoy it over a cup of tea, or at the markets rather than it just listing events.”
offtheleash.net.au
“The free nature of the street press means it’s accessible to all and it has been the go-to mag to find out what’s happening,” says Brown’s Mart Theatre Manager Sean Pardy. In the fast-moving digital ocean, OTL again restyled itself (on the outside) into a tabloid-sized newsprint mag as it launched a new interactive website under editor Claire Eltringham. Facebook, Instagram, the socalled death of print. It’s a whole different ballgame for not-for-profit publications now, but OTL remains strong, occupying a unique role in the community. "OTL has actually increased in print production,” says current Managing Editor Roslyn Perry. "The mag continues to grow in leaps and bounds, with not only an increased online presence, but a demand for content and advertising space." 10 years on OTL proudly continues to promote the NT’s immense wealth of culture and celebrate our arts and diverse community – it is the little mag that could.
FEATURE
Anniversary Cover Comp
n celebration of Off The Leash’s 10-year anniversary we put the call out for a fab, fun cover that celebrated our vibrant Top End home. We could have designed our own, but decided to team up with Belle Property Darwin to give a Territory creative the chance to star on our front page. “Off The Leash has always been a huge part of developing our personal community connections over the past 10 years, helping to make Darwin feel like home to us through providing essentially what is a precious treasure map of where to discover those connections,” said Belle Property Darwin Directors and art lovers Maureen and Paul Heron.
Out very first issue in July 2007 featured Klubo Mulbah, Yama Pewee, Debra Poe, Shellie Morris, Rebecca Toby and Kebeh Jerue on the cover.
Cover Comp Finalists Lucy DeSoto HAILING FROM SYDNEY, MUSICIAN, AUTHOR AND ARTIST LUCY DESOTO HAS BEEN LIVING IN ALICE SPRINGS FOR THE past five years and works in the Alice Springs Hospital precinct for the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health & Well-Being in the School of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University. Her illustrated history of the Australian music business from 1950-1999 titled Australia Rocks was published in 2016.
“We are so pleased to now be a part of giving back and supporting Off The Leash and the NT’s unique and talented arts community. Off The Leash is certainly a significant publication that helps newcomers, visitors and long-time residents feel included and at home in Darwin.”
Bronwyn Dann, ‘Wet Season Backyard: Darwin,’ 2015, 29.7 x 42cm
We received many fabulous entries, but think that Bronwyn Dann’s ‘Wet Season Backyard: Darwin’ really fits the bill. Huge thanks to all the entrants and to Belle Property Darwin for sponsoring this comp.
Lucy DeSoto, ‘Allez Oop!’, 2017, collage, mixed media
“Off The Leash is a fantastic public resource and capacity building tool for the NT community. Living in Alice Springs I admire the website and fantasise about what might be on next time I'm in the Top End.” “The work is a hand-cut multi-media collage, representing the tropical location of the Top End and many traditional aspects of various modes of cultural practice including music, dance, drama, circus and magic.”
Tarzan JungleQueen
Q&A Bronwyn Dann with winning artist
BRONWYN DANN IS A PAINTER CURRENTLY UNDERTAKING PHD STUDIES IN VISUAL ART AT CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY. She has exhibited in galleries across Australia and her pieces are held in private and public collections. Dann’s work focuses on visual storytelling, teasing out our relationships with history, story, culture and place. She has lived in Darwin for the past seven years with her partner and children.
tropics of Darwin. These works are an exploration of my growing relationship with the architecture, foliage and weather patterns of the tropics, and I use the elevated, louvered houses as a motif to capture a sense of what our shared visual understanding of ‘home’ means in the tropics.
Off The Leash had a chat with Dann about her work and life in the Top End.
Did you always want to be an artist? I love doing lots of things but art has always been the thing that makes me feel really alive, focused and centred. I feel a constant pull to be making artwork.
Tell us about your winning Off The Leash cover artwork. This artwork is part of a series of six ink, watercolour and gouache drawings that document the seasonal changes in the backyards of the
Where has your work most recently shown? My last exhibition was at Tactile Arts in July 2016. It’s a beautiful, lightfilled gallery with a supportive team. I also sell my Darwin Backyard series
GRAPHIC DESIGNER TARZAN JUNGLEQUEEN SPENDS HER DAYS RUNNING SCREENPRINT WORKSHOPS, WORKING AS A Print Technician at Charles Darwin University and an Art Teacher for people with disability. She grew up on a sheep farm and ensures her life is never dull or predictable.
of paintings as post cards and gift cards at my market stall 12 Degrees South at Nightcliff and Mindil Markets. Currently, I am working on a couple of commissions. Off The Leash is celebrating its 10-year anniversary this year. Has the mag helped you in your Top End journey? I found Off The Leash when I first moved to Darwin seven years ago and since then it has helped me find a pathway into the vibrant artistic and cultural community of Darwin and beyond. It's a great resource for discovering and planning for events. The visual artist in me loves the design and layout – especially the colour-coded events! I put the calendar from the middle up on the fridge and plan for exhibition openings on around town each month.
Tarzan JungleQueen, ‘*POP*’, 2017, computer generated
“Off The Leash is a wonderful expression and representation of what the Top End is all about. It’s my calendar for all things arty, crafty, sassy and snazzy.” “I was wearing my dad's big Hawaiian button up the day I designed the cover and it occurred to me that the background theme was heavily influenced by his shirt. The poster represents all things Darwin, but the underlying meaning for me is home"
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AROUND TOWN Territory Day There’s no avoiding the artillery of crackers – and howling of canines – but Territory Day also brings the liveliest Mindil Beach Sunset Market of the year.
LISTINGS
Singer-songwriter Pete Murray headlines this year’s Territory Day concert in Darwin, with Ella Hooperled rock band Killing Heidi, Resin Moon and young NT musician Isaac Smiley. The market begins at 3pm, enough time to order a laksa, drink a fruit shake, enjoy the live show and settle into a warm place on the sand for
NAIDOC WEEK
Celebrating the achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, NAIDOC Week in the Top End includes an annual march through the CBD as well as films and dinners. This year’s theme is 'Our Languages Matter' and for little ones, story time at Karama Library on Tuesday and Thursday features a special NAIDOC-themed book. SUN 2 – SUN 9 JUL VARIOUS LOCATIONS FREE naidoc.org.au
Artists’ Craft and Tea
Artists Ahoy! Creative folk of all skill levels and mediums are invited to use the space at the brand new Durack Community Centre. Bring your tools, your work and get inspired over a cuppa with colleagues. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY THU | 6-7.30PM THE HEIGHTS DURACK COMMUNITY CENTRE FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au
Malak Marketplace
Check out the new ‘place to be’ on a Saturday eve. Darwin’s first organic market includes street bistro from around the world, locally grown produce, handmade arts and crafts, live entertainment, clean living education and a health hub. WHEN AT INFO
EVERY SAT | 4-9PM CHAMBERS CRESCENT CARPARK, MALAK malakmarketplace.org.au
Yoga Day Festival Hump Day Hula Hooping
Increase your fitness, learn some fun tricks and have a laugh at these drop-in hoop jams. WHEN WED 5, 12 & 19 JUL | 12.30- 1.30PM AT CIVIC PARK COST FREE INFO smilehoops@gmail.com
Flow through fun, creative sequences for all levels and rock your asana with great music and good vibes at this family friendly, community event. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 1 JUL | 2–7PM NIGHTCLIFF FORESHORE FREE darwinyogaday.com
Did you know Darwin has one of the best rooftops in Australia for urban stargazing? Kick off with a spectacular sunset and enjoy canapés and beverages throughout the night. Bookings essential. WHEN FRI 7 & SAT 8 JUL | 6PM AT RAMADA SUITES ZEN QUARTER COST $85 | $35 CHILD INFO zenquarter.com/stars
Dolostone Conundrums Rogaine
Rogaining is a fun, physical activity where teams navigate across country to checkpoints using a supplied map. Don’t have a team? They’ll find you one!
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SAT 15 JUL | 2.30–9.30PM COOMALIE CREEK $55 | $45 EARLY BIRD | INCLUDES DINNER & CAMPING nt.rogain.asn.au
refine technique, build musical skill and talk tango. WHEN AT COST INFO
Meanwhile, Tennant Creek hosts Desert Duals, where 15 musicians from across the Barkly Region collaborate on stage and Declan Kelly guest stars. These Territory Day signature events include official firework displays.
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 EVERY WED | 6-7PM AT HAPPY YESS COST $7 INFO nolightsnolycra.com
WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 9 JUL | 10AM-5PM MINDIL BEACH FREE beercanregatta.org.au
Tango is a fun, social activity that can be danced by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. An improvised dance, it will exercise your mind as well as your body. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY THU | 7-9PM MALAK COMMUNITY HALL $5 facebook.com/nthntango
Milonga
Join the Northern Tango community for a night of social Argentine tango dancing.
Weekly Markets
As the sun dips into the Arafura Sea, feast on cuisines such as Thai, Sri Lankan, Greek or Indian, take a wander through the palm lined boulevards for unique pressies and enjoy live entertainment. WHEN EVERY THU, 5-10PM | EVERY SUN, 4-9PM
DARWIN WATERFRONT waterfront.nt.gov.au
Aqua Zumba
Join the Zumba pool party for a cool calorie burning dance fitness session at Darwin's Wave Lagoon. WHEN EVERY SUN | 9AM COST $12 | $8 U 15
DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS
darwincommunityarts.org.au Chambers Crescent Theatre, Malak
Malak Community Garden
Work on those green thumbs with these free garden workshops. WHEN COST INFO
EVERY MON | 10AM-1PM FREE facebook.com/dcacommunity gardennews | 8945 7347
Help out with weekly debris surveys. Learn about types of debris, where it comes from and what impact it has on our environment. WHEN EVERY MON | 8.30AM-1.30PM AT VARIOUS DARWIN LOCATIONS COST FREE
Twilight Toad Busters
Who you gunna call? Toadbusters! Join the team helping to control this environmentally devastating introduced species in various hot spots around Darwin. Learn how to tell a frog from a cane toad and toad-proof your yard. WHEN EVERY TUE | 6.30-9PM AT VARIOUS DARWIN LOCATIONS COST FREE
Bush Restoration Day
Help restore the ecosystems of Darwin's beautiful coastal areas and wetlands by removing invasive weeds and planting trees to encourage biodiversity. WHEN EVERY THU | 8.30AM AT VARIOUS DARWIN LOCATIONS COST FREE
PALMERSTON LIBRARY
palmerston.nt.gov.au/library
Family Fun Day
Celebrate the end of the school holidays with face painting, Hyper the Clown, gladiator ring, photo booth, craft activities and blow up obstacle course – or get a pic with a baby croc or snake.
Carnivale Extravaganza – Territory Day Celebrations
Beats & Clips
WHEN SAT 1 JUL | 3-10PM
WHEN EVERY MON | 3-7PM COST FREE
WHEN THU 20 JUL | 10AM–1PM AT GOYDER SQUARE COST FREE
Malak Community Shed
Storytime
WHEN EVERY THU, 1-3PM | EVERY SAT, 9.30AM-12.30PM COST FREE
WHEN EVERY TUE & THU | 10-10.45AM COST FREE
Celebrate all things Territorian with markets, entertainment and Darwin's official Territory Day fireworks display.
Carnivale Extravaganza – Community Day
LET'S DANCE
Wrap up Mindil Market’s 30th birthday celebrations with beach activities, live music and free workshops including art, music, dance, circus and more.
Tango Practica
WHEN SUN 2 JUL | 10AM-9PM
Join fellow tango dancers to practice,
Beautify Our Beaches
Argentine Tango
mindil.com.au
This annual Darwin spectacle must be seen to be believed. Watch in awe as boats fashioned from thousands of empty cans and milk bottles race to raise money for local charities.
Shop 7A, 69 Mitchell St, Darwin conservationvolunteers.com.au | 8981 3206
No Lights No Lycra
MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKET
Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta
CONSERVATION VOLUNTEERS AUSTRALIA (CVA)
EVERY MON | 7-9PM MALAK COMMUNITY HALL $5 facebook.com/nthntango
WHEN FRI 28 JUL | 8-11PM AT COCONUT GROVE HALL COST $5 INFO facebook.com/nthntango
Canapes and Constellations
WHEN AT COST INFO
In Katherine, a community performance of Katherine Tales – Tall, Twisted and True will tell the origin story of Territory Day through music, comedy and satire.
WHEN SAT 1 JUL AT MINDIL BEACH DARWIN, 3PM | KATHERINE SHOWGROUNDS, 5.30PM | PURKISS RESERVE TENNANT CREEK, 5PM COST FREE INFO territoryday.nt.gov.au
GENERAL
WHEN AT COST INFO
sunset – a fiery spectacle that crackers can only dream of.
Want to improve your audio recording or editing skills? Be it for film, music or digital storytelling, these workshops can help you upskill.
Promoting creativity, sustainability, social cohesion and a sense of community, head along for some free weekly workshops featuring local and international artists.
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 SUN 9 JUL | 9AM-3PM AT ESPALANADE, DARWIN COST FREE INFO tactilearts.org.au
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
Code Club
Coding is a great skill to help kids live in the digital age. This program is part of a nationwide network of volunteer-led, creative coding clubs for kids aged 9-12 years. Code Club is free but places are limited, so bookings are essential. WHEN COST BOOK
EVERY SAT | 10AM & 11AM FREE askus@palmerston.nt.gov.au 8935 9999
ACCOMPLICE RESIDENCY SPACE creativeaccomplice.com.au
Hatha Yoga
Create balance within the body and mind with Hannah van der Wal. WHEN EVERY MON & WED | 6-7.15PM COST $15
DRAGONFLY
Craft Fair THE DRAGONFLIES ARE WELL AND TRULY OUT NOW AND SO EMERGE DARWIN’S BUZZING ART AND CRAFTERS TO THE GRASSY OUTDOORS.
Drifting up to a new site on the Esplanade, Tactile Arts’ annual midyear craft fair will set up under the trees to deliver a dizzying range of jewellery, prints, furniture and food. With its new shady location at the Daly St end of the Esplanade, the Dragonfly Craft Fair will this time have food, coffee and live music, so you can picnic between shopping. A new crop of artists and craftspeople who have relocated to Darwin will be selling locally made furniture, weavings and ornaments, says Tactile Arts’ Tessa Duke.
“They’re new to Darwin but have been creating for a long time. One is doing upcycled ghost-net basket weaving.”
Duke says lovers of the handmade should look out for a furniture maker working with wooden pellets in 1950s-era design, and well-known Darwin ceramicist Cecily Willis. “I think that’s what’s really amazing about all of the work at the craft fair, it’s all so individual. You might have a handful of ceramicists but they’re all making really individual and incredibly interesting work. “We just get so excited around this time seeing all the stall holder applications come in. It’s a really cool job.”
ROYAL DARWIN SHOW
Mums & Bubs Yoga
Integrating Asana practice with breathing and meditation, this class is suitable for mums and dads with bubs aged from six weeks old to before crawling. WHEN EVERY TUE | 10-11AM Cost $10 | BYO MAT
WHEN AT COST INFO
IT’S SHOWTIME IN DARWIN. FROM SUGAR TO SHOW BAGS, SQUEALING AND SHRIEKING, THERE’S A FOCUS ON THE DOWNTO-EARTH, ON AGRICULTURE AND THE HANDMADE.
Finding Form Through Ceramics
Focused vessels that come intuitively; finding form as opposed to forcing form. Utilising pinch pot and coil techniques in clay and porcelain, create two to three vessels. WHEN SAT 22 & SAT 23 JUL | 10AM-3PM Cost $250 | INCLUDES LUNCH & DRINKS
If you love the whiff and competitive excitement of the animal pavilions, you’ll be pleased to know that cattle is making a strong return this year. Learn about what makes a prizewinning commercial cow or buffalo (as opposed to stud cattle) and a champion dairy goat, or get in the spirit of the Year of the Rooster and admire the all-round Champion Bird of Show.
THU 27 – SAT 29 JUL | 9AM-10PM DARWIN SHOWGROUNDS $20 | $12 CONC, U 14 | FREE U 5 | $50 FAM | $12 THU 27 JUL, 9AM-3PM darwinshow.com.au
“I think what makes all agricultural shows unique is the combination of education, entertainment, competition and showcase,” says Darwin Show CEO Cherry Court.
yesteryear with carving, horseshoeing and pioneer furniture making, while competition fire lighting and spear throwing has a $500 prize and trophy this year.
“The other aspect is that we’re keepers of tradition. Children have an opportunity to look at those old traditional things. Back in the day you didn’t have mobile phones or a corner store, so you had to make your own broom, you had to shoe your own horses, you didn’t have motor cars.”
Cakes, chutneys, breads, liqueurs and many other cooking categories will of course be subject to the rigorous testing of the Country Women’s Association and show judges. In the show arena, never underestimate the simplest of baked goods, says Court.
A blacksmith and carpenters will be demonstrating the skills of
“There’s always things like scones and pikelets, which may seem easy to make but when you get up to that higher competitive level the judging is pretty critical. The special-occasions
decorated cakes are works of art and people put an enormous amount of work into them.” Every year a type of fruit is chosen for people to go freestyle with, and this year’s theme of lime is expected to be innovative – with its sweet and savoury possibilities. “In amongst all the others, it’s a special class,” says Court. “So you can enter anything you can make from lime – lime juice, lime liqueur, cake. Next year it’s going to be bananas because guess what? We can get bananas again!"
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THERE’S A THRIVING COMMUNITY OF ARTISTS WORKING AND LIVING ON THE COX PENINSULA, BUT YOU MIGHTN’T KNOW IT IF YOU ONLY STICK TO ONE SIDE OF THE HARBOUR. This year’s Wagait Beach Arts Group Exhibition boasts paintings, drawings, photographs, prints and poems to textiles, mosaics, ceramics and sculpture – all connecting to the theme ‘flora’. “It’s just a group of local artists who decided that there’s so much talent on the peninsula that we should showcase it,” says Sarah Smith, from the Wagait Beach Arts Group.
Taking place over Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the community event is this year included in the Darwin Fringe program and will kick off on Friday evening with The Dukes ukulele band, drinks and nibbles at the exhibition opening. On Saturday an art market selling local work from Wagait, Belyuen and Dundee artists takes over the town. Expect a friendly vibe, with some guest artists included. “Anyone who has a connection with us, we have some people from down south that used to live here, or people who provide services to the peninsula,” says Smith.
Flora
On Sunday morning local playwright and poet Sandra Thibodeaux hosts a poetry breakfast to bring the Peninsula’s artistic bender to a fitting close. Make a day or weekend of it. Travellers from Darwin can hop on a ferry from Cullen Bay and be welcomed on the other side with a free minibus to the exhibition space.
WHEN FRI 14 – SUN 16 JUL | OPENING FRI 14 JUL, 6PM AT WAGAIT BEACH COMMUNITY HALL COST FREE INFO darwinfringe.com.au
shake&s ir theatrecot
Health Wellness Festival THIS YEAR, HPA (HELPING PEOPLE ACHIEVE) IS THE HOST OF THIS ANNUAL DAY OF TERRITORY WELLBEING. Learn about products and services that can help improve your health from organisations such as iFitness 24/7, Volunteering SA-NT, Aussie Meal Prep Darwin, Cancer Council NT and Darwin Bush Walking Club. Get inspired by motivational speakers
and participate in interactive workshops including Zumba, yoga and chair aerobics. There’s plenty on offer for families with free entertainment and kids’ activities. Mums, dads and carers should be sure to check out the parents’ ‘chill zone’ for some R&R.
WHEN SAT 15 JUL | 10AM–3PM AT DARWIN WATERFRONT COST FREE
SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR
DARWIN CITY BRASS BAND MUSIC DIRECTOR Please contact Ron Roberts on 0418 857 744 darwincitybrassband@gmail.com
Supported by City of Darwin
Music
ON THE BIG SCREEN DEC Cinema
darwincitybrassband.org.au
Nomad Art Gallery Highly regarded Darwin Art Gallery
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ELECTION NOTICE
July Events Dry Season School Holiday Fun Monday 26 June to Friday 21 July 10am to 12pm (midday) | free There will be loads of fun at the Darwin Waterfront with free acitvities on each weekday for the school holidays. Enjoy bubble sports, circus workshops, archery, Aus Kick, silent disco and more.
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ARE ARE YOU CORRECTLY ENROLLED ? Electoral roll closes 5:00 pm, Tuesday 25 July
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Free Movie Under The Stars The Secret Life of Pets (PG) Saturday 8 July | from 7pm Experience the magic of the moonlight cinema at the Darwin Waterfront every month during the dry season. Health and Wellness Festival Saturday 15 July | 10am to 3pm Coordinated by Helping People Achieve, the festival will include almost 50 exhibitors, interactive workshops, motivational speakers and demonstrations of many products and services. 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
2017 NT COUNCIL ELECTIONS SATURDAY 26 AUGUST
ntec.nt.gov.au 1800 698 683
facebook.com/NTElectoralCommission @NTElecComm
Authorised by Iain Loganathan, Northern Territory Electoral Commission, 80 Mitchell St Darwin NT 0800
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FESTIVALS
Walking
SPIRITS
avid Bridie and Papuan music star George Telek have been working together for decades, ever since they made their hit album Tabaran, with Bridie’s band Not Drowning Waving. Now the two are bringing a new project, a Bit na Ta, to the Walking With Spirits festival at Beswick Falls this month, and the show – in its first-ever live performance – is a signifcant coup for the festival. The idea for a Bit na Ta (‘the source of the sea’) was “floating around for a long time,” Bridie says, before it found life as an art installation at the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art last year.
The audio-visual installation evoked the history, culture and spirituality of the Tolai people of New Britain (off the coast of PNG) through projections, field recordings and music. “They’ve had volcanos, they’ve had world wars. They were the first place to have missionaries go there and traders, yet this Tolai society is as strong today as it ever was, so this is celebrating that,” says Bridie. The concert adds to an already impressive line-up of Yolngu songmen Djakapurra Manyarryun and Rrawun Maymuru, Yorta man Benny Walker (from Victoria) and Rako Pasifika from Fiji – and Bridie is hoping some may join a Bit na Ta on stage, as well as introduce the audience to rising PNG stars.
Rosella Festival
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Rosellas have proven a popular drawcard for this festival in Adelaide River, where the wild, red hibiscus is plentiful and locals make handmade goods year-round.
The rosella is the calyx of the Hibiscus sabdariffa, a deep pink-red pod that lends a subtle, fruity flavour and floral aroma when soaked or cooked.
“We do a lot of things with rosella. People make jam, roll-ups, fruit wraps. I’ve even put it into cakes,” says festival founder and coordinator Margaret Wardrope.
As the rosella season is in early May, Wardrope says people make their preserves in advance to sell at the festival, as well as offer the dried petals as tea.
Starting off with a poet’s breakfast at the historic Adelaide River Inn, up to 30 stall holders will then set up in the grounds, selling craft and rosella products.
“This year one of our stallholders planted a huge paddock of rosella…a lot of people grow it for their own use,” says Wardrope.
Pal na Pidik; image by David Bridie
WHEN FRI 14 & SAT 15 JUL AT MALKGULUMBU (BESWICK FALLS) COST VARIOUS INFO djilpinarts.org.au
“One of the great things about a Bit na Ta is that we were able to work with some young up-and-coming Tolai musicians and Levi Siale is one of those. He’s a beautiful singer.” Bridie says Australia should prioritise its relationship with PNG more. “It’s five kilometres from Saibai Island in the Torres Strait to the western province of PNG – you can wade across it at low tide.” No wading necessary if you’re lucky enough to get a ticket to this fest.
DARWIN FRINGE FESTIVAL rilliant, hilarious, lo-fi, surreal, or green as an unripe mango, Darwin Fringe is your chance to experience the best new theatre, art, music and dance as it explodes into the world.
For a candid insight into how a Gaulier-trained clown created a theatre show on zero budget and a starving-artist’s wage, go see How to Make a One Person Fringe Show in 3 Months, written by the ‘Lena Dunham of Wadonga’, Kyle Walmsley.
Opening night offers a tasting platter of creativity as a range of artists pitch tents in Civic Park, each a small art installation of shadow puppetry, sound or sculpture.
In cabaret, Yas Qween! pays tribute to rock royalty Tina Turner and Whitney Houston as well as other goddesses with powerful lungs. It’s taking place at Rorkes, which is one of the venues hosting Fringe’s independent producers.
Afterwards wander over to Happy Yess for the opening night party featuring Darwin maverick musos Room 105 and Double Dinghy. This year’s festival has a greatlooking program (literally and figuratively), especially in theatre/ cabaret and dance. ATYP Fresh Ink Play Readings features 15-minute plays written by emerging Darwin scribes, who’ve been mentored by award-winning playwright Mary Anne Butler. In My Skin is a theatre piece of spoken word stories about living with mental health issues from Darwin Community Arts’ CemeNTworx Theatre Program.
This year the festival is raising money for the NT Cancer Council and will have a monster auction at midday, with raffle prizes that could include accommodation, tourist trips and of course, rosella jam. WHEN FRI 28 JUL | 8.30AM-3PM AT ADELAIDE RIVER INN COST FREE INFO 0459 082 084
At Happy Yess, a rare opportunity to tell an artist what you really think of their show is happening in Ernest Critique. Comedian Ernest Leigh will even provide the tomatoes and custard pies. Brave man. Fresh Tracks presents original contemporary dance works by local artists and should be a beautiful, thought-provoking show – for one performance only.
WHEN FRI 7 – SUN 16 JUL AT VARIOUS COST FREE-$35 INFO darwinfringe.org.au
Darwin Festival
THU 10 – SUN 27 AUG
DARWIN FESTIVAL IS ALMOST UPON US AND ANTICIPATION IS RUNNING HIGH.
For three weeks in August, Darwin is abuzz with some of the hottest music, theatre, comedy and cabaret – all in our own backyard. This year’s program looks a treat with riveting theatre, incredible music and joyous public dance activities that make the most of the delicious Dry season. We can’t wait for the twinkling of fairy lights and lantern fish that signal Festival Park is alive with good
food and great arts, where sounds from The Lighthouse waft over the crowds and good spirits prevail. It’ll be a busy person who gets to see it all, but if you have to choose, here’s a few you should add to your ticket list, from the moving Stolen Generation's tale HART to Cambodian-Australian b-boys to rising star Yirrmal. INFO
darwinfestival.org.au
Q&A
with Acting Artistic Director Felix Preval
DARWIN FESTIVAL BOASTS A WHOPPING 80 SHOWS THIS YEAR. OFF THE LEASH CAUGHT UP WITH FELIX PREVAL as he launched his first program as Acting Artistic Director. How would you sum up this year's Darwin Festival program? Largely we were looking to curate a festival program that we think reflects something of the Territory spirit. So it’s fun, irreverent, a little bit cheeky and makes the most of the Dry season: people out and about, enjoying the beautiful August nights. You Should Be Dancing Darwin: image by Gregory Lorenzutti
Shit HART THROUGHOUT AUSTRALIA’S HISTORY, AN UNKNOWN NUMBER OF INDIGENOUS CHILDREN HAVE BEEN FORCIBLY removed from their families. Parents have been driven mad, grandparents heartbroken, siblings torn apart, language lost and culture stripped away. Actor, co-writer and Noongar man Ian Michael uses testimonials from the Stolen Generations alongside his own story to create this award-winning production. In this powerfully moving piece of verbatim theatre, audiences listen
HART
to survivors of the Stolen Generation in their own words. Their compelling recollections and insights are a poignant reminder that the effects of this country’s treatment of our First Peoples continue to echo in the present. The subject matter may be harrowing, but there is also humour and hope in the stories told. The result is an enlightening and uplifting theatre experience.
WHEN AT COST
TUE 15 – SUN 20 AUG | POST- SHOW TALK, SAT 19 AUG BROWN’S MART THEATRE $30 – $60
BILLY, BOBBY AND SAM ARE THREE YOUNG WOMEN WHO DON’T BELIEVE IN ANYTHING. THEY’RE MEAN, FOUL MOUTHED, downtrodden, hardbitten and utterly damaged. They love no one and no one loves them. They believe the world is shit, that their lives are shit, that they are shit.
Dance seems to be a big feature this year, what shows excite you? There’s a special program we’ve created called Dance Darwin Dance, which is three weekends of free participatory dance works in public places. We know that Darwin loves to boogie and we’re taking the dancing to the streets. It starts with You Should be Dancing Darwin, which is a large-scale celebration of community and social dance – there’ll be dancing lessons and community dance displays. Between is a dance Tiny Cities collaboration between hip-hop
b-boys from Darwin and Cambodia and it’s like a cross-cultural conversation about what it is to be a dancer in these two distinct cities. What local acts are not to be missed? We’re excited to have B2M open the festival at the Santos Opening Night Concert. We’re stoked to have Shellie Morris back to the festival with her show Shellie Morris and Friends: Journey Home. We’re excited to be closing the festival with rising talent Yirrmal. For those you haven’t had the chance to hear him sing live, The Lighthouse is going to be a particularly beautiful setting for that. We also have local legends Dave Garnham and the Reasons to Live playing backing band for American country music star Leo Rondeau. What makes Darwin Fest different from other major festivals? Darwin Festival has its origins as a grassroots community festival and I think this is still a huge part of its strength. The impact that community support has on the festival and the positive impact the festival has on the lives of the community are always in balance.
This hard-hitting and exhilarating play is as provocative as its title, using brutal language in a grungy poetic style that offers moments of beauty and relief. A vital piece of theatre that sees us confronting our own prejudices and preconceptions, SHIT is a daring and powerful theatrical experiment using rarely seen female characters. WHEN AT COST
TUE 22 – SUN 27 AUG | POST- SHOW TALK, TUE 22 AUG BROWN’S MART THEATRE $30 – $60
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PERFORMING ARTS
SOUND of waiting
“THE POWER OF EMPATHY IS GREATER THAN THE POWER OF DEATH,” SAYS PLAYWRIGHT MARY ANNE BUTLER AS SHE PREMIERES HER POWERFUL NEW PLAY THE SOUND OF WAITING.
Butler wrote the script after reading a quote from Tony Abbott, which led her to delve into the void of empathy she felt lay at the heart of Australia’s refugee policies. “He said, ‘Jesus knew there was a place for everything and it’s not necessarily everyone’s place to come to Australia’. It made me so, so angry. Here’s a man using his Christian religion to justify turning people away, not allowing people into the country of safety, when their lives are in danger.”
The play follows refugee Hamed Mokri as he stands on a wooden fishing boat on high seas, cradling his small daughter. An angel of death, hovering above the scene, ponders ways to send him to the bottom of the ocean. “The angel of death represents government policy and the Australian people,” says Butler. “The angel of death is there waiting for the boat and the angel is there to make sure Hamed dies.” Butler is thrilled that award-winning writer Osamah Sami is playing Hamed, after she read his book Good Muslim Boy while researching the play.
WHEN AT COST INFO
TUE 25 JUL (PREVIEW) – SUN 6 AUG BROWN’S MART $35 | $25 CONC brownsmart.com.au
Directed by frequent collaborator Gail Evans, this production comes off a tremendous professional year for the Darwin playwright, with her play Broken winning major literary and theatre awards in Victoria and NSW. In a world where conflict has cast millions adrift and the moral compass is going shakily south, Butler says she wants people to come away thinking. “What can I do in my limited capacity as a human being to make the world a better place?”
WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 2O JUL | 7.30PM THE VENUE, FANNIE BAY $49 – $75 thevenueatfanniebay.com.au
Shirley
Valentine
A Midsummer Night’s Dream IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT SHAKESPEARE’S MOST DELIGHTFUL AND FANTASTICAL PLAY FOUND FURTHER LIFE AS A BALLET. Set to a romantic score by Felix Mendelssohn, the Melbourne City Ballet brings the story to life through a lush production featuring pretty costumes, impish humour and magical scenery.
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“Action, comedy, drama and, of course, a splash of fairy magic combine to make this the perfect ballet for people to bring their families along to see,” says
Melbourne City Ballet Artistic Director Michael Pappalardo. Like the play, the ballet is set in both the lavish court of ancient Athens and the magical realm of Fairyland, and follows four interconnected plots. A love quadrangle between characters Hermia, Lysander, Demetrius and Helena occupies the human world, while in Fairyland the fairy queen Titiania, fairy king Oberon and the trickster Puck cause mischief for the mortals.
How the dancer who plays Nick Bottom gets around stage after his head is turned into a donkey’s will be an entertaining spectacle. With love potions, changelings and rude mechanicals, the weird and wonderful elements of A Midsummer Night’s Dream make this production bound to enchant.
WHEN WED 26 JUL | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $42 | $38 CONC, CHILD INFO yourcentre.com.au
TRAPPED IN A DOMESTIC RUT WITH AN UNGRATEFUL, BOORISH FAMILY, MIDDLE-AGED LIVERPUDLIAN HOUSEWIFE Shirley Valentine is going to waste in suburban drudgery. But you can’t exactly call her downtrodden. When the film version of Shirley Valentine came out in 1988, the trailer described her as ‘an extraordinary woman trapped in an ordinary life’ and that’s what makes this story an enduring classic. Mandi Lodge (Always… Patsy Cline) stars in this production of Willy Russell’s one-woman play, which was later turned into the film, taking on a whole cast of deftly-drawn characters.
“With it being a one-woman play, I have to sort of find all these different characters and different voices and bring them into the storyline. It’s fabulous,” says Lodge. Shirley Valentine’s hilarious take on the world shifts gear when she decides to escape her life and run away to a Greek Island. Meeting a handsome Greek man happily complicates things and steers the comedy-drama toward romance. “It’s about finding yourself. It’s like a little bit of escapism and for Shirley Valentine, going to Greece and realising that she’s put everything on the backburner, from getting married to having kids – she wants to rediscover herself,” says Lodge.
LISTINGS
Terror Australis Q&A
with performer Leah Shelton
LEAH SHELTON WAS PERFORMING IN A GLITZY VARIETY SHOW IN LAS VEGAS WHEN SHE HAD THE IDEA FOR TERROR AUSTRALIS, an anti-burlesque cabaret show exploring Australian culture’s dark undercurrent. Off The Leash had a chat with Shelton ahead of her Darwin show. What is Terror Australis? It’s like a psychedelic mash-up exploring the dark underbelly of Australian culture. There’s a lot of pop culture references and I put those in counterpoint to some true stories about the dark terror of the Australian outback.
WHEN AT COST INFO
WED 12 – SAT 15 JUL | 7PM ACCOMPLICE ARTS SPACE $35 | $25 CONC darwinfringe.org.au
I play a number of characters, such as a trashy outback backpacker and a goon-swilling girl that pole dances on a Hills Hoist – that kind of vibe. Could this ring a bit too true for your Territory audience? I’ve had a few people say this to me. I re-enact a scene out of Crocodile Dundee, which is a bit ridiculous. Then I tell a story about a friend of mine who attempted to put a road kill kangaroo out of its misery. I play the kangaroo and it’s very, very funny. Why do you think these themes should be interrogated?
I was interested in whether there’s an underlying paranoia in Australian culture – why we are afraid of change, of outsiders? We have a bloody history connected to the landscape and then there’s all these narratives of hitchhikers and of people getting lost in the bush. There’s something interesting connecting that to the Australian psyche. Will people be shocked? I think it’s a real rollercoaster. People have said they laugh a lot and then have moments of chills-downthe-spine terror. I think it has the potential to shock, but I use comedy and ridiculousness to draw people in.
DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE yourcentre.com.au
Dracula
In a new production of this gothic horror story by Shake & Stir Theatre Company, a visitor to Castle Dracula discovers he may not just be a dinner guest – he might also be the main course. WHEN FRI 14 JUL | 8PM COST $45 | $40 CONC | $20 U 18
Make the World a Banter Place Alex Williamson knows how to banter. Darkly intelligent and crassly funny, Williamson, a unique, multifaceted filmmaker, songwriter and performer, has proven to be a huge runaway hit with the YouTube generation. WHEN SAT 22 JUL | 7PM COST $35.90 | $27.90 CONC
GENERAL
Photo by james Henry
WHEN FRI 7 JUL | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $45 | $40 CONC, MEMB | $20 U 18 INFO yourcentre.com.au
CORANDERRK n 1881 the Kulin clans, facing the imminent loss of their land and freedoms, brought about a Parliamentary Inquiry to continue living on the Victorian Aboriginal reserve of Coranderrk as a self-determined community. The protest was the first occasion Aboriginal people used the Western legal system to fight for their rights in court, and was all but unknown until a historian came across the extensive document detailing the inquiry. Coranderrk is the gripping play created from the detailed minutes of the inquiry, which took place over
two and a half months and heard from 69 witnesses, white and black. Ilbijerri Theatre Company finally brings the play to Darwin, after hugely successful runs in Victoria and other states. “I suppose what we’ve done is take the central characters from the inquiry and put them into a play,” says Coranderrk director Eva Grace Mullaley. “We have a main antagonist and a main protagonist in Edward Curr and William Barak, then we have Anne Bon and John Green who are the wonderful allies of the people of Coranderrk.”
Four actors play multiple characters in the play, including Wurundjeri leader William Barak who walked 18 hours to Melbourne’s Parliament House to petition the government, and wealthy widow Anne Bon, who was a commissioner and sympathetic to the Coranderrk cause. Written by Giordano Nanni, Coranderrk was originally a verbatim reading of the inquiry’s minutes at Melbourne playhouse La Mama, before being turned into a theatre piece for Belvoir St Theatre and then a fully-formed play by Ilbijerri. Although the people of Coranderrk won the inquiry, a huge victory in
Family Secrets
Dad jokes, embarrassing siblings, drunk aunties and that one weird uncle are all fair game at this month's Top End Comedy night. WHEN THU 6 JUL | 7-10PM AT HAPPY YESS COST $10 INFO facebook.com/ topendcomedy
10th annual Darwin Comedy Cup the face of adversity, the 1886 Half Caste Act ensured their win was short-lived, and white settlers were soon allowed to encroach upon their land. “I think it’s important to go everywhere with this show because of the strength and the pride that you learn that these blackfellas had in the 1800s, 136 years ago,” says Mullaley. “There is a huge sense of pride in our ancestors. Because we’re taught – even blackfellas are taught – that it was all just very quiet and submissive. I had no idea of Coranderrk before I did this play.”
Six of Darwin's top comedians work hard for a shot at ultimate comedy glory and bragging rights – the 10th Darwin Comedy Cup crown. WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 27 JUL | 7–10PM HAPPY YESS $5 0403 931 802
Fresh Tracks
Tracks Dance Company presents a series of short thought-provoking original dance works featuring local choreographers, artists and dancers. WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 9 JUL | 12.45PM & 2.15PM BROWN’S MART $15 | $10 CONC tracksdance.com.au
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LISTINGS
FOOD & DRINK
Rapid Creek
Market
Green Jackfruit ackfruit is so prevalent in Darwin and so versatile it’s surprising it’s not more widely used, especially in its unripe form when it has the tasty, meaty texture of an artichoke. Green jackfruit is used in curries and savoury dishes everywhere from the Caribbean to Sri Lanka and at the height of the pulled pork phenomenon, was even touted as a vegan alternative – although no one seemed to take that up. Not even in Darwin.
Saifulloh’s
Jackfruit Curry Green jackfruit pieces (sold in bags at Rapid Creek Market) Onion, chopped Chilli paste Garlic Lemongrass Galangal Candlenuts (optional) Kaffir lime leaf 1 tablespoon curry spice powder Tin coconut milk Coconut powder
and herb paste until fragrant; add the kaffir lime leaf and spice powder. Mix the tinned coconut milk with some powder to make it creamier, then add to the curry. Simmer for five to 10 minutes then add the cooked jackfruit and simmer for 20 minutes. Eat with rice or roti.
Eat my Words: Food combined with storytelling is an inviting concept (perhaps best not done at exactly the same time) but eating good food while being part of the story is better yet. Eat My Words is a dinner being held as part of Darwin Fringe, where a diverse bunch of cooks use all-local ingredients while telling their own stories of cooking.
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Organised by Darwin’s local produce gurus GULP, the group has devised a brilliant ticketing system, where guests who offer their own musical or dishwashing talents get a reduced price, while those with dough have
Saifulloh Samsul and his wife Sarah own the popular market stall Borneo Intersection, where their Padang menu includes a jackfruit curry that has all the right sweet and savoury flavours to make the most of the mild flesh. “I’ve been eating this from when I was born,” says Samsul, who arrived in Darwin 10 years ago and opened the stall around 2012.
Green jackfruit needs to be boiled before it’s tender enough to add to a curry, or pulled apart for a ‘pulled pork’ style dish. For his Minganese style jackfruit curry, Samsul uses a fragrant ‘thousand spice’ powder he makes from an array of roasted spices including coriander, cinnamon, cumin, nutmeg, clove and turmeric. He adds this to a fresh paste of lemongrass, garlic, candlenuts, chilli and galangal before adding coconut milk and finally, the cooked jackfruit pieces. You can visit Borneo Intersection at Rapid Creek Market most Sundays and Mindil Beach Sunset Market most Thursdays and Sundays.
The dinner will be held in the Mulch Pit community garden, and features food from West Papua, the Philippines, Southern India and the Top End. “It grows as more people get involved,” says Lupin.
Celebrate Territory Day with an all-you-can-eat gourmet barbeque under the stars and a fabulous view of the official Territory Day fireworks display. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 1 JUL | 6-9PM SKYCITY DARWIN $70 | $35 CHILD | $5 U 4 skycitydarwin.com.au
Dinner Under The Stars
Raise money for Royal Darwin Hospital whilst dining on three courses by Little Miss Korea chef Chung Jae Lee, accompanied by fine wines from Piper Collective. WHEN SAT 8 JUL | 6.30-11.30PM AT AUSTIN LANE, DARWIN COST $220 INFO facebook.com/ littlemisskoreadarwin
Malak Community Dinner
Embrace Darwin’s diverse culture with a night of food and entertainment. WHEN MON 31 JUL | 6-8.30PM AT DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS, MALAK COST $5 | $10 FAMILY | FREE FOR VOLUNTEERS INFO darwincommunityarts.org.au
Bicentennial Park, The Esplanade, Darwin
Tactile Arts
DRAGONFLY
the option of sponsoring a seat for someone who can’t afford it. “We’re experimenting with the fact that people will just go along to a normal food event – in this dinner everyone is engaged,” says organiser Emma Lupin.
Territory Day Starbeque
Samsul buys his green jackfruit from Rapid Creek Market, where he starts setting up his Sunday stall at 2am.
TASTE AND TALES OF TROPICAL COOKS
Banana Trunk Soup
Saifulloh Samsul cooks in large quantities, so this recipe is a guide only. Boil the jackfruit pieces for 10 minutes, until they’re soft and have turned a greyish colour. Blend the remaining fresh ingredients, excluding the onion and kaffir lime leaf, into a paste. Fry the onion, chilli
Many local growers at Rapid Creek Market sell the green fruit prepeeled and cut, ready for cooking. The pieces include the seeds, which cook along with the fruit and add a pleasing crunch, similar to water chestnut.
“It’s easy to get it in Darwin. We sell here authentic beef rendang for the people who like meat curries, and the jackfruit is perfect for people who are vegetarian or vegan. Jackfruit is perfect for people who can’t eat meat. I learned to cook from the street, that’s where the original food in Indonesia comes from. We cook street food but with high-standard ingredients.”
GENERAL
WHEN THU 13 JUL | 6-8.30PM AT MULCH PIT COMMUNITY GARDEN COST $5 – $60 INFO gulpnt.com
CONTACT Tactile Arts | 08 8981 6616 admin@tactilearts.org.au www.tactilearts.org.au
CRAFT FAIR
9am-3pm
ROYAL DARWIN SHOW
“The Best of the Territory”
Thursday 27 July Friday 28 July Saturday 29 July
Gates Open 9am to 10pm Don’t miss thrilling rides, show bags and sideshow alley, animals, exhibits and loads of free entertainment with live music and performers including chainsaw sculpting, Trackskill V8 Race Utes, traditional spear throwing, amazing racing pigs, Drumming Monkeys, Crackup Sisters, and the fireworks finale on Saturday. DARWIN SHOWGROUNDS, WINNELLIE. Gate admission: Adults $20; Children under 5yrs Free, under 14yrs $12; Family (2 adults + 3 children under 14 yrs) $50; Aged pensioners (on presentation of Aged Pension Concession card) $12. Discounted entry Thursday until 3pm $12 ENTRY TICKETS AVAILABLE NOW
www.darwinshow.com.au ok Call 8984 3091 • Find us on Facebo
@darwinshow
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15 Sat
Fri
6 Dolostone Conundrums Rogaine 6 Malak Marketplace 8 Flora 8 Health & Wellness Festival 10 Walking With Spirits 13 Terror Australis 21 FlicNics 28 CDU Art Gallery (last chance) 31 Bec Sandridge 31 The Outer Limits
21 19 School Holiday Fun 19 App Making 101 31 NT News Live on Fridays 31 Loud at the Library 31 Open Mic Nite by the Sea
See Around Town 7
7 Royal Darwin Show
16 Sun
6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Aqua Zumba 8 Flora 10 Darwin Fringe Festival Concludes 26 Tactile Arts (last chance) 30 Queens of the Stone Age 31 Ryan Coffey Heartbreaker
Thu
20 Beatles Double
See Books & Film 20
27 6 Artists’ Craft and Tea 6 Argentine Tango 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Malak Community Shed 6 Bush Restoration Day 6 Storytime 12 The Sound of Waiting 13 Darwin Comedy Cup 31 Tapestry – The Songs of Carole King 31 Mall Tunes
See Visual Arts 28
Sat
28 Darwin Art Trail
22 Fri
6 Malak Marketplace 7 Code Club 7 Finding Form Through Ceramics 13 Make The World a Banter Place 21 FlicNics 27 Punuku Tjukurpa (last chance) 28 Reef (last chance) 30 DSO Kids’ Classics
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6 Milonga 7 Royal Darwin Show 10 Rosella Festival 12 The Sound of Waiting 31 NT News Live on Fridays 31 Loud at the Library 31 Open Mic Nite by the Sea
17 Mon
Sun
6 Tango Practica 6 Malak Community Garden 6 Beats & Clips 6 Beautify Our Beaches 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 20 Descent into the Maelstrom 31 Monday Music Jam
See Around Town 6
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30 DSO Kids’ Classics 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Aqua Zumba 7 Finding Form Through Ceramics See Music 29
18 Tue
Sat
6 Twilight Toad Busters 6 Storytime 7 Mums & Bubs Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 19 Drop-in Youth Zone 31 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsal
See Music 30
29
29 One Tropical Day 6 Malak Marketplace 7 Code Club 7 Royal Darwin Show 12 The Sound of Waiting 21 FlicNics 26 Stone Country (last chance) 27 Kuruyultu (last chance) 27 Mayhmayh (last chance)
Mon
19 School Holiday Skate Nights
See Youth 19
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Sun
6 Tango Practica 6 Malak Community Garden 6 Beats & Clips 6 Beautify Our Beaches 7 Hatha Yoga 27 Framed (last chance) 31 Monday Music Jam
30
Get a water efficient irrigation schedule with a free Garden Tune Up.
livingwatersmart.com.au
6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Aqua Zumba 21 Wild Words
19
Wed
Tue
6 Hump Day Hula Hooping 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 7 Code Club 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 19 App Making 101 – Game Apps
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Mon
6 Twilight Toad Busters 6 Storytime 7 Mums & Bubs Yoga 9 NT electoral roll closes 12 The Sound of Waiting (preview) 31 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsal 31 Open Mic Night Katherine
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6 Tango Practica 6 Malak Community Garden 6 Beats & Clips 6 Beautify Our Beaches 7 Hatha Yoga 14 Malak Community Dinner 31 Monday Music Jam
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Thu
Wed
6 Artists’ Craft and Tea 6 Argentine Tango 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Malak Community Shed 6 Bush Restoration Day 6 Storytime 6 Family Fun Day 12 Shirley Valentine 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 21 Poetry & Coffee 31 Mall Tunes
See
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6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 7 Code Club 7 Hatha Yoga 12 The Sound of Waiting 12 A Midsummer Night’s Dream
AROUND TOWn Books & fILM Performing Arts FESTIVALS Visual Arts YOUTH Food & Drink Music
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.
Sat
Sun
13 Coranderrk
Mon
6 Tango Practica 6 Malak Community Garden 6 Beats & Clips 6 Beautify Our Beaches 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 20 Mistaken for Strangers 31 Monday Music Jam
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See Performing Arts 13
6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Aqua Zumba 6 NAIDOC Week Commences 7 Code Club 27 iNsTagrammers (last chance) 28 MAGNT (official launch) 31 Travis Collins 31 First Sunday Blues
2
Tue
6 Twilight Toad Busters 6 Storytime 7 Mums & Bubs Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 19 Drop-in Youth Zone 21 Transitions Film Festival 31 Fascisimo 31 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsal
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In Darwin, we’re using more water than can be captured and supplied.
Not sure how much water to give your plants this dry season?
6 Carnivale Extravaganza – Community Day
See Around Town 6
Calendar JULY 2017
1 6 Territory Day 6 Malak Marketplace 6 Yoga Day Festival 6 Carnivale Extravaganza 14 Territory Day Starbeque 21 Write Here – Darwin 27 Kuruyultu (opening) 28 MAGNT (opens) 31 Territory Day Concert 31 Crap Music Rave Party
Fri
FRINGE FESTIVAL
7 6 Canapes & Constellations 10 Darwin Fringe Festival Commences 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Drop-in Youth Zone 28 Reef (opening) 29 ABBA 31 Fringe Opening Party 31 Reuben Stone 31 NT News Live on Fridays 31 Loud at the Library 31 Open Mic Nite by the Sea
See Books & Film 21
21 Transitions Film Festival
3 Mon
4 Tue On average, 57% of all household water use in Darwin is In lawns and gardens.
livingwatersmart.com.au 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 19 Drop-in Youth Zone 31 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsal
5
Wed
6 Hump Day Hula Hooping 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 7 Code Club 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 19 School Holiday Skate Nights 19 Around The World 21 French Film Night
Thu
6 Artists’ Craft and Tea 6 Argentine Tango 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Bush Restoration Day 6 Storytime 13 Terror Australis 14 Eat My Words 21 Book Club Trivia 31 Nancy Cole 31 Ryan Coffey Heartbreaker 31 Vaudeville Variety Show 31 Mall Tunes
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It’s yours to save.
Includes an efficient watering schedule and small irrigation repairs. Visit livingwatersmart.com.au
Wed
6 Hump Day Hula Hooping 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 7 Code Club 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 19 School Holiday Skate Nights 19 Around The World 31 Fascisimo 31 The Roaring Twenties
12
Get a free Garden Tune Up worth up to $500
6 Tango Practica 6 Malak Community Garden 6 Beats & Clips 6 Beautify Our Beaches 7 Hatha Yoga 19 School Holiday Fun 31 Monday Music Jam
See Performing Arts 13
13 Terror Australis
See Music 29
29 ABBA
6
Thu
6 Artists’ Craft and Tea 6 Argentine Tango 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Malak Community Shed 6 Bush Restoration Day 6 Storytime 13 Family Secrets 19 School Holiday Fun 19 Around The World 19 Drop-in Youth Zone 31 Mall Tunes
Sun
9
Sat
8
10 Walking with Spirits
See Festivals 10
6 Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market 6 Aqua Zumba 6 NAIDOC Week Concludes 7 Dragonfly Craft Fair 13 Fresh Tracks 21 Transitions Film Festival 30 Sista Set 31 The Neapolitan of Life 31 Darwin World Mix
Fri
14 Dinner Under The Stars 19 From Idea To Inspiring Hundreds 20 NAIDOC Week Double 21 Transitions Film Festival 21 The Secret Life of Pets 21 FlicNics 25 Portrait of a Senior Territorian (opening) 29 REMI x Sampa 29 ABBA 31 The Neapolitan of Life 31 Punk Night 31 Grrrl Rock
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8 Flora 12 Terror Australis 13 Dracula 19 School Holiday Fun 31 Bliss n Eso 31 House Concert with Seabreeze 31 The Room of Lyrics and Rhyme 31 NT News Live on Fridays 31 Loud at the Library 31 Open Mic Nite by the Sea
KEEP CALM AND
SING New Members Welcome darwinchorale.org.au | darwinchorale@gmail.com
REHEARSALS Tue 7.00pm to 9.30pm TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Sat 10.00am to 12noon Supported by City of Darwin
NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS WELCOME Ron Roberts (President) 0418 857 744 darwincitybrassband@gmail.com
darwincitybrassband.org.au
NORTHERN TERRITORY WRITERS’ CENTRE
8941 2651 ntwriters.com.au executive@ntwriters.com.au Workshops | Monthly Events | Opportunities 18
App Making 101
WHEN FRI 21 JUL | 1-3PM
App Making 101 - Game Apps WHEN WED 19 JUL | 2-4PM
App Making 101 LIKE MANY OF US, KATHERINE SHAW AND MRINALINI ('MEERU') PADMANABHAN GREW UP IN THE ERA OF SMARTPHONES. Shaw, who’s just completed her law degree and Padmanabhan, a software engineering student at Charles Darwin University and junior programmer for the Department of Corporate and Information Services, have joined forces to create Project Empower – a program designed to excite and empower young people through science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Off The Leash had a chat with Shaw and Padmanabhan about their vision and upcoming app making workshops, designed for 12 to 16 year olds. How did you become interested in app making? We both grew up at the beginning of the technological age and, with the emergence of smartphones, we began to see the power of apps, how they cross national, cultural and educational boundaries, and can be used as an important vehicle for changing the way people interact and see the world.
How long does it take to learn to make an app? With the advancement in technology, app building has become a matter of a few clicks. Ultimately, the time depends on the complexity of an application. The workshops aim to help young talents to put their imaginations together to develop a simple application in a short time span of about two hours. Do you need any previous skills or experience to make an app? Absolutely not. There's a range of different applications on the Internet that can help you create an app. In the current era of Smart technology, building an application with these online tools can be viewed as creating art on a computer. How will app making help students in the future? The workshops work around making students feel confident, as by the end of the session they will be able to build an app successfully. The sessions will incorporate a perfect recipe of brilliant minds, patience and pure imagination.
LISTINGS
YOUTH
Around The World
Need some fun for the kids these school holidays? Join this jam-packed program of activities from all around the world including craft, dance, magic, wild animals and a finale family fun day. Bookings essential.
At CASUARINA LIBRARY COST FREE (BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL) Info launchdarwin.com.au | facebook.com/project. empower123
WHEN EVERY TUE – THU UNTIL 20 JUL 10-11AM At CITY OF PALMERSTON LIBRARY COST $5 CHILD | $10, 2 OR MORE CHILDREN Info palmerston.nt.gov.au
Why did you decide to hold these workshops? Most teenagers have access to smart phones and are in constant contact with mobile and computer applications. In a changing world, computer programming is a new language, and we believe that everyone should learn basic fundamental skills in this area. We want to ignite the passion for computer programming and get young people excited about what is possible. Not only that, we believe that by providing this knowledge they will be equipped with free skills and inspired to create something to benefit the whole community. Are you planning to hold future workshops? We are! Our organisation, Project Empower, is holding a six-week program commencing in August. The program will involve teenagers from 12-15 years old and mentors from Charles Darwin University to help teach them basic software programming skills.
SCHOOL'S OUT!
GENERAL Drop-In Youth Zone
Free activities for young people are happening in the library this school holidays with arts and crafts, dance, gaming and more! Suitable for ages 12 and above. WHEN TUE 4, 11, 18 & THU 6 & 13 JUL 3-4.30PM At CITY OF PALMERSTON LIBRARY COST FREE Info palmerston.nt.gov.au
Dry Season School Holiday Fun There's loads of fun to be had at the Darwin Waterfront this school holidays, with free activities every weekday.
WHEN MON–FRI UNTIL FRI 21 JUL | 10AM-12PM At DARWIN WATERFRONT COST FREE Info waterfront.nt.gov.au
ZANDRO LAGMAN
School Holiday Skate Nights
Head to Jingili on Wednesday nights for free music and skating at the park. Not just for skateboarders, newbies and all are welcome and there's spare board and helmets available. WHEN At COST Info
WED 5,12 & 19 JUL | 7-9PM JINGILI SKATE PARK FREE
facebook.com/launch darwin
From Idea To Inspiring Hundreds
Aspiring speakers aged 13-21 can join comedian and community advocate Amy Hetherington for a fun and interactive workshop to develop skills and confidence in public speaking and speech writing. Bookings essential. WHEN At COST Info
SAT 8 JUL | 12.30–2.30PM PALMERSTON LIBRARY FREE
facebook.com/ palmerstonyouth
Year 12 Student eventeen-year-old Zandro Lagman’s love of cooking has seen him come up trumps in the Dishing Up Darwin competition, show tourists how to cook bitter gourd and now, tell his own cooking story for the Darwin Fringe Festival. As part of Eat My Words, a food and storytelling night where five Darwin cooks recreate favourite dishes, Lagman is planning something special, using local tropical ingredients. “I’m really excited. This is one of the first events where instead of just cooking I’m also going to be telling a story of what I cooked and sharing my cooking background to a lot of people.”
The Darwin High student arrived in Australia in 2012 from Pampanga province in The Philippines. “If you ask some of the Filipinos, they know that some of the best cooks come from Pampanga,” he says. “It’s renowned for food.” Lagman started cooking when his mum wasn’t home in time to make dinner, and never stopped. “It started with pretty simple Filipino dishes, which is frying stuff, boiling stuff, then they let me help out during festivals when they were pre-
paring big batches of food. And now I cook dinner most of the time.” Despite his cooking achievements, the year 12 student is thinking about combining his food ambitions with his interest in science. “When I was really young I thought I might be a scientist, then probably a chef, and now I think I’ll probably combine those two passions… So maybe something about researching why we cook the way we do. I don’t really want to focus on just food because my passion for science would be left out.”
19
&
Deckchair JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT
CINEMA
COST $16 | $12 CONC | $10 MEMB | $35 FAM (2 ADU, 2 KIDS) BOOK deckchaircinema.com.au INFO info@deckchaircinema.com.au | 8981 0700 | GATES OPEN 6PM
beDevil
eckchair screens two innovative, and at times surreal, indie trailblazers this month as part of double feature celebrations. In recognition of NAIDOC Week, a screening of Tracey Moffat’s beDevil takes three ghost stories from Aboriginal and European culture and through them challenges racial stereotypes. This playful yet unsettling film is filled with rich colour and imagery and was represented at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival. It’s also the first film directed by an Aboriginal woman and marks the early career of one of Australia’s most famous contemporary visual artists. Cinematographer Geoff Burton (Storm Boy, The Year My Voice Broke) who also worked on beDevil, is a special guest and will give an insight into the film.
A Hard Day’s Night
Director Tracey Moffatt has gone on to have an international career in experimental photography and video work, and recently represented Australia in the 2017 Venice Biennale, as well as holding her own solo exhibition at the Museum of Metropolitan Art in 2012. NAIDOC Week celebrates the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Following beDevil, Deckie will screen Rachel Perkins’ Jasper Jones, an adaptation of Craig Silvey’s hit novel. Perkins is an Arrernte woman and founded Blackfella Films, as well as directing feature films such as Bran Nue Dae.
Going behind the scenes, Ron Howard’s Eight Days A Week – The Touring Years, uses found footage and interviews to shed light on the band’s early years in Liverpool and Germany. Afterwards, A Hard Day’s Night (1964) sees the Fab Four spoof the Beatlemania that engulfed them as their fame hit the big time. Directed by American Richard Lester, the black-and-white film was a surprise hit with critics for its irreverent take on what a music film could be. For added delight, Darwin musician Jordan Ravi performs from 6pm on the cinema’s Sunset Deck.
Later in the month, a rollicking double feature and live music performance takes viewers back to the early heights of the Beatles.
NAIDOC Week Double
The MUSIC On The Big Screen series features popular rock and pop music docos and concept films, including the anticipated 2017 release Descent Into the Maelstrom, about legendary Australian rock band Radio Birdman.
For future film events the Centre is looking at screening live Italian opera or theatre productions, which have proved a hit for the New York Metropolitan Opera and the UK’s National Theatre Live.
WHEN SAT 8 JUL, 7.30PM
Beatles Double
WHEN FRI 21 JUL, 7.30PM
Mistaken For Strangers WHEN MON 10 JUL | 7PM
Desent into the Maelstrom WHEN MON 17 JUL | 7PM
AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $14 | $10 MEMB, CONC INFO yourcentre.com.au
MUSIC ON THE BIG SCREEN
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hen the Darwin Entertainment Centre turned 30 last year, the management’s attention turned to the venue’s projector room, which was built but never commissioned, lying dormant and film-less.
Territory and a projector which is also 3D.”
“So for the 30th anniversary we decided to do something,” says General Manager Alan James.
“We’re being very careful not to compete with Deckchair Cinema or the commercial cinemas. We thought once a month we would run an interesting music film,” explains James.
“We bought the biggest indoor screen –that we know of – in the
After testing the equipment out while hosting Darwin Film Society’s season of Flix In The Wet, the Entertainment Centre decided to screen regular monthly films on their giant screen.
This month Mistaken for Strangers follows US indie band The National on tour, unexpectedly exploring the relationship between lead singer Matt Berninger and his younger brother Tom, who is the band’s roadie and accidental filmmaker.
For a chance to win free tickets to MUSIC On The Big Screen keep an eye on the Off The Leash Facebook page.
FlicNics
LISTINGS
Showcasing everything from comedies to popular animated movies for kids, Goyder Square transforms into a free outdoor cinema every Saturday evening of the Dry. Screening this month is Ghost Busters II, Bicentennial Man, Percy Jackson: Sea Of Monsters and SpiderMan 2.
French Film Night
Enjoy the French movie Les Conquerants along with French cheese and wine. WHEN WED 5 JUL | 6.30PM AT CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY, BUILDING BLUE 5 COST $20 | $14 Student, Memb INFO afdarwin.org
Write Here – Darwin
WHEN SAT 1 JUL | 2-4PM AT ACCOMPLICE RESIDENCY SPACE COST $5 | INCLUDES COFFEE & TREATS INFO creativeaccomplice.com.au
A Plastic Ocean
NT WRITERS' CENTRE
8941 2651 | ntwriters.com.au
Poetry and Coffee
Connect with fellow poetry lovers and share your favourite verses, or your own originals. No criticism, just enjoyment. Simply turn up and drink coffee in the relaxing company of poetry.
GENERAL On the first Saturday on the month across the country, people get together to write for two hours as part of Write Here. It’s a chance to get out of the house and get some writing done in the company of other enthusiastic writers.
WHEN SAT 8, 15, 22 & 29 JUL | 7PM AT GOYDER SQUARE, PALMERSTON COST FREE INFO palmerston.nt.gov.au
The Secret Life of Pets
WHEN THU 20 JUL | 10-11AM AT EAT AT MARTINS, COCONUT GROVE COST FREE
Bring a blanket or chair, pack a picnic or grab a treat from a local restaurant and find out what your pets might be up to at home in the computer-animated comedy The Secret Life of Pets.
Wild Words
WHEN AT COST INFO
WHEN SUN 30 JUL | 3-5PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $5 | FREE FOR PERFORMERS
SAT 8 JUL | 7PM DARWIN WATERFRONT FREE waterfront.nt.gov.au
The stage is wide open for anyone to perform poetry, prose, song lyrics or even a blog! An afternoon of word-ly appreciation every last Sunday of the month.
Transitions
Film Festival
he environmentally friendly Transitions Film Festival returns, this year as part of Darwin Fringe Festival, to inform, shock and importantly galvanise us into action. In a rapidly industrialised and globalised world, this curated line-up of compelling feature documentaries seeks to shine a light on the solutions, as well as the problems, of our unique era. A New Economy demonstrates how a grassroots movement of smallscale enterprises can tackle the social and environmental impacts of big business, while Reuse! Because You Can’t Recycle the Planet offers timely inspiration in an age of consumerism. The Environment Centre NT (ECNT) hosts the 2017 festival and director Shar Molloy wants people to leave inspired by practical solutions. “River Blue is about the impact of the fashion industry. We’ll have some people talk about a really useful app that people can use to check when they go shopping.” Nevertheless, if you find yourself leaving a film feeling disconsolate about the dire state of the world,
the ECNT has planned an immediate pick-me-up. Each screening will have discussions and hands-on tasks to get filmgoers taking action. “Our opening night film is A Plastic Ocean. One of the speakers is a conservation volunteer, they’ll then organise an ocean debris clean-up after the film, so people can take immediate action,” explains Molloy. “It’s not only a discussion, it’s how people can take action” With screenings at the Museum and Art Gallery of the NT and Deckchair, Darwin has the best locations to watch the national film festival, with topics that relate strongly to our troppo way of life. “At Deckchair we’re screening Power to Change, about energy. There’s going to be scientists talking about renewable energy and we’ll also talk about CoolMob and household energy efficiency,” Molloy says.
Book Club Trivia HAVE YOU EVER BEEN AT A TRIVIA NIGHT MARRED BY DULL SPORT AND GEOGRAPHY QUESTIONS? Or glib 90s hits whose lines you’ve long forgotten? The NT Writers’ Centre’s literary trivia could be your idea of trivia heaven. “We’re into books,” confirms centre director Sally Bothroyd, who’s taking on the not unenjoyable task of researching and writing questions.
As they say, knowledge is power.
“So if your table wins you might win various books from publishers like Penguin, Allen & Unwin, Text and Black Inc.”
WHEN SAT 8 – TUE 11 JUL AT VARIOUS LOCATIONS COST VARIOUS INFO ecnt.org.au
In Territory style, the centre’s fundraiser is taking place at the Trailer Boat Club, with a complimentary schooner of Cooper’s for each booklover.
The centre is aiming for local book clubs to sign up as a table, but if you’re not in one, think you’d like to be, or just want to be around literary types, there’s definitely a place for you. “We’re going to raffle off signed books such as Magda Szubanski’s and Richard Glover’s memoirs,” says Bothroyd. “And it could be a little quirky.” NT Writers’ Centre board member and performance poet Fred van’t Sand, who is travelling overseas, plans to man a concurrent trivia table all the way from Finland. For those closer to home, tables of six, eight or 10 can be booked on the
centre’s website, and if you’re keen to brush up on book knowledge, questions will cover Australian, International and Northern Territory literature. “The prizes are all books – unless someone steps in with something more glamorous,” says Bothroyd. For literature lovers, what prize holds more glamour than a book?
WHEN AT COST INFO
THU 13 JUL | 7PM TRAILER BOAT CLUB $20 PER PERSON ntwriters.com.au
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ENSEMBLE
thursdaY 5-10pm sundaY 4-9pm
Free
live entertainm ent
Free
Classics ’ s d i K
Play me a Story Sat 22 July
9.30am & 11am where: Taminmin College, Humpty Doo
Fire show s 60+ intern ational Food stall s 100+ arts & CraFts BYo
Mindil VIP $15pp
Style! SunSet in ce rved ViP spa · Private rese s & chairs · Styled table e · esky with ic ) ks n (ByO Dri
Sun 23 July
9.30am & 11am where: CDU Theatre, Orange 3
Suited to a younger audience and their families
Family (2 x adult x 2 children) $20 | Adult $10 | Child $5 | Babes in arms Free
For bookings visit www.dso.org.au 22
www.mindilmarket.com.au events@mindil.com.au
WORD ON THE STREET
Assault YOUR Ears WELCOME TO ASSAULT YOUR EARS, A MONTHLY COLUMN DEDICATED TO PODCASTS. If there’s one thing you need to wrap your ears around, it’s Ear Hustle – a new podcast about stories of life inside San Quentin State Prison in California. There have been plenty of TV shows made attempting to depict life behind bars but Orange Is The New Black, this is not. Ear Hustle, prison slang for eavesdropping, is created, recorded and produced within San Quentin’s walls by Earlonne Woods, who’s serving 31 years-to-life, and Antwan Williams, who’s serving 15 years. Nigel Poor, an artist who works at the prison, joins Woods as co-host, which creates an illuminating dynamic when the two navigate the realities of inside versus outside assumptions and naiveties. The first episode explores the challenges of sharing a four by nine foot space with a fellow inmate;
PACK AWAY THE IPAD AND PUT POKÉMON ON HOLD – SCHOOL HOLIDAYS ARE HERE. IT’S THE TIME OF YEAR WHEN TOP ENDERS ARE ITCHING TO GET out and about and make the most of the glorious Dry season weather – and you’d have to agree that we are pretty lucky to live in these parts, with some world-famous landscapes to explore right on our doorstep. If rock art isn’t on your radar, it should be. The rock art galleries of the Arnhem Land Plateau have been likened to the Louvre in Paris in terms of their importance. I've been to both, and think they are equally amazing. If you think rock art isn't going to interest your kids, think again. Take a trip to Gunbalyana Aboriginal community in Arnhem Land for a rock art tour with an Aboriginal guide. What better way for kids to learn about ancient rock art than to hear the stories from a local? In my experience it’s a truly unique and special Top End experience for the whole family, and it’s less than 20 kilometres on a dirt road from Cahills Crossing in Kakadu National Park to get to Gunbalayna. The drive is one of my favourites, and as you pass by beautiful wetlands with gorgeous pink water lilies, the views of the Arnhem Land escarpment are simply breathtaking. The tours are run through Injalak Arts and take around three hours (which includes stops along the way). It does involve some strenuous hiking up the hill – and
Comics’
we hear of one prisoner terrorised for six months by his cellmate who continuously threatened to kill him, while another hated his cellmate watching The Young and the Restless, as the theme music brought back memories of his father beating his mother. Ear Hustle is beautifully produced from San Quentin’s media lab, and despite the different life paths taken by Woods and Williams compared to Poor, it’s obvious a sensitive and genuine partnership exists. Each episode of Ear Hustle needs to be given the all-clear by prison officials prior to release, so the fact it feels as intimate as it does is a real testament to the team. Ear Hustle is funny, endearing, mesmerising, and, at times, difficult to listen to. I recommend reading more about Ear Hustle, and those involved, on the podcast’s website – www.earhustlesq.com.
Corner
Jess Ong works as a Communications Manager in the arts and the private sector, and is also the Creative Producer of local storytelling night, SPUN. She is the host of the SPUN Stories podcast and moonlights in the world of freelance. FOLLOW spunstories.net | @jess__ong
You can listen to Ear Hustle on iTunes or your favourite podcast app.
Will Crawford is an up-and-crawling comic. He moonlights as a land rights lawyer and policy activist.
Fringe Festival
FORECAST - A jovial July
uly sees Darwin electrified by some dynamic comic talent. If Adelaide has Mad March, Darwin now has Jovial and Juvenile July. Maybe is doesn’t quite roll off the tongue but people, some serious comedy is in the house. My salivary glands are working overtime in readiness for the svelte, silken-tonsilled and brilliant observational comic Ben Stevenson in his solo show, imaginatively titled Ben? Ben Stevenson?.
is probably best for families with slightly older kids – but there’s also some easy paced walking through breezy, shaded and sheltered walkways. Don't put the trip to Gunbalayna off till you think your kids can tackle the tour however, as a visit to Injalak Arts where your kids can meet Aboriginal artists and see them painting and weaving is a fabulous thing to do in itself. And, if you are anything like me, the art centre is the perfect place for a bit of ethical retail therapy. I’m a huge fan of the fabrics, weavings, baskets, bags and cushion covers. My top tip is to bring your wallet! The drive to Gunbalayna is best done with a 4WD but I know friends who have tackled it with a 2WD. Be sure to ask Injalak Arts about the road conditions before you go, and don’t forget to check the tide times for Cahills Crossing. You’ll need a permit from the Northern Land Council which is a relatively easy process – just don’t leave it till the last minute.
SHOWCASING TOP END COMIC WRITING AND LOCAL STAND-UP PERFORMERS WHO ARE GRILLED TO REVEAL THEIR INFLUENCES, FAVOURITES AND FOIBLES.
Also first into my comedy shopping trolley is the much anticipated brutal roast fest The Four Horseman of Comedy, featuring Stevenson and Darwin’s homegrown Yeti David Woodhead taking on two comedy fugitives from Perth, Sean Conway and Daniel Delby in a night of headto-hand comic combat. Also take the time to catch David Woodhead’s show Thank Me Later. If last year’s Laugh It Off performance is any guide, don’t sit in the front row. It could get hairy.
Roland Burrunali Injalak Hill Tour Guide; image by Richard l'Anson
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. FOLLOW growinguptroppo.com | @growinguptroppo
In terms of innovative comedy game shows, forget 8 out of 10 Cats as Darwin’s premier wordsmith and whimsical comic Angie Wu presents two hot new shows World War Wu and The Darwinning Gameshow. Think Scrabble meets Family Feud but with more attractive contestants. I Can’t Do Eyes is rumoured to be a game of Pictionary between four artistically and cognitively impaired comics and should be hilarious. You might know Nicole Stevens for her comic sleight of hand and Darwin’s sharpest one-liners, but add whimsical song writing to this unlikely melange and you have Nicole’s musical comedy Rage Against the Washing Machine. Not to be missed. INFO
darwinfringe.org.au
Of the internationals, Gillian English in Drag Queen Stole My Dress looks to be the pick of the Canadians. English's impressive stand up is naughty, clever and weaves anarchic storytelling and cheeky one-liners with ease. The other Canadian, Tor Snyder in Dating Naked delivers fast paced and quirky looks at the foibles of dating. Of the Perth comics, Daniel Delby has some nightclub inspired dance to look out for, Sean Conway is a very funny, very clever and very angry man, while Cameron McLaren’s names rhyme. The dark horse of the Festival will certainly be former Darwin theatre guru Kyle Walmsley’s How To Make a One Person Fringe Show in 3 months. Walmsley, a former Raw Comedy National Finalist, is a slick performer who usually brings a strange perspective to the world and an ocean of joy and warmth. For fans of the surrealist, the bizarre and the unconventional, get along to the show with the best title of the festival, the Harold Holt Pool Party. Anything is possible when spoken word and bush ballads meet electro-punk. For improvisational comedy fans, the Improv Comedy Jam looks like it could be a blast with improveterans Tor Snyder and Julian Canny guiding you through an hour of absurdist joy. There will also be an improvisation workshop during the day at Mayfair. My big tip though is the smiling assassin Ryan Coffey, one of Australia’s most inventive and dark comic talents who mixes comic songs with some very polished and disturbing one liners. Darwin, take a breath because you’ll head into oxygen debt after some of these shows.
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Charles Darwin University Art Gallery, State Secretariat for Arts and Culture of Timor-Leste and Timor Aid present
EF
Malak Marketplace ORGANIC FARMERS MARKET
4-9pm Every Saturday Farmers Market, Food Stalls, Arts & Craft, Entertainment, Health & Education, Yoga & Market Tours
16 MARCH - 15 JULY 2017 CDU ART GALLERY Building Orange 12 (ground level) Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus Wed - Fri 10am to 4pm Sat 10am to 2pm W: cdu.edu.au/artcollection-gallery E: artgallery@cdu.edu.au
Sat 29 April to Sat 28 October Chambers Crescent Car Park, Malak www.malakmarketplace.org.au
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VISUAL ARTS
PORTRAIT OF A SENIOR TERRITORIAN
Art Award
Angus McIvor, 'David Hewitt' (detail), 2017; courtesy of Araluen Arts Centre
Henry Smith, 'Craig San Roque' (detail), 2017, winner of the Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award Acquisition Award; courtesy of Araluen Arts Centre
A SUCCESSFUL PORTRAIT, IT’S GENERALLY AGREED – FROM THE ARCHIBALD TO THE PORTRAIT OF A SENIOR TERRITORIAN – NEEDS TO EMBODY MORE THAN JUST A LIKENESS.
The Portrait of a Senior Territorian Award was this year launched at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs. This turned out to be fitting, as the three winning portraits were all of Centralians.
But beyond careers, strong characters and passions, how do you convey that undeniable quality known as experience?
First prize went to Charles Darwin University Visual Arts Lecturer Henry Smith, for his technically skilled portrait of the Alice Springs writer Craig San Roque. Despite being friends, Smith initially found it tricky to capture San Roque’s inner life.
The annual Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award covers a rich tapestry of experience. A collection of portraits of people over the age of 60 – some wellknown, most not – from cattlemen, elders, restaurateurs to a detective and a judge. In a youth-obsessed selfie society, the portrait award gives artists a fascinating brief to explore age before beauty (and of course, often both). This month the exhibition comes to Darwin, presented by the Araluen Arts Centre in partnership with the Darwin Entertainment Centre.
“I just couldn’t get a measure of who Craig was because he’s got a public persona and I didn’t feel that I had him,” Smith says. “He is quite an introspective kind of person and he writes. He’s written a number of books and he’s a psychologist, so he’s a thinker. Then I got something that I thought would portray, in some way, Craig.” The judges were artists Therese Ritchie and Marlene Rubuntja (winner of the 2016 Vincent Lingiari
Art Award) and Alice Springs criminal lawyer Russell Goldflam, whose top three choices followed notably different technical styles. Second prize went to Jennifer Taylor’s bold, figurative 'Agnes Abbott shows where she ran away home from Arltunga Mission'. Third prize was won by Angus McIvor for his portrait of respected Alice Springs senior David Hewitt. The judges highlighted three other works from the 33 entries for their ‘technical skill and portrayal of the inner life of their subjects’, including Janelle Fisher’s detailed portrait of Pam Merington-Norman, Blake Kendall and M K Turner’s collaborative 'Kemarre Apmere' and the late Iain Campbell’s self-portraiture, 'In search of lost artworks'. “There’s so much in terms of the depth of experience these people have had which then gets picked up by the artist,” says Mark Crees, Director of Araluen.
Jennifer Taylor, 'Agnes Abbott shows where she ran away home from Arltunga Mission', 2015; courtesy of Araluen Arts Centre
“The Portrait of a Senior Territorian had to be an actual sitting, because there’s so much that’s transferred in the physical sitting, and that’s kind of part of the genius of portraiture – being able to capture that.” Still to be decided though, is the critical People’s Choice. Votes will be tallied at the conclusion of the Darwin exhibition for the $1000 prize, in which any entry is in the running.
WHEN SAT 8 JUL – SUN 6 AUG | OPENING SAT 8 JUL, 6PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST FREE INFO yourcentre.com.au
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PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY Harriet Place, Darwin | 8941 2220 | pauljohnstonegallery.com.au TUE–FRI 10AM–5PM | SAT 10AM–2PM
Art U&T
ABO
Linda Joy
Stone Country
with gallery owner Paul Johnstone
NESTLED IN HARRIET PLACE, PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY WAS Linda Joy, ‘Magul’, ink on linen, 100 x 52cm ESTABLISHED IN 2007 UNDER THE NAME CROSS Cultural Art Exchange. Changing to its current Few European artists have the ability or perspicacity to portray the Top name in 2013, the gallery showcases End Dry season woodlands as both harsh and equally alluring. Linda Joy is artists from throughout the one such artist and those familiar to scenes of fire, smoke, stone and spear Territory and across Australia. Off grass will be seduced at her inaugural exhibition Stone Country. The Leash had a chat with Paul Johnstone about 10 years at his WHEN UNTIL SAT 29 JUL Darwin gallery.
TACTILE ARTS
19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay | 8981 6616 | tactilearts.org.au TUE–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 10AM-4PM
Textures of the Top End Inspired by the natural world, two artists work with different mediums. Eric Nunn combines silver-smithing and precise stone cutting to create one-off and limited edition jewellery pieces, depicting organic stone shapes and scenes from the natural environment.
(L) Eric Nunn, ‘Dreaming of Ubirr’, sterling silver, chrysocolla and tiger-eye (R) Eric Nunn, ‘High tide at Nightcliff’, sterling silver, lapis lazuli and Nightcliff Beach stone
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Kylie Frewen-Lord uses the techniques of papermaking, collage and needle arts to bring to life the unique fauna and flora of the Top End. Works in collaged originals, digitally printed home wares and unique lighting will feature.
What is the vision and core values of Paul Johnstone Gallery? As with any business we need to sell our product and our product is artwork, however we do this by carefully working with artists who are talented and dedicated. Our vision is to provide our artists with a solid foundation in which to build their career and by doing this we encourage their practice and provide outstanding works of art to our clients. Our core values reflect this through ethics, morals and honesty, all practiced through transparency. How many artists and regions have had their work showcased? Lots – both Indigenous artists from community art centres and non-Indigenous artists from the Northern Territory and across Australia. Artists and Art Centres include Bryan Bulley, Marnie Jay and Linda Joy; Papunya Tula Artists, Kaltjiti Artists and Martumili Artists. How do you decide your yearly program? We are usually booked 18-24 months in advance and look for a balance between Indigenous and non-Indigenous exhibitions.
GYRACC
Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre Stuart Highway, Katherine East | 8972 3751 | gyracc.org.au TUE–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM–3PM
42ND KATHERINE PRIZE This annual event encourages Indigenous and non-Indigenous residents of the Northern Territory to develop their art practice and showcase their skill to the region. Prizes awarded include the $5,000
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Brian and Jeanette Lambert Art Award, the $2,000 Dr Peter and Kathleen Short Craft Award, the Godinymayin Youth Award and the People's Choice Award.
Alan Joshua, ‘Ngukurr Crocodile’; 2016 Dr Peter & Kathleen Short Craft Award winner
Represented artists usually have a two-year turnaround whilst still allowing for new artists to exhibit. Within this we consider our other yearly exhibitions such as the Salon Des Refuses as well. What are some gallery highlights? There have been so many highlights over the years. As far as exhibitions go, before the global financial crisis, we saw some outrageous scenes at the annual Papunya Tula Artists (PTA) exhibition openings. These were held in August as our premier show and the demand for the work was so intense that we had to limit one painting per customer. Cues were along the street before the doors would open and people would be selling 'self imposed' tickets to ensure that the order of the line was maintained. Once inside the gallery elbows would fly. Thankfully the annual PTA openings are a little more sedate these days! What sets Paul Johnstone Gallery apart? The artwork of course! We are very proud and honoured to represent the artists at Paul Johnstone Galley. We are a grounded and very approachable gallery and are also valuers, approved to value for the Australian Government's Cultural Gifts Program. What’s coming up at Paul Johnstone Gallery? Those familiar to scenes of the Top End Dry season – fire, smoke, stone and spear grass – must come to Linda Joy’s exhibition Stone Country from Friday 30 June. They will be seduced by Linda’s meticulous artworks!
NCCA
OUTSTATION
Northern Centre for Contemporary Art Vimy Lane, Parap | 8981 5368 | nccart.com.au
2/3 Parap Place, Darwin | 8981 4822 | outstation.com.au TUE 10AM-1PM | WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
WED–FRI 10AM–4PM | SAT 10AM–2PM
photo by Chrischona Schmidt
Kuruyultu ‘That’s the place where I was born. That’s my country. I was born a wallaby woman at Kuruyultu.’ The oeuvre of Eunice Napanangka Jack spans over three decades, circling around the great narrative of her birth at Kuruyultu – near the small community of Tjukurrla in Western Australia – the events
leading up to it, and her early childhood memories of leaving the nomadic life on the Western Australian and Northern Territory border behind and moving to Haasts Bluff. Her art encapsulates the memories of country, a country which she has only been able to visit a few times since she was a little child; a country, in which she has not been able to live again.
Karina Coombes, 'Kulama Design', ochre on linen, 100 x 100cm; image coutesy artist
Eunice Punuku Tjukurpa Napanagka Jack Curated by Steve Fox, this Artback NT national touring exhibition, presented in association with Maruku Arts, focuses on Anangu wood carving (punu) and sacred expression and includes 80 works, some recently made, from Maruku archive.
solo exhibition
WHEN UNTIL SAT 22 JUL
Visaitp
Par ES I GALLER
WHEN SAT 1 – SAT 29 JUL | OPENING SAT 1 JUL, 11AM
NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY
NOMAD ART GALLERY
Parliament House | Corner Bennett and Mitchell Street, Darwin ntl.nt.gov.au TUE, THU, FRI 10AM–5PM | WED 10AM-8PM | SAT & SUN 1–5PM
Vickers Street, Parap | 8981 6382 | nomadart.com.au MON–FRI 10AM–5PM | SAT 9AM–2PM
iNsTagrammers
the best of NT photography from Instagram
Of the millions of photos shared on Instagram every day, some of the best come from photographers in the NT. Now, these have been collected in one exhibition, creating a unique picture of life in the NT, bursting with impossible landscapes, distinctive characters and cheeky wildlife.
@elbowrkshp, ‘Ross River’
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FRAMED – THE DARWIN GALLERY 55 Stuart Highway, Stuart Park | 8981 2994 | framed.com.au MON-FRI 9AM-5.30PM | SAT 9AM-4PM PUBLIC HOLS 11AM-3PM
Graham Badari, ‘Mayhmayh – Different Birds’ (detail), acrylic and ochre on paper
Mayhmayh
Revisting
DIFFERENT BIRDS BY GRAHAM BADARI
THE TOP END Yorkshire man Peter Barraclough has taught art in the UK, South Africa, Canada and Tasmania, where he has lived since 1970. Returning to Framed for his third solo show, Barraclough combines a colourful palette with locally based subjects in a display of contemporary spirit, with a degree of ambiguity.
WHEN UNTIL MON 24 JUL
Peter Baraclough, ‘Rainfores’t, oil on canvas, 120 x 90cm
When asked to provide a title for his forthcoming book featuring birds found in West Arnhem Land, Graham Badari suggested Mayhmayh and explained it meant “different birds”. The paintings to be included in Badari’s first book are the centrepiece of this
exhibition and are accompanied by selected artworks by other outstanding Injalak Artists including Gabriel Maralngurra, Thompson Nganjmirra and Joe Guymala. WHEN UNTIL SAT 29 JUL
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MAGNT
CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY
Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens | 8999 8264 | magnt.net.au
Building Orange 12, CDU Casuarina Campus | 8946 6621 | cdu.edu.au/artgallery WED–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT 10AM-2PM
MON–FRI 9AM-5PM | SAT & SUN 10AM-5PM
Artist unknown Atauro Island, Timor-Leste Early-mid 20th century. Wood, rosewood (Pterocarpus indicus), nara (AD), ai naa (T) 14 H x 3 W x 3 D cm. Private Collection of Michael Abbott AO QC.
Anatjari Tjampitjinpa Ngaatjatjarra/Pintupi, ‘Dreaming’, 1971, synthetic polymer paint on paper board
TJUNGUNUTJA:
FROM HAVING COME TOGETHER Comprising over 130 paintings, rare cultural artefacts and historical ephemera, this startling exhibition provides an extraordinary insight into the genesis of the
contemporary Aboriginal art movement, revealing the largest and most important collection of early Papunya paintings in the world.
WHEN SAT 1 JUL – SUN 18 FEB | OFFICIAL LAUNCH SUN 2 JUL, 11AM
UnDiscovered
photographic works by Michael Cook Photographic works by Michael Cook provide a contemporary Indigenous perspective of European settlement in Australia, a land already populated by its original people.
The Sculptures of Atauro island The Charles Darwin University Art Gallery, State Secretariat of Arts and Culture of TimorLeste and Timor Aid present this unique and captivating sculptural tradition from the remote island of Atauro that lies across the Wetar
Strait from Dili, Timor-Leste’s capital city. The Sculptures of Atauro Island presents both contemporary and historical sculptures, and explores continuity and change in the woodcarving and sculptural traditions of Atauro Island.
WHEN UNTIL SAT 15 JUL
WHEN UNTIL SAT 27 AUG Michael Cook, 'Undiscovered #9' (detail); ©2010 ANMM Collection
HOT!
DARWIN ART TRAIL
Various locations | darwinarttrail.com.au
HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE MAGNT ART COLLECTION
DVAA
Darwin Visual Arts Association Woods Street, Darwin | 8981 9351 | dvaa.net.au WED–FRI 12-5PM | SAT 10AM–3PM
Hot! showcases 52 works from MAGNT's Australian art collection by some of the country's hottest artists, past and present. Featuring works by the likes of Tom Roberts, Brett Whiteley, John Brack, Tony Albert, Emily Kngwarreye and Jeffrey Smart, the exhibition looks at the various meanings we put to the word hot. WHEN UNTIL SUN 13 AUG
NORTHERN EDITIONS
Building Orange 9, Charles Darwin University, Casuarina Campus | 08 8946 6325 | northerneditions.com.au MON–WED 11AM-5.30PM
Little Egret Fine Crafts
Northern Editions DARWIN Art Trail
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Marina Strocchi, ‘Coffee Pot’, 2007, etching
Fiona Collins, ‘Seaglass’
Reef
An iconic NT art institution from 1993-2014, Northern Editions is well known locally and internationally for its limited edition print production. Although no longer producing work, Northern Edition continues to hold fine art prints by Indigenous and non-Indigenous artists in its gallery.
With six private studios open to the public, the Darwin Art Trail provides an opportunity to talk with and purchase work directly from the artists – including from Little Egret Fine Crafts in Howard Springs. From an unassuming demountable comes a range of functional creations employing a wide variety of techniques using leathers of many kinds, including the wonderful textured skins of calf, crocodile and even cane toad. Acquire a one-of-a-kind item or a custom creation.
A collaboration of works in wood, ceramics and glass by local artists Gerald Clapham, Kate Bussey and Fiona Collins, this exhibition of diverse mediums and textures celebrates the beauty of underwater worlds, coral reefs and the sea creatures that call them home.
WHEN UNTIL THU 31 AUG
WHEN SUN 16 JUL | 10AM-4PM
WHEN FRI 7 – SAT 22 JUL | OPENING FRI 7 JUL, 6PM
MUSIC
One Tropical feat. Grinspoon Day WE ARE WELL AND TRULY INTO THE DRY SEASON AND AUSSIE ROCK HEAVYWEIGHTS GRINSPOON ARE DROPPING BY TO HELP TOP ENDERS celebrate. They visit the NT as a part of their Guide To Better Living Tour and swing by the Darwin Ski Club to headline the first 2017 edition of One Tropical Day.
It's been 20 years since Grinspoon’s debut album Guide To Better Living topped the charts, spending 36 weeks in the ARIA Top 50. To celebrate, the band are emerging from a four year hiatus to play across the country. Grab your camp chairs and picnic blankets for this great live music event, complete with beautiful ocean views.
Grinspoon
WHEN SAT 8 JUL | 8PM AT BEACHFRONT HOTEL COST $37.57 INFO sampathegreat.com | remikolawole.com
Off The Leash had a quick chat with Grinspoon drummer Kristian Hopes in the lead up to their massive tour.
s e l fi Pro
How does it feel to be playing together again after a hiatus of four years? It's all starting to feel good! We came back together a year or so ago for a small run of shows with Cold Chisel and all was fun, but this will be a fairly big tour so I guess we'll see how it goes. You never know, we might end up doing something again in the future.
finish with a sprinkling of other songs. It's going to be a pretty uptempo show.
What have you all been up to since you went your own ways in 2013? We've all had different things going on outside of the band. Phil has been touring solo for a while, Joe's been doing some production work on music festivals, Pat opened a clothing store and I've been running a commercial handyman company.
After more than 20 years experience, what would you say to musicians getting into the industry today? Write lots of songs and play as many shows as you can. You never know what opportunities will come your way if you put yourself out there.
What can fans expect from this live performance? We're playing the album start to
WHEN SAT 29 JULY | 4PM AT DARWIN SKI CLUB COST $68.50 INFO dtix.com.au
The band's had a celebrated career, what have been the real highlights for you? We've had many memorable times. For me, getting our first gold record for Guide to Better Living and winning an ARIA were pretty cool!
DARWIN CHORALE PRESENTS
ABBA
Sampa The Great and REMI
REMI X
SAMPA
Fire Sign Tour oet and singer songwriter Sampa The Great is coming back to Darwin. Off The Leash caught up with the artist ahead of this month’s Fire Sign Tour, which sees her performing with Melbourne hiphop act REMI. You were born in Zambia and raised in Botswana, how has your childhood influenced your music? Growing up there was so much laughter, so much music, so much traditional stuff that has very much seeped into my music and into who I identify myself as.
You were up here last year for the Darwin Festival, what was that like? Darwin was really special. We didn’t get to spend a long time there but I am excited to come again. It is very, very beautiful and the heat is something that I am used to!
What is it like working together with REMI? It is amazing. They’re some of the first people who gave me love and support when I started out. They told me ‘if it’s all too much for you’ or ‘if you need somebody to talk to, we’re here’. I thought that was very special. There is a lot of love and support, something that we want to bring to our shows. As an up-and-coming young female artist did you find the industry welcoming? I think I was young and didn’t know who I was as an artist. When it comes to being a female it was more about being able to keep my voice and know that it’s valid, without it being deemed emotional – which we all are – or without it being spoken over. I needed to get to the point where I was more confident in my voice, to say yes to what I felt yes was and no to what I felt no was, and feeling like that was valid, regardless of if I was
female or not. Getting good advice from other women who have been through it and learning from their experiences is important as well. Sexism is there, especially when you are in a genre that has more males than females. For me, it was more about validating my voice to myself first and then making that voice known to everybody else, regardless of if they took it seriously or not. What drives you to write lyrics? I felt like it is the only way, especially when I was younger and I would stutter a lot, that I could truly get out what I wanted to say. I’d write it down and it would be slowed down. From then, spoken word [poetry] added to that and then writing songs for lyrics brought something else. So that became my output to express myself, when I thought that I couldn’t understand what was going on or I thought I couldn’t see, that was all done with music.
CHORALE IN CABARET IS BACK. THIS TIME CELEBRATING THE MUSIC OF SWEDISH POP GROUP ABBA AND ALL things 70s. The Darwin Chorale is taking on favourite tracks from all eight of the group’s studio albums, the 36-strong cast working their way through fan favourites like ‘Waterloo’, ‘Fernando’ and ‘The Winner Takes It All’.
After rising to international stardom in the 1970s before disbanding in 1982, ABBA experienced a second wave of popularity following the reissue of their original material, the inclusion of their songs on several hit films and the creation of the hit musical Mamma Mia!. The group was officially inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2010. ABBA’s fan base spans several generations and their songs are instantly recognisable. It’s a great choice for the Darwin Chorale and allows both young and old to enjoy the show. In addition to covering all the obvious hits, the performance pays homage to the women of ABBA, Agnetha Faltskog and Anni-Frid Lyngstad, who both
WHEN AT COST INFO
Darwin Chorale
went on to pursue solo careers after the group’s breakup. The concert also features songs from Chess, the debut musical from the other two members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus. With a 32 year history of delivering performances across the NT and overseas, the Darwin Chorale’s cabaret nights have proven to be a real hit. With sold out performances of The Beatles Cabaret, A Jazzy Broadway Christmas and Jesus Christ Superstar in the past few years, this promises to be another successful event.
THU 6 – SAT 8 JUL | 7.30PM DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE $49 | $45 CONC | $55 PREMIUM TABLE darwinchorale.org.au
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Queens
of THE STONE AGE
WHEN SUN 16 JUL | 8PM AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE COST $101 INFO qotsa.com
n what has been some great news for Darwin fans, one of the most acclaimed and popular hard rock groups of the last 20 years plays in the Top End for the first time. Queens Of The Stone Age, or QOTSA for short, have made the journey to Australia to play Splendour In The Grass in Byron and announced just three sideshows across the country. Their promoters have said there will be no extra shows added, which means other capital cities will miss out, leaving Darwinites with an opportunity to make their interstate mates jealous about this score.
The current line up of QOTSA – Josh Homme, Troy Van Leeuwen, Dean Fertita, Jon Theodore and Michael Shuman – have been teasing new tracks from their upcoming seventh studio album in the lead up to this gig. With their most recent album …Like Clockwork coming out in 2013, fans have been keeping a keen eye out for this next release. In June, after months of dropping mysterious hints, the group finally announced that the upcoming LP will be called Villains and will be released on August 25. This could
MUSICNT PRESENTS
mean that Darwin fans will be among the first audiences to hear some of their new music live. Coming out of California’s Palm Desert in the late 1990s, QOTSA has continually evolved and garnered millions of fans across the globe. Their 2002 platinum selling and Grammy nominated album Songs For The Deaf is held as one of the greatest rock records of all time and features Dave Grohl as guest drummer.
Tickets have been on sale since April and have sold out in Melbourne and Sydney, so you'll be lucky if they haven’t all gone. Get in quick if you haven’t already secured yourself a spot. When considering the band’s track record of visiting the NT, this is very likely to be a once in a lifetime gig and will no doubt be a highlight of the year for Territory based fans.
DSO PRESENTS
Kids' Classics
SISTA SET ista Set, playing as part of the Darwin Fringe Festival, showcases original contemporary songs by participants of MusicNT's Saltwater Divas program, a multi day workshop that fosters the creative musical talents of Aboriginal women living in the NT. Performing alongside participants is program mentor Dallas Frasca, the namesake front woman of the three-piece, award-winning Australian rock outfit Dallas Frasca. She has toured the world, clocking over 900 shows with her band including nine international tours. In Melbourne, Frasca runs her own independent record label, Spank Betty Records and has supported the likes of Ugly Kid Joe, Patti Smith, Aerosmith and Van Halen.
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Also taking the stage is Territorian woman Miranda Garling, who is a local favourite of the Darwin music
Play me a Story Dallas Frasca & Miranda Garling
scene. Garling, herself a former participant of the program, also joined up with Salt Water Divas, Desert Divas and Sister Sounds to be a mentor for young indigenous women this year. Garling has played previously at Darwin and Barunga Festivals and was a member of hiphop band Pottstreet for six years. Saltwater Divas, Barkly Divas and Desert Divas programs have been running since 2013 and have seen dozens of women participate in workshops that foster and nurture their creative ideas and support them to step up onto the public stage. Divas are mentored in song writing, music composition and live performance by established women in the music business. Garling and Frasca met in 2016 whilst recording Desert Divas Volume 2 in Alice Springs. “Being involved in the Desert Divas Volume 2 Project was an amazing
experience. I got to work with so many people in the music industry, which gave me strength and confidence,” said Garling. “I'm super excited to be part of this year’s Saltwater Divas mentoring team. It's an important program that nurtures the talents of emerging female Aboriginal musicians. It’s something I feel passionate about and I'm really looking forward to stepping up on stage with fellow mentor Dallas.” Frasca feels the same way. "I couldn't be more excited to be part of women supporting women on stage and showcasing new and emerging talent from the Top End at Sista Set. It’s a huge honour to say the least," she added. WHEN AT COST INFO
SUN 9 JUL | 4PM HAPPY YESS $10 | FREE U 16 darwinfringe.org.au
THE FIRST INSTALMENT OF THE DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S (DSO) NEW EDUCATION SERIES KIDS’ CLASSICS explores how to tell a story through music. Designed specifically for a younger audience, Play me a Story offers an entertaining and educational experience for kids of all ages. The DSO Quartet’s performance is led by DSO Concertmaster Monica Naselow.
Naselow is the driving force behind these Kids’ Classics concerts, as a part of her new ground-breaking role as the DSO Education/Outreach Officer. A position that is aimed at further building the sustainability and development of classical music education in the Northern Territory, Naselow’s extensive experience and acclaimed career, alongside her passion for music education, makes her an ideal candidate to lead these WHEN AT WHEN AT COST INFO
musical performances. Naselow has also spent time mentoring young musicians via her work with the Australian Youth Orchestra and the Australian National Academy of Music, and recently led a DSO ensemble on a schools tour to Alice Springs. This inaugural concert invites attendees to hear how music can be used to tell a story and also encourages you to make up your own tale. Following this first show, the DSO will be holding two other special Kids’ Classics events this year with Musical Magic! in September and a special Christmas performance in December. The concerts run for around 45 minutes and include some time for questions from any young aspiring musicians or curious guests.
SAT 22 JUL | 9.30AM & 11AM TAMINMIN COLLEGE, HUMPTY DOO SUN 23 JUL | 9.30AM & 11AM CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY THEATRE $12.50/$10 ONLINE | $7/$5 CHILD | $25/$20 FAM | $55 FAM SUBSCRIPTION dso.org.au
JULY
GIG guide OTL's quick and essential guide to live music in the Top End. Rock on! To find out more, head to offtheleash.net.au
/OTL.magazine
@OTLmag
#OTLmag
Bliss n Eso
Sydney-based hip-hop trio Bliss n Eso swing by Darwin in the midst of a 27-date national tour. They’ve hit the road to back up the recent release of their sixth album Off The Grid in April. With two number one hits on the ARIA charts and an ARIA award for their 2008 album Flying Colours, Bliss n Eso have well and truly solidified their place in the Australian hip-hop scene. WHEN FRI 14 JUL | 8PM AT DISCOVERY DARWIN COST $59.90 INFO discoverydarwin.com.au
House Concert with Seabreeze
DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE
WHEN FRI 14 JUL | 5.30PM AT TINAPPLES, 194 CASUARINA DRIVE, NIGHTCLIFF COST $15
93 Mitchell Street, Darwin 8980 3333 | yourcentre.com.au
The Room of Lyrics and Rhyme
Chorale in Cabaret – ABBA With the Darwin Chorale.
WHEN THU 6 – SAT 8 JUL | 7.30PM COST $49 | $45 CONC
Tapestry – The Songs of Carole King
REMI X Sampa WHEN SAT 8 JUL | 8.30PM AT THE BEACHFRONT HOTEL COST $35
Sung by Aussie vocalists Vika Bull and Debra Byrne.
GENERAL LISTINGS Grrrl Rock WHEN SAT 8 JUL | 10.30PM-1AM AT HAPPY YESS COST $15
Darwin World Mix WHEN SUN 9 JUL | 7PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $25 | $20 CONC
WHEN FRI 7 JUL | 8PM AT BROWN’S MART COST $15 ONLINE | $20 DOOR
The Neapolitan Of Life WHEN SAT 8 JUL, 6PM | SUN 9 JUL, 5.30PM AT MAYFAIR GALLERY COST $10 | $8 CONC
Reuben Stone WHEN FRI 7 JUL | 7PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $21.50
WHEN SAT 15 JUL | 7PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $21.50
WHEN SAT 15 JUL | 10.30PM-1AM AT HAPPY YESS COST $10
DARWIN FRINGE FESTIVAL
Opening Party
Bec Sandridge
The Outer Limits
WHEN THU 27 JUL | 8PM COST $79
darwinfringe.org.au
WHEN FRI 14 JUL | 10.30PM-1AM AT HAPPY YESS COST $5
Fascisimo WHEN TUE 11 & WED 12 JUL | 8.45PM AT HAPPY YESS COST $15 | $10 CONC
The Roaring Twenties with Swing NT and Hot & Cold Big Band WHEN WED 12 JUL | 7PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $11.50
Nancy Cole WHEN THU 13 JUL | 5.30PM & 6.45PM AT BROWN’S MART COST FREE
Territory Day Concert
Featuring Pete Murray, Killing Heidi and Resin Moon. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 1 JUL | 4PM MINDIL BEACH FREE territoryday.nt.gov.au
Crap Music Rave Party
Hyperactive DJ Tomás Ford brings his international hit comedy dance party to Darwin. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 1 JUL | 7PM RAILWAY CLUB $17.50 darwinrailwayclub.org
Travis Collins
With special guest Tom Curtin. WHEN SUN 2 JUL | 7PM AT KATHERINE OUTBACK EXPERIENCE COST $25 | $15 STUDENT | FREE U 5 INFO traviscollins.com.au
WHEN SAT 8 JUL | 7PM AT RAILWAY CLUB COST $10
WHEN THU 13 JUL | 10.30PM-1AM AT HAPPY YESS COST $30
WHEN AT WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 22 JUL | 9.30AM & 11AM HUMPTY DOO SUN 23 JUL | 9.30AM & 11AM CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY THEATRE $12.50/$10 ONLINE | $7/$5 CHILD | $25/$20 FAM | $55 FAM SUBSCRIPTION dso.org.au
One Tropical Day
Featuring post-grunge Aussie rockers Grinspoon. WHEN AT COST INFO
SAT 29 JUL | 4PM DARWIN SKI CLUB $68.50 dtix.com.au
Mall Tunes
Chill out with live music in the mall every Thursday. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY THU | 12-1PM SMITH STREET MALL FREE darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries
6 JUL 13 JUL 20 JUL 27 JUL
SCOTT MURPHY SHEL O’TOOLE METTAPHOR PHILIP SPENCER
NT News Live on Fridays
Brown’s Mart presents its ever-popular Friday afternoon live music showcase to help you usher in the weekend. WHEN AT COST INFO 7 JUL 14 JUL 21 JUL 28 JUL
City Library
Queens Of The Stone Age
One of the world’s biggest hard rock bands. WHEN SUN 16 JUL | 8PM AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE COST $101 INFO qotsa.com
CHARLIE POWLING KEVIN MCCARTHY PHILIP SPENCER LIBRARY CLOSED
Casuarina Library 7 JUL 14 JUL 21 JUL 28 JUL
Monday Music Jam
Whether you are an established or emerging artist, bring your instrument and join like-minded musos. WHEN EVERY MON | 7PM AT DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS, MALAK COST FREE INFO darwincommunityarts. org.au
Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals
New members and visitors welcome. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY TUE | 7PM 2 ABALA ROAD, MARRARA $10 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP | $50 PER SEMESTER LEARNERS' CLASSES darwincitybrassband.org.au
Open Mic Nite by the Sea
Ambient, relaxed open-air setting. Baseline equipment provided or bring your own. WHEN AT COST INFO
EVERY FRI | 7-10PM DINAH BEACH CRUISING YACHT ASSOCIATION FREE dbcya.com.au
SERENA PECH (DUO) PETER BIBBY (DUO) ELLI BELLE (SOLO) PHILIP SPENCER (SOLO)
WHEN EVERY FRI | 12-1PM 7 JUL 14 JUL 21 JUL 28 JUL
JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC
EVERY FRI | 4.30-7PM BROWN’S MART FREE brownsmart.com.au
Enjoy free live music at your local library every Friday lunchtime.
WHEN THU 13 JUL, 9PM | SUN 16 JUL, 5.15PM AT HOTEL DARWIN COST $20 | $15 CONC
Punk Night
Play me a Story featuring the DSO String Quartet.
Loud At The Library
Ryan Coffey Heartbreaker
Vaudeville Variety Show Starring Chaplin
Darwin Symphony Orchestra Kids’ Classics
SCOTT MURPHY TRACEY BUNN WAYNE CRISTAUDO LIBRARY CLOSED
Sound engineer, PA system & backline provided. WHEN SUN 2 JUL | 2.30PM AT PINT CLUB COST GOLD COIN DONATION INFO facebook.com/firstsunday blues
Open Mic Night Katherine
Music, poetry, spoken word and storytelling. WHEN TUE 25 JUL | 7-9PM AT KATHERINE COUNTRY CLUB COST FREE INFO katherineregionalarts.org. au
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Portrait of a Senior Territorian Art Award 2017 Presented by the Araluen Arts Centre at the Darwin Entertainment Centre 93 Mitchell St, Darwin NT 0800 www.yourcentre.com.au | 08 8980 3333
Official Opening: Saturday 8 July, 6.00pm Exhibition open until 4 August
Image: Henry Smith, Craig San Roque (detail), 2017. Winner of this year’s Acquisition Award.