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APRIL

20 21

NT YOUTH WEEK

BACK ON DECKIE

OYSTER BOY

It's Your Tomorrow

Deckchair Cinema returns for 2021

Big fishy weirdo graces Brown's Mart Theatre

SEEKING EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST FOR

DARWIN CITY BRASS BAND MUSICAL DIRECTOR For position description and selection criteria, email: darwincitybrassband@gmail.com Bill Buckley, President - 0484 001 980 Closing date: 21 April darwincitybrassband.org.au

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ART I HOMEWARES BUSHFOODS | TEXTILES CAFE I FASHION I BOOKS

Lyons Cottage, 74 The Esplanade ABORIGINALBUSHTRADERS.COM (08) 8931 6650

Mook Moook by Dale Austin, Dingo Cockatoo Aboriginal Culture

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ello Top Enders, and welcome, lucky visitors. Gracing the cover of this edition is a work by 20-year-old Darwin artist Colby Thomas called ‘Heavy City’. It is one of nine incredible artworks by young artists included in City of Darwin’s CITYLIFE Platform Lightbox exhibition, held in conjunction with NT Youth Week (NTYW).

F R OM T H E

It’s Easter time, and if you’re keen to support local when shopping for your chocolate eggs this year, look no further than Charlotte’s Web Darwin Chocolate Factory for some egg-cellent options.

r o t i d E

It’s Your Tomorrow is the theme for the 2021 NTYW – a strong message to the young people of the Territory that their opinions do matter, that they will one day be leading the charge. With nine days of free and fun activities – plus a few thought-provoking events thrown in the mix to challenge the NT’s bright young minds – NTYW is set to be a hoot and a half!

If you’re keen to pick up some authentic Aboriginal artwork, hit the Merrepen Arts Pop Up market and peruse the bounty of beautiful creations by artists from Nauiyu (Daly River). Keen to get creative yourself? Try your hand at a wide range of workshops on offer at Tactile Arts, including pottery, textile dyeing and jewellery making. Deckchair Cinema throws open the gates for its 2021 season, kicking off a year of cinema under the stars with Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra in a special opening night event.

We had a very interesting chat with Oyster Boy ahead of his shucking at Brown’s Mart this month, and when I say very interesting, I mean hilarious. Find out what this fishy weirdo had to say on pg 16.

Merrepen Arts Pop Up | 6

I have a couple of exciting updates, too. We’re conducting a survey to see what kind of impact OTL has on the Top End and the NT, which is especially exciting as it’s data that’s never before been captured. Submit your thoughts by Fri 30 Apr for a chance to score one mother of a prize package – see back cover for this impressive line up! We also welcome our new Editorial Assistant to the team next month, after one full year without this three-day-a-week role. It’s been challenging for our little team, reduced to two staff with some freelance support. I’d like to give a special shout out to wonderful former OTL teammates, Anna Dowd and Tamara Howie, for their contribution over the past year. We are oh so ready to welcome our new team member to the fam, and we’ll introduce them to you next month.

NT Literary Awards | 8

Well, that’s it from me. Have a happy Easter, everyone – and a happy April!

If anyone else feels like we’ve just had Christmas, you’re not alone – but actually, where has 2021 gone?

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Winner, 2019 & 2020 NT Media Awards, Best Magazine or Lift Out

NT YOUTH WEEK

BACK ON DECKIE

OYSTER BOY

It's Your Tomorrow

Deckchair Cinema returns for 2021

Big fishy weirdo graces Brown's Mart Theatre

Beach brekkie is go at @darwintrailerboatclub!

Golden hour magic in Austin Lane @city_of_darwin @gingerbreadnt

hy·per·trop·i·cal workshop at @untitled_galleryandstudio with @tarzanjunglequeen

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Cover proudly sponsored by LAUNCH Darwin in celebration of NT Youth Week 2021. Colby Thomas, 'Heavy City'. Featured in City of Darwin’s CITYLIFE Platform Lightboxes Youth Week exhibition.

WINNER 2019 & 2020 NT MEDIA AWARDS Jo Victoria, 'Catastrophic', @tactilearts

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2021 Season Launch at @brownsmartdarwin

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Wining and dining at @pepperberryrestaurant

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APRIL

20 21

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

As a not-for-profit organisation, Off The Leash relies on advertising revenue to underpin printing costs each month. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, printing a hard copy edition of OTL will be assessed on a month-by-month basis. April 2021

FEATURE

It’s Your

NT Youth Week WHEN FRI 9 – SUN 18 APR INFO youth.nt.gov.au launchdarwin.com.au

Tomorrow

It’s Your Tomorrow is the message to the young people of the Territory for this year’s NT Youth Week, with nine days of events created by, and for, Territorians aged 12-25. And with so much creativity, passion and straight out fun on the to-do list, the Territory’s tomorrow is looking mighty bright.

By Anna Dowd Emily Ford

or 2021 NT Youth Ambassadors Sunny Liu and Emily Ford, having a dedicated week to celebrate the energy and ideas of young Territorians is a top-notch idea. “We as young people are the true embodiment of the future,” says Sunny, a 24-year-old student doing her Masters of Teaching. “We can take charge of the present, as well as what we want for ourselves and our community in the future.” As a relatively new Territorian, Sunny says she was struck by how close knit, welcoming and supportive of new ideas the community in the Top End was.

Sunny Liu

“As a CDU student, I was part of an initiative during COVID started by international students and graduates called The Kindness Shake, that provided meals to students that might be suffering financial hardships from losing their jobs during lockdown.” “It was amazing to see the support we got very quickly from businesses, the university and the NT Government.” When it comes to opportunity, Emily Ford wholeheartedly agrees.

Artworks featured from City of Darwin’s CITYLIFE Platform Lightbox exhibition. Top L-R: Merlin Martin, 'Shape Shifter' (detail). Eren Fraser, 'Don't Stare! Go Help!' (detail). Bottom L-R: Tisha Tejaya, 'Bait' (detail). Chlarisse Bala, 'Artificial choices within certainties' (detail). Opposite page: Kaleb Tester, 'Doodle Fish'.

“There’s a lot of opportunities for young people in the NT, and a lot is possible,” says the 22-year-old Bak Mak Mak Marranunggu woman from Kurrindju, 400 kilometres south of Darwin. “It’s a relatively small population, so there’s not that competitive thing so much. We build each other up here.”

Emily also acknowledges there are some things about being a young person that can be really hard. The annual Couch Surfing race, presented by Anglicare and City of Darwin’s LAUNCH team, is a great way to shine a light on an issue like youth home lessness. Anyone can join in, with teams decorating their chosen couch-onwheels for a high-energy race to the finish line. “I haven’t made it to this in previous years so I can’t wait, it’s such a cool idea. It looks like so much fun, and such a good way to bring attention to a really important issue for young people.” This year, LAUNCH Darwin has a bunch of other mega fun free events. Darwin’s hot skate culture can bust it out at the annual Street Heat Skate Comp, before flipping the thermostat down for an eve of ice-skating and games. For art lovers, head down to Nightcliff Foreshore for the sunset launch of CITYLIFE Platform Lightboxes, featuring the work of nine of Darwin’s young up-and-coming artists illuminated in outdoor lightboxes. Film buffs are also catered for, and can sink back into a deckchair and get inspired by a free screening of Miss Juneteenth at the Deckchair Cinema. According to Emily, having fun, meeting new people, and talking up the awesomeness of NT youth are a pretty good way to pack out a week in April. “I’m genuinely excited about young people and especially young people in the NT. It’s going to be great.”

Get Involved Celebrate NT Youth Week with a host of free events across the Top End. We’re talking movies, skating events, art, dance, esports and more. Remember, It’s Your Tomorrow.

Confidence and Resilience Workshop She Flourishes hosts this empowering workshop for young females aged 12-15 years. WHEN MON 12 APR | 1-3.30PM AT KAREN BROWN FINE ART INFO 8981 5036 What’s SUP on the Water? Head along to Cas Pool and join Royal Life Saving Society NT to learn Bronze Medallion and Personal Survival Skills, stand up paddle boarding, pool lifesaving and much more! Ages 14-17. WHEN MON 12 – FRI 16 APR 9AM-3PM

AT INFO

CASUARINA POOL 8981 5036

Basketball and Wellbeing Program Hoops 4 Health Academy is a program that will engage young people between the ages of 10-16 in the Northern Suburbs of Darwin. Young people can participate in fun games whilst learning new skills, getting fit and more! WHEN MON 12 APR | 4-5PM AT HOLY FAMILY SCHOOL,

deckchair and enjoy this free flick! Miss Juneteenth tells the story of a single mum, also a former beauty queen, and her attempts to get her headstrong daughter to follow in her footsteps. Free popcorn for the first 100 through the box office. Pop, pop! Bookings required. WHEN FRI 9 APR | 7PM AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA INFO deckchaircinema.com

Pre Heat Skate Warm up for the 2021 Street Heat skate comp with this afternoon shred sesh, hosted by LAUNCH Darwin and pro Aussie skateboarder Renton Millar. WHEN FRI 9 APR | 5-7PM AT LEANYER RECREATION PARK Street Heat Skate Comp Shredders and spectators – it’s time to get pumped about Darwin’s annual skate competition with host Renton Millar. Showcase your best tricks and scooter, quad, BMX, and skate action, while celebrating our awesome tropical outdoor lifestyle. WHEN SAT 10 APR | 3-7PM AT LEANYER RECREATION PARK

KARAMA

INFO

facebook.com/

hoops4healthaus

CDU Youth Futures Workshop Young Territorians are invited to get in on this amazing line-up of speakers, talking all things positive mental health. Keynote address from bestselling author, teacher and podcaster Hugh Van Cuylenburg, from The Resilience Project. WHEN THU 15 APR | 9AM-2PM AT CDU STADIUM,

MARARRA | ONLINE

INFO

cdu.edu.au

Tracks Dance Pop Up Performance Tracks’ school holiday program is designed to create a supportive environment for young dancers, encouraging participants to train, learn, move and practice teamwork. Don’t miss their pop up performance at the YMCA Nightcliff Pool Party! WHEN FRI 16 APR | 5PM AT NIGHTCLIFF POOL INFO tracksdance.com.au

LAUNCH DARWIN For ages 12-25 unless otherwise noted. launchdarwin.com.au

Miss Juneteenth Movie Grab some friends, pull up a

Skate Night Join LAUNCH for their regular fortnightly social skate with a few added surprises for Youth Week. Skates, scooters, BMX, rip-sticks, and skateboards – all wheels welcome. WHEN WED 14 APR | 6-8PM AT JINGILI WATER GARDENS

SKATE PARK

FREE-ze Sk8 Grab your winter gear and chill out in the coolest spot in Darwin for an hour and a half of games, music and ice skating. Don’t forget your socks! Bookings required, ages 12-20. WHEN WED 14 APR | 5.30-7PM AT DARWIN ICE SKATING CENTRE

Geektacular Meetup By geeks for geeks, Geektacular Meetup is a bunch of micro-meetups featuring cosplay, games, digital art, mini market, badge making, anime showings and more. Recommended for ages 15+. WHEN SAT 17 APR | 1-5PM AT CASUARINA LIBRARY Citylife Platform Lightboxes Youth Week Exhibition Launch Time to light up the night! Head along to Nightcliff foreshore at sunset for the launch of this amazing exhibition, showcasing nine of Darwin’s up-and-coming

young visual artists.

WHEN SUN 18 APR | 6-7PM AT NIGHTCLIFF FORESHORE

(NEXT TO THE POOL)

Couch Surfing Get your cheer on, as teams race decked out couches in a series of action-packed races. It’s all about National Youth Homelessness Matters Day and celebrating the resilience of young people, with entertainment, food and info on what to do if you, or someone you know, are impacted. WHEN WED 21 APR | 10.30AM-3PM AT CIVIC PARK INFO anglicare-nt.org.au

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Swamp Stomp DEC is turning it all the way up with the resounding sound of young Territorians! Tune in to the NT’s next wave of headliners and emerging bands in this swampy music gig for under 18s. WHEN FRI 16 APR | FROM 1PM

CITY OF PALMERSTON palmerston.nt.gov.au

Urban Jam - Community Expo Head along to Goyder Square for this special edition of Urban Jams, presented alongside a community expo. Entertainment includes a special guest performance by J-MLLA supported by Yung Milla, live street art, DJ and dance performances, 3x3 basketball comps, laser tag, a free BBQ and so much more.

yourcentre.com.au

Future Voices Speak your mind! This workshop is for 14-18 year olds passionate about Darwin’s future and the issues we face. Facilitated by Thomas Midena from Corrugated Iron Youth Arts, polish your speech and performance skills, then take them to the stage in the Studio Theatre to inspire an audience. WHEN MON 12 APR | 10AM-7.30PM Painting for Peace & Trust What do we mean by peace, by trust, and how do they work together? Experienced Larrakia artist Jason Lee leads this series of workshops exploring some big questions and supporting participants to express their ideas on the canvas. For ages 11-15. WHEN MON 12 – THU 15 APR 10.30AM-2.30PM

SECRETS Preview SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre is opening up the rehearsal room doors for a sneak preview and the rehearsal of their upcoming performance SECRETS. Find out more on pg 16. WHEN TUE 13 & WED 14 APR | 10AM Youth Week Esports Open Esports is a fast growing spectator competition sport that sees players or teams going head-to-head in a video game. Stay and play in an exciting arena setup in the Studio Theatre, with prize packs up for grabs valued at over $1000, and other giveaways on the day. Ages 12-24. WHEN THU 15 APR | 12-4PM

Alongside all of that entertainment is the community expo, highlighting community service providers, career pathway organisations, and social and sporting clubs for young people. WHEN SAT 10 APR | 5-8PM AT GOYDER SQUARE

KATHERINE Espresso Nook Youth Barista Course Learn how to make the perfect brew with this hands-on barista course. WHEN TUE 13 APR | 9-11AM AT GODINYMAYIN YIJARD

RIVERS ARTS & CULTURE

CENTRE

INFO 8972 3751 YMCA Disco Round up your mates and bust a boogie with a night of tunes. WHEN THU 15 APR | 5.30-8.30PM AT YMCA KATHERINE INFO nt.ymca.org.au

Self Care/Mindfulness Time to take care of your body and your mind with these free hourlong sessions. WHEN MON 12 – WED 14 APR 9-10AM

AT INFO

HEADSPACE KATHERINE

headspace.org.au

8978 4000

Kidz vs Copz Basketball Game Presented by YMCA NT, and back for its eight year, this friendly game of basketball sees members of the NT Police Force take on the young people of Palmerston. It gives young people the opportunity to engage positively with police officers and it gives the police an opportunity to engage with young people in a relaxed environment. Get ballin’. WHEN THU 15 APR 11AM-2PM

PALMERSTON

RECREATION CENTRE

BASKETBALL COURTS

INFO nt.ymca.org.au How to Adult A powerhouse of youth supporters and orgs has teamed up for this six-session program to help set young folk aged 16-20 up with some important life skills. WHEN MON 12 – FRI 16 APR,

10AM-12PM | SAT 17 APR,

2-4PM

CITY OF PALMERSTON

LIBRARY

INFO

palmerston.nt.gov.au

Out and about? Share your NTYW adventures with us!

#NTYW2021 #YouthNT #ItsYourTomorrow #NTYWDarwin #NTYWPalmerston #NTYWKatherine #launchdarwin #yopalmy 5

LISTINGS

AROUND TOWN

MERREPEN ARTS POP UP

Kids’ Mad Hatters Easter Tea Party & Egg Hunt This Easter Saturday, children aged 4-10 years are invited to put on their maddest hats and hop on over to the Myilly Point Precinct, as NT National Trust hosts their first ever Mad Hatters Tea Party! Set against one of Darwin’s most historical backdrops, this fun Easter event will delight the whole family, with an Easter egg hunt and delish food available from Chantilly Kitchen Tea. There’s also a small prize for the best Mad Hatter. Limited tickets are available, so hop to it!

hold goods and more. Sellers, buyers, recyclers, upcyclers are all welcome. Do your bit to reduce adding waste to landfill and reduce, reuse, repurpose, restyle, recycle and repair.

WHEN SUN 18 APR | 9AM-12PM AT ALAWA HALL COST FREE INFO facebook.com/

toomuchstuffdarwin

INFO naa.gov.au

Mindil Beach Sunset Market Opening Night

Tension Release Exercises Tension and Trauma release exercises are a simple set of exercises that release muscle tension and relax the mind. The body’s innate movements of shaking and stretching help to regulate the nervous system to create more calmness, focus and joy. Head along and learn an easy way to de-stress the mind and body.

WHEN SAT 3 APR | 9.30-11AM AT MYILLY POINT PRECINCT,

AUDIT HOUSE

COST $39 INFO ntnationaltrust.org.au

Kieren Karritpul, screen print and lino block on fabric, 2020

ET EXCITED, FOLKS… This month, you’re invited to hit the arts market at Brown’s Mart to peruse the bounty of beautiful creations by artists from Merrepen Arts. The art centre is located in Nauiyu (Daly River), about 220 clicks south of Darwin. Founded in 1986, Merrepen Arts currently operates with about 130 artists. Artworks are inspired by the natural surroundings of the region, its landscape, colour and light, and designs draw inspiration from the wetlands, plants and animals found nearby. Merrepen Arts CEO Cathy Laudenbach says the artists are excited to come to the Territory capital. “We love coming into Darwin to sell our original work. It makes everything more accessible, and customers can meet our artists and make connections with the artwork,” she says. “We will be bringing our whole gallery to town including paintings, prints, textiles, purses, books, t-shirts, and more. The Brown’s Mart courtyard will be overflowing with Merrepen goodies and artists!” Despite the challenges of 2020, Cathy says it’s given the artists the opportunity to reset. “Merrepen has continued on during COVID. It has actually given us a time to restock and rethink our direction. Many of the artists have come up with new designs on canvas and fabric. We have lots of new screens and new exciting colourways in our fabric designs.”

Creative Arts Therapies Symposium Presented by Australian Music Therapy Association (NT), this exciting workshop is open to all educators, therapists, artists, and health and community workers, interested in using the arts therapeutically in their practice. Facilitated by established arts and health practitioners, the workshop walks participants through research-based and practical ways to incorporate techniques from music, play and arts therapy disciplines into work with young people. WHEN SAT 10 APR | 10AM-3PM AT DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS COST $40 INFO trybooking.com

TOURNAMENTS)

INFO facebook.com/ And word to the wise – you should definitely head along to get your mitts on some Merrepen treasures, because this little art centre has some big plans for 2021. “2021 is looking good for Merrepen! All our artists are inspired to make work and we have lots of plans. We are in a show in Cairns in June and Los Angeles in October!”

WHEN THU 29 & FRI 30 APR | 9AM-4PM AT BROWN’S MART COURTYARD INFO merrepenarts.com.au

domsbardarwin

Too Much Stuff Recycling Upcycling Flea Market Have you got too much stuff? Or, do you need stuff? Head along to Too Much Stuff Recycling Upcycling Flea Market to sell or pick up second-hand clothes, plants, fishing and sporting gear, tools, kids toys and games, books, plants, house-

WHEN MON-FRI | 9.30AM-4.30PM AT NORTHERN TERRITORY ARCHIVES CENTRE

WHEN EVERY MON | 7.15PM AT CASUARINA LIBRARY The iconic Mindil Beach Sunset Markets are back in 2021, with this Opening Night extravaganza. Head seaside and soak up the atmosphere and flavours of Darwin’s biggest street market. Welcome the Dry season in true Darwin style with a picnic dinner on the beach, set to the backdrop of our spectacular tropical sunset. Ahh, bliss!

WHEN THU 29 APR | 4-9PM AT MINDIL BEACH SUNSET MARKET

INFO mindil.com.au Kakadu Tiny Tots clothing Sale

Chess & Cocktails Channel your inner Queen’s Gambit and hit up Dom’s for a night of chess and cocktails. There’s a bunch of chess boards set up, ready for your skill, but given chess is the newest hottest oldest thing right now, we recommend you book a table! WHEN WED 14 APR | 6PM AT DOM’S BAR & LOUNGE COST FREE (SMALL FEE FOR

Signed, Sealed, Delivered Remember the days when the post office was king? Drawing on the national archival collection, Signed, Sealed, Delivered revisits an era when post offices touched everyone’s lives.

MEETING ROOM

COST $12 INFO nebula.net.au Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully Join Buddhist monk Gen Dornying, and learn to make each day meaningful. Become free from trivial worries and concerns, help others who are grieving, and support those who are dying with a peaceful death process. WHEN EVERY TUE | 6-7.30PM AT ONLINE COST $10 | FREE MEMB INFO meditateindarwin.org Car Boot Sale One person’s trash is another’s treasure, and this is your chance to have a good clear out and make some coin, or pick up a bargain or two. No registration fees or sign up is required, just head over to the club car park to set up before 8.30am. Nice!

Aboriginal Bush Traders (ABT) is currently offering 50% off Kakadu Tiny Tots baby and toddler clothing, so head along to grab a bargain! ABT is a 100% not-for-profit organisation, selling ethically sourced and sustainable products that directly support local Indigenous communities.

WHEN MON – FRI | 10AM-3PM AT ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS INFO aboriginalbushtraders.com

WHEN EVERY SAT | 8.30AM AT DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB INFO dtbc.com.au

PALMERSTON LIBRARY palmerston.nt.gov.au/library

Gadgets and Games Club Learning plus games equals fun! If your child is aged 5-12 years and enjoys hands-on, problem based learning activities, this is for them.

WORK SHOPS tactileARTS

WHEN EVERY TUE | 3.30-4.30PM COST FREE Storytime Sing, dance, listen to stories and engage with puppets at these fun and interactive sessions. Suitable for children aged 1-5 years. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay 8981 6616 | tactilearts.org.au

Spinner Ring

Experience the work of one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists – master bark painter John Mawurndjul – as he shares the concepts that shape Kuninjku culture in Western Arnhem Land.

JOHN MAWURNDJUL I AM THE OLD JOHN AND THE NEW JOHN MAWURNDJUL

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Date XX Name of Experience the work of one of Venue Australia’s leading contemporary

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of artists – master barkName painter John Venue Mawurndjul – as he shares the concepts that shape Kuninjku culture in Western Free Entry Arnhem Land.

Free Entry

AND THE NEW

masterpieces in this six-week course, which are fired in the Tactile Arts kilns.

YOUR LOGO

Experience the work of one of Australia’s Experience leading the contemporary work of one of artists – master Australia’s leading contemporary bark painter John artists – master Mawurndjul – as he bark painter John shares the concepts Mawurndjul – as he that shape Kuninjku HERE shares the concepts culture in Western that shape Kuninjku Arnhem Land. culture in Western Arnhem Land.

WHEN EVERY SAT 10 APR – 15 MAY WHEN EVERY TUE & THU | 10-10.45AM COST FREE

Da Da

1-4PM

COST $415 | $385 MEMB Sculptures with Paper

Get Job Ready Come along to these free sessions, where you can use the library’s laptops to create or update your resume, search and apply for jobs. WHEN EVERY WED | 2-4PM COST FREE

LET’S DANCE Salsa Classes WHEN TUE 13, 20 & 27 APR 6.30-8.30PM

DANCE WORLD STUDIO,

WOOLNER

COST $20 INFO salsitadarwin.com.au

Learn to make your own handcrafted silver spinner ring in this workshop with jewellery and glass artist Debra Senjuschenko. The techniques of measuring, texturing, sawing and finishing are a good starting block if you wish to continue to learn jewellery making. Participants are provided with a handout of the list of tools and materials used, including recommended suppliers.

WHEN MON 5 APR | 10AM-4PM COST $205 | $190 MEMB Ice and Indigo - Textile Dyeing 101

Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails Join Swing Dance NT at the Darwin Railway Club every Wednesday for a fun night of swing jazz and social dancing. Entry fees go towards the band, so head along for a night of great music and good times.

John Mawurndjul, Ancestral Spirit Beings Collecting Honey, 1985–87, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Maningrida Arts & Culture with financial assistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board of the Australia Council, 1994 © John Mawurndjul / Copyright Agency, 2019, photograph: Jessica Maurer.

CDU Art Gallery Building Orange 12 Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus www.cdu.edu.au/artgallery Learn how to make bowls from recycled paper pulp in this workshop with paper artist Kathy Carter. The bowls can be decorated with cotton, wool, fabric, dried leaves and flowers. Once finished, the bowls can be used for decorative or functional purposes. Theses techniques can be used to make all sorts of other items from paper.

YOUR LOGO HERE

10am - 4pm | Wed to Fri 10am - 2pm | Sat artgallery@cdu.edu.au  /cduartgallery

John Mawurndjul, Ancestral SpiritSpirit Beings Collecting Honey, 1985–87, John Mawurndjul, Ancestral Beings Collecting Honey, 1985–87, Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and and Maningrida ArtsArts & & Museum of Contemporary Art Australia Maningrida project has Government’s CultureCulture with financial assistance fromfrom the Aboriginal andand Torres Strait This project hasbeen beenassisted assisted by by the the Australian Australian Government’s with financial assistance the Aboriginal Torres Strait This Visions Australiaprogram. program.Exhibition Exhibition organised Islander the Australia Council, © John Mawurndjul Visions ofof Australia organisedand andtoured toured Islander BoardBoard of theof Australia Council, 19941994 © John Mawurndjul / / the MuseumofofContemporary Contemporary Art Art Australia. Australia. Copyright Agency, photograph: Jessica Maurer. byby the Museum Copyright Agency, 2019, 2019, photograph: Jessica Maurer. 2020,

This project has been assisted by the Aus Visions of Australia program. Exhibition o by the Museum of Contemporary Art Aus

The Basics - Findings and Knots

WHEN SAT 10 & SUN 11 APR 10AM-1.30PM

COST $145 | $135 MEMB Throwing on the Wheel

Come and Try Clogging WHEN EVERY SUN | 10-11AM AT ZUCCOLI PLAZA

ENTRIES OPEN 29 MARCH 2021 AND CLOSE 31 MAY 2021 FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY VISIT ntl.nt.gov.au

Ever made a piece of jewellery and found you’re missing just one little bit you could make yourself, but not sure how to do it? In this workshop with jewellery and glass artist Debra Senjuschenko, learn how to make different findings including ball-pins, ear-wires, connectors, bails, jump rings and more!

WHEN SUN 18 APR | 10AM-4PM COST $145 | $135 MEMB

WHEN EVERY SUN | 1.30-2.30PM AT MALAK COMMUNITY CENTRE COST $10 | FREE, FIRST CLASS INFO CHRISTINE - 0439 613 574

YOUR LOGO HERE

WHEN SAT 17 APR | 10AM-3PM COST $135 | $125 MEMB

Students learn two different dyeing techniques in this workshop with textile artist Lillian Smith. Experience amazing random patterns in brilliant colours with ice dyeing, and explore Shibori techniques with indigo dyeing.

WHEN EVERY WED | 7.45-10PM AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB COST $10 | $5 MEMB INFO swingdancent.com

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government’s

Visions of Australia program. Exhibition organised and toured Open until 29 May by the Museum of Contemporary Art Australia.

Join local ceramicist Cecily Willis and learn the fundamentals of working with clay on the wheel, along with basic glazing techniques. Create a number of

BACK ON Deckie come flooding into the cinema, it’s a magical feeling for everyone working here.

Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra

ARWIN’S BELOVED OUTDOOR cinema is throwing open the doors this month, set to light up with cinematic gems until November. We caught up with Deckchair Cinema’s General Manager James Parker for a chat.

The Deckchair is back! What’s on the cards for 2021? We’re so excited to be able to open in 2021 and welcome our members and customers back to the cinema. It’s really strange seeing the cinema empty during the Wet season, so when we open the gates on opening night and people

Deckchair

JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT

COST INFO

This Wet season we’ve gotten rid of the woodchip that was under the seats and installed artificial turf. It was tricky finding the right supplier, and we have strict green ethical policy, but our Operations Manager Damien Johns found an eco-friendly option manufactured from sugar cane waste over in Queensland. There’s loads of other small changes around the cinema, too many to list here, so you’ll have to come and see for yourselves. Do you know when you will reach full capacity? We’re opening the year with a capacity of 75 percent. It’s been a really difficult decision, with valid arguments to go to full capacity or stay at half, as we closed last

How’s that new projector going? The new projector! I almost forgot! That is a huge change this season. With the new laser projector, we have the brightness to screen early sessions at 7pm. It’s such an awesome sight to have a Territory sunset happening while the movie starts. The new projector is 35,000 lumens – which, of course, won’t mean a lot to most – but in comparison, the old projector was just 16,000 lumens, so it’s more than double. The change is positive for everyone,

WHEN WED 7 APR | 7PM

with some kids’ movies ending just after 8pm. The late sessions will also be less late, so the grown ups can be in bed at a reasonable hour, too! Tell us about the opening night event! Opening night is Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra. It’s a deeply personal look at the three Page brothers and the Bangarra Dance Theatre they founded. A couple of years ago, we opened with Spear – the first feature Stephen Page directed and it was a beautiful way to start the season. It’s great to be able to continue the story and take a deep dive into the roots of the world-renowned dance company. Thank you all again for the amazing support in 2020, we can’t wait to welcome you back again for 2021.

CINEMA

Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs When Jacob and Mimmi find out that the local park is about to be transformed into new skyscrapers, they decide to stop the development with help of a pack of local dogs that can talk.

Ammonite A young woman is sent to convalesce with the acclaimed but overlooked fossil hunter, Mary Anning. They begin a passionate and all-consuming love affair that defies all social bounds.

WHEN SAT 10, TUE 13

WHEN FRI 16 APR, 8.20PM

& FRI 16 APR | 7PM

TUE 20 APR | 7PM

NT Literary Awards TERRITORY WRITERS, POETS, PLAYWRIGHTS – lend us your ears... Entries for the 2021 NT Literary Awards are now open! This annual competition celebrating the local written word covers a range of categories including short story, poetry, theatre and more. It is one of few opportunities for Territory writers to receive acknowledgement for their creative abilities. 2020 Poetry Award winner Johanna Bell says this level of acknowledgement is important.

Zappa With full access to the Frank Zappa Vault, and the footage contained within, Zappa explores the private life behind the mammoth musical career that never shied away from the political turbulence of its time.

season. We gave the decision to our risk committee in the end. The various committees at the cinema are fantastic and I was glad to hand that tricky decision over to them. We’ll review it program by program based on the advice and recommendations from NT Health.

Deckchair Cinema Opening Night Firestarter: The Story of Bangarra

WHEN TUE 27 APR | 7PM

Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom A young teacher in modern Bhutan shirks his duties while planning to go to Australia to become a singer. As a reprimand, his superiors send him to the most remote school in the world. There, he learns some unexpected life changing lessons. WHEN THU 29 APR | 7PM

“I’ve heard it said that writing allows you to be alone and with others at the same time. The catch is that connecting with others can only happen when your work is out there in the world. The NT has very few opportunities for publication, which is what makes the NT Literary Awards such an important event,” she says.

“Not only does it bring writers and readers together to celebrate local stories but it’s also an excellent motivator to create new work...the Awards cater for writers across different genres, ages and locations.” Although yet to reap the rewards of taking out the 2020 Poetry category due to limitations surrounding the pandemic, Bell says it’s resulted in positive opportunities in the past. “I won the poetry prize and was contacted by an agent at Curtis Brown, who had read my work and wanted to chat. Geographic privilege is an ongoing challenge in the writing world, where most editorial decisions are made out of Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane. The NT Literary Awards gives local writers a chance at being seen beyond our borders.” Bell says national recognition is just

one of the challenges faced by Territory writers. “One of the biggest challenges that exists for regional writers is typecasting. The publishing industry, and the media more generally, have been guilty of perpetuating narrow narratives about the north. We’ve heard the Crocodile Dundee, Bombing of Darwin, tropical backwater, frontier town and Cyclone Tracy stories,” she says. “If you’ve lived in Darwin for any length of time, you know this place is way more than what gets told ‘down south’. It’s time for a new generation of diverse voices and lived experiences, and the NT Literary Awards is one way to help elevate new work.”

WHEN ENTRIES CLOSE MON 31 MAY INFO ntl.nt.gov.au

LISTINGS

NT WRITERS' PRESENTS

ADULT SHORT COURSES

2021 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Awards The Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Award 2021 is now open for submissions! The awards celebrate the most significant historical book about the NT published in 2020, with the winning author receiving $1,000.

1 Nemarluk Drive

YOU'LL NEVER KNOW WHAT YOU MISSED......

Ludmilla NT, 0820

A R T S

S E W I N G

C O O K I N G

C O M P U T E R

L A N G U A G E

D E S I G N

www.adultshortcourses.com

M U S I C

H E A L T H

Darwin Adult Short Courses 0452 135 400

WHEN ENTRIES CLOSE WED 7 APR INFO ntl.nt.gov.au

Tisha Tejaya IT GOES WITHOUT saying Top Enders love the delicious produce at Darwin markets. But how well do you know the weird and wonderful goods on sale? Can you tell your moringa from your mangosteen? For those of us who can’t, artist, lawyer and emerging writer Tisha Tejaya has created a pocket-sized gem that combines gorgeous drawings with stories from her family and handy tips. NT Writers’ Centre caught up with her for a chat. What was the inspiration behind Parap & Rapid Creek Market Pocketbook? The Pocketbook is largely inspired by my Auntie Hong’s incredible knowledge of plants, and by recipes from my culinary-gifted family and friends. As a side note, you might find some similarities in its layout with field guides – I really got into bird watching last year! Where can we get our hands on a copy? The Pocketbook is available at Parap Fine Foods and Greenies. If you’d like a copy mailed to you, you can visit our website – we ship nationally through Australia Post. What are your top three ingredients you can’t do without and why? Nothing beats the taste of tender, young snake beans, which, as well as being healthy, are super versatile. I buy a whole kilo of ginger when it’s cheap, peel it, then freeze it. I also can’t get enough of darkly rich liquid gold Bees Creek honey – I use it instead of sugar whenever a dish needs a bit of a sweetener.

Last year you received a Varuna Fellowship for your writing. Congratulations! Can you tell us a bit more about other literary projects you’ve got on the go? When researching for the Pocketbook, I was told a bunch of moving, sometimes hilarious, sometimes heartbreaking stories about life in the wild Territory as seen through the eyes of Southeast Asian migrants and refugees. Prior to this, I hadn’t seriously considered ever writing a proper book. But these are important stories that need to be heard, and I am determined to give them a voice in the form of a literary novel that questions what it really means to be Australian. If we were to take a peek at your bookshelf, what kinds of books would we find there? A random selection of books on my shelf are Catch-22 by Joseph Heller, Superfreakonomics by Steven Levitt, Stephen J. Dubner, Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie, and The Road by Cormac McCarthy. But the books I find myself coming back to the most are The Slater Field Guide to Australian Birds by the Slaters and A Guide to Wildlife and Protected Areas of the Top End by Lindley McKay. Any Territory authors you’re enjoying at the moment? Mary Anne Butler. I’m still recovering from her biting, visceral play Broken in the best way possible – I was mind blown experiencing it! The balm? Probably Dean Mildren’s dry wit in Big Boss Fella All Same Judge.

INFO tejaya.com.au

Movie, Dinner & Games Head along to Mad Snake 2 - The Sequel for movie and games night. With dinner, drinks and dessert available, plus some retro games and cult classics on the big screen, this is one event on the Top End calendar that’ll get you feeling all nostalgic. WHEN EVERY THU & FRI | 5.30PM AT MAD SNAKE 2 – THE SEQUEL COST $5 | FREE WITH MIN. $10

SPEND ON FOOD

INFO facebook.com/madsnake2

Poetry in a Changing World In a time of climate emergency, how can we respond as poets and writers? In this three-hour online workshop with poet, novelist and photographer Rachael Mead, participants explore how poetry and prose can help us make sense of what is happening to our planet and the landscapes we call home. WHEN SAT 17 APR | 1-4PM AT ONLINE COST $80 | $50 MEMB INFO ntwriters.com.au

Tuesday - Friday

11:30am – 2:30pm

Sunday

NT Travelling Film Festival It’s Darwin’s turn! Pull up a cosy deckchair at the Deckie and enjoy a selection of shorts from the Northern Territory Travelling Film Festival program. Head in early to enjoy the sea breeze and the magic of the sunset over Darwin Harbour.

12:00pm – 2:30pm

For bookings, please call 08 8982 0000

@pepperberryrestaurant

Ground Floor | Hilton Darwin | 32 Mitchell St

WHEN SAT 17 APR | 6PM GATES,

7PM SCREENING

AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA COST $16 INFO nttravellingfilmfestival.com

Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival Fundraiser - High Ground Settle in for a night of cinema and raise some much-needed funds for this much-loved community festival. It’s also the first screening of locally filmed hit, High Ground. So many reasons not to miss this one. WHEN SUN 25 APR | 7PM AT DECKCHAIR CINEMA COST $17 | $13 CONC INFO nightcliffseabreeze.com

Double The Fun At DoubleTree

16 Fri

Thu

5 NT Youth Week Events 8 Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs 8 Ammonite 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 14 DVA Exhibtions (opening) 14 WIGBRAIN (opening) 15 Farewell To The Wet: Comedy Dinner 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 16 Oyster Boy

22 Wed

7 Storytime 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 13 ROAM (last chance) 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 16 SECRETS: SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre 19 Thursday Live @ Dom’s

28 7 Get Job Ready 7 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails

See Visual Arts 12

Fri

12 Warka Tjungu (working together) New paintings by the Men and Women of Tjala Arts (opens)

23 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 18 Mozart’s Requiem – Vocalective 19 Darryl Barba 19 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

See Around Town 6

17 Sat

Thu

5 Geektacular Meetup 6 Car Boot Sale 7 Throwing on the Wheel 7 Sculptures with Paper 9 Poetry in a Changing World 9 NT Travelling Film Festival 16 Oyster Boy 19 Steamy Jazz Session #4 Hotel Red

See Around Town 7

6 Merrepen Arts Pop Up 6 Mindil Beach Sunset Market Opening Night 7 Storytime 8 Lunana: A Yak in the Classroom 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 19 Thursday Live @ Dom’s

18 Sun

5 Citylife Platform Lightboxes Youth Week Exhibition Launch

6 Too Much Stuff Recycling Upcycling Flea Market 7 Come and Try Clogging 7 The Basics Findings and Knots 19 Seaside Sessions at DTBC

Sat

See Feature 5

Sun

ANZAC Day, Lest We Forget

7 Throwing on the Wheel

7 Come and Try Clogging 9 Nightcliff Seabreeze Festival Fundraiser - High Ground 12 of the same (last chance) 19 Seaside Sessions at DTBC 19 Last Sunday Jam

Fri

6 Car Boot Sale 9 Movie, Dinner & Games

See Music 19

19 Battle of the School Bands

6 Merrepen Arts Pop Up 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 12 The Garden of Alchemy (opening) 12 We Eat We Are (opening) 13 Paul Nabulumo, Works on Paper (last chance) 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 19 Darryl Barba 19 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

Mon

6 Tension Release Exercises

ANZAC DAY

OTL Survey Closes

WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!

Today’s your last chance to fill out our survey for a chance to win – simply scan the QR code below.

See the back cover for the exciting prize drop!

Tue

Mon

6 Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully 6 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Salsa Classes 8 Ammonite 16 SECRETS: SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre 19 Wet Funk. Tuesdays 19 Darwin City Brass Band 19 Jam Nights

6 Tension Release Exercises

Wed

Tue

5 Couch Surfing 7 Get Job Ready 7 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails 16 SECRETS: SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre

6 Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully 6 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Salsa Classes 8 Zappa 19 Wet Funk. Tuesdays 19 Darwin City Brass Band 19 Darwin City Brass Band Come N’ Try Day 19 Jam Nights

AROUND TOWn Books & fILM Performing Arts YOUTH Visual Arts Food & Drink Music FESTIVALS

offtheleash.net.au

Although all care is taken to ensure information in Off The Leash is correct, it is subject to change. Not all events can be listed on this calendar, so we recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.

Thu

GOOD FRIDAY

Fri

15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience

Thu

Sat 6 Creative Arts Therapies Symposium 6 Car Boot Sale 7 Ice and Indigo Textile Dyeing 101 7 Throwing on the Wheel 8 Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs 12 Liyagawumirr miny’tji (last chance) 13 ROAM Travel Painting Workshop 15 Variety of Chefs

7 Storytime 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 19 Thursday Live @ Dom’s

9 Movie, Dinner & Games 19 Darryl Barba 19 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

Calendar

1 Wed

7 Storytime 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 12 of the same (opening) 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 19 Thursday Live @ Dom’s

7 7 Get Job Ready 7 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails 8 Deckchair Cinema Opening Night 9 2021 Chief Minister’s Northern Territory History Book Awards (last chance)

See Feature 4

5 Street Heat Skate Comp 5 Urban Jam - Community Expo

See Food & Drink 15

Sun

7 Ice and Indigo Textile Dyeing 101

7 Come and Try Clogging 19 Seaside Sessions at DTBC

3 Sat

6 Kids’ Mad Hatters Easter Tea Party & Egg Hunt 6 Car Boot Sale 13 ROAM Artist Talk

EASTER SUNDAY

Sun

19 Seaside Sessions at DTBC

7 Come and Try Clogging 19 First Sunday Blues

Mon

APR See Around Town 7

5 How to Adult 5 Confidence and Resilience Workshop 5 What’s SUP on the Water? 5 Basketball and Wellbeing Program 5 Future Voices 5 Painting for Peace & Trust 5 Self Care/Mindfulness 6 Tension Release Exercises

See Music 19

Tue

See Visual Arts 13

5 How to Adult 5 What’s SUP on the Water? 5 Painting for Peace & Trust 5 Espresso Nook Youth Barista Course 5 Self Care/Mindfulness 7 Salsa Classes 8 Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs 16 SECRETS Preview for NTYW 19 Wet Funk. Tuesdays 19 Darwin City Brass Band

EASTER MONDAY

Mon

6 Tension Release Exercises 7 Spinner Ring

Wed

See Performing Arts 17

5 How to Adult 5 What’s SUP on the Water? 5 Skate Night 5 FREE-ze Sk8 5 Self Care/Mindfulness 7 Get Job Ready 7 Wednesday Night Swing 14 A Little Bit Of Justice The Drawings of Charlie Flannigan Q&A 16 SECRETS Preview for NTYW 19 Afro Moses Spirit of Africa Show

Tue

6 Living Meaningfully, Dying Joyfully 6 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 19 Wet Funk. Tuesdays 19 Darwin City Brass Band 19 Jam Nights

Fri

17 The Gospel According to Paul

NT YOUTH WEEK

Thu

5 Miss Juneteenth Movie 5 Pre Heat Skate 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 13 Paul Johnstone Gallery Exhibition Opening 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 19 Darryl Barba 19 Afro Moses Reggae Tribute Show 19 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

5 How to Adult 5 What’s SUP on the Water? 5 CDU Youth Futures Workshop 5 Painting for Peace & Trust 5 Youth Week Esports Open 5 Kidz vs Copz Basketball Game 5 YMCA Disco 9 Movie, Dinner & Games 15 Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience 16 Oyster Boy

VISUAL ARTS OUTSTATION

TACTILE ARTS

TUE 10AM-1PM | WED-FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

TUE-SUN 10AM-4PM

2/3 Parap Place, Darwin | 8981 4822 | outstation.com.au

19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay | 8981 6616 | tactilearts.org.au

Steven Comway, 'Sammy', 2020, digital photograph, 30x30cm

of the same

WE ALL KNOW no two people are the same. We are all unique individuals, but we can create communities from what we share. We can share experiences, we can share memory and we can share time.

of the same is a group exhibition by the artists from the Free Space Studio – a community of artists who share a studio. You will notice that the artists express themselves very differently. And when you look at the artworks, you might notice the artists share something too.

WHEN THU 1 – SUN 25 APR | OPENING THU 1 APR, 5.30PM

Mitakiki Men's collaborative, 'Ngayuku Ngura (My Country)', 2021, acrylic on linen, 152x122cm

WARKA TJUNGU (working together) New paintings by the Men and Women of Tjala Arts WHEN SAT 17 APR – SAT 8 MAY

This collection of work features some of Tjala Arts’ established artists alongside their strongest emerging artists. These artists have started 2021 with a bang! Collaborative artworks by Janie and Muna Kulyuru, Tanya and

Freda Brady, the Mitakiki Women and the Mitakiki Men are featured in the exhibition, and are striking examples of the power of collaborative paintings. Individual paintings by the ever popular Barbara Moore and Maringka Tunkin round out the exhibition.

Margaret Rarru, 'Mindirr mol' (black conical basket), 2020, pandanus and natural dyes, 30x14cm

Liyagawumirr miny’tji Liyagawumirr miny’tji (designs of the Liyagawumirr clan) primarily features the work of two sisters, Margaret Rarru and Helen Ganalmirriwuy. Both senior artists from Milingimibi, they are renowned for their paintings and weavings. The striped geometric designs featured in the bark paintings are informed by the sisters’ Liyagawumirr clan ceremonial body paint designs. Across Arnhem Land, the use of black dye in their weaving is also unique to the sisters.

The Garden of Alchemy AN OTHERWORLDLY EXPERIENCE awaits in The Garden of Alchemy. A place of exquisite beauty that tells the story of growth, decay, rebirth and renewal, as nature determines to survive against a human backdrop of greed. Ceramic artist Dawn Beasley transports and delights you with this series of stunning porcelain installations inspired by botanical forms. WHEN FRI 30 APR – SUN 16 MAY | OPENING FRI 30 APR, 5.30PM

Photo: Fiona Morrison

UNTIL SAT 10 APR

Dawn Beasley, 'Alchemy', 2021, porcelain, gold leaf and pearlite, installation

NCCA

Northern Centre for Contemporary Art Vimy Lane, Parap | 8981 5368 | 0402 379 630 | nccart.com WED-FRI 10AM-4PM, SAT 9AM-2PM, OR BY APPOINTMENT

WE EAT WE ARE WE EAT WE ARE is the second exhibition produced as part of the SPARK NT Curator Program – an Artback NT initiative which supports an independent or emerging curator, residing in the Northern Territory, to develop an exhibition project for tour. SPARK is designed to foster critical thinking in art and curatorial practice, and provide artists from the Territory with opportunities to showcase their work within a curated touring exhibition.

WHEN FRI 30 APR – SAT 29 MAY | OPENING FRI 30 APR, 6PM

Kaye Brown, Raelene Lampuwatu Kerinauia, Janice Pungautiji Murray and Michelle Woody, 'Jukwarringa (Mud Mussels)', 2018, earth pigment on shell.

CDU ART GALLERY

UNTITLED GALLERY+STUDIO

Building Orange 12, CDU Casuarina Campus | 8946 6621 cdu.edu.au/artgallery WED–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

Unit 3/1 Clocktower Caryota Crt, Coconut Grove | darwincommunityarts.org WED-FRI 11AM-4PM | SAT 10AM–2PM | CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

John Mawurndjul

I Am The Old and The New

CDU Art Gallery is delighted to present a survey exhibition by one of Australia’s leading contemporary artists – master bark painter John Mawurndjul AM – a Kuninjku artist from Milmilngkan, Arnhem Land.

Elizabeth Martin, ‘Walking To Varlaam Monastery I (Studio Study)’ 2018, gouaches on Arches

Roam

A Year of Travel: An Artist’s Visual Exploration Comprising 141 original artworks, ROAM is a collection of travel paintings created during a yearlong artist sabbatical in 2018-2019. Travelling Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealand and New Caledonia,

Darwin based artist Elizabeth Martin painted en plein air alongside working in makeshift art studios documenting landscapes both foreign and familiar.

WHEN FRI 26 MAR – THU 22 APR

OPENING FRI 26 MAR, 6-8PM ARTIST TALK SAT 3 APR, 10AM TRAVEL PAINTING WORKSHOP SAT 10 APR, 1PM-4PM

Developed and co-presented by the Museum of Contemporary Art and Art Gallery of South Australia, in association with Maningrida Arts & Culture, this landmark touring exhibition includes over 50 works, spanning 40 years of the artist’s practice.

UNTIL SAT 29 MAY

John Mawurndjul, 'Ancestral Spirit Beings Collecting Honey', (1985–87), earth pigments on Stringybark (Eucalyptus tetrodonta), Museum of Contemporary Art Australia and Maningrida Arts & Culture with financial assistance from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Board of the Australia Council, 1994 © John Mawurndjul / Copyright Agency, 2020, Photo: Jessica Maurer.

PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY

MARRAWUDDI ARTS & CULTURE

WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | TUE & SAT 10AM–2PM

MON-FRI 8.30AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 8-2PM

Harriet Place, Darwin | 8941 2220 | pauljohnstonegallery.com.au

2 Gregory Place, Jabiru, | 8979 2777 | gallery@marrawuddi.com.au

Paul Nabulumo

HEAVENS TO MURGATROYD

Works on Paper

THE PANDEMIC SESSIONS BY BRYAN BULLEY FOR OVER 30 YEARS, Bryan Bulley has painted and shared images of a parallel universe. As privileged voyeurs, we peer into the canvas to see worlds within worlds. Undulating geographic formations, hide fictitious yet vaguely familiar characters, that challenge and intrigue the viewer.

Paul Nabulumo, 'Stingray', 2021, acrylic on Arches paper, 77x101cm

Kuninjku artist Paul Nabulumo has been exhibiting nationally and internationally since 2000. Son of acclaimed artist Mick Kubarkku (1925-2008), Nabulumo is highly regarded for his bold style featuring delicate rarrk and negative space. Head along to Marrawuddi Arts and Culture, featuring a collection of his stunning paintings on paper.

WHEN FRI 9 APR – SAT 1 MAY OPENING FRI 9 APR 5.30-7.30PM

Brian Bulley, 'The Northern Blue Dodo', acrylic on canvas, 76x61cm

UNTIL FRI 30 APR

DARWIN VISUAL ARTS

COCONUT STUDIOS

TUE-FRI 12PM-5PM | SAT 10AM-3PM

WED-SAT, 10AM-5PM

Ground Floor, Habour View Plaza, 8 McMinn St, Darwin | 8981 9351 | dvaa.net.au

8/18 Caryota Court, Coconut Grove | facebook.com/coconutstudiosdarwin

David Dalzell A QUIET WITNESSING: ARTIST’S RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE Work inspired by the current climate and environmental crisis, and yearning for serious commitment to political activity within First Nations and Australian people, David Dalzell uses the majestic wildlife of the Australian continent and human architecture – specifically parliamentary houses, the symbols of modern decision making. He plays with perspective between our built landscape and natural wildlife, exploring tensions between decisions and their environmental impact.

WHEN FRI 16 APR – SAT 1 MAY

David Dalzell, 'She Brings Fire With Her', 2019, pen & ink with acrylic ink wash, 32x40cm

OPENING FRI 16 APR, 6-8PM

Merlin Martin, 'Go', 2020, spray paint & acrylic on metal road sign, 90x120cm

WIGBRAIN Coconut Studios presents an exhibition of paintings by emerging artist Merlin Martin. Martin offers a view of a WIGBRAIN world made up of chaotic colour, surrealistic pattern and psychedelic texture with apocalyptic overtones. A world gone strange.

WHEN FRI 16 APR – SUN 16 MAY | OPENING FRI 16 APR, 6-8PM

MAGNT

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens | 8999 8264 | magnt.net.au DAILY 10AM-4PM

Adrienne Wade, 'After the Fires’ (detail), 2020, Encaustic on board, 126x65cm

Transmogrify

by Adrienne Wade & Bev Garside

Bev Garside, 'Longing to Fly', 2021

TRANSMOGRIFY FOR Adrienne Wade and Bev Garside focuses on the beauty found in the environment, drawing attention to, and encouraging enjoyment of their surroundings. With their work, they hope to highlight the need for the conservation and protection of the environment. Their works encompass the idea of transmogrify – they begin with a raw material and through different processes transform these into something unexpected, different or magical. WHEN FRI 16 APR – SAT 1 MAY | OPENING FRI 16 APR, 6-8PM

NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY

Parliament House | Cnr. Bennett and Mitchell Street, Darwin | ntl.nt.gov.au TUE, THU, FRI 10AM-5PM | WED 10AM-8PM | SAT & SUN 1-5PM

Jonah Nemarluk, 'Boys of the bush', 2020, digital print, 58x85cm

A LITTLE BIT OF JUSTICE The Drawings of Charlie Flannigan This unique exhibition highlights the story of Aboriginal prisoner Charlie Flannigan – the first person to be executed in the Northern Territory at Darwin’s Fannie Bay Gaol in 1893.

Charlie Flannigan, ‘Horseman leaping from a cliff’, 1892, facsimile (original, pencil on paper). Courtesy of South Australian Museum

Exit Art: 2020 STUDENT EXHIBITION

The exhibition features 22 of his drawings depicting various scenes from his life, all carried out whilst in solitary confinement.

Exit Art is a celebration of the talents and creativity of the next generation of artists and designers, presenting the very best contemporary art and design from Northern Territory Year 12 students. Presented by MAGNT in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Education, Exit Art reflects the diversity of the Territory’s artistic practice and practitioners, expressing universal themes of identity, place and environment.

UNTIL SUN 27 JUN | Q&A, WED 14 APR, 5.30PM

UNTIL SUN 13 JUN

FOOD

DRINK LISTINGS

By Tamara Howie

Charlotte’s Web Darwin Chocolate Factory

Hoppy Easter! EGG-CITED FOR EASTER and looking for ways to make it egg-stra egg-cellent? We can’t promise this story won’t be hopping-mad with Easter puns, but we can promise that Kirsty McInnes, chief Easter Bunny from Charlotte’s Web Darwin Chocolate Factory, has some cracking good advice to make this Easter one to remember. So, let’s hop to it!

Making chocolate in Darwin sounds very messy! How do you do it? Patience is the biggest driver, and without it, the magic can never happen! You also need to have a wonderfully temperature-controlled

room with a super cold bench to make it all work, in addition to the mechanics and the right cocoa to make it taste yum.

What goodies are you preparing for Easter? Our Easter Bunnies have been hard at work making Easter eggs since the beginning of March. This year, we have some amazing moussefilled chocolate eggs in milk, white and dark chocolate. We also have nougat bunnies and creamy bunnies, and for all our vegan friends, we have vegan chocolate and hopefully some vegan bunnies.

How many eggs will be rolling out of the factory this year? About 1000 eggs.

Can you tell us how Darwin Chocolate Factory hatched into business and bounced it’s way to making 1000 eggs in a month? We started making chocolates for the Christmas markets in 2009, before there was a chocolate factory in Darwin. It was fun, and then our followers grew and grew every year. In 2017, we experienced a life-changing event where we lost everything on our block – our

WHEN TUE – FRI, 10AM-3PM

SAT, 10AM-2PM

13/17 WILLES ROAD,

BERRIMAH

INFO

facebook.com/

darwinchocolatefactory

house, our tourism business and all our possessions. At that stage, I was looking for a change. So, in 2018, we moved our engineering business upstairs and started the chocolate factory downstairs, initially as a wholesaler. With the pandemic, we pivoted our business to include chocolate experiences, including tours, workshops and parties. Any hot tips on Easter egg hunts in the Top End heat? Try an easter egg hunt inside. There are plenty of places to hide eggs inside the house and plenty of fun ways to leave secret messages!

By Tamara Howie

Farewell To The Wet: Comedy Dinner Settle in for an evening of non-stop giggles from a great line-up of Top End comedians – whilst you savour a three-course menu with beverages, thank you very much. To top it all off, audience members have the chance to score a one-night stay at the Hilton with the Darwin-Fancy Best-Dressed Competition. If you were looking for a reason to get frocked up and have fun, this would be it. WHEN FRI 16 APR | 6.30PM AT HILTON DARWIN COST $99 DINNER, DRINKS

& SHOW

INFO

darwintickets.com.au

facebook.com/hiltondarwin

Breakfast at DTBC Sit by the sea and tuck in to breakfast rolls and breakfast bowls, smashed avo and pancakes, all kinds of bennies, and an extra special house-smoked ocean trout dish. There’s coffee and tea, of course, and breakfast cocktails available if you’re keen to kick off your day with a bang – we’re talking mimosas, espresso martinis and bloody Marys. Yummo! WHEN EVERY SAT & SUN | 8-11AM AT DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB

INFO

The Recipe for a Good Night THERE’S ONLY ONE thing better than tucking into a multi-course meal prepared by some of the country’s best chefs. Well, maybe two! First, learning the tricks of the trade from the chefs themselves during a live demonstration. And second, doing it all for a good cause. Variety of Chefs brings gourmet gurus Karen Doyle, Danny Yeum, Jimmy Shu, Martin Bouchier and William Wicking to the stage to raise funds for Variety NT, the children’s charity, as it celebrates 30 years in the Territory. President of the Australian Culinary Federation, chef Karen Doyle, shares some simple tips to wow your dinner guests with her main dish. But she’s tight-lipped about what’s on the menu, so guests are in for a surprise. “I’ll just say it’s a chicken dish,” she laughs.

“I tried to do something that’s easy for the kitchen but full of flavour, and still respects the ingredients and produce of the Northern Territory. Martin (Bouchier) and I have known each other a long time, and between the two of us we’ll share a lot of techniques. We’ll show those little things you don’t even think of – the easy way to do things or how to make something look absolutely stunning without having to do too much.” It’s been 20 years since Doyle has been to the Top End, but she often orders tropical delights down south to help teach her students at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu at the Sydney Culinary Arts Institute. “You’ve got Humpty Doo barramundi and crocodile, which I get brought down here (to Sydney). Buffalo is another ingredient I use from that area as well. Buffalo is one of my dishes I do with our students because a lot of them

are international and have access to it overseas. It’s good to teach them how to handle different types of meat but crocodile is the best. They all die when they have to cook that!” Regular attendees know that Variety of Chef’s is always a lot of (delicious) fun, and Doyle says it’s no different for the chefs. “I don’t do events like this too much anymore, so it’s fantastic. For me, it’s the most fun when you get hands on and you can share that with others.”

Variety of Chefs WHEN SAT 10 APR | 6PM AT MINDIL BEACH CASINO

COST INFO

& RESORT $190 | $1850 TABLE OF 10 variety.org.au/nt

Karen Doyle

dtbc.com.au

PEPPERBERRY RESTAURANT facebook.com/ pepperberryrestaurant

Lunch @ Pepperberry Restaurant PepperyBerry Restaurant is now open for lunch! Indulge in modern Australian flavours and discover what could be your favourite lunch-break spot in the city. WHEN TUE-FRI, 11.30AM-2.30PM

SUN, 12-2.30PM

INFO

FROM $9

Vasse Felix Wine & Dine Experience If you’re in the mood for a bit of indulgence, this is absolutely the experience for you. And we would know – we’ve tried it out! Explore the range of Vasse Felix wines from Margaret River through a unique self-guided wine experience, paired with tantalising five-course set menu featuring some of PepperBerry Restaurant’s favourite dishes.

WHEN EVERY THU & FRI | 7PM COST $119 THU | $129 FRI

PERFORMING ARTS SECRETS Preview for NTYW

SECRETS: SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre

WHEN TUE 13 APR | 10AM COST FREE, 13-16

WHEN WED 14 APR | 10AM COST FREE, 16-26

NE OF SLIDE Youth Dance Theatre’s most powerful and heartfelt productions, SECRETS, is returning to the stage for NT Youth Week to portray the devastating impact of drug addiction.

By Tamara Howie

Secrets

revealed on stage

Give us a rundown – who are you, Oyster Boy? My interests include daytime TV and scraping my tongue each morning. I’ve been looking at getting into CrossFit. No, sorry, cross-stitch. I get them confused. I had a really difficult time at school, got bullied a lot, and the teachers really picked on me. It was difficult being home schooled. I really like the later works of Liza Minnelli, and I’m a shucker for a good story.

Tell us about your show. Basically, I’m just really excited to invite everyone to my shucking. I’ve been looking forward to it for some time, so I just thought, “why

It was first developed in 2013 after the company’s discussions with Territory youth about their concerns of increased use and abuse of drugs among their peers. While the youth involved in 2013 are now young adults, director Joanna

“Drug taking is a real problem, it hasn’t gone away, and it is frightening,” she says. “The cast are united in bringing the issue to the stage. They use their unique platform to raise awareness in the hope that they can save lives. The more we can discuss things like mental health, taking away the stigma, the safer our communities and children will be.” The show has made an ongoing and lasting impact, with previous productions in 2013, 2016 and 2018. Noonan says each new cast brings

THU 22 APR, 7PM DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE COST $25 | $15 STUDENT, CHILD, MATINEE INFO yourcentre.com.au

unique skills and perspectives. “The evolution is informed because of the cast’s collective desire to retell the powerful story in ways that remain true to the original intentions, thematically and choreographically. Each iteration is offered a new energy as the cast work hard with their unique skill base and genuine desire to connect with their peers to share Jake’s story,” she says. The 2021 production is sure to be a powerful reminder of not only the damages of drugs, but also of the talent and dedication of young Territory performers.

Oyster Boy not invite along 80 or so of my closest friends in order to mark the occasion?”

Whether or not you have shucking experience, it’s a really beautiful opportunity to let some ocean fluid out and mark a new chapter. I’m not totally sure what’s going to happen, but I’ve heard stories about other shuckings and I’m excited. What’s the worst that could happen? What are some of the main differences between Kyle Walmsley and Oyster Boy? Oh, do you mean the Raw Comedy Competition national finalist and NT Performing Arts Award winner? Never heard of him. What were some of the at-home COVID activities you enjoyed? I did a lot of cleaning. It’s very humid inside an oyster shell, so I spent a lot of time finding mould under and inside things and

throwing them out. From here, I just went all in and completely Marie Kondo-d my whole house. I got rid of a lot. Turns out my tax receipts do not spark joy and now I am in big trouble come tax time. How did you find your tour to the Red Centre? Tour Life was wild. It was incredible really getting to know the people, you know? Just really enjoyed them sitting in silence in the dark for about an hour while I got to talk. I think they came away changed. The differences between Darwin and Alice are incredible! Like, did you know it costs 50 cents to use a toilet there? It hasn’t cost me anything to do a sh-t in the Top End so far. In saying that, once I did lose half a day, but it was just after a particularly big night at Hot Tamale. Wild! My dad was a famous conductor that travelled the world who I

Photo: Duane Preston

OYSTER BOY LIVES inside an oyster. Portrayed by Kyle Walmsley, he is a big fishy weirdo just waiting to be shucked. But is the world ready for his nutrient rich, gender fluid, sand intolerant presence? We fired some questions his way to find out more.

The story follows 17-year-old Jake as his life becomes splintered and scarred by his ice addition.

Noonan says the same concerns remain for young people in 2021.

WHEN TUE 20 – THU 22 APR, 10AM

hardly ever got to see, so I felt like him – on the road, performing to sell out crowds, not writing home – it was amazing. If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three items would you take and why? My dating profile, just because it might be a good chance to settle down with someone special. A pair of tongs because I hate burning my hands turning sausages. And a book of show tunes as sung by Liza Minnelli. What’s your idea of a perfect weekend in the Top End? Mostly staying inside, but watching

Instagram stories of people on Mitchell Street. It looks like a lot of fun. Sometimes I like window-shopping for pearls. Such reasonable prices at the top of the mall! Was thinking of buying a block of land in Zuccoli next year, but am now saving up for a beautiful pearl toe ring instead. It’s also when I practise my improv. I’m a big improv fan.

WHEN AT COST INFO

THU 15 – SAT 17 APR | 7PM BROWN’S MART THEATRE $25 | $20 CONC brownsmart.com.au

WHEN FRI 9 APR | 8PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COMICS'

COST

$39.90 | $34.90 CONC/MEMB

$25 STUD

INFO

yourcentre.com.au

CORNER SHOWCASING TOP END COMICS AND LOCAL STAND-UP PERFORMERS

A COMEDY RENAISSANCE is taking place in the Top End, and 2021 is shaping up to be an exciting time to catch comedy. Will Crawford has added to this year's form guide with inside tips on local comedy gems. Shalom Kaa Armed with Joan Rivers’ sharp wit, Shalom is one of the best joke writers going around. From a young age, Shalom Kaa was a comedian, actor, dancer, and singer. Apparently it took his parents until he was 21-years-old to work out he was gay. Garry Sullivan Garry is a wonderful misanthropic, observational and dark comic, who trains his discerning eye on the annoying things in life, like children. A sharp wit that is sure to get you laughing. Russel ‘Rusty’ Smith A character comic delivering some of cheekiest one-liners and weirdest comedy you’ll ever hear. Rusty is also very short. Rusty is so short, that as part of the government’s home improvement scheme,

the NTG sent Rusty a Lego voucher, ‘cause he’s so short. Scott McGowan The king of dry, witty one-liners and Palmerston anecdotes. A night with Scott always ends with a laugh. The unofficial comedy mayor of Palmerston, Scott was the Raw Comedy winner in 1927. Yep, he’s that old. Kelly Gulliver A poet, storyteller and reigning Raw Comedy NT Winner (mainly thanks to COVID), Kelly is one of the comedy treasures of Darwin. Kelly is a big fan of riddles. The other day she asked me, “What did the elephant say to the naked man?” “What”, I asked. “How do you breathe out of that?” Michael Massie Massie is an amazing one-liner comic and keen crochet fan. Michael is Italian and known as the godfather of Darwin comedy. Don’t cross him, or he’ll leave a crocheted horse’s head cushion on your pillow.

THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO PAUL The Gospel According to Paul is a funny, insightful and occasionally poignant portrait of Paul Keating, the man that – as he tells it – single-handedly shaped contemporary Australia. Written and performed by Jonathan Biggins, this one-man show is full of intelligence and wit, and Top End audiences are set to delight in the return of this 2019 smash hit comedy at Darwin Entertainment Centre.

Like so many Australians, Biggins has long been fascinated by Keating and what Keating means to Australia. Showcasing his eviscerating wit, rich rhetoric and ego the size of Everest, The Gospel According to Paul distils Keating’s essence into 90 minutes, focusing on key biographical milestones, landmark political achievements and personal obsessions.

It shows the man who grew up in the tribe of the Labor Party and gained an education at the knee of Jack Lang, who treated economics as an artform, and demanded we confront the wrongs of our colonial past. Biggins asks the question – what can we learn today from this singular politician, and the momentous time in our country’s history he dominated?

Open every night

Local Giggle Gigs There's plenty of opportunities to catch some great local comedy! Look out for Mel Little’s Schnitz and Giggles series and Wine Club events. Get along to one of the Adults Comedy Den comedy specials at Smoke and Oak, and the odd comedy shows at Dom’s Bar, Humpty Doo Tavern, Marrara and Humpty Doo Golf Clubs.

fresh new beginnings

Deckchair Cinema is one of the most iconic cinemas in Australia. Nestled in the remnant rainforest below the cliffs right beside the harbour you can find beautiful tropical tranquility right in the heart of the city. Come and enjoy carefully curated eclectic films at the cinema where stars light the screen. • • • • •

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MUSIC

Mozart’s Requiem

Vocalective OLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART died in 1791, aged just 35 years. His final work, The Requiem, was unfinished at the time of his death, and was the subject of a commission from Count Franz Walsegg – an amateur musician in the habit of ordering works from composers and passing them off as his own. Although others had made efforts to add to Mozart’s fragments, the Requiem was completed by one of his pupils, Franz Xaver Süsmayr, and has been embraced as one of the most impressive and most popular works in the history of classical music. Vocalective Music Director and Conductor Michael Loughlin says it’s the perfect piece to kick to off the 2021 program. “Mozart’s Requiem is one of those iconic pieces of classical music – well–known and very popular,” he says. “Because of the quality of this 30-voice choir, we felt able to do the work justice, and we wanted to give our audience the opportunity to hear this fantastic music to be performed by four local vocal

DSO PRESENTS Harry Cass & Aisha Hayashi

soloists, choir and orchestra.” The choir also performs some smaller scale works by Karl Jenkins, Edgar Bainton and the Norwegian composer Kim André Arnesen, the talented group ready to hit the stage after the year that was.

STRIKING

A CHORD WITH YOUNG MUSICIANS

“We had to stop in March 2020, just missing out on a performance we were ready for, by two weeks! We were able to resume rehearsals in late July, and presented our concert to a capacity audience in September. “We also did a live feed of the concert which was seen and appreciated by people in lockdown in the UK, USA, Italy, Germany and Czech Republic. Now, we have requests to live feed all our concerts! “Since then, we have been able to continue pretty much as before – very fortunate, as there are still many choirs around the country unable to get back to normal.”

WHEN FRI 23 APR | 7.30PM AT DARWIN MEMORIAL

UNITING CHURCH

COST $25 | $10 U15 INFO facebook.com/ vocalective.singers.7

INFO dso.org.au

Tom Kuswadi

DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA’S Young Artist Program (YAP) fosters the next generation of Territory talent through workshops, performances and other musical enrichment opportunities. To acknowledge NT Youth Week, DSO’s Rita Horanyi caught up with three young musicians who are, or have been, involved with the program – Harry Cass, Aisha Hayashi and Tom Kuswadi. What’s the best thing about YAP? Harry: Having the chance to work together with other young musicians has been an amazing opportunity – especially with the wide range of repertoire we performed in the past year, pieces in all kinds of different styles that I wouldn’t usually have the chance to play. Aisha: The best thing has to be the people I met through the program. Making long-lasting friendships with other musicians has definitely been a highlight. It was also really fun to collaborate and play with other student musicians my age,

as well as with the orchestra and with musicians who have a lot more experience than me. Tom: Being able to play music at a level higher than what is offered at school. YAP pushes my music-playing abilities to the limits. I feel that I’ve improved greatly in my cello playing. How has YAP helped you grow as a musician? Harry: YAP has expanded the kinds of pieces I’m comfortable performing and the groups I’m comfortable performing with. Tom: YAP has helped me grow in my understanding of professional performances and how they work. Aisha: YAP has definitely opened up more interest in classical music – playing weird and wacky Stravinsky pieces and medieval Christmas carols has educated me. I have also learnt more about the violin and other instruments, since I have had to interact with musicians who play them.

Aisha, what did you learn at YAP that’s been useful for your uni music studies? Aisha: There were many useful things I learned at YAP. There were behind the scenes set-ups that I would observe, which will help me as I’m going into the technological side of music and publicity. Also, as a musician studying to be a composer, it was incredibly useful to gain experience in classical music, especially chamber music, which I had to play quite a lot in YAP. Harry and Tom, you’ll both be performing in DSO’s kid’s concert, Sonic Safari, at Crocosaurus Cove next month. What are you most looking forward to? Tom: Spending time with the other YAP members and sharing our music with the audience. Harry: Performing in a new and very unexpected place will be really interesting, and hopefully will make it extra interesting and engaging for the kids in the audience. It will be an awesome experience that may never occur again!

MUSIC NT PRESENTS INFO facebook.com/crystalrobinsmusic | musicnt.com.au

ROBINS

AFTER RELOCATING TO the Top End a few years back, Crystal Robins has become a regular face of the Darwin music scene, performing just about everywhere. MusicNT caught up with the talented singer/ songwriter for a chat.

You recently released the beautiful single, ‘Wildfire’. Can you tell us a bit about it? I wrote ‘Wildfire’ one day when I was missing family and friends. Last year, that feeling was really intense for me as all of my close family are down south and I was unable to visit them through some difficult times. This song is an exploration of

in Adelaide by cellist Lucinda Grace, who added something really special to the song.

This is your first ever release – do you think 2020 had an impact? I had originally planned to release some music earlier in 2020, to coincide with playing at the National Folk Festival in Canberra, which was cancelled. But, without that deadline, I could take a bit more time polishing the recording, and I’m glad I did.

How has living in the Top End influenced your sound and writing? Quite a lot of my lyrics are inspired by the landscape and beauty of the Territory. I love living in the Top End and am so grateful not just for the natural beauty, but also the amazing people. Although I have been playing music and writing songs for a long time, I wasn’t really performing my own songs before making the move up here.

The song was recorded here in Darwin at Masters Studios, Music NT’s Rehearsal Space – even some parts in my kitchen at home, recorded by local engineer Danny Christie. The string parts were recorded remotely

The Darwin music community was so welcoming and supportive, and really helped me to finally put myself out there as a solo artist, something I’d thought about for years but never got around to doing.

You’re playing heaps of shows, any recent gig stands out as a highlight? I’ve been lucky to play a couple of really exciting shows recently. I had the opportunity to support award winning Australian songwriter Wendy Matthews at the Darwin Entertainment Centre in November, which is the biggest theatre I have played solo to date. And just after releasing ‘Wildfire’, I supported Daniel Champagne at the Darwin Railway Club. I have been watching Daniel perform at festivals around Australia for many years…it was a real buzz to support him. Any more releases in the pipeline? Yes, I have a couple more songs on the way which will make up an EP, but before that a second single

from the EP will be released soon. I hope to keep performing regularly around Darwin, and maybe even get a band together this year. Lastly, what piece of advice have you been given that’s always stayed with you? Do what you love, and work hard at it!

Photo: Lisa McTiernan

Crystal

some of those feelings that I know many people felt in 2020. The response to the song so far has been amazing… Thanks to everyone who has shown it some love.

APRIL

Open Scars, Best Band 2019

Photo: Paolo Randazzo Photography

GIG

guide OTL's quick and essential guide to live music in the Top End. To find out more, head to offtheleash.net.au

/offtheleashmag

@OTLmag

#OTLmag

Wet Funk. Tuesdays Head along to The Bat for live funk every Tuesday featuring Maia, Darwin’s dankest groove. WHEN EVERY TUE | 8-11PM AT LUCKY BAT CAFE & PIZZERIA COST FREE INFO facebook.com/luckybatcafe Darryl Barba Enjoy the acoustic sounds of local muso Darryl Barba on Friday evenings as he plays some favourites of classic rock, country and blues, as well as some new original tunes. WHEN EVERY FRI | 6-9PM AT THE FORESHORE RESTAURANT & CAFÉ

Seaside Sessions at DTBC Settle in under the green sails with a cold drink and an afternoon of live music, every Sunday afternoon at Darwin Trailer Boat Club. With two cocktails for $20 and world-class sunsets, it’s the perfect way to see out the weekend! WHEN EVERY SUN | 3-6PM AT DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB COST FREE INFO dtbc.com.au Darwin City Brass Band Lessons, Ensemble Practice and Rehearsals Want to play a brass instrument such as trombone, tuba, tenor horn, euphonium, baritone or cornet? Darwin City Brass Band can help! They offer free lessons and ensembles, and perform as a brass band in the community. WHEN EVERY TUE | 4.30-9.30PM AT 2 ABALA RD, MARRARA COST FREE | $20 ANNUAL MEMB INFO darwincitybrassband.org.au Darwin City Brass Band Come N' Try Day Ever wanted to learn to play a brass instrument? Now's your chance. Darwin City Brass Band hosts this come and try event for people of all ages, and no experience is necessary.

On The Record Competition Air Raid Records is running a competition for a Territory artist or band to win their music pressed to vinyl. To be eligible, you must be based in the NT, not signed to a label, and never have had your music pressed to vinyl before. The winner will receive 100 7" vinyl records in a colour of their choice with a cover of their choice. Simply email your best two original tracks to the Air Raid Records team to be in the running for this incredible opportunity. An expert panel will select the winner... Will it be you? WHEN ENTRIES CLOSE SAT 1 MAY INFO airraidrecords@gmail.com

BATTLE OF THE SCHOOL BANDS SINCE 2009, NT Music School has given young musicians from Territory schools the chance to showcase their talents through the annual Battle of the School Bands competition.

DINAH BEACH YACHT CLUB

Thursday Live @ Dom’s See what all the Thursday buzz is all about in Nightcliff and come kick it with Dom. Enjoy live local music acts or catch a story or two with one of Dom’s famous cocktails in hand. Cheers. WHEN EVERY THU | 6PM COST FREE – SOME EVENTS

dbcya.com.au

TICKETED

Afro Moses Reggae Tribute Show Afro Moses pays respect to the reggae greats in his Spirit of Bob Marley & Lucky Dube reggae show, featuring Allen Murphy on drums. Afro Moses has the ability to make you forget about your worries and get you grooving along to his infectious tunes and happy vibes.

Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s Kick back with a cocktail and beats from a live DJ, and bring in your weekend in Nightcliff. You can even try the 2020 Mango Cup award-winning cocktail, the Territori-tini. WHEN EVERY FRI | 4PM COST FREE

It’s always a powerful vibe when Afro Moses heads to Dinah – expect a sing-along! Head along early to score a good seat. WHEN FRI 9 APR | 7-10PM COST FREE

JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC

“Teachers have commented that NT students are looking forward to once again performing live to audiences,” he says.

Enjoy a couple of cold drinks and embrace the atmosphere of local live music at the new home of First Sunday Blues, Tracy Village Social and Sports Club. WHEN SUN 4 APR | 2-5PM AT PINT CLUB, MARRARA COST GOLD COIN DONATION INFO facebook.com/

“This an excellent way for young people to get their music heard throughout the NT – and the rest of the world with a live web-cast set for the final.”

WHEN AT COST INFO

TUE 27 APR | 4.30-6.30PM 2 ABALA ROAD, MARRARA FREE darwincitybrass.band

Afro Moses Spirit of Africa Show Afro Moses brings the spirit of Africa to Darwin, with his energetic performance of his home country using a range of African instruments. WHEN WED 14 APR | 7-10PM COST FREE

The highly anticipated competition allows young performers to flex their live performance muscles, an opportunity that is a first for many participants, with the overall winners going on to share the stage with some big names at the annual BASSINTHEGRASS Music Festival. After a successful online competition in 2020, NT Music School’s Simon Pedder says they’re looking forward to showcasing all finalists in front of a live crowd at Darwin Railway Club, finalists progressing through heats in Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine and Nhulunbuy.

After a record number of applicants in 2020, the competition hasn’t escaped the effects of the pandemic. “Coming out of a largely COVID affected year, the pool of applicants for 2021 have been much smaller than in previous years, which I believe is a legacy from this pandemic,” says Pedder. “However, the high level of musicianship and stagecraft of our young musicians has not been affected…which is a real testament to the skills of our NT teachers and students alike.” There are a range of categories including Band, Soloist/Duo, Best Song, Encouragement Award, Best Bio Video and the People’s Choice Award. Head to the Rails and treat your ears to some of the brightest young talents the Territory has to offer.

WHEN FRI 30 APR | 6.30-9.30PM AT DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB ONLINE

COST GOLD COIN INFO ntms.net.au botsb.xoho.com.au

firstsundayblues

Steamy Jazz Session #4 - Hotel Red Head along to Dinah Beach Yacht Club on a drizzly Sunday evening and enjoy the sounds of a new jazz or jazz blues band each month during the Wet. This month, enjoy the powerhouse gold from Annie Gastin and her happening band, Hotel Red. Head along early to snag the best seats and enjoy a feed from The Galley. WHEN SAT 17 APR | 5PM KITCHEN

OPEN, 7PM MUSIC

COST FREE

DOM’S BAR & LOUNGE facebook.com/domsbardarwin

Jam Nights Head down to the open mic night every Tuesday and jump on stage or sit back and enjoy the music. WHEN EVERY TUE | 9PM AT NIRVANA COST FREE INFO nirvanadarwin.com.au

Last Sunday Jam Head along the Dinah Beach Yacht Club on the last Sunday of the month for live music by the sea. WHEN SUN 25 APR | 3-6PM AT DINAH BEACH YACHT CLUB COST FREE INFO facebook.com/dbcya

TELL US WHAT

YOU THINK! ZE PREIAW AY GIV

We’re running a survey to see what kind of impact Off The Leash has on the Top End, and we’d love to hear from you. By filling out our survey, one lucky person will score this incredible prize package:

Open your phone camera and hover over this nifty QR code to head straight to our survey. Easy peasy, lemon squeezy!

Not bad, eh? Responses are accepted until Fri 30 Apr.

Fabric detail Kieren Karritpul

OYSTER BOY

By Kyle Walmsley and Elizabeth Millington

Merrepen Arts, Nauiyu Daly River. A unique cultural experience. Meet the artists and experience the landscape. Only 2.5 hour drive from Darwin.

Oyster Boy lives inside an oyster. He is a big fishy weirdo just waiting to be shucked. But is the world ready for his nutrient rich, gender fluid, sand intolerant presence? … sometimes you just have to go shuck yourself.

BROWN’S MART THEATRE April 15-17, 7:00pm brownsmart.com.au