Off The Leash – August 2021

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

MUSIC

•

PERFORMING ARTS

•

VISUAL ARTS

•

BOOKS & FILM

•

FOOD & DRINK

•

COMMUNITY

AUGUST

20 21

ADAPTABLE ART

IL PIATTO

DARWIN FESTIVAL

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Delicious Italian fare by the seaside

A twinkling, tropical wonderland

You must be 18 years or over to enter the casino. Please game responsibly.

Escape the everyday, any day.

When you walk through the doors of Mindil Beach Casino Resort, you leave the ordinary world behind and enter a world of fun, excitement, indulgence and relaxation.

Escape the everyday, any day, at Mindil Beach Casino Resort.

mindilbeachcasinoresort.com.au

IMPORTANT MESSAGE Events listed in this edition of Off The Leash are subject to change.

The situation around COVID-19 is evolving and information provided within this publication is correct – to the best of our knowledge – at time of print.

INSIDE

OFFTHELEASH.NET.AU E: editor@offtheleash.net.au T: 08 8941 7413 offtheleashmag

@OTLmag

#OTLmag

GPO BOX 2325, Darwin NT 0801

We recommend you refer to individual event websites and social media accounts for the most up-to-date information.

h, August. When the weather’s fine, the sunsets are smoky, dining outside is the number one preference, and the social calendar is chockers with things to do and people to see. I just love this time of year.

Gracing the cover of this huge bumper edition is a beautiful work by Larrakia artist, Natalie Quall.

Celebrating thousands of years of creativity and cultural practice, the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) shines a spotlight on Indigenous art.

F R OM T H E

If you’re up for some delicious Italian fare, I highly recommend you book a table at il Piatto, nestled by the seaside at Mindil Beach Casino Resort. We caught up with Head Chef Antonio Moramarco to chat about why the restaurant is so special. And a bit of a fun fact for you, il piatto is Italian for ‘the plate’. The plate that’ll be empty once you’re done with it because the food is just too delish…

r o t i d E

And although the 2021 DAAF is being delivered digitally for a second year, there’s oh so much to celebrate, and to become immersed in. Set your reminders for 10am on Fri 6 Aug, because that’s when the beautiful original artworks from over 70 art centres from across Australia go live in an exciting digital marketplace.

Original artwork is further showcased with eight new exhibitions from Salon Arts Projects, including the Salon des Refusés, also delivered online this year.

Much to the excitement of pretty much everyone I know, Darwin Festival returns to animate our tropical city for 18 days and nights of magic. Kicking things off is the incredible Buŋgul, featuring the traditional songs, dances and paintings that inspired Gurrumul’s Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), in a live performance by Yolŋu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra. Don’t miss this one, folks.

Then of course there are music gigs, workshops, markets, theatre shows and all kinds of great things you can get up to this month.

In other news, after postponing from last year, my new husband Chris and I finally got hitched! Huge thanks to all that sent well wishes and love our way. We had a magical day, married by Larrakia Elder Aunty Bilawara Lee under the mango trees on Larrakia Country. If you are wondering how to say Seccull, it's like ‘speckle’ but without the ‘p’ – here’s to the next 50 plus years of spelling out my first name and my last name!

A big, huge, gratitude-filled shout out to Anna Dowd for holding the fort while I took a break, as well as my legendary OTL teammates, Rita and Sarah, for their incredible work on the July edition. What a team.

Visual Arts | 6 Around Town | 9 Festivals | 11 Food & Drink | 12 Performing Arts | 17 Books & Film | 20 Music | 23 calendaR | PULL-OUT

SALON ART PROJECTS | 8

CELTIC ILLUSION REIMAGINED | 18

There’s so much to get out and experience this month.

I swear there’s magic in the air. Enjoy it!

AUSTRALIAN ART ORCHESTRA | 24 OTL is proudly supported by

Tierney Seccull Managing Editor and Development Manager

Rita Horanyi Editorial Assistant

Sarah Novinetz Graphic Designer

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

S T R A T E G I C

A C C O U N T A N T S

Pre-lockdown DISCO with @darwin_symphony_orchestra

The Changes play at the Seccull wedding! @tessashannonphoto

Mmm, @taco_daze tacos.

The Corbs snapped at Brown's Mart Live on Fridays

#o tlmag Use our hashtag for a chance to see your pics here

Sweet treats from @cornercafe85 Lake Bennett vibes

@tessashannonphoto

Lockdown art with @big_libs_ & @jackwschmidt

Tropical wedding cake by @c_bella_m

WINNER 2019 & 2020 NT MEDIA AWARDS @tarzanjunglequeen at the closing of debut solo exhibition, Do I seduce you?

Best Magazine or Lift Out

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.

Cover proudly sponsored by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Natalie Quall, 'Dangalaba Gathering in Waterhole' (detail), 2021, acrylic on canvas, 76x76cm. Larrakia Nation Aboriginal Corporation

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.

August 2021

3

FEATURE

ADAPTABLE Celebrating thousands of years of creativity and cultural practice, the annual Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) shines a spotlight on Indigenous art, firmly placing it in its rightful place, front and centre on the local and national calendar.

And although the 2021 DAAF is being delivered digitally for a second year, there’s oh so much to celebrate, and to become immersed in.

By Tierney Seccull

ince 2007, DAAF has championed Indigenous artwork created by artists from art centres across the country, providing a physical meeting place in the Territory’s capital for artists, arts workers and art aficionados.

Presented under the Darwin Festival umbrella – in conjunction with other flagship national Indigenous events, such as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Award, Salon des Refusés and National Indigenous Music Awards – DAAF showcases the creativity of emerging and established artists.

The artworks are inspired by Australia’s diverse landscapes – from remote desert and coastal regions, to rural and urban communities.

Although a difficult decision to make, Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation (DAAFF) Executive Director Claire Summers says the call to move this year’s Fair online was the right one.

Above: Lizzie Jako, 'Waterhole near Temple Downs Station' (detail), 2021, acrylic on linen, 66.5x153cm Photo courtesy Tangentyere Artists

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

4

WHEN FRI 6 – WED 11 AUG INFO daaf.com.au

“We were looking at the health, safety and wellbeing of Indigenous communities right across Australia, knowing how important it was they were protected,” she says.

“When we hit planning for this year, we did so with some confidence, thinking the vaccine was rolling out and Australia was heading towards

art

zero cases. Right up until a couple of days before we made our formal announcement, we were indeed planning for a really vibrant and exciting physical event.

Local Indigenous artist, musician and curator, Shilo McNamee, is DAAFF’s Artistic Director, who says the program is still going full steam ahead, just as it did last year.

“We were looking at a record number of art centres participating, and even though we couldn’t have international visitors' participation, we knew people were attending from right across Australia.”

“The strategy was to keep the same scheduling but simply present it online. With a few tricky unknowns [last year] we just decided to give it a go to see how it would end up – cultural performance, for instance, and lunchtime concerts were streamed on Facebook, which was fun,” she says.

Ensuring the safety of Indigenous artists and communities is paramount for the organisation, and after executing a digital format last year, the DAAFF team again rolled with the punches to adapt to a virtual Fair in 2021.

But this isn't entirely bad news.

Not even close.

“We’ve actually had more art centres register as a result, so we’re looking at having this incredible bumper year back online … to be able to use our digital platform to reach new audiences and to generate more excitement about our Indigenous art, and also about the Northern Territory, is an amazing opportunity. We’re very excited to move ahead!”

The public program, which includes a diverse selection of workshops and artist talks, has also been readily adaptable to an online format.

As the artistic workshops contain a physical element, adapting them to online classes was, at first, a bit daunting. Despite this, participants were eager to get on board – or rather, online – learning from the artists as they livestreamed their classes, direct from Country.

“Last year we had an amazing uptake – the workshops all sold out within about two to three days, which was exciting given it was a new mode of delivery for us,” McNamee says.

“This year, it’s been fairly smooth.

We’ve got a really good range of workshops. There’s a weaving workshop with Anindilyakwa Arts who are doing a family-friendly doll-making workshop out of recycled fish nets and materials, which is super cute. We have a gorgeous new painting workshop on offer, Bush Botanica with Artists of

Ampilatwatja, and also lino printing, jewellery making – there’s a really good cross-section of mediums and styles.”

Although coming together on Larrakia Country in one central meeting place has been parked for this year, a silver lining is that artists can remain on Country.

“Many of the artists actually felt really empowered when they were delivering artists’ workshops, for example, because they had the comfort of being in their art centres, on Country,” Summers says.

“They really enjoyed the experience of not having to deal with the vibrancy and the noise and the bustle of the busy Art Fair. They could quietly present their workshops and feel empowered by it. We had reports back that artists would sit back, late at night, watching their artwork being sold online and getting excited.”

This month, throw your support behind our country’s incredible Indigenous artists and relish the chance to purchase authentic artwork direct from over 70 Indigenous-owned art centres.

And, if you happen to make a late night purchase, there might just be one very grateful artist smiling away quietly on Country, because you’ve made their day.

INFO

Ghost Net Doll Making

DAAF ONLINE PUBLIC program

FRI 6 AUG

SUN 8 AUG

Lino Carving with the Babbárra Women’s Centre Artists teach participants how to carve their own lino with a design that is meaningful to them. The lino print on fabric process is demonstrated before participants are given the opportunity to print on fabric. Explore various layouts and repeat methods along with colour layering.

Ailan ‘One Twist’ Weaving with Moa Arts Based on traditional weaving techniques from the Torres Strait, use raffia and sea cord in a twining process to make soft, colourful bags and baskets. This technique is similar to the methods used to make wicker and bamboo baskets, but the brilliant colour and flexibility of raffia allows for a far greater range of organic forms.

WHEN 10AM-12PM COST $80 Painting with the Artists of Ampilatwatja Artists guide participants in techniques to paint bush medicine plants using locally sourced flowers and native grasses. Learn techniques to paint bush medicine plants, using locally sourced flowers and native grasses, under the expert guidance of artist Kathleen Rambler.

WHEN 1-3PM COST $80

daaf.com.au

WHEN 1-3PM COST $80

MON 9 AUG Aboriginal Jewellery Making with Arlpwe Artists Learn how to make your own bracelet, with a rich variety of seeds they collected in Ali Curung Community. The workshop kicks off with a presentation on jewellery making in Ali Curung and a talk about the seeds found around the community.

WHEN 10AM-12PM COST $80 Coiled Basket, Weaving Masterclass with Injalak Arts Join senior female weavers from Injalak Arts as they lead a masterclass in traditional weaving with Pandanus. Your follow along supply kit, contains everything you need to make your own stunning basket!

WHEN 1-3PM COST $80

TUE 10 AUG Ghost Net Doll Making with Anindilyakwa Arts Join artists from Umbakumba Community in Groote Eylandt in this family-friendly workshop to weave your own doll from recycled fishing net. Gorgeous!

WHEN 9.30-11.30AM COST $80

Artist Talk: Exhibitions and Projects with Indigenous Art Centre Alliance Hear from the Indigenous Art Centre Alliance (IACA) about the ‘Belonging’ art development project, which will culminate in an exhibition at the National Museum of Canberra in September.

WHEN 12-12.45PM COST FREE Artist Talk: Art & Fashion Projects Join artists from walantanalinany palingina, Babbárra Women’s Centre, and Anindilyakwa Arts and Agency to hear about exciting new projects across the country.

WHEN 1.30-2.15PM COST FREE Artist Talk: Aboriginal Screen-Printed textiles from Australia’s Top End Hear from Dr Joanna Barrkman and key artist contributors involved in putting together this ground breaking publication.

WHEN 3-3.45PM COST FREE

CulturE and Couture Photo: George F Photography

Although much of the 2021 DAAF is delivered digitally, there are still two very exciting events taking place on Larrakia Country.

First Nations textiles and fashion cultivate in a colourful showcase of wearable art at the Country to Couture fashion show. Innovation, diversity and ethical practices of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and fashion designers are celebrated at the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA).

Katena Valastro is Event Coordinator of Country to Couture and NIFA, and says the team is thrilled the show can go ahead.

“It’s really exciting, especially because the designers have worked really hard to physically get their designs to Darwin – there are quite a few logistics involved.”

The Warlu Collection (full), Warlukurlangu Artists and North, Country to Couture 2020

National Indigenous Fashion Awards WHEN TUE 3 AUG | 8.30PM AT NITV LIVESTREAM INFO nifa.com.au

Country to Couture WHEN AT COST INFO

Kicking off in 2016, and back for its sixth year, the highly anticipated fashion event has cemented Indigenous fashion as a topic of discussion in a mainstream context.

WED 4 AUG | 8.30PM, DOORS 8PM DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE $55 ifp.org.au | darwinfestival.org.au

“It’s well overdue – I think it’s such a beautiful and important movement. It’s not just a movement,

but also a big statement. I think there was a little bit of nervousness around whether being into Indigenous fashion was just a phase or a trend, but it will be here forever, it has been here forever.

Continuing to see it on our runway is really important,” Valastro says.

Although the NIFA has sold out, fashion fanatics and arts lovers can still get their fill with a livestream from presenting partner NITV. Country to Couture features works from 16 designers, artists and art centres from across Australia, all contributing wearable art with elements of culture and history relevant to their Country. With big hitters like Aussie fashion super brand Country Road on board, awareness is certainly ramping up.

“It’s just a matter of time before it flows into mainstream, because it’s such an amazing piece of culture that exists in Australia. We’re very proud to play a part in getting it out there.”

5

VISUAL ARTS Art U&T

ABO

YIRRINKIRRIPWOJA JILAMARA

This month, as part of Darwin Festival, Munupi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Association and Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association return to DoubleTree by Hilton to present Yirrinkirripwoja Jilamara, exhibiting recent and classic Tiwi paintings and carvings.

Munupi Arts Centre Manager Guy Allain says it’s an important event on the Top End calendar.

“This is an annual event that everybody knows on the cultural calendar, and is very important for the local community and for Tiwi. We show the best artworks, especially from Melville Island. The

artists are very proud,” he says.

Jilamara Vice President Pedro Wonaeamirri, also an artist, agrees.

“I am a senior artist from Milikapiti, Melville Island … I’ve travelled all around Australia and overseas representing Tiwi culture and my family. Sharing our culture to the Australians and to the outside world [is important to me],” he says.

As getting out to Melville Island can be a bit of a challenge, the annual exhibition – which has been going for over 10 years – is one of the only opportunities for Tiwi artists to exhibit and sell their works to a large audience.

“We get hardly any visitors, as it’s quite difficult for people to come and visit us … This exhibition is a lifeline for the artists to share their culture and sell their authentic artworks,” Allain says.

Celebrating Tiwi culture through both traditional and contemporary mediums, works reflect big themes in life through the unique lens of the Tiwi worldview. Characterised by a simplified colour palette, artworks are created using natural and found pigments of yellow, red, white and black ochre.

“There are no acrylics! They’re mostly painted with natural ochres, and can be mixed into other colours like pinks, oranges, even greens.”

The curated event usually showcases over 100 works, but this year looks to be a bit bigger. In addition to the work displayed on the walls, art is presented on tables in the exhibition space.

The event typically kicks off on a Dry season Friday morning with a yoi - an energetic Tiwi celebration of song and dance by the artists, painters, dancers and songmen.

Photo: Guy Allain

ach August, art centres from the Tiwi Islands join forces to showcase their works in the big smoke, giving artists from the region the opportunity to share their art and culture much to the delight of new and familiar audiences.

Mario Walarmerpui painting a Tutini, 2020

The plan is to go ahead as planned, but if any health restrictions limit the amount of people permitted inside the exhibition space, Allain says they’ve already thought of a backup option.

“We might end up taking the performance across the road to the parklands.”

Wonaeamirri says song and dance is an important part of his culture.

“As an artist at Jilamara, I also do a lot of dancing and singing. Dancing

and singing is very important to me, it’s like painting. It gives me passage to find a way to the next step in my art.”

Don’t miss the opportunity to soak up the incredible bounty of Tiwi art and culture, right here in Darwin.

WHEN FRI 6 – THU 12 AUG

OPENING FRI 6 AUG, 10.30AM

AT

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON

HOTEL ESPLANADE

INFO

darwinfestival.org.au

Alan Ogrin, 'Burn Off Glow', 2020, Oil on canvas, 60x90cm

DARWIN VISUAL ARTS

Ground Floor, Habour View Plaza, 8 McMinn St, Darwin | 8981 9351 | dvaa.net.au WED 12–5PM (BY APPOINTMENT) | THU-FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

Horizons

by Alan Ogrin

HEATHER WHYBROW AND AMBER REID

6

THIS EXHIBITION SHOWCASES the works of Heather Whybrow and Amber Reid. Both artists are inspired by colour, pattern and depictions of tropical life, and they reflect this in their artwork. The works on display demonstrate the development of both artists’ styles and interests over the last few years. While the work varies, the intention for both artists is to create images that represent joy, freedom and capture a sense of playfulness.

As Alan Ogrin gazed across to the Darwin horizon from his 12th floor Parap apartment, taking in the amazing sunrises and sunsets, he was transported back to his home in Ireland, thousands of kilometres away and in the other earthly hemisphere. Inspired by the beautiful Botanical Gardens, iconic Northern Territory thunderstorms, and the sumptuous view of Pee Wee’s Restaurant at East Point, he found himself trying to capture those scenic views on canvas. This beautiful exhibition is the result.

Dreams and Visions

Often inspired by dreams and visions real and imagined, art has long attempted to express that which is beyond our immediate understanding – the internal, the spiritual, a feeling. Filtered through culture and time, these concepts have been visualised and conveyed in a myriad of ways. This exhibition is an exploration of these themes.

WHEN FRI 6 – SAT 21 AUG Amber Reid, 'Marrakech', 2021, acrylic on wooden panel, 61x46cm

OPENING FRI 6 AUG, 6-8PM

Craig Smith, 'Woodlander', 2021, acrylic on canvas, 40x50cm

CDU ART GALLERY

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

COCONUT STUDIOS

8/18 Caryota Court, Coconut Grove facebook.com/coconutstudiosdarwin | WED-SAT, 10AM-5PM

KUNWARAL

YOU ARE HERE

SHADOWS OF WESTERN ARNHEM LAND

THIS PROVOCATIVE EXHIBITION has truth-telling at its core.

Artivist, Therese Ritchie, factually examines Australia’s frontier wars and the massacre of Indigenous peoples alongside the nation’s history of coal extraction and its development by European settlers, mining companies and Australian governments. YOU ARE HERE is an unflinching examination of how we got to where we are now.

UNTIL SAT 28 AUG

The artists featured in this stunning group exhibition reflect their lives in western Arnhem Land in their artworks. Manifestations of sacred and dangerous spirits who stalk the bush, plants and animals, creation ancestors who brought life and shaped the land and left sources of sustenance, and living art practice.

WHEN WED 4 – SUN 22 AUG

Therese Ritchie, 'They all look the same to me', 2020, digital inkjet print on paper, 50x80cm, CDU Art Collection, CDU3404

Graham Badari, 'Dakdube', ochre on Arches paper, 51x76cm

TACTILE ARTS

MAGNT

TUE-SUN 10AM-4PM

DAILY 10AM-4PM

OPENING WED 4 AUG, 5-7.30PM

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory

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

2021 Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards The Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) presents powerful new works that interpret history, spark conversations, and celebrate culture and Country. NATSIAA features a range of artworks by some of Australia’s best emerging and established artists.

WHEN ONLINE FRI 6 AUG | PHYSICAL SAT 7 AUG | OPENING SAT 7 AUG, 10AM

Marita Sambono, 'Goose Eggs in the Billabong' (detail), 2021, acrylic on paper

BREATHING LIFE

Ann Carmel Mulvien, 'Turtles in the Billabong' (detail), 2021, monotype and hand painted

UNTITLED GALLERY+STUDIO Unit 3/1 Clocktower Caryota Crt, Coconut Grove darwincommunityarts.org

WED-FRI 11AM-4PM | SAT 10AM–2PM | CLOSED PUBLIC HOLIDAYS

Breathing Life showcases new works on paper and textiles from six Merrepen artists, demonstrating the diverse areas of practice and constant experimentation that’s happening at the art centre. The exhibition features monotypes, woodblocks and paintings onto finished etchings and on paper. The artists showcase new techniques with textiles using multiple layers of design, such as painting onto hand printed fabric.

WHEN FRI 20 AUG – SUN 12 SEP | OPENING FRI 20 AUG, 5.30PM

NORTH

northhome.org

Photo Tiffany Parker

Stone Country Collection Online Launch

Kabbindi, Cindy and Simika Rostron wear The Stone Country Collection.

North has teamed up with Marrawuddi and Injalak to present 2021 fashion collection, Stone Country – a celebration of West Arnhem's Bininj culture that brings together the work of over five artists from West Arnhem Land and Kakadu, representing their

Group Show, MEMENTO, 2021, various

Memento

rich culture of over 65,000 years.

Deriving from bim (rock art), the West Arnhem Collection explores themes of spiritual and ancestral beings from all represented artists' homelands and Dreaming stories.

The word memento is a combination of moment and memory. A beautiful place, favourite object, significant event or special person, captured as a moment in time to store in our memories. Painted, sketched, photographed, sculpted or assembled from found objects, it is a human obsession to acquire and create precious keepsakes. This exhibition presents work by seven Territory artists – Marita Albers, Kate Fernyhough, Ingrid Gersmanis, Linda Joy, Sandra Kendell, Marlene Kranz and Sonia Martignon.

WHEN WED 4 AUG | 9AM

WHEN FRI 6 – THU 26 AUG | OPENING FRI 6 AUG, 6-8PM

7

salonartprojects.com.au

VisitART

SALONECTS PROJ

OUTSTATION GALLERY

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

Photo Fiona Morrison

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

Lennard Walker, 'Tali', 2020, acrylic on linen, 290x200cm. Courtesy Spinifex Arts Project.

Salon des Refusés THE SALON DES REFUSÉS is an exhibition of works submitted but not accepted into the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards. Its quality demonstrates the superb standard of art being

created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, and provides insight into where the movement has come from, and where it is heading. This year, the 2021 Salon des Refusés is presented online.

WHEN THU 5 AUG – SAT 25 SEP INFO salonartprojects.com.au

Carbiene McDonald, 'Four Dreamings' (detail), 2021, acrylic on linen, 152x91cm

Timo Hogan, 'Lake Baker' (detail), 2021, acrylic on linen, 290x200cm

Carbiene Mcdonald Carbiene McDonald resides in Papunya, a four-hour drive to the North West of Alice Springs. In his paintings, he depicts four Dreaming stories (tjukurrpa) that he inherited from his father. These tjukurrpa are associated with a series of waterholes running between Docker River and Kata Tjuta. Specifically, it includes four important sites. As a young man, Carbiene returned to these places and retraced the footsteps of his father. These memories stay with him vividly today.

Pantutjara - Timo Hogan Timo Hogan does not paint the picture. He paints the story. And the story is the big picture. He calmly applies the paint to Lake Baker with the quiet authority of someone recreating the country they know intimately. For here at Lake Baker, Timo tells of the religion within the landscape and the inhabitants that made it so. He surveys the Wati Kutjara Tjukurpa (Two Men Creation Line) of his birthright and brings this into focus on the two-dimensional plane for all to see.

UNTIL FRI 6 AUG

WHEN SAT 7 – SAT 28 AUG

TACTILE ARTS

19 Conacher Street, Fannie Bay | 8981 6616 | tactilearts.org.au TUE-SUN 10AM-4PM

PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY

Waltja Tjuta: Family

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

“Our art room is family coming together. Our door is always open, you are always welcome. There are eight languages that come into this art room. We sit around together talking, laughing, sorting out problems, encouraging each other to be the winner at art! This art room belongs to us. We can’t live without our art anymore, we can’t live without this room and we can never live without family.”

WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | TUE & SAT 10AM–2PM

Louise Robertson​, '​Big Owl​',​soft sculpture mixed media

Patsy Mudgedell Awakening Patsy is a contemporary artist redefining what Aboriginal art is, and can be. Through her richly textured paintings, Patsy encourages respect for Country. “... an artwork is a good way of showing that respect. It’s alive like we are alive. It takes care of humans and humans can take care of the land. It’s an active thing.

This is why people have a duty of care to their areas. They have a responsibility and with that comes authenticity.”

8

WHEN FRI 6 – SAT 28 AUG

Pauline Sunfly.

Photo courtesy Warlayirti Artists

Taylor Cooper.

Photo courtesy Kaltjiti Arts

Pauline Sunfly Nangala Pauline Sunfly paints her parents’ Country, her ancestral places south of her home at Balgo (Wirrimanu), which borders both the Tanami Desert and the Great Sandy Desert in northern Western Australia. Her striking paintings depict ancestral paths, ceremonial designs and the stories of important tjukurrpa sites associated with the native cat, goanna and kingfisher. They are reimaginings of deep cultural knowledge painted with a unique contemporary expression.

Maru Munu Piranpa (Black and White) Kaltjiti Arts is a community based art centre in the remote community of Fregon in the APY Lands of South Australia. It was established in 1961 as an outstation of the Ernabella mission and focuses on artistic excellence. Maru Munu Piranpa (black and white) exemplifies the extraordinary talent of Kaltjiti Arts and includes exceptional works by artists such as Taylor Cooper, Witjiti George, Matjangka (Nyukana) Norris and Imitjala Curley.

WHEN FRI 6 – SAT 28 AUG

UNTIL SAT 21 AUG

NCCA

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

Murrŋiny – A Story of metal from the east Hit by shotguns, burnt by Dry season fires, rusted by monsoonal rain, discarded signs litter Territory roadsides. A group of seven Yolngu artists from Yirrkala have come to rescue, recycle and rework these battered warriors in new ways that have never been seen before.

Murrnginy is the Yolngu word for steel. It is also the name by which this nation was known by its neighbours and the first Europeans who encountered them. This name

Photo: David Wickens

Patsy Mudgedell.

Photo courtesy Warlayirti Artists

WHEN THU 5 – SAT 14 AUG

Wanapati Yunupiŋu working on found street sign.

references the shovel nosed spears made here since pre-Cook times.

Old signs are new again.

WHEN SAT 7 AUG – SAT 25 SEP

AROUND TOWN

A Beary Fun Day F YOU GO down to Darwin Esplanade today, you’re sure of a big surprise… The beary wonderful City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic is back!

Darwin Festival has again teamed up with City of Darwin to present this full day of fun by the seaside for the little ones, big ones, and their beary good buddies.

Photo: Elise Derwin

Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says they’re excited to again team up with the Festival for this muchloved Sunday fun day.

“City of Darwin has supported this iconic event for many years and is delighted to support it again this year. I wish every family in Darwin

could make it to this beautiful event on the Esplanade, it is always such a great day, especially for the little ones,” he says.

“My kids might think they are too old for this now… but there is entertainment for the grown-ups, too, and I can certainly take my grandson!”

Darwin Festival Artistic Director Felix Preval says it creates special memories for many Top Ender families.

“Teddy Bear’s Picnic holds a special place in the hearts of people across Darwin because it's been a highlight of the Festival for over 30 years, which means we’ve now got

City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 8 AUG | 9AM-12PM THE ESPLANADE FREE darwinfestival.org.au

people who came along as a child, returning with their own families for a day of fun. Today’s Teddy Bears’ Picnickers are tomorrow’s Territory leaders – and Darwin Festival audiences!”

This year, treat your ears to the songs of Territory musician Sally Balfour and alt-country superstar Fanny Lumsden. Be amazed by Hyper the Clown, on hand to deliver some of her special magic tricks, and enjoy Drag Queen Storytime, fairies, bubbles, (biodegradable) balloon art, and so much more.

Round up your friends, your family, and get set for the biggest Teddy Bears’ Picnic on the Top End calendar. We can bearly wait!

Arts Ink AT SHOP 18, 24 CAVENAGH ST INFO artsink.com.au

POP THAT IN YOUR MEMORY BANK WHEN TRASH

TURNS to TREASURE IF YOU’VE BEEN doing a bit of Dry season spring cleaning lately, you might have a few items lying around that don't spark joy anymore. Maybe you're not ready to let them go to the op shop just yet?

Well, folks, here’s your chance to move on and make a quick buck from your pre-loved goods.

Pull up your car at the Civic Plaza Car Park for City of Palmerston’s Reboot Your Loot car boot sale, giving you the opportunity to have

a good ol’ cleanse whilst making some coin.

On the hunt for a bargain? Peruse dozens of car boot stalls with everything on sale from bric-a-brac, clothing, homewares, plants, books, games, crafts, toys and more.

Reboot Your Loot WHEN SAT 28 AUG | 8-11AM AT CIVIC PLAZA CAR PARK, PALMERSTON

COST INFO

FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au

REMEMBER THE DAYS when you used to watch your family videos on VHS with a tape player? Yeah, us too.

But with technology changing so rapidly, the means by which to relive our precious pre-DVD or USB memories are slim pickings. If you’re lucky to come by them at all.

Cue local biz, Arts Ink. Servicing the Northern Territory and Top End for over 20 years, and originally called Darwin Pro Video, Arts Ink works to get those precious memories digitised.

With careful and thoughtful handling, the team is on hand with their fully equipped digitisation centre to transfer most kinds of old video, audio and still format

media into the 21st century. Owner Miranda Roussel says there have been some wonderful and interesting memories that have come through the biz.

“We get all kinds of memories and types of media. One I recently saw was a debutante ball somewhere in rural Victoria from 1981, which was fantastic,” she says.

“I had a film from somebody recently on a roll to roll film with old scenes from Darwin in the late 60s, early 70s, of the botanic gardens.

There was a quirky hand-written sign that said ‘any person seen removing plants from the gardens will be shot’, which I thought was a bit interesting!”

Miranda says she’s honoured to be

able to help people preserve their memories.

“I feel like this place is doing a nice service to our community. It helps people, especially nowadays, understand where they come from and where they’ve ended up. When I hand it over to them they’re always really, really excited to get it. I think I get a lot of business from that elation – they get them after huge amount of time and tell their friends about it who say, ‘oh I have some tapes’.”

So if you’ve got some old tapes lying around at home of the kids growing up, milestone birthdays, footage of the grandparents – and of course, weddings – drop the team at Arts Ink a line.

9

LISTINGS

The Mega Annual Viking Funeral

Botanically Clay Come and make a clay tile for a permanent public artwork in the gardens in these community clay workshops! For a gold coin donation, visitors to the Darwin Botanic Gardens can make a botanically textured ceramic tile for a community mosaic installation.

This workshop is aimed at adults and older children, and is part of Botanically Porcelain, an Australian Council for the Arts project, run by Darwin artist Dawn Beasley.

WHEN EVERY SUN , 8–29 AUG 9AM-2PM

AT COST INFO

DARWIN BOTANIC GARDENS GOLD COIN DONATION

VIKING FANS AND Viking wannabes unite – this much loved event on the Top End calendar is back! Head along to Dinah Beach Club in your best Vikings getups, and treat your horns – er, ears – to the sounds of Celtic rock band, The Bloody Marys.

There’s a bar and food stalls, the famous tribute Viking Vessel burning, plus the Most Likely Viking costume comps. Enjoy special performances from the Darwin Pipe Band and Top End Bow Hunters, not to mention loads of Viking costumes and an amazing atmosphere.

Plus there’s a bouncing castle, face painting, giant games, a sausage sizzle and a dog show. Yep, that does sound fun. And sporty.

and sporting gear, tools, toys and games, books, plants and more. Do your bit to reduce adding waste to landfill and reduce, reuse, repurpose, restyle, recycle and repair.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 15 AUG | 1.30-4PM FANNIE BAY OVAL $5 | FREE CHILD facebook.com/

ntirishassociation

Justine Clarke If you like to sing, get ready to hippity hop and roar like a dinosaur with entertainer for the youngsters, Justine Clarke. DJ Monski Mouse and her fabulous back-up dancers get the party started for this little day out.

WHEN THU 12 AUG | 9-10.15AM

(MAIN CAMPUS), 5-6PM

(SENIOR COLLEGE)

AT COST INFO

THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL FREE essington.nt.edu.au

NT Irish Association Family Fun Sports Day Join the NT Irish Association for a day of sporty fun for the whole fam.

Bring your picnic blanket, a few beers (no glass), the kiddies and the fur babies. Fun sporting events include the egg and spoon race, relay race, sack race, short distance races, and the three-legged race.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 22 AUG | 4-6PM DARWIN WATERFRONT FREE

WHEN AT COST INFO

$25 | FREE MEMB & U18 dbcya.com.au

Freedom Day Festival to celebrate in the spirit of unity and pride.

The Gurindji people invite you to journey into the heart of the NT for a memorable weekend of arts, culture, music and sports.

WHEN FRI 27 AUG – SUN 29 AUG AT KALKARINDJI AND DAGURAGU

facebook.com/

COMMUNITIES

Green Drinks Green Drinks is an international informal meet up network, featuring speakers on relevant environmental topics, and it›s coming back to Darwin! It’s informal and social, and a great way to meet like-minded people. This event is run by the Environment Centre NT and open to anyone interested in environmental issues.

WHEN AT COST INFO

DINAH BEACH CLUB

FREE

ALAWA HALL

darwinfestival.org.au

Remuse X Microcosm Don’t miss this new fashion show in the chic setting of the Trader Bar, showcasing an exciting collab between Darwin-based fine artist Ilma Ali and Melbourne-based fashion label Remuse Designs.

AT COST INFO

SUN 29 AUG | 9AM-12PM

toomuchstuffdarwin

dawnbeasley.com

Experience Essington Join the vibrant Essington community for a guided Open Day tour of The Essington School.

WHEN AT COST INFO

WHEN SAT 14 – SUN 15 AUG 6PM-2AM

COST INFO

FREE freedomday.com.au

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.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 28 AUG | 8.30AM

FREE facebook.com/

environmentcentrent

FREE dtbc.com.au

Skate Nights WHEN WED 4 & 18 AUG | 6-8PM AT JINGILI WATER GARDENS

SKATE PARK

COST INFO

FREE

Nurserytime Nurserytime involves songs, puppets, nursery rhymes and movement chosen specifically to enhance your baby’s early literacy development. Suitable for children aged up to 12 months.

WHEN EVERY WED | 10-10.45AM COST FREE

LET’S DANCE Salsa Classes WHEN EVERY TUE | 6.30-9.35PM AT DANCE WORLD STUDIO COST $20 INFO salsitadarwin.com.au 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.

launchdarwin.com.au

TRADER BAR

PALMERSTON LIBRARY

FREE

palmerston.nt.gov.au/library

SAT 28 AUG | 6-9PM

FREE

DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB

THU 26 AUG | 6PM LUCKY BAT CAFÉ

COST

remusedesigns.com

WHEN AT COST INFO

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

Movement Medicine Ecstatic Dance Darwin

Too Much Stuff Recycling Upcycling Flea Market Head along to this sweet lil’ monthly market to pick up or sell second-hand clothes, plants, fishing

Freedom Day Festival One of the most unique festival experiences in Australia, held on Gurindji Country, the birthplace of Aboriginal Land Rights, people from all walks of life come together for

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

WHEN EVERY TUE | 3.30-4.30PM

yahoo.com

Colouring Clay

Marbling and Simple

Acrylic Painting Birds and Animals

Stone Set Ring

Coloured clay surfaces offer a depth

Printmaking Techniques

Facilitated by Artist in Residence

In this workshop with Debra

of colour and patterning that is

Join Katie Bradley and learn

Katie Bradley, students learn how

Senjuschenko, participants make

impossible to achieve through any

how to use marbling and other

to layer paint and develop an image

a beautiful sterling silver ring

other technique. Learn the secrets

simple printmaking techniques as

of a local bird or animal. No prior

set with a stone of their choice.

of coloured clay in this hands-

backgrounds, to determine how an

painting experience necessary.

Learn the basics of silversmithing

on workshop with Kaye Leach.

artwork develops, or as techniques

WHEN EVERY SUN | 10-11.30AM COST

$15

INFO

movement.magic@

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

to achieve texture and colour.

WHEN SUN 1 AUG | 10AM-12.30PM COST

$130 | $120 MEMB

WHEN SAT 14 AUG | 10AM-1PM COST

10

$105 | $95 MEMB

with designing, annealing, sawing,

WHEN SAT 21 AUG | 10AM-1PM

making a bezel, soldering, cleaning

COST

and stone setting.

$105 | $95 MEMB

WHEN SUN 22 AUG | 10AM-4PM COST

$220 | $200 MEMB

FESTIVALS

DARWIN FESTIVAL

Darwin Festival

LOOKING TO THE FUTURE

WHEN THU 5 – SUN 22 AUG darwinfestival.org.au

Photo: Elise Derwin

INFO

After a hugely successful homegrown Festival last year, Darwin Festival returns to transform Civic Park – and much of D-Town – into a twinkling wonderland of music, arts, dancing, food and culture.

With a bold and ambitious program that celebrates First Nations voices, brimming with innovative cross-cultural collaborations, there’s something for everyone to love from the smorgasbord of events in this year’s exciting program.

Artistic Director Felix Preval says a real highlight is the diversity of voices and stories being showcased.

“I’m really pleased to be bringing projects that celebrate First Nations voices, the voices of young people, the stories of asylum seekers – such an incredible diversity of narratives that speak to the beautiful, complex

Louise Robertson Dancing Bird, 2021, soft sculpture, 76 x 43 x 10cm

Electric Fields

6–14 AUG 2021

Waltja Tjuta NEW PAINTED AND STITCHED WORKS CELEBRATING FAMILY In association with Yarrenyty-Arltere Artists Tactile Arts Studios & Gallery 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens OPENING HOURS Tue to Sun 10 am – 4 pm salonartprojects.com.au

tapestry that is contemporary Australian life,” he says.

Capturing the voices of young people has emerged as one of the key themes this year. Fly Me Up To Where You Are features 3,000 dream flags created by students across Darwin in a colourful canopy, reflecting everything from concerns about the environment to the Black Lives Matter movement.

“We are looking to the future, and we think a way to actualise that is to put young people on stage and to hear what they have to say,” explains Preval.

In current times, looking ahead is more important than ever, but it can also come with some challenges. The Festival, however, has drawn strength from the rapidly changing environment. Last year’s homegrown program, for instance, allowed the Festival to focus on local talent.

“Darwin is small … but we are so culturally rich. It’s exciting to imagine working with the local sector towards bigger and better things,” Preval explains.

In 2020, much-loved classic festival venue The Lighthouse was subbed out for the Sunset Stage – an optimal music and dance space, with a bigger audience capacity.

Recognising its potential, and how much of a hit it was, it’s back in 2021 much to the delight of Festival-goers.

“The purpose was to create some extra space and it’s ended up sticking as a really amazing space in itself,” explains Darwin Festival CEO James Gough.

With a huge swag of musical talent set to hit the new stage, as well as cabaret, live storytelling and, of course, Club Awi, we’re looking forward to some hot August nights dancing under the stars!

Murdudjurl Dance Group

Mayali Mulil

Festival

HIT THE ROAD to Kakadu for the Mayali Mulil Festival, a yearly gathering to share and connect with the diversity of Aboriginal cultures. Taking place on Murumburr Country in Murdudjurl community, enjoy three jam-packed days of bush walks and talks, food and art stalls, and workshops – with everything from pandanus weaving and traditional dancing to fishing and spear throwing.

Mulil means many – in this case a large gathering of people coming together and connecting under the umbrella of Mayali language and culture. Join the gathering and share in this unique experience with culture, community and country at its core.

Two sunset concerts in the glorious outdoors feature Aboriginal bands and artists, including the likes of the legendary Shellie Morris and Black Rock Band. There are also plenty of fun activities for the kids, as well as bush-tucker experiences and more, so it’s a great experience for the whole fam!

WHEN AT COST INFO

FRI 20 AUG – SUN 22 AUG KAKADU BILLABONG SAFARI CAMP $150-$250 | U17 FREE kakadubillabongsafaricamp.com.au

11

FOOD

&

DRINK

In a city enveloped by ocean, we are certainly spoilt for choice when it comes to seaside dining, with clubs and restaurants dotted along the coast.

For something a little bit special, with a touch of glamour and a great excuse to get dressed up, you can’t go past the seaside setting that is il Piatto.

Head Chef Antonio Moramarco

Il PiattO

WHEN FRI–SUN, 12-2PM

WED–SUN, 5-10PM INFO mindilbeachcasinoresort. com.au

HYDEAWAY

by THE POOL Kicking back poolside and catching some rays with a cocktail in hand is a favourite pastime for Top Enders and holidaymakers, our weather always perfect for it.

12

So the announcement that exciting new hangout, Poolside Hydeaway, is opening at Doubletree by Hilton Darwin this month will be very

estled within Mindil Beach Casino Resort, this gorgeous Italian restaurant is perfectly positioned, its floor to ceiling windows making the most of views across the Arafura Sea.

elements of Italian dining are what make il Piatto special.

toasted hazelnuts and a balsamic dressing.

“Simple ingredients, fresh produce, the use of the handmade techniques, and a bag full of passion for what we do,” he says.

Being an Italian restaurant, you can of course enjoy the usual suspects with a range of pizza and pasta options to choose from, dishes Chef Antonio says bring him great joy.

Inside, wooden oak chairs hug tables laden with fresh-pressed white linen tablecloths, whilst the outdoor deck offers elegant European bistro style seating, all tables dotted with fresh, crystal cut glasses. Whether you find your seat inside or out, both options offer a glorious space in which to sample some Italian fare from the extensive menu.

“The culinary culture of my country is reflected every day on what we prepare, the ingredients we use and how we cook them, then the flavours and the presentation of a dish to transport our eyes and memories back home.

Head Chef Antonio Moramarco hails from the southern-Italian coastline of Puglia, which is famous for its bread. In fact, his family is in the bakery business with a focus on gluten-free baked goods.

Chef Antonio has worked in Milan and Sydney, but – luckily for us – he’s called Darwin home for the past two years. He says the core

welcome news to many of you.

Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, round up your favourites and head poolside for some chilled drinks and lawn games. Try your hand at croquet, giant jenga, ring toss and board games, as you sip on concoctions from the bar in the lush tropical surrounds of DoubleTree.

Conference and Events Executive Eliza Lane says it mixes up the regular drinking sesh.

“It’s a space to reconnect with friends over lawn games and board games, whilst enjoying the beautiful

“One final ingredient is our customers’ preferences, a key point that we have to consider, because that’s what a dining experience is all about, customer satisfaction!”

And satisfied you will be, with a tempting selection of delicious dishes on offer. Sample the beef eye fillet carpaccio with rocket, crispy bread basket, shaved pecorino, and truffle oil with black salt flakes. There’s also a vegan option of the dish on offer, with thinly sliced roasted beetroot,

“Well, it’s very hard to choose [a favourite] … food is always an exciting element that makes the life of a chef a happy life. If I have to choose, I’d say our pizzas and pastas.

“These are the most enjoyable things, both to eat but especially to cook, because we start from the basic elements, as flour and water, and we work our way up to create something unique.”

Enjoy a hot slice of the Diavola pizza with tomato sauce, mozzarella, spicy salami, black olives and basil, or twirl some pappardelle and gamberi up on your fork with prawns, tomato sauce, cherry tomatoes, spinach, asparagus, herbs, cream and Parmigiano-Reggiano.

Other mains include the eye fillet with roasted rosemary potatoes, broccolini and your choice of sauce, and a parmesan crusted lamb rack with saffron potato purée, candied Roma tomato, roasted leek and red wine jus.

Enjoy your dishes with a chilled glass of Prosecco, white wine or a heady, full-bodied glass of red – the friendly restaurant team is on hand to make some suggestions.

And don’t forget to save room for dessert! Sweet treats include homemade cannoli with ricotta, chocolate and pistachio, and the Fresco al Limone with lemon posset, Italian meringue, raspberry gel and cream. Or simply sip on a range of dessert wines, liquored coffee and liqueurs.

With a tantalising food and wine menu, set against one of the best ocean backdrops Darwin has to offer, il Piatto is a must-see, must-taste, must-sip. Saluti!

Darwin Dry season and sipping on delicious drinks. Think technology-free and connecting through games – a space to change things up from your usual drinking setting.

Plus, as long-time supporters of Cancer Council of the NT through our events, one dollar from every ticket sold goes towards a good cause.”

All tickets include a Lillet cocktail on arrival and shared bar bites. And if you’ve got a special event coming up, you can even score the space exclusively for you and your crew.

If sipping on cocktails by the pool during the Dry is your jam, Poolside Hydeaway is right up your alley!

Poolside Hydeaway

WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY SAT & SUN | 2PM DOUBLETREE BY HILTON DARWIN ESPLANADE $62 FOR TWO facebook.com/doubletreebyhiltonhotelsdarwin | ticketebo.com.au

Munupi Arts and Jilamara Arts and Craft Association

Simplicia Tipungwuti; “ Pupuni Jilamara”

Yirrinkirripwoja Jilamara An emotional and exuberant celebration that evokes the unique worldview of the Tiwi people, as well as their ancient and complex traditions and mythologies.

OPENING FRI 6 AUG, 10.30AM

DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL ESPLANADE DARWIN

Constantina Bush

FRI 6 – THU 12 AUG | 10AM-5PM

POOLSIDE HYDEAWAY EVERY SATURDAY & SUNDAY FROM 2:00PM ONWARDS

$31

GODINYMAYIN | KATHERINE

8 AUGUST, 6.30PM BARKLY ARTS THEATRE | TENNANT CREEK

9 AUGUST, 7.00PM ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE | ALICE SPRINGS

11 AUGUST, 7.00PM SUNSET STAGE | DARWIN FESTIVAL

17 AUGUST, 9.00PM

ARTBACKNT.COM.AU

RIDE THE NIGHT TRAIN

$1 from each ticket sold is donated to Cancer Council NT

PER PERSON MIN. 2 PAX

Includes: Lillet cocktail on arrival Shared bar bites Access to pool and different games (croquet, giant jenga, ring toss, board games)

Tickets available on: www.ticketebo.com.au/poolside

Located at Poolside Garden, DoubleTree by Hilton Darwin (122 Esplanade)

13

See Around Town 10

20 Fri

Thu

7 Breathing Life (opening) 11 Mayali Mulil Festival 19 Hamlet Prince of Skidmark 26 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

26 7 MEMENTO (last chance) 10 Green Drinks

14 Sat

10 The Mega Annual Viking Funeral 8 Waltja Tjuta: Family (last chance) 10 Marbling and Simple Printmaking Techniques 12 Poolside Hydeaway 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark 20 June Again 20 GO!

Fri

19 Hamlet Prince of Skidmark

See Performing Arts 19

27

10 Freedom Day Festival 20 Aalto 26 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s

15 Sun

12 Poolside Hydeaway

Sat

10 Botanically Clay 10 NT Irish Association Family Fun Sports Day 10 Movement Medicine 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark 26 Seaside Sessions 26 The Djari Project

21 6 DVA Exhibitions (last chance) 8 Maru Munu Piranpa (last chance) 10 Acrylic Painting Birds and Animals 11 Mayali Mulil Festival 12 Poolside Hydeaway 20 Aalto 20 A Dog’s Journey 25 Wavelengths

See Visual Arts 8

8 Patsy Mudgedell – Awakening (last chance)

See Food & Drink 12

22

Sun

Sat

7 Kunwaral Shadows of Western Arnhem Land (last chance) 10 Botanically Clay 10 Justine Clarke 10 Movement Medicine 10 Stone Set Ring 11 Mayali Mulil Festival 12 Poolside Hydeaway 26 Seaside Sessions

28

7 YOU ARE HERE (last chance) 8 Pauline Sunfly Nangala (last chance) 8 Pantutjara – Timo Hogan (last chance) 9 Reboot Your Loot 10 Remuse X Microcosm 10 Freedom Day Festival 10 Car Boot Sale 12 Poolside Hydeaway 20 COCO 26 Björn Again Mamma Mia!

16 Mon

18 Seasons of Skin and Bark See Music 24

Sun

24 Hand to Earth

29

10 Botanically Clay 10 Too Much Stuff 10 Freedom Day Festival 10 Movement Medicine 12 Poolside Hydeaway 26 Seaside Sessions

17

Tue

Mon

10 Gadgets and Games Club 10 Salsa Classes 17 Ride The Night Train 26 Sunset Live Music 26 Loop the Loop 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

23

Mon

26 Sunset Live Music 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

30

18 Celtic Illusion Reimagined

18

Wed

Tue

10 Skate Nights 10 Nurserytime 10 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails 26 Lunch on the Lawn

24

Tue

10 Gadgets and Games Club 10 Salsa Classes 26 Sunset Live Music 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

31

10 Gadgets and Games Club 10 Salsa Classes 26 World of Musicals 26 Sunset Live Music 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

19

25

Thu

Wed

10 Nurserytime 10 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails 20 Aalto

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.

Sun

6 See Performing Arts 18

Fri 7 2021 NATSIAA online exhibition (opens) 7 MEMENTO (opening) 8 Carbiene McDonald (last chance) 8 Patsy Mudgedell – Awakening (opening) 8 Pauline Sunfly Nangala (opens) 17 I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You 20 June Again 26 Beach Party 3

PICNIC DAY

Calendar

1 10 Movement Medicine 10 Colouring Clay 12 Poolside Hydeaway 26 Kingswood 26 Seaside Sessions 26 First Sunday Blues

See Feature 4

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Mon

5 DAAF Workshops 6 Yirrinkirripwoja Jilamara (opening) 6 DVA Art Exhibitions (opening)

9 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 5 Aboriginal Jewellery 5 Coiled Basket, Weaving Masterclass

2 Mon

It’s Picnic Day. If you needed an excuse to pack a picnic and take in the beauty of the Top End, here it is!

Tue

21 Character Psychology for Writers

10

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 5 Ghost Net Doll Making 5 DAAF Artist Talks 10 Experience Essington 10 Gadgets and Games Club 10 Salsa Classes 26 Sunset Live Music 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

3 Tue

5 National Indigenous Fashion Awards 10 Gadgets and Games Club 10 Salsa Classes 20 Breaking Bread 26 Sunset Live Music 26 Jam Night 26 Darwin City Brass Band

See Feature 5

20

21

Wed

AUG See Music 26

11

26 Lunch on the Lawn

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 10 Nurserytime 10 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark 26 Radiohead for Solo Piano

4

Wed

5 Country to Couture

Thu

See Visual Arts 8

7 Kunwaral Shadows of Western Arnhem Land (opening) 7 Stone Country Collection Online Launch 10 Skate Nights 10 Nurserytime 10 Wednesday Night Swing @ The Rails

12

6 Yirrinkirripwoja Jilamara (last chance) 10 Experience Essington 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark

Darwin Festival

5

Thu

11 Darwin Festival

8 Salon des Refusés (opens) 8 Waltja Tjuta: Family (opens) 25 Buŋgul

Sun

8

Sat

7

See Books & Film 20

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 5 Ailan ‘One Twist’ Weaving 9 City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic 10 Botanically Clay 12 Poolside Hydeaway 17 I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You 18 Seasons of Skin and Bark 23 Fanny Lumsden 24 Red Desert, Endless Sky: Songs from the Centre

Fri

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair 7 2021 NATSIAA (opening) 8 Pantutjara – Timo Hogan (opens) 8 Murrŋiny – A Story of Metal from the East (opens) 12 Poolside Hydeaway 17 I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You 20 Pokemon Detective Pikachu 26 Rock on Frances 26 National Indigenous Music Awards

13

20 Breaking Bread

20 Middle Eastern Feast 26 Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s 26 Flight Facilities 26 Montaigne

y t i v i t a e r c g Ignitin for the young t r a e h t a g n u o y d an

rm 3 Enrolling Now for Te Circus ~ Drama All ages ~ Aerial ~ ston Nightcliff & Palmer n.org.au www.corrugatediro

YOU ARE

HERE

An exhibition by Therese

Ritchie

EXTENDED BY POPULAR DEMAND THROUGH AUGUST Charles Darwin University Art Gallery Chancellery (Building Orange 12) • Casuarina campus, Brinkin Opening hours: Wednesday–Friday, 10am–4pm • Saturday, 10am–2pm W: cdu.edu.au/artgallery • Facebook: /cduartgallery

Darwin Festival Sun 8 Aug (Preview) Mon 9 Aug (Opening) Wed 11 - Mon 16 Aug George Brown Darwin Botanic Gardens Darwin City Bookings darwinfestival.org.au $36 Full $26 Concession $20 Preview

Wavelengths Tracks Dance Company Presents

Classical favourites and a dynamic cross-cultural collaboration.

With special guests Semra Lee-Smith (violin), Sally Boud (viola), members of Ripple Effect Band and Maningrida elders.

Sat 21 August // 7.30pm // Darwin Entertainment Centre

TICKETS: $20–$60

16

BOOK NOW:

darwinfestival.org.au

PRELUDE EVENT:

Sat 14 August // 6pm // Lucky Bat Café

The ‘Barra-róddjiba’ commission is supported by Charles Darwin University.

seasons of

SKIN BARK and

PERFORMING ARTS Photo: Duane Preston

ALL ABOARD

THE NIGHT TRAIN Get set to board the grooviest train in town, as the world’s premier Aboriginal showgirl, Constantina Bush, hits the stage with a brand new show.

Supported by Darwin’s hottest soul band, Eduardo and The Night Train, Constantina is ready to get down – and a little dirty – with an original set of songs written by her alter ego, Kamahi Djordan King, and roots influenced singer-songwriter David Spry.

“Performing with a live band is so different, and she’s going to have a ball with this,” Djordan King tells us.

Photo: Stephen Henry

To date, Constantina has usually performed with her back-up singers The Bushettes, with the backing

tracks written by Djordan King. The addition of a live band as part of this year’s Darwin Festival performance is an exciting new avenue for the glamorous singer.

“She doesn’t really love sharing the stage with other performers but when they’re there to make her look good she’s okay with it,” Djordan-King explains.

“Once she does this, I reckon she thinks she can never go back. It has to be live band, all the time.”

Known for her brazen, largerthan-life personality, and for not being afraid to tell it like it is, Constantina’s new show pushes the envelope even further. And this one’s definitely not G-rated.

“This is the first time we’re doing an adult-themed show, so this is a

new thing for Constantina and she’s actually got proper licence to go mad.”

Audiences can, however, still expect to see Constantina’s usual beguiling mix of bush girl meets glamorous showgirl charm amidst the extra sauciness.

“One of the best things about her is that she can get away with things, she can talk about political issues … and she does it in such a sweet way with songs, humour, and people love her.”

Yep, they certainly do!

Ride The Night Train WHEN TUE 17 AUG | 9PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE COST $38 | $34 CONC INFO artbacknt.com.au darwinfestival.org.au

I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You WHAT DOES IT feel like to fall in love? What does beer taste like?

What’s your biggest regret? I’ve Been Meaning to Ask You gives young people the opportunity to ask these kinds of big questions from the people who are supposed to have the answers – adults.

groups of young people across the country, and posted online for adults around the world to respond to.

Created by Queensland-based performance collective, The Good Room, the show’s Top End iteration was built by local young people in collaboration with Corrugated Iron Youth Arts for Darwin Festival.

The cast’s response to the answers they received forms the basis of the show – expect to have some of your unexamined assumptions about the world turned upside down and subjected to scrutiny!

As part of the show’s development, the cast of nine to 13-year-olds came up with a series of their most burning questions, which were then combined with the queries of other

“Their capacity to understand and address the problems and issues of the world is just mind-blowing… The show as a whole is a reminder that young people are capable for a lot

“There’s everything from the divine to the absurd,” explains Corrugated Iron Youth Arts’ Kyle Walmsley.

WHEN FRI 6 & SAT 7 AUG, 7PM

SAT 7 AUG, 2PM

SUN 8 AUG, 4PM

AT

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT

CENTRE

COST INFO

$42 | $38 CONC | $20 U18 corrugatediron.org.au

darwinfestival.org.au

more than we tend to typically give them credit for.”

The show puts young people’s voices front and centre, but an extraordinary creative team is also carefully crafting the theatrical elements to create a riotous, dynamic combination of dance, performance, lighting and projection.

At a time when the younger generation has been forced to rapidly adjust to some huge global shifts, it’s never been more timely or important to hear what they have to say. So sit back and take it all in, as they take to the mic!

17

Seasons of BREAKING FREE FROM the walls of a room and relocating to outdoor spaces to present original dance works is something Tracks Dance Company is renowned for, their works often influenced by the natural environment.

Seasons of Skin and Bark, Tracks’ stunning contribution to this year’s Darwin Festival, continues with this signature format.

Looking at the cycles and the intelligence of plants, and the connections of people with and to nature, the performance takes place beneath the trees at the iconic George Brown Botanic Gardens. Tracks’ Dance Animateur Jess Devereux says they’re returning to a space they know well.

“There’s a relationship with that site in that we’ve done a performance under that rain tree, many years ago, with Zombies in the Banyan Tree. That’s what attracts me to working with Tracks each year. It’s a huge, beautiful part of what we do, and certainly heavily inspired

by Tim Newth’s interest in igniting

space and finding new sites to present work,” she says.

Set amongst this stunning natural backdrop, the performance features 22 performers with a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities.

Long time Tracks collaborator, and Darwin producer, James Mangohig returns with an evocative original soundtrack featuring the talents of Larrakia singer-songwriter Lena Kellie.

Due to the events of 2020, Devereux says Tracks’ creative team has appreciated the extra year to develop the work.

Photo: Mark Marcelis

Skin and Bark don’t normally have.”

In the Larrakia Gulumoerrgin seasonal calendar, these powerful performances traverse Dinidjanggama (heavy dew time) and Gurrulwa (big wind time). An exciting element of this show is that the unpredictable setting means no two performances will be the same.

“That [rain] tree drops its leaves in the night, and it’s like it's raining, and they will potentially fall on the dancers when they perform. These chance things of the bird calls, the breeze, the uneven ground – all of it.”

“We were able to talk about all the concepts inspired by the seasons, with inspiration coming from the Larrakia Gulumoerrgin calendar, and then also how people would express that in movement in a time when we weren’t able to physically connect,” she says.

Experience a feast for the senses – sight, sound and smell – and immerse yourselves in the magical world of Tracks Dance Company.

“It allowed us that extra thinking time to fully develop the movement ideas. The thinking time has been really precious and something we

GARDENS

WHEN SUN 8 – MON 16 AUG (EXC.

TUE 10 & FRI 13 AUG) | 7PM

AT

GEORGE BROWN BOTANIC

COST INFO

$20-$36 tracksdance.com.au darwinfestival.org.au

Celtic Illusion

Reimagined SINCE THE HEYDAY of Riverdance, you might have developed a bit of a soft spot for Irish dancing. But imagine combining those precise, foot-stomping rhythms with Vegas glamour, dynamic modern choreography, mind-bending illusions, dramatic lighting and impressive solo instrumental performances.

Well, readers, that’s exactly what Celtic Illusion Reimagined has in store for you, this full stage extravaganza hitting D-town at the end of the month.

18

WHEN AT COST INFO

MON 30 AUG | 7.30PM DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE $90 | $85 CONC | $80 CHILD yourcentre.com.au

The show’s innovative choreography brings plenty of funky modern dance moves into mix, with jazz and urban dance styles – even some Michael Jackson inspired moves – shaking up the more traditional Irish elements.

With costume changes, levitation tricks and smoke, and a beautiful score by Australian composer

Angela Little, this is Irish dancing as you’ve ever seen it before according to Celtic Illusion’s principal dancer and female illusionist, Georgia May. “What people think of Irish dancing … is that it’s very traditional, very stiff movements, no upper body whatsoever, all feet and quite stark,” she says.

“Celtic Illusion is bringing that Vegas showy glam to the stage and mixing that with the traditional elements of Irish dancing – and it actually blends with the magic really seamlessly.”

Enjoy beautiful vocal performances by soulful soprano Emma Horwood, with breath-taking instrumental solos on the Irish fiddle and flute – a bit different to the traditional music you might hear down at the Irish pub!

Celtic Illusion is the creative vision

of former principal dancer of Lord of the Dance, Australia’s own Anthony Street, who choreographs, directs, produces and stars in the show.

“He always wanted to have an Irish dancing show, and he always wanted to have a magic and illusion show … so he had this idea to put them together,” says May. “You would never think that Irish dancing and magic and illusion would even work together, but Anthony is a creative genius in the way that he has made this work.

The show is really exciting because of both of those elements coming together.”

Reimagined and touring again as part of the show’s tenth anniversary celebrations, this is one artistic fusion spectacle you don’t want to miss.

FAMILY & PET FRIENDLY, BYO BLANKET, BEAN BAG OR CHAIR.

WHEN FRI 20 AUG, 6PM

SAT 21 AUG, 2PM & 6PM

AT

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT

PALMERSTON.NT.GOV.AU

CENTRE

COST INFO

$25.50-$30 | $100 FAMILY yourcentre.com.au

darwinfestival.org.au

LIVE MUSIC BY LOCAL ARTISTS. SATURDAYS FROM 4-7PM.

HAMLET

PRINCE OF SKIDMARK UNDERSTANDING THE WORLD of Shakespeare might be a bit of a stretch for kids aged five and over, but Richard Higgins and Matt Kelly – aka The Listies – have pulled apart one of the wordsmith’s classics and glued it back together to deliver one interactive hour of comical

costumes and a mass of madness.

Hamlet: Prince of Skidmark offers young audiences a very different – and much more fun – version of The Tragedy of Hamlet, Prince of Denmark. With ghosts, castles, sword fights and some spooky stuff, it’s got everything a kiddo could

want in a stage performance.

There’s also a bunch of clever tricky things, with supersonic gags and expertly timed stage magic to wow young minds.

This action-packed hour of silliness also boasts pillow fights, pirates, ninjas, ninja pirates, aliens, ninja pirate aliens – yep, they’re a thing – zombies, and a bunch of other side-splitting stuff.

The only thing you can be sure of in this very cheeky riff on Hamlet is that everyone dies at the end – including the audience!

By Will Crawford

COMICS'

CORNER SHOWCASING TOP END COMICS AND LOCAL STAND-UP PERFORMERS

Now in its thirteenth year, Scott McGowan (pictured) presents the annual comedians’ event, the Darwin Comedy Cup. Head along to the Happy Yess to watch Darwin’s longest running, most prestigious

and yes, only, comedy competition for comedians from the Greater Darwin region. It’s an amazing opportunity to see the cream of the Darwin Comedy crop strutting their stuff in their natural habitat, with a lot of strange behaviours to observe.

Graeme Lewis rolls out two regular gigs again in August. The first is showcase comedy night, G Spot Comedy, at the Landmark in Palmerston, and the second is Just Jokes at Six Tanks in Darwin. Both gigs are proven successes, featuring the talents of local comedians dishing out their hottest material. I am partial to the G Spot Comedy at the dimly lit, downstairs nightclub section of Landmark. It just seems that comedy and sticky floors just go naturally together…

Top End Comedy also returns with two monthly gigs at the Happy Yess band room. The first is creatively titled First Thursdays on the first Thursday of the month.

This is always a great night, where comedians are given five minutes of stage time and a theme, and are

encouraged to make each other laugh. The second gig is every third Thursday, ambiguously titled The Panel Beaters. It’s a fun game show format hosted by Shalom Kaa, Hot 100’s Brent Watkinson and the always delightful and queen of improvisation, Danielle Andrews.

Local comedians try to outwit each other in a range of strange and hilarious games. Always a playful and hilarious night.

On the second Thursday of every month, Leah Potter hosts the Adults Only Comedy Den at Smoke and Oak, and this month, Leah debuts her new show, Shhh. Leah returns again in August to host No Soliciting at Phat Joint in Cullen Bay, which also looks like a good time.

Get amongst it and check out some of Darwin’s super talented local comedians.

INFO facebook.com/topendcomedy facebook.com/gspotcomedy11 facebook.com/happyyessdarwin facebook.com/adultsonlycomedyden

ecivdA ytreporP detsurT & decneirepxE

IT’S AUGUST, DRY season is in full swing and the old social calendar’s filling up. If you’ve got time to spare and are keen to support local, Darwin comedians have your back with some amazing gigs this month.

14.08.21

DURACK COMMUNITY ARTS CENTRE LAWN FEATURING • EMILY PENNY • SCOTT MURPHY

P A U L H E R O N 0421 060 838 SELLING

PURCHASING

LEASING 19

&

Deckchair

CINEMA

JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT

COST $17 | $13 CONC | $10 MEMB | $9 CHILD | $40 FAM INFO deckchaircinema.com | 8941 4377 | GATES 6PM

Middle Eastern Feast HEAD ALONG TO the Deckie and enjoy a sumptuous Middle Eastern feast whipped up by Flavours of Damascus on the dining deck, prior to a screening of Breaking Bread. Tickets for Middle Eastern Feast are limited, with tables of two, four or six available, and include dinner and the film.

Regular catering is available for standard ticket holders.

WHEN FRI 13 AUG | 6PM COST $40

Breaking Bread Dr. Nof Atamna-Ismaeel is the first Muslim Arab to win Israel’s MasterChef, and he’s on a mission to make social change through food. Cue the A-Sham Arabic Food Festival!

This festival invites Arab and Jewish chefs to celebrate their shared culinary history as they exchange stories, recipes and techniques.

A celebration of the region’s diverse cuisines and people, Breaking Bread is a film about hope and healing that offers a mouth-watering taste of rich culinary traditions that will leave you wanting more.

Aalto Aalto is a documentary film journey into the life and work of one of the greatest modern architects, Alvar Aalto. The film shares the intimate love story of Alvar and his architect wife, Aino Aalto for the first time, taking the viewer on a cinematic tour of their creative processes and of iconic buildings around the world. Learn about the colourful history of modernism, meeting luminaries such as the Rockefellers, Le Corbusier and László Moholy-Nagy along the way.

WHEN SAT 21 & WED 25 AUG, 7PM

FRI 27 AUG, 8.30PM

WHEN TUE 3 & FRI 13 AUG, 7PM

June Again In this heartfelt Aussie dramedy, a twist of fate gives family matriarch June a reprieve from an ongoing illness. Much to the amazement of her adult children, Ginny and Devon, June re-enters their lives only to learn that things haven’t gone according to plan. With limited time but plenty of pluck, June decides that it’s up to her to get this wayward family back on track. When her meddling backfires, June sets out on a romantic journey of her own and discovers she needs help from the very people she was trying to rescue.

WHEN FRI 6 AUG, 9.15PM

SAT 14 AUG, 7PM

COST FREE INFO palmerston.nt.gov.au

Flic Nics

Pack a picnic blanket, load up the snacks and settle in for a balmy night of film under the stars at City of Palmerston’s free outdoor movie program. Make the most of Dry season Saturday nights and round up the crew for these fun outdoor screenings.

20

Pokemon Detective Pikachu Ace detective Harry Goodman disappears mysteriously, prompting his 21-year-old son Tim to investigate. Helping out is Harry’s former Pokémon partner, the wisecracking, adorable super-sleuth Detective Pikachu. They discover they’re a good team as Tim is the only human who can talk with Pikachu.

But can they unravel the tangled mystery?

WHEN SAT 7 AUG | 7PM AT GOYDER SQUARE

GO! When Jack and his mother move to a small town in Western Australia, he soon gets involved in the competitive world of go-kart racing.

Jack’s got natural talent, but will he learn to control his recklessness?

A Dog’s Journey This family flick is for animal lovers and people everywhere who love a good story. It follows the journey of a dog through various lives, and the connections he builds with his humans along the way.

WHEN SAT 14 AUG | 7PM AT SANCTUARY LAKES

WHEN SAT 21 AUG | 7PM AT DURACK HEIGHTS

COMMUNITY CENTRE LAWN

COCO 12-year-old Miguel is desperate to become a musician when he grows up but there’s just one problem – his family has a generations-old ban on music. Determined to be like his hero Ernesto de la Cruz, Miguel finds himself transported to the Land of the Dead where he seeks the help of his deceased musician great-great-grandfather.

WHEN SAT 28 AUG | 7PM AT GOYDER SQUARE

NT WRITERS PRESENTS

ART I HOMEWARES BUSHFOODS | TEXTILES CAFE I FASHION I BOOKS

Dani Powell DANI POWELL IS a writer and performance-maker based in Alice Springs. Since 2015, she has been the Artistic Director of the Alice Springs iteration of the NT Writers Festival. NT Writers’ Centre caught up with her for a chat!

How do you balance your different creative endeavours and what connections are there between them?

Although it’s true that I move across different mediums, I’ve found I’m not so great at working on multiple projects at once, so I tend to focus on one major project at a time. After I had a child, I found it very difficult to manage the large-scale performance projects I had previously worked on, and concentrating on my book was a response to that.

I approach my role as Artistic Director of the Festival from a performance-making perspective, though. I want to create authentic events that belong nowhere else but here, to bring together the elements of place, people, language and story – and to curate their interplay – almost like elements of a performance.

Most of your creative work is deeply engaged with questions

of place. What is it about place and the central desert region in particular that animates you?

I love your use of the word animates. It really describes my experience of coming to the desert and feeling very creatively inspired or enlivened by the country.

Before I lived here, I saw country as land. But here I’ve come to understand country differently. Everything here feels stripped back, or spacious. And this seems to enable one to think deeply, to imagine, and not be so distracted. But I’m also living alongside another culture and have been influenced by the Indigenous people of this region with an appreciation of what Country holds.

I guess I try to articulate this in my novel Return To Dust, which, in one sense, is a love letter to this country and its people.

Last year, your debut novella Return to Dust was published. What other projects are you working on?

At the end of last year, I started working on a second book and made some progress when I received a Varuna fellowship.

However, once I start curating the Festival program, that very much takes over. I just heard that I was recipient of an Arts NT grant, so I’m

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

Mook Moook by Dale Austin, Dingo Cockatoo Aboriginal Culture

looking forward to immersing myself in more writing after September!

If we were to take a peek at your bookshelf, what would we find?

At this point in time, you would find a lot of the titles to be featured in this year’s NT Writers Festival!

Rick Morton’s My Year of Living Vulnerably, Nardi Simpson’s Song of the Crocodile, Laura Jean McKay’s The Animals in That Country, Alice Pung’s One Hundred Days.

Which Territory authors are you enjoying at the moment?

I’m reading a stunning collection of poetry by First Nations poets called Guwayu — For All Times, that includes the work of several NT poets, Declan Furber Gillick, Yvette Holt, Melanie Mununggurr, among others. I’m also rereading Penny Drysdale’s new collection, I am the Glass, and am finding more to reflect upon. And I discovered Karen Rogers’ picture book this year, which was my introduction to this stunning artist and writer from Ngukurr Community. I’m excited Karen is appearing at the Festival.

SATURDAYS IN AUGUST | MOVIES START: 7PM 7 14 21 28

Pokemon Detective Pikachu (PG) - Goyder Square Go! (PG) - Sanctuary Lakes A Dog’s Journey (PG) - Durack Community Arts Centre lawn COCO (PG) - Goyder Square

BYO picnic and blanket

INFO uwap.uwa.edu.au ntwriters.com.au

Character Psychology for Writers EVER WONDERED HOW to make your characters leap off the page and seem believable? In this two-hour online workshop, Kira-Anne Pelican shares tools drawn from evidence-based psychology to help you create complex and memorable characters.

Bring along ideas for one of your characters and put them through their paces. Referring to examples from novels, films and TV series, this class shows you how you can make your characters stand out from the crowd and come alive.

WHEN MON 2 AUG | 6-8PM AT ONLINE COST $55 | $35 MEMB INFO ntwriters.com.au

21

City of Darwin

Teddy Bears’ Picnic

ADULT SHORT COURSES 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

Calling all teddies – and their families!

We’re back at The Esplanade for a big FREE day out for the littlest arts lovers

Special Guests:

0452 135 400

Alice Springs singer Sally Balfour Alt-country queen Fanny Lumsden Magic show from Hyper the Clown Drag Queen Storytime Plus Fairies, Bubbles, Story Time mo ...and so much more!

Sunday 8 August 9am to 12pm The Esplanade, Darwin

Andrea Mckey, Wishing Stone, embroidery and felt.

To see more of our Dry Season events visit darwin.nt.gov.au/whats-on

Fabric detail Kieren Karritpul

Darwin's premier outdoor cinema

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.

Merrepen Arts, Nauiyu Daly River.

A unique cultural experience. Meet the artists and experience the landscape. Only 2.5 hour drive from Darwin.

Textiles | Paintings | Prints | Clothes Weavings | Books | Cards

• • • • •

Eclectic selection of films every night of the week Food served every night from select local caterers Licensed kiosk with a great selection of local products Deckchairs, cushions and insect repellent provided Book online at deckchaircinema.com

Open Weekdays 8.30am-5pm p. 08 8978 2533 m. 0458 287 204 e. sales@merrepenarts.com.au

deckchaircinema.com 22

MUSIC WHEN SUN 8 AUG | 7PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE,

FESTIVAL PARK

COST INFO

$34-$38 darwinfestival.org.au

FANNY

LUMSDEN Australia’s darling of country music is making her way to Darwin to share her award-winning tunes at Darwin Festival. Tierney Seccull caught up with her for a yarn. irst off, congrats on your huge recent successes – with an ARIA for Country Album of the Year, and of course your sweep at this year’s Golden Guitars – I mean, five? How did that feel?

It’s wild! It feels unreal in the truest sense – like it doesn’t feel like it was me, or should be me. We’ve been so DIY and doing our own stuff for so long, that that kind of stuff feels more reserved for the professional people. They’re on my mantle piece at home because I’m obviously not hiding that [laughs].

It’s always felt like maybe we haven’t been doing things the way you’re supposed to in the industry, we kept touring the way that we tour and putting music out the way that we put it out …

I’m super grateful that my peers in my industry feel like we did good enough work to deserve that.

Well, in terms of doing things how you do things, you’re known for playing little country halls across Australia – in fact, you’re currently on your Country Halls Tour, plus touring with Paul Kelly – what is it about these little spaces in the pockets of our country that entices you?

They’re always such great shows!

The Country Halls Tour is application based – the halls apply to host, so that gets us to places we’ve never heard of, which as a starting point makes it a really exciting experience.

It built us as much as we built it, in that it existed before we

were known at all. People weren’t really coming to see us, they were coming along to the hall and maybe the footy club was catering, so they were supporting the footy club … what runs through is that it’s community driven. Kids and grandparents are there, the committee and volunteers – it feels like what events felt like when I was a kid. You come across wonderful stories and wonderful people. For some people, it’s their first ever gig!

Speaking of touring, your band mate Dan is also your husband and baby daddy. What’s it like being on the road with your significant other?

It’s wonderful, to be honest. My brother’s also on the tour now, with my extended band and my threeyear-old. It’s very much a family

affair! It’s actually really sustainable because I don’t have to leave my family all the time. We’re all going through the same experience, and we’re all going through it together.

Of course, there are moments – but I think the benefit of having family members to have those experiences is that you bounce back really quickly. There are no grudges.

And we hear there’s also someone else very special joining you on the road this year… Congrats on your baby news!

Thank you! Yeah, it’s been an added element, that’s for sure, but it’s exciting. I’m just rolling with the pregnancy part. If all the shows come off, we’re meant to have another 36 shows before I have a baby [laughs].

Photo: Rachel Younger

That’s the ethos driving MusicNT’s newest venture, the All Good Project, which works with live music venues throughout the Territory to create safer music spaces for staff, performers and music-lovers alike.

Who's Scott Green

The need for a project focusing on safer venues for live music was identified after discussions with musicians and members of the music industry raised concerns over the safety of key minority groups at

gigs, and of a binge drinking culture often accompanying live music events.

The All Good Project isn’t just targeting physical safety at gigs, but rather providing a holistic approach to safety by focusing on broader issues such as gender equality, harassment, discrimination and accessibility.

We are working with venue management to ensure adherence to safety standards as outlined in the program’s comprehensive policy

You’ve visited us many times over the years – what is it about the Top End that keeps bringing you back?

I think it’s got magic air, or something. If I wasn’t a touring musician, I’d live there full time – I honestly love it. I think it’s such a special part of Australia – the attitude, the people, the community, the scenery. Everything about it, I love it so much.

I also think that potentially you all run on the same time schedule as me. We call it Fanny time, but I think Fanny time and Darwin time’s the same thing. I think maybe that’s why I slotted in so well!

By Shauna Upton Safe Venues Program Manager

It’s All Good ‘BECAUSE EVERYONE DESERVES TO ENJOY LIVE MUSIC.’

And how cool to be able to tell your baby one day they shared the stage with Paul Kelly!

I know! It’s so cool [laughs].

with the assistance of specialised staff training, program-specific resources, and MusicNT’s recently released Live Music Venue Best Practice Guidelines.

With 27% of respondents to a 2020 MusicNT Safe Venue survey only ‘sometimes’ feeling safe in NT venues, we know work in this space is not only important but necessary.

The Project doesn’t intend to impact anyone’s ability to have a good time at live music events, either!

We’re working to educate patrons on acceptable behaviour standards and the importance of being an active bystander to ensure that one person’s good time doesn’t come at the expense of someone else’s.

Ultimately, we want that number to change – we want all patrons, venue staff and performers to feel safe and supported in live music spaces. Because at the end of the day, everyone deserves to enjoy live music.

INFO

allgoodproject.com.au

musicnt.com.au

23

WHEN SUN 22 AUG | 7PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE COST $38 | $34 CONC | $32

Photo: Sung Hyun Sohn

Hand to Earth

FRIENDS

INFO

HOW CAN ART transcend boundaries – geographic, temporal, linguistic or cultural?

Hand to Earth is an exquisite performance in this year’s Darwin Festival, and features Yolŋu songman Daniel Wilfred and Korean vocalist Sunny Kim. Spanning continents and cultures, it demonstrates how to express a deeply human commonality.

Developed during an Australian Art Orchestra residency in Tasmania, Hand to Earth melds the differing, but equally breathtaking, vocal approaches of the two artists with ethereal electronic atmospheres created by trumpeter and composer, Peter Knight.

Singing in Wägilak language, Daniel Wilfred is the keeper of Yolŋu manikay (songs) from South East Arnhem Land that can be traced back for over 40,000 years. Sunny Kim sings in English and Korean.

Together, they convey something of the elements, of the stars and fire, of cooling rain and running water.

“We singing about walking up to the water. We see the two – fresh water and the salt water – sitting

Sunny Kim, Peter Knight & Daniel Wilfred

darwinfestival.org.au

together,” Wilfred says.

The manikay Wilfred shares with his artistic collaborators and audiences in this unique musical experience connects everything – country, culture and community – not just in the present but also in the past and the future.

“If you go up to my place … when we sing our manikay, you’ll see everybody. And the raki [rope] pull everybody together and you can see one big family. It’s still the same when I come up the stage. It’s still the same – I’m trying to make the new world. What can happen.

Trying to bring you into a good world, where you can listen and understand.”

Add into the mix stirring performances by David Yipininy Wilfred on yidaki and Aviva Endean on clarinet, and you have a musical experience that is timeless, hypnotic and utterly mesmerising.

An effortless blend of contemporary and ancient musical traditions, Hand to Earth is one moving performance you don’t want to miss.

Red Centre

Sounds Making tracks up the track to the Top End is this 40-strong entourage of performers, set to bring the Centralian flavour to Darwin Festival’s Sunset Stage for one huge concert, Red Desert, Endless Sky: Songs From The Centre.

Featuring the musical prowess of Xavia, Resin Moon and Bambadino, plus the incredible voices of Cassii Williams and Paul Ah Chee, Alice Sings is a true showcase of the musical goods produced in the Centre.

24

Composer, songwriter and music teacher Ed Gould – also the fearless leader of Alice Sings – says they’re

excited to perform in Darwin.

“For all of us, really, we’ve been increasingly working with local artists in Alice Springs, and we’re super proud of the scene down here.

It’s hard to get Alice Springs out to other places, so to us, this feels like a big celebration of the diverse music scene in Alice Springs,” he says.

“One thing we realised is that we’ve all collaborated across heaps of platforms – there’s a super collaborative scene here – so there was this really natural collective to join forces and put on something bigger.”

This one-hour performance allows audiences to experience an entirely new work by bringing together the original sounds of these proficient artists, inspired by the unique landscape of Central Australia.

“We found the common theme linking us together is the way the land has impacted us all, we all have a different connection – some have moved here in the last decade, but Cassii Williams’ and her family, for example, have spent their whole lives in Ntaria,” Gould says.

“The inescapable thing is that the land here just permeates all our music. That will come through in the way we’ve curated the show. I think there are some really unique voices here that we’re very happy to share.”

Red Desert, Endless Sky: Songs from the Centre

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 8 AUG | 9PM INPEX SUNSET STAGE $34-$38 alicesings.community

darwinfestival.org.au

Photo: Nico Liengme

WHAT DO YOU get when you combine the creative talents of five of the Red Centre’s most gifted musicians and singers with 35 members of a community choir?

Well, friends, you get Alice Sings.

Xavia, Resin Moon & Cassii Williams

DSO PRESENTS

A Common Language

DARWIN SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA has a long history of collaborating with First Nations artists and musicians, with a number of unforgettable performances in recent times highlighting the depth and the richness of Aboriginal culture.

ritual. Become immersed in the Yolŋu song, dance and painting that inspired Gurrumul, alongside recordings of his inimitable voice, accompanied by a unique blend of Western-style music and his family’s musical traditions performed live.

performed in the Territory with predominantly local musicians.

This month, DSO ramps things up, with not one but two unmissable cross-cultural performances at this year’s Darwin Festival.

Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s Artistic Director and Chief Conductor Jon Tooby says it will be a moving experience.

Kicking off festivities is the Santos Opening Night Concert, featuring the extraordinary extravaganza, Buŋgul. A ceremonial celebration of Gurrumul’s transcendent final album, Djarrimirri (Child of the Rainbow), Buŋgul is set to transform the Darwin Amphitheatre into a meeting place of dance, song and

“It’s one big journey depicting certain stories or songlines. You are just transported by it.”

A collaboration between the all-female Ripple Effect Band from Maningrida and emerging Australian composer Alex Turley, Barra-róddjiba tells the story of the baby Djomi spirits who saved Maningrida from Cyclone Monica in 2006.

Y OF PALMERSTON CIT

Originally created on Country in North East Arnhem Land, the Top End performance has been in the works for years. It’s thrilling to finally have the chance to see it

If that wasn’t enough musical innovation, DSO is hitting the stage again this month to perform the world-premiere of Barra-róddjiba as part of their Wavelengths concert.

Tooby explains that DSO’s ongoing commitment to sharing space with Aboriginal artists – also on display earlier in the year in a remarkable full-length program with First Nations artists at Barunga Festival

Photo: Charlie Lee

Ripple Effect Band

– has awakened them more fully to the incredible culture that’s on our doorstep.

real show-stopper,” says Tooby.

From DSO, we wouldn’t expect anything less!

“This is about collaborating equally and finding a common sound and voice,” he adds.

“Music is a common language among all human beings. It’s a wonderful and safe place where people can get together and share ideas.”

The Wavelengths concert also sees the orchestra return to more traditional musical forms with a performance of Mozart’s joyful Sinfonia Concertante, before Tchaikovsky’s fiery Symphony No. 5 brings the evening to a dramatic close.

“It’s on the edge and feisty. It’s a

Buŋgul

WHEN THU 5 AUG | 7.30PM

DOORS 5.30PM

AT COST INFO

DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE FREE darwinfestival.org.au

Wavelengths

WHEN SAT 21 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST INFO

$20-$60 dso.org.au darwinfestival.org.au

JOIN CITY OF PALMERSTON’S MASSIVE CAR BOOT SALE! SATURDAY 28 AUGUST 2021

8-11AM, CIVIC PLAZA CAR PARK Cnr Chung Wah Tce and University Ave, Palmerston

palmerston.nt.gov.au

25

AUGUST

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

7PM RAILWAY CLUB $45 stickytickets.com.au

Beach Party 3 Over the last year, many a Top Ender has missed hitting the beach clubs of Bali, sipping on chilled bevs to the sounds of house music as the sun slides into the ocean. Scratch that beach club itch with an exciting DJ line-up featuring Pete Stone, Chad Martin, Planet Dale and DJ Uri. It's time to enjoy a few cheeky cocktails and a boogie!

WHEN FRI 6 AUG | 5PM-MIDNIGHT AT DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB COST FREE INFO dtbc.com.au Lunch on the Lawn Grab a bite to eat, pack a picnic rug and kick back on the lawn as you enjoy the gorgeous acoustic sounds of live local musicians with your lunch. This month, enjoy performances from Bridey Rose and David Garnham.

WHEN WED 11 & 18 AUG | 12-1PM AT TOURISM TOP END LAWN COST FREE INFO facebook.com/

26

GO BACK IN TIME to the days of rock’n’roll music, hot rods and pop-up diners, baby – it’s time to Rock On Frances!

This fun (and free) family-friendly event in Palmerston sees Frances Drive transformed, with a night of entertainment from rock’n’roll band The Outfits, supported by Eclipse, and food and beverages from Zzan, Fat Yiros, Red Lantern Restaurant and Palmerston RSL.

This is the last On Frances street party for 2021, so slick that hair back, pop on your blue suede shows, and rock on over to the heart of Palmerston and join in the fun.

WHEN SAT 7 AUG | 5-10PM AT FRANCES DRIVE, PALMERSTON

COST INFO

FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au

#OTLmag

Kingswood Their June gig was postponed, so Melbourne power rock four-piece Kingswood is back with a vengeance, for not one, but two huge gigs, performing their tunes at the legendary Railway Club.

WHEN SAT 31 JUL & SUN 1 AUG

AT COST INFO

Rock On Frances

have the time of your life with the world’s most popular ABBA show.

Internationally acclaimed – and ABBA approved – Björn Again plays all of the band’s biggest hits and more, in an action-packed, highly entertaining night of ABBA-solute fun for the whole family.

WHEN SAT 28 AUG | 8PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT

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

CENTRE

darwinfestival.org.au

COST

$69 | $55 MEMB | $59 CONC

U16 $55

INFO

yourcentre.com.au

World of Musicals Relive the very best creations of musical theatre in one unforgettable night. Colourful, inspiring and filled with memorable musical classics performed by an international star-studded cast, this is a night of entertainment at the highest level.

WHEN TUE 31 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST INFO

DARWIN FESTIVAL

$80 | $75 CONC | $60 CHILD yourcentre.com.au

Sunset Live Music Every Tuesday at sunset, kick back to the sounds of live local music in the chill atmosphere of Ebb & Flow.

Located by the water in Cullen Bay, there are lounges, daybeds and plenty of relaxed dining options and drinks to choose from.

WHEN EVERY TUE | 6PM AT EBB & FLOW, CULLEN BAY COST FREE INFO facebook/ebbandflowdarwin Friday Knock Offs @ Dom’s Kick back with a cocktail and beats from a live DJ, and bring in your weekend in Nightcliff.

WHEN EVERY FRI | 4PM AT DOM’S BAR & LOUNGE COST FREE INFO facebook.com/

lunchonthelawn

domsbardarwin

Björn Again Mamma Mia! We Are Back Again Tour!

Dust off those platform shoes, flares and sequinned jumpsuits and get ready to sing, dance, and

Seaside Sessions 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

Buŋgul WHEN THU 5 AUG | 7.30PM

DOORS 5.30PM

AT COST INFO

DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE FREE

CENTRE

WHEN TUE 17 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT

COST

CENTRE

AT

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT $42 | $36 MEMB | $38 CONC

COST

$35 | $30 MEMB & CONC

Flight Facilities This dynamic duo has created timeless, genre-defying classics drenched in a sense of nostalgia.

Now, they’re bringing their eccentric approach and electrifying new live show to the Top End, with party people Confidence Man and Brisbane singer-songwriter Sycco in tow.

WHEN FRI 13 AUG | 7-10.30PM AT DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE COST $79 | $75 CONC | $68 MEMB

$15 U18

Montaigne The voice of the new generation, Montaigne is a major name in Aussie indie music. Don’t miss seeing this queen of unparalleled vocals, creative vision, empowering socio-political expression and art pop music.

WHEN FRI 13 AUG | 9PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE

FRIENDS

darwinfestival.org.au

National Indigenous Music Awards The National Indigenous Music Awards return in 2021 for an extraordinary celebration of music, song and dance to celebrate the oldest surviving culture in the world. This year’s musical line-up is one of the strongest in its 17-year history, featuring the talents of Baker Boy, Miiesha, Electric Fields, King Stingray, Dallas Woods and Kee’ahn, Alice Skye and more. Gather under the stars and celebrate Indigenous music – past, present and emerging.

WHEN SAT 7 AUG | 7PM AT DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE COST $40 | $33 CONC | $34 MEMB

FREE U12

INFO

nima.musicnt.com.au

Fanny Lumsden WHEN SUN 8 AUG | 7PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE,

FESTIVAL PARK

COST

$34-$38

FESTIVAL PARK

COST

$42 | $36 MEMB | $38 CONC

The Djari Project The Djari Project is an award-winning collaboration between Galpu songman, Guwanbal Gurruwiwi (Galiwin’ku), and composer Netanela Mizrahi. Celebrate the launch of the project’s first album of unique choral and chamber works in Indigenous languages, with this concert featuring the Young Adelaide Voices’ Aurora Ensemble.

WHEN SUN 15 AUG | 5PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

Red Desert, Endless Sky: Songs from the Centre WHEN SUN 8 AUG | 9PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE

FESTIVAL PARK

COST

$34-$38

Radiohead for Solo Piano Hear all your favourite Radiohead tunes like never before as Josh Cohen takes the band’s back catalogue to new frontiers with Radiohead for Solo Piano.

WHEN WED 11 AUG | 7.30PM

COST

$42 | $36 MEMB | $38 CONC

Loop the Loop Prepare to be violently impressed when master musician Gene Peterson goes head-to-head with multi-instrumentalist Adam Page in this phenomenal musical showdown. Over 60 jam-packed minutes, you’ll be treated to a plethora of skills – incredible drumming, virtuosic saxophone playing and music made from kids’ toys, a beard and a variety of vegetables!

Wavelengths WHEN SAT 21 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST

$60 | $50 CONC | U30 $30

$20 U18

INFO dso.org.au Hand to Earth WHEN SUN 22 AUG | 7PM AT INPEX SUNSET STAGE COST $38 | $34 CONC | $32

JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC

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 1 AUG | 3PM AT TRACY VILLAGE SPORTS

& SOCIAL CLUB

COST INFO

GOLD COIN DONATION facebook.com/

firstsundayblues

Jam Night 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 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?

Head along to these fun sessions with Darwin City Brass Band.

WHEN EVERY TUE | 4.30-9.30PM AT 2 ABALA RD, MARRARA COST FREE | $20 ANNUAL MEMB INFO darwincitybrassband.org.au

DOWN

By Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts

The Track

Photo: Oliver Eclipse

Photo: Milly Moments ​P​hotography

HAPPENINGS IN THE RED CENTRE

Tinkerbee Eastern and Central Arrernte cultural performance at the Festival Opening of the 2019 NT Writers Festival​, ​Alice Springs​.​

Crosslines Poetic Picnic at the 2017 NT Writers Festival, Alice Springs.

STORIES IN THE CENTRE SET AMONGST A TOWN surrounded by awe-inspiring landscapes, rooted deep in culture and histories, and filled with annual events that are spectacular and wild, the NT Writers Festival (NTWF) offers the opportunity to come together and think. Softly.

As NTWF Artistic Director Dani Powell explains, the theme ‘anpernirrentye’ alludes to ways of positioning ourselves “in relationship with everything else”.

This year’s program, with its

array of stories, voices and themes, helps us do just this, set within the peaceful surrounds of Alice Springs’ Olive Pink Botanic Garden with site-specific events thoughtfully sprinkled around town.

The program is not only diverse and dynamic in its line-up of authors, but in the artforms in which these voices are presented.

Of course, there are book launches and talks featuring local writers who are dearly loved, and – travel permitting – interstate talents that are admired, the lot of them deeply respected. But there are also other

events to look forward to.

Expect affecting collaborations between musicians and storytellers, plays and poetry readings, tours and guided walks and talks. There’s storytime for young ones and educational sessions for teachers, parents and carers.

Explore literature and other forms of expression that have been in the making for years and years, finally ready to be celebrated. Others are fresh and experimental, others playful, others dense, all relevant.

On top of all this, there’s a

considerable number of workshops on offer. Children are encouraged to dig deeper into releasing the stories from their minds and onto the page. Anyone feeling disconnected can become reconnected through beautiful poetry and words. These workshops offer opportunities to liberate our introspective selves, supported by practical exercises and caring facilitators.

NT Writers’ Centre Director Fiona Dorell perfectly puts it, that festival-goers have the wonderful chance to engage in “thought-pro voking conversations that cannot be had elsewhere”.

How lucky to be given opportunities to stimulate curiosity, time for reflection on our positions in this profound world we live in, and our relationship with everything else.

Such artfully considered festivals should not be missed.

NT Writers Festival

WHEN THU 26 – SUN 29 AUG AT

OLIVE PINK

BOTANIC GARDEN,

MPARNTWE/ALICE SPRINGS

COST

FREE - $60

INFO

ntwriters.com.au

27