Off The Leash - August 2022

Winner, 2019, 2020 & 2021 NT Media Awards, Best Magazine or Lift Out

TOGETHER AGAIN

TIM MINCHIN

TIWI TREASURES

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns to Larrakia Country

Darwin debut under the stars

Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (Our Own Tiwi Ochre Colours)

AUGUST

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MUSIC

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PERFORMING ARTS

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VISUAL ARTS

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BOOKS & FILM

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FOOD & DRINK

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COMMUNITY

YOUR FREE WHAT’S ON GUIDE TO THE NT

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 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.

A

h, August. It’s great to see you! Although the weather’s chilled right down across the Territory, the social calendar’s sure fired up. If you happen to have any spare moments to fill, pour yourself a chilled bev or a hot cuppa, and allow us to make a few recommendations as you pore over our pages.

F R OM T H E

If you haven’t witnessed the traditional yoi at the opening event yet, pop it in the diary – it’s beautiful.

r o t i d E

Gracing the cover is a beautiful, bold work by Yuendumu artist Kershini Napaljarri Collins of Warlukurlangu Artists in Central Australia. After two years of being delivered digitally, the much-loved Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) returns to Larrakia Country in physical form, showcasing the creativity and practice of artists from a record-breaking 77 Art Centres around Australia.

There’s going to be a lot of love floating around at this year’s DAAF, with friends from afar finally coming together after a turbulent couple of years. I highly encourage you to embrace this very special celebration of First Nations culture.

Original artwork is further showcased with five new exhibitions from Salon Arts Projects, including the highly anticipated Salon des Refusés, this year held at an exciting new (and fun!) location. Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association and Munupi Arts have joined forces once again to present their annual celebration of Tiwi art and culture, with Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (Our Own Tiwi Ochre Colours).

FEATURE | 4 & 5 Around Town | 6 Books & Film | 8 Performing Arts | 10 FOOD & DRINK | 17 Visual Arts | 18 FESTIVALS | 23 Music | 25 calendaR | PULL-OUT

Darwin Festival returns to spread some magic across our tropical capital city for 18 days and nights, featuring the first full program since 2019. This year is also Felix Preval’s last hurrah as Artistic Director, so I picked his brain for some hot tips!

Our Performing Arts section is packed to the brim with the oh-so-goods. Tim Minchin makes his Darwin debut under the stars, his first time back to the Top End since he represented the University West Australia men’s hockey team at the Intervarsity Games in ‘95. (They won, by the way). And The Australian Ballet whirls their way across the NT, with performances in Darwin and Alice, under the direction of their new Artistic Director.

LIFE'S A BEACH | 17

In OTL news, we’ve got a new teammate… We warmly welcome Simone Ericsson to the OTL family as Graphic Designer! A huge, gratitude-filled shout out to Mike Frier for his wonderful work on the June and July editions as we carried out recruitment, what a champ.

SALON ART PROJECTS | 19

That’s it from me. Wherever you find yourself in the Territory, I hope August makes you some wonderful memories. Enjoy!

DJARMALAK - A 20-YEAR LEGACY | 24

Tierney Seccull Managing Editor and Development Manager

Kate Conway Editorial Assistant

Simone Ericsson Graphic Designer

OTL is proudly supported by

Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts & Hannah Muir Contributing writers

YO U R F R E E W H AT’S O N G U I D E TO T H E N T

MUSIC

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PERFORMING ARTS

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VISUAL ARTS

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Welcome to team OTL, Simone!

@marrawuddi goodness

TIWI TREASURES Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (Our Own Tiwi Ochre Colours)

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Janice McEwen and Alison Copley – half of the OG #otlmag team!

TIM MINCHIN Darwin debut under the stars

BOOKS & FILM

Ministry of Sound Classcial

Use our hashtag for a chance to see your pics here

TOGETHER AGAIN Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair returns to Larrakia Country

AUGUST

#o tlmag

Winner, 2019, 2020 & 2021 NT Media Awards, Best Magazine or Lift Out

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COMMUNITY

A C C O U N T A N T S

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S T R A T E G I C

In 2022, OTL became a Territory-wide publication due to the generous support of Michael Sitzler, for all Territorians.

FOOD & DRINK

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

Cover proudly sponsored by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair @octopusandthepeach mixing up a storm

WINNER '19, '20 & '21 NT MEDIA AWARDS Central Aus reppin'! Katanga Junior, Minister Chansey Peach, 8CCC's Benjamin Erin & XAVIA at the NT Music Awards

Kershini Napaljarri Collins, 'Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming)', 2022, acrylic on cotton canvas, 46x30cm.

Photo courtesy of Warlukurlangu Artists

Best Magazine or Lift Out

Although all care isall taken in Off The Leash is correct, it is subject to change.

We recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.

Although caretoisensure takeninformation to ensure information in Off The Leash is correct, it is subject to change.

We recommend checking offtheleash.net.au for updates.

August 2022

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Again

Photo: Dylan Buckee

TOGETHER

FEATURE

For 16 years, the Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (DAAF) has championed the creativity coming out of Art Centres in remote Indigenous communities across Australia.

Delivered in a digital format for the past two years, arts lovers and old friends rejoice and reunite, as DAAF returns to Larrakia Country with creativity, colour, and all of the feels.

By Tierney Seccull

I

f you’ve missed perusing the many wonderful stalls of DAAF over the last couple of years, you’re not alone. The return of the Fair to its physical format at Darwin Convention Centre is a welcome and exciting one.

DAAF Foundation (DAAFF) is part of a collective of events celebrating First Nations art, design, music and ideas in the Top End, including Garma Festival, Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA), National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMA), and Salon Art Projects.

Shilo McNamee is DAAFF’s Artistic Director, a local Indigenous artist, musician and curator, and says an exciting development in 2022 is that online audiences from recent years aren’t left behind, the Fair maintaining its newfound existence in a digital space.

“This year, each Art Centre will have their own online presence, some will have a physical booth, some will have an online booth, some will have both!

The online platform serves as a directory for people wanting a bit more information, to look up the Art Centres and artists,” she says.

Lockdowns and community safety were at the forefront of DAAFF’s decision to cancel the in-person event in 2020 and 2021, and go digital. But pulling the pin altogether wasn’t an option, acknowledging the income the Fair generates for artists and Art Centres would have been far too devastating to lose.

“That’s something that was really important to us, and something we saw as essential. We sought feedback from all of our Art Centres, reconnecting with each and every one of them to see whether they did want a fair. Was this the best way to help them and support them through these really difficult times?

“We were met with really positive feedback, which is why we redeveloped and reimagined the fair for the online space. We want to make sure we’re still reaching those audiences and keeping the artists and the art fair in people’s minds.”

Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair WHEN FRI 5 - SUN 7 AUG AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE INFO daaf.com.au TOP: Cassandra Trevilyan Hayes of Mimi Aboriginal Art Craft at the 2019 DAAF

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DAAFF Executive Director Claire Summers says things could have gone either way.

“What started out as something that could have been catastrophic for our industry ended up turning into a huge opportunity for the Indigenous art sector,” she says.

“That was to go online, to start developing our online skills in how we engage digitally with our audiences. In ‘20 and ‘21, we were forced to go online, but this year we have a choice.

“We thought, what better than to pair our learning from the last couple of years and combine that with what is an incredibly beloved event in Darwin, and also nationally and globally? It’s our absolute pleasure to present a hybrid event this year.”

And, due to the inaugural hybrid format, this year’s DAAF is set to be the biggest yet.

“There are just as many Art Centres attending online as there are in person, and collectively there are 77 Art Centres that DAAF is presenting through the two components of our event this year, which is a record,” Claire says.

In the physical world, on Larrakia Country, arts lovers are champing at the bit to get through the doors. Shilo says some exciting new additions to the public program this year make the Fair’s return even more special.

“I’m excited about our demonstration space. Artists that are working with natural materials and fibres have the opportunity to share a bit of their process – kind of like a live studio situation. I think it gives people context as to what actually goes into creating a lot of these works – it’s an interesting thing for people to have a bit of a sticky beak in on,” she says.

“We’ve got indoor and outdoor workshops happening each day. Screen printing and weaving – we’ve also got lino printing this year, with the Bábbarra Women’s Centre. They did an online workshop last year, so it’s lovely to have them back to deliver this workshop in the physical space.

“We have the amazing Torres Strait Island Dancers, who always bring a wonderful show with a lot of performers and great costumes – that’s one to keep your eye out for!”

In addition to the internationally celebrated art fair are DAAFF’s Indigenous Fashion Projects events – Country to Couture and the National Indigenous Fashion Awards – bringing the country’s most acclaimed First Nations artists and designers to the national and global stage.

It’s been a long time between catch-ups, and the DAAFF team are expecting it to be very, very special.

“It’s going to be just the most unbelievably emotional experience to bring our community back together after three years of not seeing each other in person – there will be tears, there will be hugs, there will be so much love in the room,” Claire says.

“It will be magical to be able to celebrate coming together again.”

SOME OF THE country’s most revered First Nations artists and fashion designers come together on Larrakia Country for two very special fashion events this month.

mark on Australian fashion with an explosion of colour, culture and sartorial design.”

The second huge event making up this annual First Nations fashion love-fest is the National Indigenous Fashion Awards (NIFA). Acknowledging excellence across six categories, the award ceremony is a unique opportunity for the Australian and international fashion community to connect to the world’s oldest living cultures. This year, it’s held under the stars at Deckchair Cinema. DAAFF Community Ambassador Jessica Mauboy says she’s honoured to be part of it.

Presented by Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair Foundation’s (DAAFF) Indigenous Fashion Projects, these flagship events are gaining momentum, cementing Indigenous fashion firmly under the spotlight in a mainstream context.

Indigenous textiles and fashion are unleashed in a colourful display of wearable art at the Country to Couture fashion show. Kicking off in 2016, the highly anticipated affair has gone from strength to strength, gaining support for a third year running from fashion heavyweight Country Road.

18 collections are presented, over two different runways, to showcase and celebrate creativity, culture and practice of remote Indigenous communities.

“This year, guests can expect eclectic interpretations of each designer’s love of Country,” says DAAFF Artistic Director Shilo McNamee.

“We’re so excited to present such a variety of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent – creatives who are pushing the boundaries and will make their

Photo: Dylan Buckee

First Nations Fashion

“This is so exciting, this is such a proud moment. When art and designers come together, and watching them transform those beautiful, incredible stories that have been passed down for thousands of years, being transformed through textiles in a modern way,” she says.

“It’s vibrant, it’s exciting to see it in a whole different lens, and that’s what excites me the most … hearing [these stories] really showcased on a world class platform and told through a different lens. It’s growing and it’s continuously getting better and innovative, and that’s all to do with the excellence of these artists and designers coming together and collaborating.”

Country to Couture

National Indigenous Fashion Awards

WHEN AT COST INFO

WHEN AT COST INFO

TUE 2 AUG | 6.30PM & 8.30PM DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE

$55-$85 ifp.org.au | darwinfestival.org.au

WED 3 AUG | 7PM, DOORS 6PM DECKCHAIR CINEMA $25 ifp.org.au | darwinfestival.org.au Country to Couture Finale, 2021.

2022 PROGRAM Alongside the Fair, visitors can immerse themselves in the vibrant Public Program.

All workshops have sold out, and you can register online for the waitlist, but there’s still a swag of amazing free events to enjoy!

FRI 5 AUG Cultural Performance: Abai Sagulau Buai Dance Team Enjoy a cultural performance from the Abai Sagulau Buai Dance Team from Badu Island, Torres Strait.

WHEN

their knowledge about materials used to create their artworks, and how they should be cared for in the future. Presented by Melbourne University Conservators and Arnhem, Northern and Kimberley Artists (ANKA) Arts Worker Extension Program graduates.

11-11.30AM WHEN

Demonstration: Bábbarra Women’s Centre Sit in on this art demo with Jay Jurrupula Rostron and Raylene Bonson from Bábbarra Women’s Centre, as they bush brush and ochre to paint on paper.

WHEN

12-2PM

2-3PM

SAT 6 AUG Cultural Performance: Peppimenarti Dancers Performing songs from two different clan groups from West Daly, Wongga and Lirrga.

COVER ART LOVE Kershini Napaljarri Collins, 'Ngatijirri Jukurrpa (Budgerigar Dreaming)' 2022, acrylic on Cotton Canvas, 46x 30cm.

Photo courtesy Warlukurlangu Artists

Demonstration: Painting with Warnayaka Arts Enjoy sitting in as Ursula Napangardi Marks from Warnayaka Arts does some painting.

WHEN 12-2PM Industry Talk: Fibre Conservation Workshops

WHEN 2-3PM

SUN 7 AUG Cultural Performance: Abai Sagulau Buai Dance Team

WHEN 11-11.30AM Cultural Performance: Munupi Arts and Culture - Tiwi Singer and Dancers Located along Melville Islands’ north-western coastline, at Pirlangimpi, is Munupi Arts. Don’t miss this special cultural performance, all the way from Tiwi.

WHEN

2-2.30PM

Industry Talk: Paper Conservation Workshops Conservation Working Together art workers and conservators share

WHEN 11-11.30AM Industry Talk: Arts and cultural tourism in the NT How can arts and cultural tourism contribute to the sustainability of remote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the Northern Territory? This is discussed at an informal session of interest to policy-makers, art centre boards, managers and staff, and a general audience.

Demonstration: Pandanus Natural Fibre Weaving Pandanus natural fibre weaving with Injalak Arts’ Christine Nabobbob, Selina Nadjowh, Helen Nawirridj, and Merrill Namundja.

WHEN 12-2PM Industry Talk: Painting Conservation Workshops

Our beautiful cover art this month is by Kershini Napaljarri Collins from Warlukurlangu Artists, also known as Warlu. It is one of the longest running and most successful Aboriginal-owned art centres in Central Australia, based in Yuemdumu Community.

Warlu has a national and international profile, and its art has been featured in hundreds of exhibitions and publications in Australia and around the world.

Warlukurlangu means ‘belonging to fire’ in the local language, Warlpiri, and is named after a fire dreaming site west of Yuendumu.

WHEN 2-3PM WHEN 12.30-1.30PM

INFO

warlu.com

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Photo: Elise Derwin

AROUND TOWN

Ready, Teddy,

Go!

By Kate Conway

City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 7 AUG | 9AM DARWIN ESPLANADE FREE darwinfestival.org.au

THE CUDDLIEST EVENT on the Darwin Festival calendar, City of Darwin’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic is back, presenting a fun-filled morning for all the mama, papa and baby bears.

City of Darwin Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis says the Teddy Bears’ Picnic is a firm family favourite on Darwin’s annual calendar of events.

“City of Darwin has been a proud supporter of the Teddy Bears’ Picnic for many years now – it’s events

like this that bring families and the community together and create a real sense of inclusivity,” he says.

“I encourage families to head down to the Teddy Bears’ Picnic to enjoy a day of fun and quality family time in the beautiful Darwin outdoors.”

This year, the fun includes Bollywood and K-Pop dance lessons, while Corrugated Iron bring a bag of circus tricks. Join two stars of The Legend of Queen Kong for a special,

kids-only queer cabaret experience, combining a rock concert with an interstellar, sci-fi extravaganza.

There’s also a Disney DJ mash-up, artistic adventures, and much more.

If you need a moment to paws and reflect on all the excitement, kick back on the Esplanade Lawns and sample delicious picnic morsels from an array of food vendors that could leave you feeling a lil’ stuffed.

Darwin Festival Artistic Director

HENLEY ON TODD

Regatta

2022 PROGRAM

“It is now truly inter-generational, with a new crop of parents bringing their toddlers down for the first time, having been toddlers themselves in the very earliest Teddy Bears’ Picnic,” he says.

“To see that cycle complete is

Photo: Lisa Hatz Photography

Participants can borrow a boat or build their own, cutting out the bottom so they can hop in, carry the vessel and make room for their scurrying feet to shuffle as fast as they can to get to the finish line. And that’s not all there is for this eclectic day of mayhem.

To kick it all off, there’s a street parade through the Todd Mall, followed by a full-day of competitions with

a lolly scramble for the kids, sand shovelling, boogie boarding, and more. Enjoy food, live music, children’s entertainment, and a licensed bar.

For the local Rotary Clubs in the Centre, the regatta is the major fundraising event, raising close to $2million throughout its 60-year history. With over 20 races in the one day, it’s a huge affair with shrills and thrills from audiences and participants alike. Yabba-dabba-doo!

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 20 AUG | 11AM-5PM SNOW KENNA PARK, ALICE SPRINGS FREE-$157 henleyontodd.com.au

so beautiful, and it’s lovely to know that a good chunk of those chubby little faces will be the future audience for Darwin Festival.”

Pack your fuzzy besties and your dancing shoes, and get set for a Dry season morning by the seaside with family and friends. Oh, what a beautiful day!

Get Tactile

By Kate Conway

CALLING ALL CREATIVES… Applications for the 2023 Tactile Arts exhibition and Artist in Residence (AIR) programs are now open!

Proudly the longest-running residency in the Northern Territory, the hugely successful program attracts applications from high calibre local, interstate and international artists. And 2023 is set to be an exciting, special year, as Tactile Arts celebrates 50 years.

With capacity to accommodate up to six AIRs across the organisation’s ceramic, print and jewellery making studios, artists are fully supported throughout their tenure.

60 YEARS AGO , a member of one of Alice Springs’ Rotary Clubs decided to borrow the famous Henleyon-Thames Regatta idea to raise money for his local charity. The only difference being that the Thames River is full of water, while the Todd River in Alice Springs is, well, dry.

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Felix Preval says the enduring and endearing event is the longest running in the Festival’s stable, and that it has become emblematic of the place the Festival holds in the hearts of Darwinians.

“We provide the space for them to work in, then the exhibition is hosted by Tactile Arts and we work with the artists to curate if they need, provide support along the way, and also provide the opportunity to earn a bit of an income by tutoring workshops,” says Tactile Arts General Manager, Tessa Duke.

Whether used as an opportunity to experiment with new techniques and ideas, or focused time to build a body of work, the residency is a mutually beneficial experience for both the artist and the thriving local community.

“When people come and work in the studios they are immersed in the creative community, and it can be really beneficial for people to form those networks and connections with other artists, as well as our general member base that come in frequently – the flow of benefit goes both ways,” says Tess.

This cyclical transference of skills is a celebrated, core pillar of the program, and for any prospective applicants reading this, one way you can make your application stand out in the highly competitive process.

“We do usually have more applicants than spaces, so we like to see what sort of benefit there could be to the community as well as them as an artist, considering not only their own progression but what can be learnt on a larger scale.”

If you’re an artist looking for a nurturing, supportive and creative environment to call home, get your application together and reap the benefits of this fantastic opportunity to hone your craft with Tactile Arts.

WHEN WED 31 AUG APPLICATIONS CLOSE INFO tactilearts.org.au

LISTINGS

Todd Mall Markets

Skate Nights Step aside mid-week, make some time for yourself and meet other skaters – newbies and spectators welcome! These fun skate nights, recommended for those aged 13 and over, include anything on wheels such as skateboarders, skaters, BMX bikes and scooters.

Get rollin’.

WHEN WED 3, 17 & 31 AUG | 6-8PM AT JINGILI WATER GARDENS SKATE PARK

COST INFO

FREE launchdarwin.com.au

Geoffrey Robertson QC: It’s No Longer Hypothetical One of the world’s great minds challenges Australians and explains what is happening in, and to, the world. This current affair show, live on stage, is a provocative, insightful, and witty evening with international human rights judge and barrister Geoffrey Robertson QC.

WHEN TUE 9 AUG | 7.30-10PM AT DARWIN CONVENTION CENTRE

COST INFO

$70.35- $158.05 lateralevents.com

Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation Mindfulness is well researched for its benefits in reducing anxiety, increasing focus and improving resilience. Learn simple tools, easy to integrate into work and life to better respond to stressors.

Includes instruction, workbook, access to free app in a friendly, laid back environment.

WHEN EVERY WED, 10-31 AUG | 7PM AT NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE

COST INFO

$145 mindfulnessworksaustralia .com.au

Darwin Street Art Festival

an entourage of artists armed with brushes, rollers and spray cans – to create murals and spectacular art. With new artists and mural locations, from the suburbs to the CBD, it’s about to get colourful.

WHEN FRI 12 AUG – MON 5 SEP COST FREE INFO darwinstreetartfestival .com.au

Reboot Your Loot Bargain hunters rejoice! City of Palmerston’s popular car boot sale is back. Get ready to find a bargain, with everything on sale from bric-abrac, clothing, homewares, plants, books, games, crafts, toys and more.

Carry some spare change and bring reusable shopping bags to carry your goodies home. It’s time to get thrifty!

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 13 AUG | 8-11AM CIVIC PLAZA CAR PARK FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au

Twilight Fun Evening The Essington School’s Twilight Fun evening is the school’s largest event of the year, and has grown into a major community affair. Head along for some fun with friends at twilight, with bouncy castles, food stalls, entertainment, performances from students, and a movie under the stars.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 20 AUG | 5-9PM THE ESSINGTON SCHOOL $25 FAM essington.nt.edu.au

Quiz for Dili Join City of Darwin’s Youth Advisory Committee for raffles, sunsets and random knowledge at Quiz For Dili.

More than a fun evening of trivia, it’s your chance to help raise funds for Action For Change, a youth-led organisation working in Dili, Timor Leste, upskilling and empowering young people for the future.

WHEN AT COST INFO Since its inception in 2017, Darwin Street Art Festival (DSAF) has transformed the streets of Darwin into a spectacular outdoor art gallery, attracting thousands of admirers each year. It’s time to get ready for a fresh lick of paint!

DSAF returns to transform the city –

festival celebrates and commemorates the legendary Wave Hill Walk-off, and the birth of Aboriginal Land Rights. This year’s concert line-up features Paul Kelly, J-MILLA, Coloured Stone, Toni Childs, Eastern Arrernte Band and more!

THU 25 AUG | 6.30PM DARWIN TRAILER BOAT CLUB $20 | $160 TABLE OF 10 launchdarwin.com.au

Gurindji Freedom Day Festival The Gurindji people invite you into the heart of the Northern Territory to experience the wonders of Freedom Day Festival: three-days of music, arts, culture, dance and sports in Kalkaringi. The annual

A FAVOURITE PASTIME of many a desert dweller is hitting up the Todd Mall Markets on a Sunday morning.

Peruse the many wonderful stalls featuring crafts, clothing, art, food, jewellery, wellbeing products, dog products, honey, books and more.

Discover one-of-a-kind treasures,

enjoy a bite to eat, or yarn with the stallholders and locals. Sunday fun day!

WHEN AT COST INFO

including clothing, jewellery, art, crafts, and much more.

LEANYER WATER PARK FREE darwinstreetartfestival .com.au

Drag Trivia at Mayberry Join hosts Donnie Piccolo, Natalie Pellegrino and guests for a fabulous night of drag trivia. Brush up on your general knowledge for your chance to win a Mayberry voucher.

WHEN AT COST INFO WHEN FRI 26 – SUN 28 AUG AT KALKARINDJI &

SAT 27 AUG | 3-6PM

EVERY THU | 7-9PM MAYBERRY FREE mayberrydarwin.com

Parap Village Markets

WHEN SUN 7, 14 & 28 AUG 9AM-1PM

AT INFO

Movement Medicine Darwin Ecstatic Dance Deep dive into the magnificence of presence every Sunday morning, and for the love of life, have a dance! New dancers are welcome, no experience necessary.

WHEN EVERY SUN | 10-11.30AM AT NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE

COST INFO

$20 movement.magic/ @yahoo.com

FREE freedomday.com.au

Darwin Street Art Festival Skate and Paint Darwin Street Art Festival and BuildUp Skateboarding have teamed up for this super-fun afternoon. Kids aged eight and over are encouraged to bring their skateboard along to learn some new tricks. Keen to paint? DSAF provides all the paint and there's an artist on hand to show you the ropes.

WORK SHOPS

PALMERSTON LIBRARY palmerston.nt.gov.au/library

Soak up the warm Territory atmosphere and hospitality at the Parap Village Markets. Sample the tantalising tastes of local and exotic dishes, catch up with friends, and wander through the markets to discover a bounty of local goods,

Black & White Photography: History, Capture & Film Developing Learn the basics of black and white photography. For the complete beginner to advanced photographers, this workshop covers the full black and white process.

WHEN SAT 6 AUG | 11AM-5PM COST $190 | $175 MEMB

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

Beginners Ceramic Design and Wheel Throwing This six-week workshop with Eleanor Martin covers the basics of wheel throwing, design, trimming and glazing, as well as challenging students to refine skills, new ideas and forms.

WHEN EVERY TUE, 2 AUG – 6 SEP 6-9PM

COST

toddmallmarkets.com.au

WHEN EVERY SAT | 8AM-2PM AT PARAP VILLAGE MARKETS INFO parapvillage.com.au

DAGURAGU COMMUNITIES

COST INFO

TODD MALL, ALICE SPRINGS

$415 | $365 MEMB

Masterclass: Throwing Skills, Large Pots and Decorating Danny Murphy demonstrates a broad range of skills in this handson masterclass including coil and throw, making bigger pots, double walled pieces, lidded pots and throwing and altering cylinders.

WHEN SAT 13 AUG | 10AM-4PM COST $540 | $490 MEMB Weaving Wicker Basketry Fiona Gavino teaches the technique of plaiting using watercolour paper.

Learn the process of preparing the paper and how to make a four-corner basket, combining the

Gadgets and Games Club WHEN EVERY TUE | 3.30-4.30PM COST FREE Storytime WHEN EVERY TUE & THU 10-10.45AM

COST

FREE

contemporary medium of paper and traditional materials such as rattan.

WHEN FRI 19 AUG | 10AM-4PM COST $185 | $175 MEMB Weaving Wicker Baskets Learn how to use wicker to weave a basket, using the techniques of tabby and twining. Participants make a medium size flat bottom basket using 3mm wicker.

WHEN SAT 20 AUG | 10AM-4PM COST $200 | $180 MEMB Weaving Sculptural Vessels In this one-day workshop, learn the contemporary technique of random weaving and a simple process of how to create a biomorphic sculptural vessel.

WHEN SUN 21 AUG | 10AM-4PM COST $200 | $180 MEMB

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&

By Zoya Godoroja-Prieckaerts

Words

Red Dirt Poetry Festival WHEN THU 4 – SUN 7 AUG AT MPARNTWE/ALICE SPRINGS & ONLINE

and Red Dirt

COST INFO

FREE-$25 reddirtpoetryfestival.com

Opening Ceremony WHEN THU 4 AUG | 6PM AT TOTEM THEATRE

Unbroken Expanse

multidisciplinary practices, bringing performance, visual arts and experimentation to their poetry to create exciting, new and innovative work.

Huda the Goddess

THE RED CENTRE is known for its red dirt, its vibrant arts community, its unique stories and voices. Recognising these beauties, in 2014 a grass-roots festival was seeded. Eight years on, the Red Dirt Poetry Festival has grown into the international Poetry and Spoken Word Festival it is today, celebrating the vital voices and creative works

of local, national and international artists who shape our world today.

Spanning four jam-packed days, over 50 artists are featured in this year’s program, from established to emerging and everything in-between. The range of creative practices is a true delight, with many of the artists working in

Deckchair

JERVOIS ROAD, DARWIN WATERFRONT

COST INFO

The integrity of this festival is palpable, according to Festival Director, Laurie May. “Emerging poets have the space at a festival to spend time with more experienced poets and networks

deckchaircinema.com | 8941 4377 | GATES 6PM

WHEN THU 4 AUG, 7PM SAT 13 AUG, 9.15P

Falling for Figaro From award-winning director Ben Lewin, Falling For Figaro follows a brilliant young fund manager named Millie, who quits her job and ends things with her long-term boyfriend in order to fulfil her dream of becoming an opera singer in the Scottish Highlands.

Everything Everywhere All at Once When an interdimensional rupture unravels reality, an unlikely hero must channel her newfound powers to fight bizarre and bewildering dangers from the multiverse, as the fate of the world hangs in the balance.

WHEN SAT 20 AUG, 8.15PM

WHEN SAT 13 & WED 17 AUG, 7PM FRI 26 AUG, 9PM

This year’s theme is around longing and reconnection, referencing the isolation felt from the pandemic.

“It’s to figure out where we belong, and how we fit into the new reality of our existence here on Earth.”

With incredible local art and fresh national and international stories, the audience is brought down to Earth, the red dirt Earth, where we can really take a good, strong look at who and where we are today.

The majority of artists programmed

Flic Nics

CINEMA

$17 | $13 CONC | $10 MEMB | $9 CHILD | $40 FAM

Love in Bright Landscapes: The story of David McComb of the Triffids The inspiring, tragic and intimate life story of David McComb, cult Australian singer-songwriter and driving force behind one of the greatest Australian bands, The Triffids. The tragedy and triumph of McComb’s short, driven, passionate life is brought to the screen via music, poetry, letters, and unseen family-archives.

8

Expect an incredible line-up including Thando Sibanda, hailing all the way from South Africa, world-renowned poet Luka Lesson, 2021’s slam winner HUDA the Goddess, 2019 slam winner Melanie Mununggurr, and many many more.

and create new works. It’s about community and pushing people outside their comfort zones,” she says.

Dirty Dancing Spending the summer at a Catskills resort with her family is not Frances ‘Baby’ Houseman’s idea of a vacation. Until she falls in love with the camp’s dance instructor, Johnny Castle, and it turns out to be the time of her life. Relive the iconic choreography, sound track and romance of this cult classic!

MON 29 AUG, 7PM

WHEN SAT 13 AUG | 7PM AT GOYDER SQUARE

use their creative practices as a platform to comment on social, environmental and political issues, as ways to both express themselves and educate others.

The program is full of workshops, presentations, an eclectic array of live performances and exclusive commissioned works. Enjoy Poetry In Motion, where poets and dancers team up to create one hour of moving, poetic expression. Agapi & Other Kinds Of Love is a modern hip-hop opera embedded in the Ancient Greek storytelling tradition.

Tennant Creek rockers, Unbroken Expanse, present a very special performance on the Saturday night.

Get on over to Totem Theatre for the Opening Ceremony, and kick off four rich and resonant days of art and poetry, in all its glorious forms.

Dust off the picnic blanket, pack the snacks, and settle in for a Dry season Saturday night and free flicks under the stars.

cost FREE info palmerston.nt.gov.au

The Call of the Wild Follow the journey of Buck – a big and kind-hearted St. Bernard cross Scotch Shepherd, whose carefree life of leisure as a pampered pooch is turned upside down when he is stolen, sold and deported to Alaska, his large stature in demand as a sled dog. Forced to fight to survive, Buck must shed the creature comforts of civilian life, progressively depending on his primal instincts to respond to the call of the wild.

WHEN SAT 27 AUG | 7PM AT SANCTUARY LAKES

Photos: William Carroll

Photos: Paz Tassone

Photos: Nicholas Goldhurst

LOOKING BACK ON THE 2022 NT WRITERS FESTIVAL

9

PERFORMING ARTS WHEN AT COST INFO

DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE $91-$95 darwinfestival.org.au

Photo: Damian Bennett

Tim

Tim Minchin’s had a colourful, varied career. He’s gone from hitting the piano keys in comical YouTube clips back in the day, to sharing the screen with David Duchovny in hit TV series Californication, to landing his dream gig in musical Jesus Christ Superstar.

HE’S PENNED HIS own TV show and was lyricist and composer for award-winning musical Matilda, which is currently being adapted into a feature film starring Emma Thompson. He’s a musician, a singer and actor, formerly a comedian, and he’s pretty hard to categorise.

And that’s kind of how he likes it.

Tierney Seccull caught up with him ahead of his Darwin Festival show for a chat.

This is your first time performing in Darwin, tell us, what enticed you to the Territory?

Well, my work sort of ebbs and flows between the filming bits and the writing bits, the second half of this year is very much about writing.

But I hate not performing every now and then, and I’ve got this cracking band that I’ve just spent some time with that are just absolutely banging!

I just want to make sure I perform every now and then, and festivals are the perfect format, so I can do all my writing but still play. When Darwin and the Festival came up, we leapt at it! And also, I’ve never played in Darwin – I think I was last in Darwin 25 years ago? And the Top End, I just don’t get there enough, so yeah, I’m really excited.

10

SAT 13 AUG | 6.30PM

I think you’ll find performing at Darwin Amphitheatre to be a magical experience. It’s a big stage with palm trees all around you, set in the botanic gardens, which is just stunning.

Oh, I can’t wait! And outdoor gigs can be a punish, the exception being when it’s a really good amphitheatre. A good amphitheatre can have the best gigs in the world because you get to have that

beautiful outdoor experience, but without that outdoor problem of the sound just going and going and having nothing to bounce back. And especially if people sit and bring picnics and all that, they’re just the best.

It’s amazing, you’ll love it. If we were to give our readers a heads up of what to expect, what would we tell them?

Well my job, as I see it, is to try and develop a brand, to use that word, where people come expecting me but nothing else. It’s a bit of an interesting one because I got known on the Internet for my comedy stuff but now I’m not that, and possibly Darwin punters don’t necessarily know that I write West End musicals and songs for films. By far, the majority of my work over the last 20 years has not been writing comedy songs … apart from my activism stuff, like ‘Cardinal Pell’, the stuff I do to put a bug under certain people’s arses [laughs].

So my job is always just to give people an incredibly entertaining night out, and the tool I use is my big old mouth – I like to talk about ideas, I like a chat … My job is to make sure that people get a sense that I’m not one thing, but walk away having had the best night ever, so what I’ll play in Darwin is a really fun set that combines a few of my old more comic things, quite a lot of the stuff from my 2019 album Apart Together, which remains my only studio album [laughs] and I’ll probably play something from Matilda just because, although Matilda never got to Darwin, it is the piece of work I made that more people have seen.

Minchin

It’s probably not for little kids, but I’m hoping people bring their teens and stuff… Kids these days have probably experienced live music that is generated by DJs and producers, a lot of young people haven’t really seen an eight-piece band just blowing the sh-t out of tunes. So yeah, it’s pretty fun.

for an amateur theatre company in Perth in ’95, and I understudied it again for another amateur production, and I thought, “oh well, I’m not really good enough to play Judas in an amateur production,” so I put it to bed. 15 years later I got to play it in arenas all around the world, you know, my life’s been bonkers!

I read an article where you said you didn’t want to be “pigeonholed”.

Given this show has taken bits and pieces from your career, do you think it kind of demonstrates that?

Well, that’s the intention. I’ve learnt not to try and guess what my audience is made up of. On any given day, if I get stopped on the street, it might be someone who loved my character in Californication, or it might be someone saying Matilda was the first musical they ever saw, or someone that says Upright is their favourite TV show, or it might be an old lady saying “my brother never talked about being abused until your ‘Cardinal Pell’ song came on the radio” – those are the moments that are amazing. The best, most humbling thing about my career, is that I’ve not got known too hard for one thing, and that people like different stuff.

The past couple of years have seen us in and out of lockdowns, pick up any skills or hobbies during your time at home?

Oh mate, I’m obsessed with my work and did a lot of writing, and got to spend more time with my kids. We had an interesting COVID. Obviously my tours shut down, and I have a lot of musicians and people who I feel responsible for, so that was not good. I tried to keep generating work, so we did this live stream of Apart Together, and that was a huge project. We launched my album by doing a paid livestream in that little six months there where musicians were trying that. But then my mum got cancer and my daughter got depression.

When I play live, I’m not trying to encompass all that. When I’m on tour, the things I say are generally planned, but when I’m playing festivals I just see what happens on the night.

You’ve picked up many accolades over the years and you’ve performed at some incredible venues – soon to be Darwin Amphitheatre – are there any highlights that stick out in your mind?

It’s been a big run, it’s all a bit of a blur … One thing that was huge for me was playing Judas in Jesus Christ Superstar at Wembley. You have these childhood dreams, and I used to sing these songs in the lounge as a teenager. I understudied Judas

My daughter has since been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), and she’s absolutely brilliant now. But like everyone, for so many people, COVID was kind of the background story or at least a kind of complication to the normal sh-t of life. I lost my dear, dear friend Andre who was the producer of Matilda and Groundhog Day, who I was in business with and who was one of my favourite people in the world, he died very suddenly a week before my mum’s news. I couldn’t get to Andre’s funeral and I couldn’t get to mum – who is still around by the way. It’s just the stuff of life, it’s all fine.

And the thing about having kids is that it’s very hard to be happy when your kids aren’t. And so, COVID was a background circus to the real show for us. I only tell these stories

as I’ve chatted with my daughter and she’s passionate about autistic girls being diagnosed, when so often they’re not, so she’s happy for me to talk about it.

I tell these personal stories because the experience of being someone like me who gets to tour around the world, dressing in nice clothes and having my photo taken, is not very distant from the experience of everyone, and COVID was an amazing force for reminding us of the commonality of our sh-t show, you know? [laughs] You could write a song about that – Commonality of our Sh-t Show!

Yeah it sounds like a lyric doesn’t it?

It sounds like a me lyric!

Yeah it does! While you’re in the NT, anything you’re keen to check out while you’re here?

My beautiful brother – who I don’t see enough, he lives in Perth – is taking some time off and is checking out the gig in Darwin. I’m going to try and grab a few extra days and we’ll head out to Litchfield. I wanna see some sh-t! Deep down I’m a bit of an outdoorsy bloke, so we’ll try and get out amongst it.

I’m just so excited to see Darwin.

Last time I was in Darwin was with my brother as well, when I was playing hockey representing University West Australia in the Intervarsity Games, in ’95. We won! ’95? That’s 27 years ago, so time for a visit.

I was told by Darwin Festival that the most tickets ever sold was at the Amphitheatre and it was Kenny Rogers. I wanna beat his record, which is tough because I’m not Kenny Rogers, but I promised that if we sell as many tickets that we’ll play a Kenny Rogers song. I’m hereby committing to ‘The Gambler’ if we beat his record. I also don’t think we will, so we’ll probably play it anyway [laughs].

By Hannah Muir

The Boy Who Talked to Dogs Martin McKenna was one of those kids. One of the kids that was disregarded as a delinquent, when these days he’d be diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. Though, the issues for Martin, growing up in a small town in Ireland, didn’t end there.

Photo: Paz Tassone

The self-proclaimed “runt” of the family would go from the abuse at school to the abuse of his drunken father at home, until he declared enough and ran away with the dogs, favouring life in a pack. Martin soon realised he had a gift for communicating and understanding canines, and found himself most comfortable in their presence.

The true story has been penned as a memoir by Martin McKenna himself and adapted for the stage by playwright Amy Conroy.

Now, Adelaide’s Slingsby Theatre Company brings the show to the Northern Territory.

Artistic director Andy Packer says teasing out the importance of being emotionally challenged and engaged in stories is what the company prides themselves on.

“As a company, we’ve been focused on more than a decade on stories of truth and exploring the darker and lighter side of life, but for the most part fictional,” he says.

“We have a responsibility to tell contemporary Australian stories.

Martin was born and grew up in Ireland but when you come, when you migrate, you bring the stories with you.”

The Boy Who Talks to Dogs is an opportunity for perspective and reflection on experiences that are outside of what we know to be “normal”.

“We’ve had really beautiful responses from 12-14-year-old audience members. We had one young audience member, who hung around at the end of the show and revealed to us they were neurodiverse, and how powerful it was for them to see their experience portrayed so honestly and faithfully on stage,” Packer says.

Photo: Andy Rasheed

WE ALL KNOW the back in my day tales of the punitive schooling system. Kids being caned for favouring their left hand, or humiliated for an insignificant misdemeanour.

The lucky ones revere the period as “character building” but the truth for so many is that the system let down, punished, shamed and betrayed them, when all they needed was understanding.

The show, which has audiences seated in what seems to be a vaguely authentic Irish pub, uses deliberately simple shadow puppets to portray Martin’s dogs, appropriately blurring the line between what is animal and what is human. The show intentionally creates space for contemplation and discussion long after it’s ended.

“The value of any piece exists within the audience and their response to it, but it should be a beginning of a conversation, it shouldn’t be the end point. It should be the beginning of reflection.”

Alice Springs

Darwin

WHEN WED 3 AUG | 7PM

WHEN THU 11 & FRI 12 AUG | 7PM

THU 4 AUG | 1PM

AT COST INFO

ARALUEN ART CENTRE

SAT 13 AUG | 2.30PM & 7PM

AT

$40- $45 araluenartcentre.nt.gov.au

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST INFO

$20- $44 yourcentre.com.au

WaŋA:

Spirit AT THE MOMENT of death, according to Yolŋu, waŋa (spirit) takes a journey that follows the sunset and the morning star back to the east, where it is meant to be.

The latest work from NT Dance Company’s Artistic Director, and Larrakia man, Gary Lang, explores this pilgrimage in a performance featuring classical ballet choreography and a glimpse into traditional Yolŋu funeral rites.

In Lang’s signature style of Indigenous ballet and traditional dance, two cohorts of dancers perform separately to portray the spirit’s journey, as interpreted by Lang.

“In the dance itself, the traditional dance represents the physical world and my choreography represents the spirit world and how I see that,” he says.

“It is like a veil that we can’t see.

We are living in the same space as

spirit, but we just can’t see them. It is only when they choose to show themselves to us, or when we are in a frame of mind to see spirit.”

Steeped in culture and inherently Territorian, the expressive story-telling style of the performance is designed to help with healing for any audience members touched by loss. Deeply spiritual, and at times joyful, Lang endeavours to allay any feelings of concern for departed loved ones.

“Everybody wonders, are their family members safe? What I feel is there is just pure love in the spirit world,” he says.

“I tell my dancers, what you do on stage is what the audience has to feel. If you exude love, they will feel love.”

With a star studded cast of local and interstate dancers including graduates from the West Australian

By Kate Conway

Academy of Performing Arts, students from NAISDA Dance College, and ballerinas from Darwin School of Ballet, the outstanding artistic collaboration is accompanied by a string quartet from the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, performing classical numbers by Phillip Glass and Bach.

No stranger to navigating haunting, emotive subject matters, with 2014’s Mokuy (Spirit) sensitively responding to youth suicide in remote indigenous communities, Lang is a master at intuitively weaving culture with the contemporary. Don’t miss this stunning, soulful exhibition of spirituality and dance.

WHEN FRI 5 AUG | 8PM

SAT 6 AUG | 2PM

AT

DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST INFO

$38.25-$45 yourcentre.com.au

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By Tierney Seccull

Sunshine

Super Girl

EVONNE GOOLAGONG DISCOVERED a love of tennis as a young girl, hitting a ball against the tin wall of her family home.

The girl from the bush who dared to dream landed on the most famous tennis courts in the world, winning Wimbledon at just 19 years, earning her rightful place on the perch as

world number one.

Sunshine Super Girl tells the heart-warming story of the Wiradjuri sporting legend, who had the support of a whole outback farming town behind her.

Andrea James penned the play, a Yorta Yorta/Gunaikurnai theatre-

WHEN AT COST INFO

maker whose work is revered for exploring connection to Country, adversity, and racism in Australia with heart and humour. She is also the play’s director, and says she was captivated by Evonne’s story.

“I was actually given Evonne’s autobiography for my birthday one year – because I’m a mad tennis

FRI 12 AUG, 8PM | SAT 13 AUG, 1PM & 6.30PM DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE $25-$65 yourcentre.com.au | darwinfestival.org.au

nut and go to the Australian Open every year for my birthday – so I had this book and I just could not put it down, it was an absolute pager-turner,” she says.

to Evonne, is her connection to her Country and fishing – things that are a really important part of her that she yearned for so much,” Andrea says.

“I thought that, we knew so much about Evonne, we knew so much about her public persona, but there was just so much drama behindthe-scenes. And just such beauty and struggle and positives in the story, I just knew theatre would be the perfect form for it.”

“I think that every Aboriginal person can really relate to that sense of connection, and how difficult and heartbreaking it can be when you have to be away from your home and family for so long. I think that was something that really struck me, the enormity of her cultural and family sacrifice to get to that place.”

Sunshine Super girl is a tribute to a woman whose sporting prowess continues to inspire a nation, giving hope to thousands of young girls across the country. Hinting at the format of a female’s single tennis match of three sets, the play is delivered in three acts, representing important phases of Evonne’s life.

“There’s just this really lovely thing, that I think is so important

With its distinctively Australian sensibility and humour, it asks us to consider our nation’s future.

What part we can play for the next Goolagong waiting on the sidelines?

“She’s such a fantastic champion – our first Aboriginal women’s champion – and that’s just worth celebrating.”

By Hannah Muir

The Australian Ballet Regional Tour:

Ballet Gala

Alice Springs

WHEN THU 18 & FRI 19 AUG | 7.30PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT

WHEN FRI 26 AUG | 7.30PM

CENTRE

COST INFO

RECENT YEARS HAVE been painful for industries across the board. But none quite like the arts, literally brought to its knees with lockdowns, lockouts, distancing laws and venue closures.

At the same time as the biggest disruption to Australia’s cultural life, The Australian Ballet Company were navigating another element of change, though this one positive.

One of fresh ideas and perspective in the appointment of their new artistic director, David Hallberg.

While the beginning of his tenure was not what you’d hope for in the realm of performing arts, there was a silver lining to the absence of performance during the early months.

“I did come with some fresh vision and some energy, and what was so sobering was that I couldn’t realise any of that,” Hallberg says.

12

Darwin

“But what I could do was observe the organisation internally, spend

$38- $72 darwinfestival.org.au

SAT 27 AUG | 1.30PM & 7.30PM

AT COST INFO

ARALUEN ART CENTRE $32- $69 araluenartcentre.nt.gov.au

time with the dancers off the stage in the studio. I spent a year getting my sea legs and realising how the organisation ticks, what my rapport is with the dancers.”

Now the arts are (thankfully) emerging from their stagnant postings, Hallberg and the rest of the Australian Ballet Company are back in the swing of tours and shows, expressing the fresh perspective Hallberg brings to the role.

We got so tired and unmotivated with the lockdowns. We are just so ready to show the new vision of the company.”

This month, The Australian Ballet abandon the confines of their city apartments and the lockdown memories they hold to embark on a regional tour, taking to the stage in both Alice Springs and Darwin.

“(The commissioned pieces) will only be seen on this tour. That’s part of the bigger picture for me, realising what a regional tour means to us and what we share to the city and the towns that we come to,” Hallberg says.

Originally from America, Hallberg still considers himself somewhat a tourist in Australia.

“To think I’m going to Darwin and Alice Springs and Tasmania for the first time, selfishly that’s really exciting,” he said.

“The dancers are just ready, they’re tired of hearing the word COVID.

The prestige of the company is a treat for Territorian audiences at any time, but this regional tour sees commissioned works by Australian choreographers, Lucas Gervais and Tim Harbour, that are separate from the company’s usual bill.

“I want it to be a certain kind of repertoire, unique to the tour, that you can’t see in Sydney and Melbourne and Brisbane and Adelaide. I really feel a responsibility to show Australian audiences the cultural gem they have here in this country.”

LISTINGS

Graeme Lewis’ G-Spot Comedy Get set for giggles galore with five hilarious comedians hitting that funny spot you never knew you had.

WHEN AT COST INFO

THE LANDMARK $10 facebook.com/ gspotcomedy11

Top End Comedy’s First Thursday Showcase

Dolly’s Late Night Comedy Sit back, relax with a drink, and soak in some of the sharpest and cheekiest comedy you’ve ever heard in a wonderfully intimate environment. Expect to leave with a grin and some strange questions…

WHEN AT COST INFO

Enjoy some of Darwin’s finest comedians for a big night of laughs.

Held at a favourite Darwin comedy haunt, the Happy Yess, the scene is wonderfully intimate presenting the perfect acoustics for stand-up. It’s like being in the comedian’s lounge room… Only cleaner!

WHEN AT COST INFO

THU 25 AUG | 7.30-9.30PM

THU 4 AUG | 7.30-9.30PM HAPPY YESS $10 facebook.com/ topendcomedy

SAT 27 AUG | 9-11PM DOLLY’S BAR FREE facebook.com/dollysbar

Lucky Bat Laughs This monthly show features five of the finest local comedians, delivering 10-15 minute sets in a curated showcase event. Described by one comedian as a “comedic petri dish”, Lucky Bat Laughs offers one of the great creative forums where comedians can stretch their comedic muscles.

WHEN AT COST INFO

WED 31 AUG | 8.30-10PM LUCKY BAT CAFÉ & PIZZERIA $10 facebook.com/luckybatcafe

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16 Tue

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals 26 Jam Night 26 Jump Inn Jams

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See Performing Arts 12

17 Wed

Mon

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Skate Nights 7 Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation 8 Falling for Figaro 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Live Music Wednesdays at Dom’s 26 Hot and Cold Big Band

22 7 Darwin Street Art Festival

Sat

18 Thu

Tue

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Drag Trivia at Mayberry 7 Storytime 12 The Australian Ballet Regional Tour: Ballet Gala 23 Bamboo Bandstand

23 7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 26 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals 26 Jam Night 26 Jump Inn Jams

Sun

24 Djarmalak Festival

28

12 The Australian Ballet Regional Tour: Ballet Gala

7 Todd Mall Markets 7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Gurindji Freedom Day Festival 7 Movement Medicine Darwin 17 Waterfront Beach Club

27

7 Gurindji Freedom Day Festival 7 Darwin Street Art Festival Skate and Paint 7 Parap Village Markets 8 Flicnics 13 Dolly’s Late Night Comedy 17 Waterfront Beach Club

19 Fri

Wed

7 Tactile Arts Workshop 12 The Australian Ballet Regional Tour: Ballet Gala 17 Waterfront Beach Club 22 The Art of Listening (opening) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 23 balarr inyiny 26 Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s 26 Acoustic Friday

24

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation 7 Darwin Street Art Festival 26 Live Music Wednesdays at Dom’s 26 Hot and Cold Big Band

See Festivals 24

See Music 25

Mon

25 Four Lost Songs

See Music 26

29

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 8 Everything Everywhere All at Once

20

Sat

Thu

6 Henley on Todd Regatta 7 Twilight Fun Evening 8 Everything Everywhere All at Once 17 Waterfront Beach Club 19 Salon Arts Projects exhibitons (last chance) 20 DVA Exhibitions (last chance) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 23 balarr inyiny 26 Neil Diamond Tribute

25

26 Poolside Playups Ep.2

Tue

7 Quiz for Dili 7 Drag Trivia at Mayberry 7 Storytime 13 Graeme Lewis’ G-Spot Comedy 21 100 seconds to Midnight: Interiors for End of Days (last chance)

30

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 26 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals 26 Jam Night 26 Jump Inn Jams

21

Sun

23 balarr inyiny

Fri

7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Movement Medicine Darwin 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 17 Waterfront Beach Club 23 Bamboo Bandstand

26

Wed

7 Gurindji Freedom Day Festival 8 Falling for Figaro 12 The Australian Ballet Regional Tour: Ballet Gala 20 Tales of a Whale and Other Stories (last chance) 26 Live on Fridays 26 Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s 26 Acoustic Friday

31

6 Tactile Arts (EOIs close) 7 Darwin Street Art Festival 7 Skate Nights 7 Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation 13 Lucky Bat Laughs 26 Live Music Wednesdays at Dom’s 26 Hot and Cold Big Band

See Festivals 23

See Food & Drink 17

17 Waterfront Beach Club

AROUND TOWn Books & fILM Performing Arts 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.

See Around Town 6

11

Tue

7 Drag Trivia at Mayberry 7 Storytime 11 The Boy Who Talked to Dogs 18 Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (last chance) 21 Clay on Country (last chance) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Poolside Playups Ep.1

Thu

5 Country to Couture 7 Storytime 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 19 Patsy Mudgedell and Family (opens) 19 Hidden Foundation Barayuwa Munuŋggurr (opens) 21 Mandjabu (opens) 21 Nawern Yahwuyahwurd Dolobo (opens) 26 Jam Night 26 Jump Inn Jams

2

Calendar Mon

Sun

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

PICNIC DAY

1 7 6 City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic

Sep advert bookings deadline

Wed

4 DAAF 7 Todd Mall Markets 8 Red Dirt Poetry Festival 17 Waterfront Beach Club 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 First Sunday Blues

10 7 Intro to Mindfulness & Meditation 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Live Music Wednesdays at Dom’s 26 Hot and Cold Big Band 26 Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s

3 Wed

Fri

5 National Indigenous Fashion Awards 7 Skate Nights 11 The Boy Who Talked to Dogs 19 Salon des Refusés (opening) 21 Mandjabu (opening) 21 Nawern Yahwuyahwurd Dolobo (opening) 26 Lunch on the Lawn

12

7 Darwin Street Art Festival (starts) 11 The Boy Who Talked to Dogs 12 Sunshine Super Girl 17 Waterfront Beach Club 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s 26 Acoustic Friday

Darwin Festival

4 Thu

7 Drag Trivia at Mayberry 7 Storytime 8 Red Dirt Poetry Festival 11 The Boy Who Talked to Dogs 13 First Thursday Showcase 18 Shock & Ore (opening) 19 Untold - Darwin 20 Tales of a Whale and Other Stories (opening) 23 Buŋgul

4 Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

8 Red Dirt Poetry Festival 11 Waŋa: Spirit 17 Waterfront Beach Club

See Feature 4

20

22

13

7 Reboot Your Loot 8 Falling for Figaro 8 Flicnics 11 The Boy Who Talked to Dogs 12 Sunshine Super Girl 19 Salon des Refusés (last chance) 21 100 seconds to Midnight: Interiors for End of Days (opening) 26 Neil Murray: Keep Rollin’on at Monte’s

Sat

AUG See Performing Arts 10

10 Tim Minchin

5

Fri

Sep web uploads deadline

18 Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (opening) 19 Salon Art Projects exhibitions (openings) 19 Untold - Darwin 20 DVA exhibitions (openings) 22 GYRACC exhibitions (openings) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s 26 Acoustic Friday

Sun

See Visual Arts 19

14

25 My Sunburnt Soundtrack

7 Todd Mall Markets 7 Movement Medicine Darwin 17 Waterfront Beach Club 19 Milŋ’ Milŋ’dhun - Shimmer (last chance) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Sunday Blues

Mon

4 DAAF 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 8 Red Dirt Poetry Festival

8 Red Dirt Poetry Festival

See Books & Film 8

8

See Music 25

6

Sat

Tue

11 Waŋa: Spirit 19 Untold - Darwin 19 Hidden Foundation Barayuwa Munuŋggurr (opening) 19 Milŋ’ Milŋ’dhun Shimmer (opens) 19 Timo Hogan (opening) 22 NATSIAA (opens) 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Live at the Lake 27 National Indigenous Music Awards

9

Sep ad artwork deadline

Mon

7 Geoffrey Robertson QC: It’s No Longer Hypothetical 7 Gadgets and Games Club 7 Storytime 7 Tactile Arts Workshop 23 Bamboo Bandstand 26 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals 26 Jam Night 26 Jump Inn Jams

15

7 Darwin Street Art Festival

16

FOOD

&

DRINK

By Tierney Seccull

HELLO SUNSHINE, BEACH , delicious grub and cheeky cocktails!

Darwin’s very own beach club has returned this Dry, offering relaxation hunters, food fans and cocktail enthusiasts the ultimate summer vibe.

Kicking off in 2020 when COVID had well and truly sunk its claws in – and many a Territorian missing the annual commute to Bali – Waterfront Beach Club offered locals (and any lucky visitors at the time) the chance to kick back and chill by the water, cocktail in hand.

The liquor license was relaxed to allow sun chasers to take a tipple on a daybed, and food could be ordered online from local vendors, ensuring local biz was supported in what was a very challenging time for the hospitality industry.

After running the Beach Club for two years, it looks like it’s here to stay.

“Initially created to allow people to enjoy food and beverages from local restaurants in a COVID safe manner, the Beach Club now provides a destination for locals and visitors alike to unwind and relax,” says Waterfront Senior Events and Marketing Coordinator, Yasmine Welsh.

“It’s pumping at the moment! The aqua park has just expanded and the Ferris Wheel is back. It’s been a hard time for our businesses, but they’ve come out the other side, and grown and evolved. We encourage everyone to come down and enjoy the best of the Dry season at Darwin Waterfront!”

This year, Darwin Waterfront has upped the ante, implementing a fully-fledged Beach Bar. Bask in the tropical atmosphere while indulging in some tasty local fare and chilled bevs. A real bonus – no matter what vibe you’re up for – you’re sorted.

Champagne and oysters? Look at you, so fancy. Bao buns and beer?

Too easy. Pizza and pína coladas?

Interesting combo, but who are we to judge. Why not treat yourself to a Mexican fiesta before taking a siesta on one of the comfy sun lounges? Arriba!

Photos: Savvy Territory

Life’s a Beach

Waterfront Beach Club is open Friday to Sunday, with live tunes every Sunday arvy. Fresh food and cold concoctions, served in the sunshine by the seaside? Yes, ploise. Roll in to Waterfront Beach Club for some maxo relaxo.

Waterfront Beach Club WHEN EVERY FRI, SAT & SUN 12-7PM AT DARWIN WATERFRONT INFO waterfront.nt.gov.au

17

VISUAL ARTS

By Tierney Seccull

SHOCK & Ore A MEN’S ARTIST collective from Tennant Creek, two art galleries, and some incredible storytelling. Charles Darwin University (CDU) Art Gallery and Coconut Studios have joined forces to present Shock & Ore – a bold and unique two-part exhibition across both sites, featuring recent artworks by Tennant Creek Brio.

Based in Tennant Creek, the Brio – an Italian word meaning mettle, fire, or vivacity of style or performance – is made up of eight core members. They repurpose discarded materials from technical and industrial debris to create works in a new and poetic way.

Remaining true to their art therapy origins, the Brio operates with strength and healing at the core of their creation, which is reflected through the reimagining of discarded materials they use.

Fabian Brown and Rupert Betheras, 'Headless horseman', 2022, acrylic on canvas, 215x202cm

CDU Art Gallery

WHEN THU 4 AUG – SAT 22 OCT | OPENING THU 4 AUG, 5.30PM Coconut Studios

WHEN THU 4 AUG – SUN 18 SEP | OPENING THU 4 AUG, 7PM

TIWI treasures

“In recent years, Brio have exhibited in Sydney, Melbourne, Alice Springs and Darwin. Their increasing national profile makes this an enticing major exhibition for Darwin,” says CDU Art Gallery Curator, Dr. Joanna Barrkman.

“The presentation across two galleries speaks to the prolific output and monumental scale of Brio’s artworks. Coconut Studios has close proximity to CDU Art Gallery… and, by joining forces with this newly established contemporary art gallery on the Darwin visual arts scene, both galleries extend our audiences and reach.”

At CDU Art Gallery, Shock bursts forth with all the heat and flame of a military spectacle or a fire dragon.

Large collaborative works by Fabian Brown and Rupert Betherus allude to a parody of conflict and pillage by ancestral and folk heroes.

Tucked in a side pocket of the gallery is a dragon’s lair, awash with jewelled treasures in a series of works by Lindsay Nelson and Joseph Williams. A dazzling display, they suggest cultural reappropriation of mining maps and drilling intercepts.

Over at Coconut Studios, Ore is a metaphorical affair.

While presenting trademarks typical of the Brio’s grunge and folklore, there’s strong reference to abandoned mining infrastructure, all the while invoking a sense of melancholic loss.

Works have been created to conjure the haunting wounds and wonders of Country, attesting its resilience. In 1860, after John McDouall Stuart entered Warumungu Country, the telegraph line soon followed.

By 1885, 200,000 cattle and 10,000 horses had crossed the land.

The Warumungu were terrorised and pacified, their Country trampled and pillaged of five million ounces of gold and around five hundred thousand tonnes of copper. Ore is a potent elegy to loss, seeped through with a conflicted constellation of nostalgia to bygone “glory days”.

By Kate Conway

Tiwi Island art centres, Jilamara Arts and Crafts Association and Munupi Aboriginal Arts and Crafts Association, have joined forces to present Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (Our Own Tiwi Ochre Colours).

While Jilamara artists have consistently exhibited bark works including, tungas (folded bark baskets) and puringimparri (stringy bark), this year, for the first time in many years, artists from Munupi also present bark paintings. Reconnecting with the traditional, labour intensive process is a special experience.

“Many of the old artists that used to do bark paintings have passed away, and now people are ready to take it up again, they feel a bit more confident,” says Munupi Art Adviser Gina Allain.

“When they started the process, they had memories of being taught as children by their family members so it has been a really lovely process. It was intensive, but lovely.”

18

To open the exhibition, singers, dancers and artists from both centres perform a traditional yoi (dance) in a

vibrant celebration that Jilamara's Will Heathcote says also reflects the performative roots and foundations of Tiwi art on show.

Susan Wanji Wanji Painting on Bark Photo: Leonard Choice

AN ANNUAL HIGHLIGHT of Darwin Festival’s visual arts program, the exhibition showcases the very best on offer to eager art enthusiasts and collectors. The title of this year’s exhibition reflects the earthy colour scheme of ochre based red, yellow, black and white, signature to the region.

“Lots of Tiwi artwork is based in body paint design, and the combs artists use to paint is actually a body painting tool. People that come along to the yoi will see artists that have been painted up with that same tool, then, in the exhibition paintings that have been composed with the tool using the same ochre colours.

It is great to have that link displayed to the audience.”

After previous years’ disruptions, uncertainty and industry changes – COVID, border closures and a push for new avenues of retail outcomes – Heathcote says what has been lacking is coming together in the community and this year, there is a hopeful buzz the event is returning to the previous model.

“There is a really great sense of community this generates. It’s great that artists can come together from regionally distinct places, even if it is just two sides of Melville Island, and share what they have been making and celebrate it all face to face. People are really excited about that.”

Dancers performing a yoi at Yirrinkirripwoja Jilamara, 2021

Nginingawula Kurrujipuni (Our Own Tiwi Ochre Colours)

WHEN FRI 5 - THU 11 AUG, 10AM-5PM | OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 11AM AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL ESPLANADE DARWIN INFO munupiart.com | jilamara.com

salonartprojects.com.au

GALLERY 5

PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY

TUE-SUN, 12-5PM

WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | TUE & SAT 10AM–2PM

24 Garden Hill Crescent, The Gardens

2/2 Harriet Place, Darwin | 8941 2220 | pauljohnstonegallery.com.au

Salon des

PATSY MUDGEDELL and family

Refusés EVERY AUGUST, SALON Art Projects presents the Salon des Refusés, an exhibition of works submitted but not accepted into the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA).

Its quality demonstrates the superb standard of art being created by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists nationwide, and also provides valuable insight into where the movement has come from, and where it is heading.

WHEN THU 4 – SAT 13 AUG OPENING WED 3 AUG, 5.50-7.30PM

Patsy Mudgedell, 'Untitled' 2022, acrylic on linen, 180x120 cm

“My identity exists across cultural spaces and my art tries to integrate that.

Being part of a family, a tribe and a community but also being my own autonomous self with unique experiences. The art allows me to explore this self-discovery. Who am I? Where do I fit in? These are questions I have asked all my life. When I was younger, I tried hard to fit in, and it was exhausting. I gradually let that go. My artwork is part of that journey.”

- Patsy Mudgedell, 2021 Presented in collaboration with Warlayirti Artists and Salon Art Projects.

WHEN TUE 2 – SAT 20 AUG OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 10AM

Tjawina Porter, 'Tjarlirli Rockhole', 2021, acrylic on canvas, 122x148cm

VisitART

OUTSTATION GALLERY

8 Parap Place, Parap | 8981 4822 | outstation.com.au TUE 10AM-1PM | WED-FRI 10AM–5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

SALONECTS PROJ

TACTILE ARTS

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

MILŊ’MILŊDHUN – SHIMMER

Barayuwa Mununggurr, 'Yarrinya' (detail), 2021, etched aluminium, 90x45cm

Yalanba is the name of the place where the shiny black sand that adorns this work comes from. The sand occurs in one spot only at Bayapula, near Garthalala on Caledon Bay. Dhambit’s brother is named after this site. Dhambit can harvest the sand from this place because that area belongs to her clan, the Marrakulu, whose identity is depicted in this work. She also pays a tribute to the elder at Garrthalala who is from the grandmother of this place – it’s märi, the Djapu clan.

HIDDEN FOUNDATION

Barayuwa Munuŋggurr Barayuwa Munuŋgurr paiŋts his own Djapu designs as well as the Munyuku clan designs of his mother Bengitj’s homeland, Yarrinya.

Yarrinya is also the motherland of his paternal grandfather, Wonggu Munuŋgurr.

The vibrant patterns that characterise much of Barayuwa’s work originate from his mother’s Munyuku clan designs. They recall an ancestral story that took place on the Yarrinya saltwater estate, in which Munyuku spirit men hunt their own brother, a whale called Mirinyuŋu.

Presented in collaboration with Buku-Larrnggay Mulka and Salon Art Projects.

WHEN TUE 2 – SAT 20 AUG OPENING SAT 6 AUG, 11AM

UNTOLD - Darwin WHEN THU 4 - SUN 6 AUG AT AUDIT HOUSE INFO agencyprojects.org

Immerse yourself in a weekend of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytelling, discussion and exchange, bringing together leading artists, creatives and cultural leaders. UNTOLD is presented by Agency, and supported by Salon Art Projects, and provides a platform for exploration and celebration of culture, art and knowledge.

Presented in collaboration with BukuLarrnggay Mulka and Salon Art Projects.

Dhambit Wanambi, 'Yalanba', 2020, earth pigment and sand on bark, 136x73cm

WHEN SAT 6 AUG – SUN 14 AUG OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 3PM

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

TIMO HOGAN Timo tells of the Tjukurpa within the landscape (Lake Baker) 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.

Presented in collaboration with Spinifex Arts Project and Salon Art Projects.

Timo Hogan, 'Lake Baker', 2021 acrylic on linen, 200x230cm

WHEN 6 AUG – SAT 17 SEP OPENING SAT 6 AUG, 12.30PM

19

DARWIN VISUAL ARTS 8 McMinn St, Darwin | dvaa.net.au

WED, 12–5PM (BY APPOINTMENT) | THU-FRI, 10AM-5PM | SAT, 10AM-2PM

Ifa Shiddiq, 'd-town'(detail), 2022 digital art, 1200 × 1200 pixels

Into The Top End Catherine Miles, 'The Last One Standing', 2022, acrylic on canvas, 130x87cm

This is the first solo exhibition of young emerging artist Ifa Shiddiq.

Inspired by her love for anime and Australia, the exhibition features a series of digital character artworks depicting playful personifications of Darwin and Palmerston.

Rapid Creek

METAL STORM

Alison Dowell, Katie Bradley, Russell Mead, Aly de Groot, Henry Dupal, Fenanda Dupal and Catherine Miles have diverse and dynamic art practices, including textiles, paintings, drawing, ceramics, printmaking and jewellery.

They share a passion for the beauty of Gurambai, Rapid Creek, where they all create and live on Larrakia Land.

Metal Storm presents creative mixed media sculptures using recycled industrial metal. It is about the intersection of urban living clashing with the bush. The expended machine age is dumped on the urban fringe, where the two meet and chaos is the outcome. Or some might say urban hell.

by James Gorrie

Artist Collective

WHEN SAT 6 – SAT 20 AUG OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 6PM

NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY

AUDIT HOUSE

TUE, THU & FRI, 10AM-5PM | WED, 10AM-8PM | SAT & SUN, 1-5PM

MON-FRI, 9AM-2PM | SAT, 10AM-1PM

Parliament House, Darwin | lant.nt.gov.au

2 Burnett Place, Larrakeyah | nationaltrust.org.au

Aly de Groot, 'Seahorse', 2022, cyanotype and plant pigments on recycled cotton rag paper.

Photo Fiona Morrison

Jacqueline F Gribbin, 'Shifting Tides', 2022, water-based woodblock print, 45.5x60cm

SHIFTING TIDES

by Jacqueline F. Gribbin

20

Tales of a Whale and Other Stories

Presenting a creative, historical and geographical based response to Darwin Harbour, the exhibition showcases the specialised technique of mokuhanga – a traditional application of inks, water and glue on hand carved woodblocks – in images that reflect the colour and light across the harbour and its ever-changing moods.

First travelling to Darwin in 1995, Aly de Groot had an incredible experience spending time in the water with an injured whale at Bundilla Beach, the moment instilling in her a deep fascination with the sea. As an

UNTIL

WHEN THU 4 – FRI 26 AUG | OPENING THU 4 AUG, 4-7PM

SUN 30 OCT

artist in residence at MAGNT in early 2022, Aly had the rare opportunity to access and creatively respond to their rich natural sciences collection, including her beloved whale.

ARALUEN ARTS CENTRE

ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS

61 Larapinta Dr, Alice Springs | araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au

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

MON-SAT, 10AM-4PM | SUN, 10AM-2PM

MON-FRI, 9AM-3PM | SAT, 8AM-2PM

Claire Freer, 'Breaking Ground', 2020, handbuilt and pit fired using clay from Ngaanyatjarra Lands and acacia aneura, 63x26x26cm

Clay oN Country Australian Ceramics Triennale A showcase of over 30 artists living and working in Central Australia, including those living in Mparntwe as well as those working out of studios based at the end of long, corrugated desert roads throughout the Pitjantjatjara and Ngaanyatjarra Lands.

A diverse and eclectic survey, works in Clay on Country reflect the rich complexities of ancestral stories, lived experiences and settler histories, alongside the joys and challenges of making with clay. Presented as part of the 2022 Australian Ceramics Triennale.

UNTIL

THU 11 AUG

Fish Trap on Country, Injalak Art

Mandjabu

UNTITLED GALLERY AND STUDIO

Mandjabu reflects the harmonic relationship between Kunwinjku people and their fresh water country. The progress of Mandjabu (fish trap) created to catch fish for food to feed families is celebrated in this exhibition. Such fish traps are now fashioned into finely woven sculptural fibre pieces.

WED-FRI, 11AM–4PM | SAT, 11AM-2PM

WHEN TUE 2 AUG – THU 8 SEP | OPENING WED 3 AUG, 5.30PM

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

L-R Cameron Kawurlkku, 'Djomi'. Deborah Wurrkidj, 'Wakwak'.

Charlie Nangukwirrk, Wakwak. All 2022.

Amina McConvell, 'one hundred seconds to midnight interiors for end of days' (detail from work in progress), 2022, mixed media

100 Seconds to Midnight: Interiors for End of Days

NAWERN YAHWUYAHWURD DOLOBO

Darwin artist Amina McConvell’s new installation is based on the format of a display home interior. This post-human space shows signs of having been inhabited, but the inhabitants are conspicuously absent.

A COLLECTION OF RECENT bark paintings from Maningrida Arts, the small and exquisite. Artworks included are by Kuninjku, Rembarrnga, Ndjébanna and Burarra artists from Maningrida and surrounding homelands. Painters invoke customary knowledge and practices, experiment with visual forms, and create imagery that is both individual and contemporary. Artists skilfully merge the natural and spiritual worlds, the secular and sacred, and embody and evoke ancestral presence.

WHEN SAT 13 – THU 25 AUG | OPENING SAT 13 AUG, 11AM

WHEN TUE 2 AUG – THU 8 SEP | OPENING WED 3 AUG, 5.30PM

21

TACTILE ARTS

GODINYMAYIN YIJARD RIVERS ARTS & CULTURE

TUE-SUN, 10AM-4PM

MON-FRI, 9AM-5PM | SAT 9AM-2PM

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

Stuart Hwy, Katherine East | gyracc.org.au

Botanically Porcelain: The Second Instalment An exhibition of porcelain inspired by botanical forms studied in the Darwin George Brown Botanic Gardens from acclaimed ceramicist Dawn Beasley. In the Godinymayin gallery, her botanic sculptural porcelain artwork becomes an immersive experience that declares a narrative of re-growth, survival, hope, and resilience.

WHEN SAT 6 AUG – SAT 17 SEP | OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 5.30PM

ARTISTS NEED NOT APPLY

Geri Barr, ‘Listen, wind’, 2022

The Art of Listening

This exhibition showcases art made by Artificial Intelligence.

Facilitators Lukas Bendel and Ioanna Thymianidis, the human team behind the machines, have served as mere assistants and button pushers for this exhibition's 21st century creative art-bots.

The result is a strange reversal of roles – humans facilitating robots – causing deeper questions about consciousness, creative process, and what is controlling what.

Artist in residence Geri Barr utilises photography, drawing, painting and textiles to express ideas on the experience and concept of listening. Geri says the purpose of her work is to slow down and listen, with the three-part process of collecting, dyeing, and hand stitching being purposefully quiet and still, reflecting the listening experience. While in Darwin on Larrakia Country Geri will seek permission from the traditional owners to collect eucalyptus dye material.

WHEN FRI 19 AUG – SUN 4 SEP

OPENING FRI 19 AUG, 5PM

'Do androids dream of electric sheep', 2022, GAN [General Adversarial Network]

WHEN SAT 6 AUG – SAT 10 SEP | OPENING FRI 5 AUG, 5.30PM

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

2021 Telstra Art Award Winner. Timo Hogan​, '​Lake Baker​',​2020​​ synthetic polymer paint on linen

Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards The Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards (NATSIAA) exhibition is Australia's richest art prize, showcasing the very best Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art from around the country, from emerging and established artists. This exhibition captures the attention of the nation, with an inspiring breadth of work from artists around the country.

22

WHEN SAT 6 AUG 2022 – SUN 15 JAN 2023

GUMURR’MANYDJI MANAPANMIRR DJÄMA A photographic exhibition from the Arnhem Land Progress Aboriginal Corporation (ALPA) celebrating 50 years of Yolngu economic independence, enterprise, self-determination, culture and ingenuity.

WHEN DAILY, 10AM-4PM

Yolŋu wäŋa roŋiyirra marrtji guyaŋura bunhaŋur (Returning home from hunting).

People featured: Muwarra Ganambarr 1

FESTIVALS

A Fond Festival

By Tierney Seccull

Fare well

Photo: Helen Orr

“It’s going to be spectacular – kicking off the Festival, marking the legacy of Dr G and all that his music meant to Yolŋu people, and the Northern Territory as a whole, and also coming together as a community, to be in the same space, particularly after these difficult years.”

Wrapping the 18-day Dry season highlight is balarr inyiny – a spectacle of light, movement and sound.

“Excitingly, we close this year’s Festival with another epic celebration of First Nations culture in the NT, our biggest ever Larrakia lead project,” Felix says.

T

hey say all good things must come to an end. For seven years, Felix Preval has contributed to the magic that is Darwin Festival. He joined the ranks in 2016 as Head of Programming before leading the charge as Artistic Director from 2017.

This year marks his last at the helm. Felix says he’s thrilled to see a full program presented for the first time since 2019.

“It’s a huge program! And after two significantly interrupted COVID Festivals, we have some incredible projects that we’ve been carrying over for multiple years now,” he says.

The 2022 Darwin Festival is bookended by two unique and significant First Nations events.

Finally taking to Darwin Amphitheatre stage for the free opening night extravaganza is Buŋgul. Created on Country in North East Arnhem Land with the Yunupiŋu family, Buŋgul is a ceremonial celebration of Gurrrumul’s seminal final album, Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), a landmark in Australian music.

“This is our biggest ever event, the largest work Darwin Festival has ever commissioned. For Darwin audiences – unlike anywhere else in the world – it will be presented for free, so it’s really, really special and feels like an incredible way to kick off my final Festival,” Felix says.

Originally programmed for the 2020 Festival, it’s been a long time coming.

“The artists have been waiting and waiting to bring this work home. If the world were different, it would have been presented here first, but instead it will be presented here last.

“160 drones take to the sky over Jervois Park and Darwin Harbour, and perform an incredible light and sound show, illustrating the beautiful songlines of the Larrakia that run down the coast – from Casuarina Beach to the Waterfront. balarr inyiny means ‘Light Dreaming’, and it centres on one or two of the key songlines that speak to the moment we live in today. It’s about caring for Country and the consequences of not caring for Country.

“We couldn’t be more excited to be closing the Festival with this once in a lifetime opportunity for the people of Darwin to experience their oldest culture through the lens of the world’s newest technology.”

A fitting end to his final Festival, Felix says Darwin, its people and the Festival will always hold a special place in his heart.

“These have just been the most incredible, enriching, challenging and uplifting years of my life. I, like many others, moved to Darwin thinking I’d be here for 18 months – for it to now be almost seven years is pretty unexpected [laughs]. But in that time I have not only fallen in love with this city, this Country, and its people, but of course the Festival. The opportunity I’ve been afforded as Artistic Director has been the most life-changing professional experience of my life.

“It’s been fraught, sure, but I’ve felt supported by the community along the way, and knowing that people really love the Festival and love what it does for the city, makes all of the challenges worthwhile.”

Of course, in true Felix style, he’s going out with a bang.

“I love Darwin Festival, and I obviously love to dance. And Darwin loves to boogie, too… So, come find me at Club Awi to say goodbye!”

Darwin Festival

WHEN THU 4 – SUN 21 AUG INFO darwinfestival.org.au

Festival free for all Buŋgul Experience the traditional songs, dances and paintings that inspired Gurumul’s album Djarimirri (Child of the Rainbow), in a live performance

by Yolŋu dancers, songmen and the Darwin Symphony Orchestra.

WHEN THU 4 AUG | 7.30PM GATES 5.30PM AT DARWIN AMPHITHEATRE Teddy Bears’ Picnic Darwin’s favourite family fun day is back, with a packed morning of free activities especially designed for youngsters – and the young at heart. Flick back to page 6 to check out our beary wonderful feature!

WHEN SUN 7 AUG | 9AM-12PM AT DARWIN ESPLANADE Bamboo Bandstand Free music gigs while you kick back with dinner? Don’t mind if we do!

Enjoy an eclectic line-up of local musical acts, plus a few blow ins, every night at Festival Park.

WHEN EVERY NIGHT, FRI 5 – SUN 21 AUG (EXC. MON) 6.30PM & 8PM AT FESTIVAL PARK

balarr inyiny Witness 160 drones taking flight from Jervois Park in a breathtaking, choreographed sky show, illustrating Larrakia songlines along Darwin’s coast. balarr inyiny (Light Dreaming) uses new technologies to bring to life ancient stories.

Don’t miss this free, family friendly, once-in-a-lifetime spectacle of light, movement and sound.

WHEN FRI 19 – SUN 21 AUG | 7PM AT JERVOIS PARK

23

DJARMALAK

A 20-YEAR LEGACY

By Kate Conway

our director and then head out to Beswick.”

Slated for release in conjunction with the festival is an exciting digital re-release of Balang’s 2007 album, Songs From Walking with Spirits, featuring four other songmen and Ross Hannaford from Daddy Cool.

Balang T. Lewis

THIS MONTH, THE third and final concert in Djarmalak’s 2022 Sunday Series lights up the remote Indigenous community of Beswick/ Wugularr, on Bagala land.

Katherine Regional Arts presents a two-hour visual tribute to Balang T. Lewis, featuring a back catalogue of the actor and musician’s works screening at Katherine Cinema.

Derived from founder Balang T. Lewis’ beloved Walking with Spirits Festival, August marks a milestone 20th year for the cultural celebration, dedicated to amplifying voices and traditions, with some very special satellite events in store to honour the late visionary.

“It’s films that people wouldn’t have seen before, none of the big blockbusters,” says Djilpin Arts Executive Officer, and Lewis’ wife, Fleur Parry.

The night before the main event, Djilpin Arts in collaboration with

24

“All of the short films are from the archives, things that would have got a showing at film festivals but aren’t really publicly available. So people can soak up the legacy of

On the line-up for Sunday’s concert is lyrical songstress and proud Anindilyakwa woman Emily Wurramara. It’s been a big year for the AIR award-winning, ARIA-nominated artist, with a new album in the works. Not to mention she’s supporting Jack Johnson on the Australian leg of his upcoming tour.

Also featuring is Hand to Earth, a cross-cultural collaboration featuring Yolŋu Songman Daniel Wilfred, Korean vocalist Sunny Kim, yidaki player David Yipininy Wilfred, and wind players Peter Knight and Aviva Endean. Improvisational in style and deeply inspired by the

land, the outfit effortlessly traverses contemporary and ancient musical traditions.

Hot on the heels of a European tour and mini residency in Berlin, Endean says the band is looking forward to how the Beswick location will influence their sound.

“One of the really nice things about playing improvised music is it has the space for you to be responding to where you are, who you are with, and what is going on. That is one of the things that is really exciting about being on tour and being in new places,” she says.

Parry explains both acts are a perfect fit for the festival, with local ties to the area.

“It is such a beautiful link to have Hand to Earth performing, because Daniel Wilfred did all the ceremony for Balang, he is really close family, and Emily has connections with

Numbulwar community, which is connected to Beswick family, so there is a really nice family link going on,” she says.

With an art-filled museum, cultural tours and workshops, a visit to Bagala country is more than a music concert, it is an immersive, engaging experience. The well-rounded event presents the opportunity to gain priceless insight.

“When the community invites people in to share culture, it’s not about just a song, or a dance or a piece of art – it is about trying to reweave the whole tapestry of that cultural knowledge.”

Djarmalak Festival WHEN SUN 28 AUG AT BESWICK COMMUNITY COST $50 | $50 WORKSHOP

$50 CAMPING PER VEHICLE

INFO

djilpinarts.org.au

MUSIC

By Hannah Muir

Soundtrack HOW MANY TIMES do you have to see the Todd flow before you’re an Alice Springs local? Apparently it’s three, but there’s certainly contention around what constitutes a flow.

The NT’s transient population almost turns ‘localness’ into a competition. How many years have you etched onto the board? How long were you coming for versus how long you’ve actually stayed?

It’s a hot topic. My Sunburnt Soundtrack, presented as part of Darwin Festival, is the musical answer to the question: what is a Territorian?

Alice-based songwriter and producer Dave Crowe (aka Resin Moon) – who you should know has been living in the NT for 15 years – has been rolling the question around for some time. With some help from the Festival’s Spotlight Development Fund, the time was right to start collaborating and exploring the ideas of identity and belonging with 10 NT vocalists and songwriters.

“Some of our artists were born in the Territory, some have ancestry here, and others like myself have moved here from other parts of Australia,” he says.

“We are exploring what we have in common but also the differences in our stories.”

A bottomless appreciation for the landscape, the beauty and the

FOUR LOST SONGS

unique biodiversity were common threads and focal points of discussion.

“Key moments, celebrations and emotional journeys all seem to be tied up with the land, the moon and the vast sky and the sense of coastline. It’s like the stories and the songs are woven through the landscape itself.”

Almost paying homage to the transience of the Territory, the project has seen logistical hardships, with artists scattered across the country touring and travelling. Despite the challenges, the contemplation of place and belonging has provided perspective for Crowe.

“It’s made me appreciate the parallels in my life and my story with so many other artists and people,” he said.

“We all have these stories about why we’re here, why we’re still here.

What is it we are drawn to about this place?”

Something for the audience to consider as they ponder their own appreciation and insight into their identity as Territorians.

My Sunburnt Soundtrack is a one night only event, featuring six artists showcasing their responsive songs co-written with Dave. Caiti Baker, David Garnham, Broadwing, Casii Williams, VJ Bumanlag and VELIA each perform their pieces, woven together with the tell-tale pop synth aesthetic of Resin Moon. Later in the year a collection of ten songs will be released.

Don’t miss this musical display of what it means to be Territorian, by some of the best talent kicking around our beaut pocket of the planet.

My Sunburnt Soundtrack WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 14 AUG | 8.45PM FESTIVAL PARK $34-$38 darwinfestival.org.au

By Kate Conway

IN 1950, THE final completed works of composer Richard Strauss were published posthumously as a set titled Four Last Songs – the grand and sweeping epics existential work from a composer nearing the end of his life.

Described by Darwin Symphony Orchestra’s (DSO) Artistic Director Jon Tooby as one of the most iconic pieces of music ever written, Strauss’ classic has inspired a new DSO commission, premiering at the Darwin Festival this month.

18 months in development, Four Lost Songs is a melting pot of music, poetry and drama, and the newest work by celebrated Australian composer Emma Jayakumar. Based on poetry from four talented First Nations poets, co-curated by NT Writers' Centre’s Rita Horanyi, the works chosen all depict different journeys of loss, and themes of resilience and hope.

While all composers have different methods of translating text and themes into music, Jayakumar examined the poems and drew on her experience as a classical singer to mould the formal song structures.

Photo: Tim Nicol Photography

My Sunburnt

Darling Ranges bushland and listening to the local bird life also helped Jayakumar connect with the poetry, influencing the composition process.

“When I went walking up in the hills, I was thinking about Matthew Heffernan’s poem where he was talking about standing on a hill top and feeling the wind blow across his face and listening to the land.

“I could hear magpies calling to each other and they had a very specific call, you’d hear one magpie and then 30 seconds later another magpie would repeat the call from across the other side of the hill. That turned into a melodic transcription that went into the orchestra, and that is how the piece progresses – it’s a call and response between the orchestra and the singer,” she says.

The flagship event for the DSO also includes a powerful performance of Stravinsky’s Petrushka Ballet Suite, a formidable and demanding piece chosen to highlight the DSO’s artistic and technical prowess, balanced out with Vaughn William’s popular Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.

But Four Lost Songs, Tooby says, is the evening’s jewel in the crown.

WHEN SAT 20 AUG | 7.30-9.10PM AT DARWIN ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE

COST INFO

$20-$130 dso.org.au

“The emotional core of the poem suggests musical shapes and harmony, and from that, a core melody presents in my mind that will either be a sung line, or it will be the melody that is then taken up in the orchestra,” she says.

Currently based in Perth suburb Gooseberry Hill, walking through the

“Unveiling a new piece is one of the most exciting things. I think Emma’s music is so extraordinary and it is an exciting time for new music, and new composers. That is something we are pretty passionate about with DSO, commissioning new work. It is quite a special program.”

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AUGUST

GIG

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

Poolside Playups Ep.1 8CCC Radio has joined forces with Rhino Milk Productions for this exciting new music series. Paul Ah Chee headlines the poolside stage with his band, supported by Gurun alongside an intimate solo set from Katanga Junior. Bring yourself, a friend, a lover or no other, and cosy into an evening of original live music by some of Mparntwe’s finest creatives!

WHEN THU 11 AUG | 6-10PM AT JUMP INN CRAFT BEER

Poolside Playups Ep.2 Stellar Sea headlines the poolside stage at Jump Inn, backed by Katie Harder alongside a solo set from LJ Devlin, for the second installment of Poolside Playups, presented by 8CCC Radio in cahoots with Rhino Milk Productions.

WHEN THU 25 AUG | 6-10PM AT JUMP INN CRAFT BEER & RESTAURANT

COST INFO

FREE 8ccc.com.au

& RESTAURANT

COST INFO

WHEN AT COST INFO

WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY TUE | 7-9PM 2 ABALA RD, MARRARA $20 ANNUAL MEM darwincitybrassband.org.au

SAT 13 AUG | 6.30-10.30PM MONTE'S LOUNGE $33 neilmurray.com.au

Sunday Blues Head to the seaside for Sunday Blues at Darwin Ski Club. Relax, enjoy the tunes and round out your weekend with a Dry season sunset session. Nice.

Lunch on the Lawn It’s your last chance to break up the working week and make your lunch break wonderful with the final Lunch on the Lawn music event.

Pull up on a patch of grass under the shady trees of Bennett Park for a blissful hour of tunes from local musicians. Tasty bites are available for pre-order from nearby eateries – check out the weekly specials on the menu. Don’t miss the last chance to catch this beloved Top End gig.

WHEN AT COST INFO

WED 3 AUG | 12-1PM BENNETT PARK FREE facebook.com/ lunchonthelawn

Live at the Lake Grab your picnic blanket and pack the snacks for City of Palmerston’s Live at the Lake. Head to Sanctuary Lakes for a Dry season afternoon of live music from local act Two Left Feet as the sun sets.

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WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 6 AUG | 4-7PM SANCTUARY LAKES FREE palmerston.nt.gov.au

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 14 AUG | 5-8.30PM DARWIN SKI CLUB

Live on Fridays Taking a short pause for three weeks over Darwin Festival, this Dry season favourite returns for one Dry season August eve. Flock to the Courtyard for drinks and live tunes – it’s the perfect way to kick back at the end of the working week.

SAT 20 AUG | 6-10.30PM DARWIN SKI CLUB $30 | $75 FAM facebook.com/ skiclubdarwin

facebook.com/ firstsundayblues

Acoustic Friday Soundtrack your Friday night with live, soulful, acoustic tunes from talented, local musos.

WHEN EVERY FRI | 6.30-9.30PM AT JUMP INN CRAFT BEER

WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY TUE | 9PM SMOKE & OAK DARWIN

COST INFO

FREE jumpinncraftbeerbar.com

FRI 5 AUG | KODIVINE FRI 12 AUG | AARON POLLOCK FRI 19 AUG | KODIVINE FRI 26 AUG | DAVE CROWE

FREE facebook.com/ smokeandoakdarwin

RED CENTRE

WHEN FRI 26 AUG | 5-7PM AT BROWN’S MART COURTYARD

COST INFO

FREE brownsmart.com.au

Live Music Wednesdays at Dom’s Break up the working week and cure those hump day blues with live original music from locals, every Wednesday at Dom’s.

WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY WED DOM’S BAR & LOUNGE FREE domsdarwin.com.au

Hot and Cold Big Band The Hot and Cold Big Band has been providing swing music to the unsuspecting population of Darwin since 2009. With a repertoire spanning nearly a century of swing, and a free dance lesson from Swing Dance NT, it’s easy to see it’s the Top End’s premier weekly big band gig. Swing on by to The Rails and join in the fun!

7.30PM

WHEN AT COST INFO

GOLD COIN DONATION

Jam Night Head down to the open mic night at Smoke & Oak and jump on stage or sit back and enjoy the music.

WHEN EVERY WED (EXC. 3 AUG)

Neil Diamond Tribute - Hot August Night 50th Anniversary Enjoy this special tribute night celebrating 50 years of Neil Diamond’s album, Hot August Nights. Max Fredericks takes on the role of Neil Diamond, backed by a full band.

Enjoy songs from the album, plus a few other hits from Neil Diamond’s back catalogue.

WHEN SUN 7 AUG | 3PM AT TRACY VILLAGE SPORTS

& RESTAURANT

FREE darwinskiclub.com.au

Live blues band support in a welcoming environment. Come down, have a couple of cold drinks and embrace the atmosphere – or jump up and sing your heart out!

AND SOCIAL CLUB

8ccc.com.au

Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals The Darwin City Brass Band has been providing music, from fun, modern pop tunes to marches and brass band classics, to the community for over 40 years with members ranging from raw beginners to experienced musicians. You’re invited to check out the weekly rehearsals to catch a glimpse behind the scenes and join in the fun!

TOP END

COST INFO

FREE

Neil Murray: Keep Rollin’ on at Monte’s Maverick songman, and former Warumpi Band founding member, Neil Murray continues his Keep Rolling On tour with a return to the heartland of Central Australia. With strong links to the Northern Territory as a former resident of both Darwin and Alice Springs, expect a triumphant celebration of landmark songs from his career spanning four decades, with support from local singer songwriter Kirra Voller.

JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC

AT COST INFO

DARWIN RAILWAY CLUB $10 | $5 MEMB facebook.com/ hotandcoldbigband

Friday Knock Offs at Dom’s Gather your crew and kick back with some tunes and a cocktail or two. Let the house DJ bring in your weekend and experience the taste of the Territory, the award-winning, iconic Territori-Tini, a mango sensation.

WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY FRI | 4PM DOM’S BAR & LOUNGE FREE domsdarwin.com.au

Jump Inn Jams Break up the work week and jump along to the Jump Inn for a fun jam night sesh with various artists.

WHEN EVERY TUE | 7-10PM AT JUMP INN CRAFT BEER BAR & RESTAURANT

COST INFO

FREE jumpinncraftbeerbar.com

TUE 2 AUG | THE DAVIS BROTHERS TUE 9 AUG | JESSIE MAY TUE 16 AUG | DAVE CROWE TUE 23 AUG | KATANGA JUNIOR TUE 30 AUG | EMMA GERARD

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NATIONAL INDIGENOUS MUSIC AWARDS AFTER TWO, LONG hard years of false starts, virtual ceremonies, video calls and patchy service, one of Australia’s most important music events returns to Darwin in person. The National Indigenous Music Awards (NIMAs) welcome back the broader Australian music community to the picturesque home of the Larrakia people, for a night honouring the achievements and diversity of Indigenous music.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 6 AUG | 7PM THE AMPHITHEATRE FREE-$40 nima.musicnt.com.au | darwinfestival.org.au

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