Issuu

TRACKTIVATION MOTIVATION

THE VOODOO LAKSA TOUR

LET'S HEAR IT FOR THE LADIES

See you on the dance floor

Potent, political and poetic

#PressforProgress this International Women's Day

MARCH

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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

Yo u r fre e what ’s o n g u i d e TO TH E TO P E N D

The artwork will be used on t-shirts, thongs and other cool things to advertise the Northern Territory National Disability Coordination Officer Program. The winning student receives a $200 prize, plus their school wins a $200 Jacksons’ Art Supplies voucher.

All NT primary & secondary school students are invited to create a funky painting, drawing or design that celebrates the values of diversity, inclusion and equality and shows everyone getting a fair go.

Design Co mpetitio n Entries close 31 March 2018 cdu.edu.au/equity-services/ndco anna.kwan@cdu.edu.au 8946 6951 or 8946 7286

CDU ART GALLERY 8 MARCH - 5 MAY

Building Orange 12 Charles Darwin University Casuarina Campus  /cduartgallery

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

A National Exhibitions Touring Support Australia exhibition developed by UNSW Galleries and toured by Museums & Galleries of NSW. The National Touring Initiative is supported by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its principal arts funding body, and by the Visual Arts and Craft Strategy, an initiative of the Australian, State and Territory Governments.

Image: Angelica Mesiti, Rapture (silent anthem), 2009, Single-channel video, colour. 10 minutes, 10 seconds. Courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery.

Easter Celebrations 31 March 2018, 9am to 1pm The free family fun includes:

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A photo with the Easter Bunny

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Easter art and crafts

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Jumping castles & waterslides

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Balloon twisters

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Face glitters

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Kids DJ and games

Visit waterfront.nt.gov.au or facebook.com/darwinwaterfront

INSIDE

OFFTHELEASH.NET.AU

/OTL.magazine

he recent reactivation of the Darwin CBD has seen an explosion of vibrant art take pride of place on city walls. Tracks Dance is getting things – including you, loyal readers – movin’ and shakin’ as they showcase and share their skills with Territorians. Join a drop-in dance class at lunchtime, participate in a large-scale community event or watch as the pros show us how it’s done – see page 4.

F R OM T H E

@OTLmag

locally produced flicks this Dry season – catch the Darwin launch this month. Darwin Film Society’s Flix in the Wet finishes up, so be sure to enjoy every last drop. We welcome columnist Kate Rendell to the OTL team with her new review column ‘Off The Shelf’ – see Books & Film.

r o t i d E

Let’s hear it for the ladies this International Women’s Day. This year’s theme is ‘#PressforProgress’, so stand strong and get involved by going to a local event. The Queen’s Baton Relay travels through the Top End, culminating in celebrations at the Darwin Waterfront. Headlined by Jessica Mauboy, don’t miss local songstress’ Caiti Baker, Natalie Pellegrino and Melanie Grey. For a unique experience, and one of my favourite days of the year, head to Bathurst Island for an art sale and footy grand final like no other – see Around Town. Following a popular season in Darwin in 2016, musical comedy Hillbilly Horror returns before heading down the Stuart Highway. Have a giggle at the RAW Comedy NT Final – see Performing Arts.

#OTLmag

E: roslyn@offtheleash.net.au T: 088941 7413 GPO BOX 2325, Darwin NT 0801

Skate, scoot, BMX or quads – more and more women and girls are hitting the skate parks every year. Join them at the International Women’s Day Skate. Entries for the popular food comp, Dishing Up Darwin, are now open – see Youth.

The story of adoption is a personal journey and one that can take many years to unfold and many more to be told. We caught up with Wenike Hensch ahead of her adoption research residency. The talents of the next generation of artists and designers are on show at Exit Art, or take a step back in time at Survey Moments – see Visual Arts.

QUEEN'S BATON RELAY | 5

Two powerhouses of Aussie hip-hop combine for The Voodoo Laksa Tour, blues legends Backsliders return to Darwin and one of Australia’s most beloved hip-hop acts celebrate their 10 year anniversary – see Music.

The inaugural NT Travelling Film Festival is set to transform communities and regional centres with a diverse line up of

See you on the dance floor.

OFF THE SHELF | 9

ART & ABOUT | 15 OTL is proudly supported by Roslyn Perry Managing Editor and Development Manager Liz Trevaskis Music Editor

Sarah Novinetz Graphic Designer Mike Frier Art Director

Tamara Howie Journalist

Distributed to remote Indigenous communities with the assistance of

#o tlmag

@tactilearts

@tracksdance

TO SEE YOUR PICS HERE

@artback_nt @launchdarwin

@offtheleashmagazine

@marniejayart Cover proudly sponsored by Tracks Dance Company @cleanlivingnt

Cover image by Mat McHugh

@launchdarwin

Caroline from GYRACC@thehealthyhiccup rocks a skirt made @spicegardennt of recycled OTL mags at Junk Fest

@aboriginal_bush_traders

@darwinentertainmentcentre

@tasteofthetopend

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

March 2018

TRACKTIVATION Dancers are being unleashed in Darwin’s CBD by Tracks Dance Studio, breathing life into the city. A huge range of public programs and workshops will be held throughout the NT capital, led by a team of five dancers showcasing their skills and sharing their knowledge.

by Tamara Howie racks Dance Animateur Kelly Beneforti will be joined by local dancers Bryn Wackett, Jenelle Saunders, Madeleine Brown and Jordan Bretherton to transform the city streets with dance and take up residence at the Darwin Live Arts Hub in Smith Street Mall. “There’s going to be so much happening – there’s no excuses to not get involved,” says Beneforti. “Each of the four dancers and myself will make new choreographic work that will be created and performed within the CBD,” she says. “They’re all very beautiful dancers in different ways – the diversity across the four of them is astounding in terms of different dance styles and interests within dance.” One of the main roles of each of the dancers will be to engage the community and welcome them to the world of dance. The 10-week program includes lunchtime drop-in classes, largescale community dance events, original choreographic works in alternative locations and cheeky dance interventions. “For Tracktivation, there’s going to be so many thing happening and there will be less barriers for people, so it’s easy for them to come and join in,” Beneforti says. “The idea of our lunchtime workshop is for people who work in the CBD –

Above: image by Mat McHugh. Below: image by Peter Eve. Bottom left: image by David Hancock

if you don’t have time before or after work, you can drop in for half an hour and be involved.” Those who feel like moving and shaking can head down to Raintree Park to join Singing in the Rain, where you can create and perform a piece and make some new friends along the way. Tracks has been a driving force for community dance throughout the Northern Territory since its humble beginnings in the early 1990s. The team is dedicated to representing the NT’s diverse multiculturalism and unique landscape, with the popular Grey Panthers program and work with senior ceremonial dancers in Lajamanu proving there are no barriers to dancing.

Tracks Co-Artistic Director David McMicken says the organisation is passionate about getting people moving within the community. "Tracktivation revisions the CBD through dance," he says. “As dance makers we believe people need to keep in touch and activate their bodies," he adds. “We as human beings exist inside of our bodies – that sounds a bit odd, but we spend more and more time in our headspace and in enclosed environments – and that takes you away from the world we live in. “We also live as community members and not as individuals, so we love creative activities that bring as many people together as possible."

Tracktivation WHEN UNTIL SUN 29 APR INFO tracksdance.com.au | @tracksdance

EVERY TUE & WED | 12-12.30PM | LIVE DARWIN HUB

AROUND TOWN

Baton Relay Jessica Mauboy

International Women's Day Let’s hear it for the ladies! 8th of March is the global day for celebrating women’s achievements and working towards greater equality. This year’s theme is ‘#PressforProgress’, so stand strong and get involved by going to a local event. All About Women Satellite Streaming live from the All About Women Festival at the Sydney Opera House, catch three headline sessions with the likes of American author Fran Lebowitz, civil rights activist Tarana Burke, Aussie journalist Tracey Spicer and feminist historian Barbara Caine, plus a live audience discussion with local host Amy Hetherington. JESSICA MAUBOY HEADLINES A FREE CONCERT TO CELEBRATE THE 2018 COMMONWEALTH GAMES QUEEN’S BATON RELAY THIS MONTH. The celebrations at the Darwin Waterfront also feature local songstress’ Caiti Baker, Natalie Pellegrino and Melanie Grey to mark the end of the Territory’s leg of the relay. Mauboy says it’s a special event to be part of in her hometown. “It’s a pleasure to be able to come home and perform for this exceptional celebration of sport, people and cultures,” she says. “The Territory is a truly unique place, our multiculturalism, community spirit and pride is second to none. I can’t wait to share this once-in-alifetime experience with my friends and family in my hometown.” The relay began at Buckingham

Palace in March last year and arrived in Australia on December 24. Darwin is the last stop before the baton heads to the Gold Coast where the 21st Commonwealth Games will take place in April. The baton travels through Alice Springs, Litchfield, Palmerston and Darwin before celebrations at the Darwin Waterfront. City of Darwin Youth Services trainee Alicia Kent is one of more than 100 Territorians to carry the baton and says she’s humbled to be nominated, but nervous to be handing the baton to former Olympian Nova Peris. “It’s such a huge honour to be nominated for something like this,” says Kent. The opportunity is particularly special for Kent and her sporty family. “My Nan used to do a lot of relay running and marathons and she was

really excited when she found out. “I love that there’s a lot of young people running with the baton – it’s a great recognition of Darwin and all the people in the community.” Litchfield Celebration WHEN THU 1 MAR | 5-8PM AT FREDS PASS RESERVE COST FREE INFO facebook.com/litchfield. council

Palmerston Celebration WHEN FRI 2 MAR | 9.30-11AM AT GOYDER SQUARE COST FREE INFO facebook.com/ palmerstonnt

Darwin Celebration WHEN AT COST INFO

FRI 2 MAR | 4-9PM | FIREWORKS 8.45PM DARWIN WATERFRONT FREE waterfront.nt.gov.au

WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 4 MAR | 11.15AM-4.30PM DARWIN CITY LIBRARY $10 darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries

Battle of the Sexes In the wake of the sexual revolution and the rise of the women's movement, the 1973 tennis match between women's world champion Billie Jean King and ex-men's-champ and serial hustler Bobby Riggs was billed as the battle of the sexes. This event is a fundraiser for the NT Working Women's Centre. WHEN WED 7 MAR | 5.30PM AT BCC CINEMAS DARWIN COST $30 INFO facebook.com/ ntworkingwomenscentre

International Women's Day Breakfast There’s nothing like a room full of inspiring women and a full brekkie to start the day. Hosted by the Women’s Network NT, guest speaker Her Honour the Honourable Vicki

TIWI ISLAND ART SALE & FOOTY GRAND FINAL IT’S RARE THAT ART AND SPORT MEET IN SUCH A CULTURALLY SPECTACULAR FASHION AS THE TIWI ISLAND FOOTY FINAL AND ART SALE. The annual event on Bathurst Island, 70km north of Darwin, has become iconic not only for the incredible athleticism displayed in the Tiwi Island footy grand final, but the unique artwork that can be picked up at bargain prices. Artist Michelle Woody Minnapinii, from Jilamara Arts and Craft Association, travels from Milikapiti on

Melville Island to Wurrumiyanga on Bathurst and says it's a big day but worth the effort. “We go by road and then we got to catch a ferry across with all of our artwork piled up in the troopy,” she says. “We’re really, really, really busy. There’s people coming in all day. It’s really full on and we talk to a lot of people.” The art sale sees works sold at discounted prices. The majority of the cash goes directly to the artists, and the rest goes back to the art

centres, so artists have supplies and a space to work in. Artist Pedro Wonaeamirri says it was a great opportunity for tourists to meet artists and learn more about Tiwi culture. Wonaeamirri says their culture is unique to the tropical islands and different to many of the cultures on the mainland. “It’s really important we keep our art and culture as strong and also share it to the younger generation,” he says.  “The way I learn to become an artist is from watching family and elders who have passed away. It’s really

O’Halloran AM, Administrator of the Northern Territory will set the scene for a fab morning of networking and revelling. WHEN THU 8 MAR | 6.45AM AT DOUBLETREE BY HILTON COST $50 | $35 MEMB | $450 TABLE OF TEN INFO facebook.com/womens. network.nt

Made In Dagenham Rita lives in 1968 Dagenham and, like many local women, she works at the Ford plant stitching together seat covers. It's intricate work carried out in sweltering conditions. So why, she wonders, are the workers paid the same as unskilled labourers? Is it because the work is unskilled? Or is it in fact because they are women? WHEN AT COST INFO

THU 8 MAR | 6.30PM CASUARINA LIBRARY FREE darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries

International Women's Day Walk Celebrate the contributions and achievements of women both locally and internationally at this community event. Banners and noisemakers welcome! Celebrations and entertainment will follow in the Main Hall of Parliament House. WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 10 MAR | 9-11.30AM STATE SQUARE FREE darwin.nt.gov.au

Munupi Arts stall alongside Jilamara Arts, Main Hall Murrupurtiyanuwu Catholic School, Tiwi Islands Grand Final & Art Sale, 2017; image courtesy ANKA

important for the next generation to understand, to be aware of what Tiwi culture is about.” Get in quick and check the Sealink Tiwi Island ferry or local airlines to charter a flight to the island.

WHEN SUN 18 MAR | 9AM-6PM AT BATHURST ISLAND COST FREE INFO flytiwi.com.au | sealinknt. com.au

T-shirt design by Dion Beasley

LISTINGS

Quest for the Best – Design Competition All NT primary and secondary school students are invited to create a funky painting, drawing or design that celebrates the values of diversity, inclusion and equality and shows everyone getting a fair go. The artwork will be used on t-shirts, thongs and other cool things to advertise the Northern Territory National Disability Coordination Officer Program. There’s a $200 prize up for grabs for the winning artwork, plus the school of the winning student scores a $200 Jacksons’ Art Supplies voucher. WHEN ENTRIES CLOSE SAT 31 MAR INFO cdu.edu.au/equity-servic es/ndco

Understand Your Teenager Learn about the latest research and tips about your pre-teen and teenager to assist you to not merely survive each other, but thrive together as a carer-teenager team. WHEN THU 8 MAR | 5-7PM AT RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA NT COST $35 | $50 COUPLE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL INFO nt.relationships.org.au

Brick By Brick – A Lego Exhibition Join the fun at Casuarina Library and let your creativity run wild. Design your own capital city using Lego or build an iconic Canberra institution. Do you accept the challenge? WHEN UNTIL FRI 9 MAR AT CASUARINA LIBRARY COST FREE INFO facebook.com/ cityofdarwinlibraries

2018 First Thursday GLAMR Social Group GLAMR: Galleries, Libraries, Archives, Museums and Records Management. 21st century technology is changing our professional information industry. Gather with colleagues each month to collaborate and discuss. WHEN AT COST INFO

THU 1 MAR | 5-7PM RORKES BEER WINE FOOD FREE | REFRESHMENTS AT OWN COST 0419 844 603

Bringing Up Great Kids This short course explores children’s emotional development from birth to age 10, and looks at how to relieve stress and ways to increase calm. WHEN TUE 13, 20 & 27 MAR | 12.30-4.30PM AT RELATIONSHIPS AUSTRALIA NT COST $150 | $220 COUPLE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL INFO nt.relationships.org.au

Wet Season Treasures Tour Don the white gloves for a handson glimpse into what lies within the special collections at Northern Territory Library. From the evacuee list from Cyclone Tracy and rare 19th century manuscripts and maps through to the old school Neighbourhood Watch newsletters, there is a wealth of NT history at your fingertips.

Mindful Adventures in Movement Slow down and breath as you explore concepts of mindfulness through movement. No previous dance or mindfulness experience required, and all previous experience welcomed. WHEN FRI 2, 16, 23 & 30 MAR | 5.45-7.15PM AT DARWIN YOGA SPACE COST $15 INFO 0425 776 416

Spirit of Kirtan Celebration Wear an Indian inspired outfit and celebrate the birthday of Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, who reestablished the Kirtan meditation movement hundreds of years ago. WHEN AT COST INFO

FRI 2 MAR | 6.30-8.30PM LYONS COMMUNITY CENTRE FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL darwinyoga.com.au

Social Tennis Do you enjoy a hit of tennis but don’t want the pressure or commitment of a serious comp? Learn to play or advance your skills in a social setting. WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY TUE | 7-8.30PM TENNIS PALMERSTON $15 tennispalmerston.com

DARWIN WATERFRONT waterfront.nt.gov.au

Easter Saturday Celebrations Visit Mr and Mrs Easter Bunny in their majestic Bunny Burrow, dance the day away with a live DJ or try the jumping castles and water slides. WHEN SAT 31 MAR | 9AM-1PM COST FREE

Aqua Zumba Join the Zumba pool party for a cool calorie burning dance fitness session at Darwin’s Wave Lagoon. WHEN EVERY SUN | 9AM COST $12 | $8 U15

TACTILE ARTS tactilearts.org.au

A Short Fused Workshop Learn the techniques of kiln formed glass including the basic principles of glass fusing and slumping, the use of glass tools, selection of moulds and preparation of kiln shelves and firing kilns. Suitable for beginners and intermediate glass artists. WHEN EVERY SUN | 10AM-4.30PM COST $500 | $490 MEMB

WHEN WED 14 MAR | 5.30-6.30PM AT NT LIBRARY COST FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL INFO facebook.com/northern territorylibrary

Our Common Threads Want to improve your sewing skills or learn from scratch? Head along to these community sessions for some female only craft time. WHEN EVERY TUE | 10AM-1PM AT DURACK COMMUNITY CENTRE COST FREE | MATERIALS PROVIDED INFO darwincommunityarts. org.au

The Mermaid Tales Local artist Gisela Pineiro takes you on a painting journey to create your own work of art on canvas with acrylics. All levels of experience welcome, including beginners. WHEN TUE 27 MAR COST $160 | $150 MEMB

LET’S DANCE No Lights No Lycra A weekly dance jam in the dark – no teacher, no steps to learn, no alcohol, no talking – no worries! Just dancing

and great tunes. Perfect for all ages, shapes and sizes. No need to book, just turn up when you’re in the mood for a boogie. WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY WED | 6-7PM HAPPY YESS THEATRE, BROWN’S MART $7 nolightsnolycra.com

Argentine Tango Tango is a fun, social activity that can be danced by anyone, regardless of age or physical ability. It’s an improvised dance, and one that will exercise your mind as well as your body. WHEN EVERY THU | 7-9PM AT COCONUT GROVE HALL COST $12 | $15 TWO CONSECUTIVE CLASSES INFO facebook.com/nthntango

Grey Panthers A unique seniors dance group of Territory women and men over the age of 60. Want to be part of the fun? Join in weekly to learn new dances and rehearse for special performances. WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY FRI | 9.30-11AM TRACKS DANCE STUDIO $5 tracksdance.com.au

‘Movement Medicine’ Conscious Dance Class This guided free-form dance class explores using movement as medicine. WHEN EVERY SUN |10-11.30AM AT NIGHTCLIFF COMMUNITY CENTRE COST $15 | $10 CONC INFO 0431 929 145

Argentine Tango Practica Hosted by the Northern Tango dance community, join fellow tango dancers to practice, refine technique, build musical skill, inspire each other, talk tango and spend another night of the week enjoying tango. WHEN AT COST INFO

EVERY SUN | 4.30-6.30PM MALAK COMMUNITY HALL $5 facebook.com/nthntango

Milonga Join the Northern Tango community for a night of social Argentine Tango dancing.

WHEN AT COST INFO

FRI 30 MAR | 8-11PM COCONUT GROVE HALL $5 facebook.com/nthntango

Bachata Obsession Try a mix of Bachata dance styles and techniques including traditional, modern and sensual. WHEN AT COST INFO

MON 5 & 12 MAR | 7-9PM TGA STUDIO, WINELLIE $18 | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL salsitadarwin.com.au

Salsa Addiction Salsa is a contagious and addictive dance that has taken the world by storm. These practical, fun and easy classes will help you feel confident on the dance floor. WHEN TUE 6, 13 & 20 MAR | 6.30-9.30PM AT TRACKS DANCE STUDIO COST $18 | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL INFO salsitadarwin.com.au

PALMERSTON LIBRARY

palmerston.nt.gov.au/library Storytime Say goodbye to quiet libraries! 1-5 year olds and their caregivers will love singing, dancing, listening to stories and engaging with puppets in these fun, interactive sessions. WHEN EVERY TUE & THU | 10-10.45AM COST FREE

Nursery Time You’re never too young to enjoy reading. Treat your baby to songs, puppets, nursery rhymes and movement to enhance their early literacy development. Suitable for 0-1 year olds. WHEN EVERY WED | 10-10.45AM COST FREE

Code Club Coding is an awesome skill to help kids live in the digital age. Part of a nationwide network of volunteer-led creative coding clubs for kids aged nine to12 years, Code Club is free but places are limited, so bookings are essential. WHEN EVERY SAT | 10AM–1PM COST FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL

FOOD & DRINK Cassava Gnocchi

Cooking with Cassava

I made delicious dishes with this root when working as a cook on sail boats in the Pacific Islands, drawing inspiration from island ladies that I would spend time with. It is often boiled with coconut milk, added to curries, cooked in banana leaves in the fire or roasted. When I sailed into Darwin more than 10 years ago I got to know a wonderful lady who made some very inventive dishes with cassava and these have inspired me ever since. We met years ago in backyard get togethers, designed to share local produce ideas, and Grusha Leeman would always appear with an

Triple zero flour Salt

incredible dish with a twist on a local produce or foraged items.

Image by Emma Lupin

YOU MAY HAVE SEEN OR COOKED CASSAVA (Manihot esculenta, Euphorbiaceae), a wonderful sturdy looking root found at the market or growing in gardens in and around Darwin and the Top End. Although it has its origins in South America, it is a staple for many people across the Tropics, including for quite a few local families. It grows from stem cuttings and after a few months the root can be harvested. It is pretty easy to grow, doubles as a cyclone survival food and can be bought from various market stalls on the weekends.

1-2 large cassava tubers

Leeman came to the Territory when she was 19 and has spent a lot of time living out in the bush and rural areas, enjoying the concept of living from home-grown and foraged foods. She tries to be as sustainable as possible using locally grown produce, often from her own garden. “We often had home-grown produce when I was a kid, but spending my adult life in Darwin has meant discovering new tropical foods. When I started growing a food garden in Darwin River in the 90s, a bushy friend gifted me with a few sticks of a great variety of cassava, stating that everyone should grow it,” she says.

Skin, de-vein and chop the cassava tubers and boil until soft. Drain, cool, freeze and then defrost. Squeeze as much water from the chunks as possible. Add flour and a little salt until a dough is formed. Kneed and roll into sausages, slice into coins and squash with a fork. Drop into boiling water and remove to drain when the batch floats. Best served with homemade pesto.

Territory Delight 1 1/2 cups grated (raw) cassava tuber 1/2 to 1 cup fine sugar (white) 50ml rosewater 50ml water to rinse rosewater bottle Fine organic desiccated coconut or ground hazelnut Rose petals (optional)

Blend cassava, sugar, roswewater and water in a blender until smooth. Pour batter into a metal bowl and steam until firm (using double boiler method). Cool, slice into pieces and coat in coconut or chopped hazelnut. Add a little colour with rose petals, if available (can be bought at Greenies in Darwin).

cassava

Emma Lupin is a tropical plant specialist and local food enthusiast with passions for native habitat conservation and sustainable living. She is an environmental educator, community engager and encourages connection to the beautiful natural world, particularly our tropical home.

“Baked or fried chips satisfy any hot chips cravings – there is an abundance of ways to cook it. My favourite sweet cassava dishes are Territory Delight (similar to Turkish Delight) and Chocolate Pudding Cake. Besides yummy coconut cassava curries, and mashed “potato” dishes like stuffed fried balls, cassava makes an awesome gnocchi.”

FOLLOW tasteofthetopend.com | @tasteofthetopend

ATMOS: Listening Parties

WHEN MON 26 MAR | 6.30-8PM AT GO SUSHI DARWIN COST $35 | INCLUDES DINNER INFO storyprojects.com.au/ atmos

Creative producer Lori Uden says ATMOS: Hydrosphere is the first in a series of five listening parties over five months, designed to give locals a new experience of their city. “The idea was to get people in Darwin to think about their city in a different way, particularly thinking about local businesses and venues that are not just about selling something, or providing a service,” she says. “It’s about stories – and realising that our whole city is jam packed full of them.” For the first event, listeners will pair stories all about the deep blue with a six-course meal in the popular

Japanese restaurant Go Sushi on Mitchell Street.

could exist in relation to the oceans,” she says.

meditative and powerful in nature," says Ong.

“The idea is to get people in a space they’re really familiar with and transport them to the unknown or the never imagined,” says Uden.

“We have life outside of the oceans, where we get on and do our thing, and then there’s a whole lot of secrets underneath, behind that body of water, that we have no idea about.”

“I’m curious about the visual experience of the sushi train in motion, people watching other people listening and the dark moodiness of the restaurant. So the food and the stories will be enjoyed together, one complementing the other.”

“It’s sort of taking them from Darwin to somewhere that they probably will never get to experience in their lives.” Podcast junkie Jess Ong is curating the selection of stories from around the globe. “The oceans make up two thirds of the planet, so I think we all interact with water and oceans in very different ways but I don’t think we often stop to think about the stories that

Ong says the combination of podcasts, soundscapes and audio postcards will be accompanied by complementary dishes. “I wanted to create an all sensory and immersive experience: where the consumption of food obtained from our oceans is accompanied by stories and soundscapes inspired by that environment, which is both

The series of events for ATMOS will take place at a different location each month, including around the Vic Hotel, the old Town Hall Ruins, Hotel Darwin and Fishing and Outdoor World. Each event has a different audio curator and theme, making each a totally unique experience. Image by Jett Street Photographer

Take a stroll through the familiar whilst being transported to a new world through a set of headphones with ATMOS this Dry season.

PERFORMING ARTS

FOLLOWING A POPULAR SEASON IN DARWIN IN 2016, Artback NT and The Royal National Theatre of Jingili take Hillbilly Horror down the Stuart Highway this March. Something’s rotten in the Cooters’ backwoods cabin – and it’s not just Grandma’s guts. A blood moon’s soon to rise – once more activating the Cooter curse, caused by a dire and dreadful secret from the kinfolks dim, dark past. 13 chillun’ lie buried in the Cooters’ family plot and another one is set to join them. Mama’s missing and Pa’s gone mad. Will the remaining siblings counter the curse and live to tell the tale, or will the graveyard bell yet again sound its doleful toll? This physical, musical comedy of horrorful hilarity features a stellar cast including Gail Evans, Nicola Fearn, Tania Lieman, Yoris Wilson and Ciella Williams. Having performed together on many occasions in different incarnations, their style is physical comedy, using no set and virtually no props to create multiple characters, sound effects and story. The show returns to Darwin for two performances, before travelling to Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs. WHEN AT COST INFO

WED 14 MAR, 7.30PM | SAT 17 MAR, 6.30PM HAPPY YESS THEATRE, BROWN’S MART $30 | $20 CONC | $25 GROUPS 8+ brownsmart.com.au

WHEN FRI 16 MAR | 6.30PM AT MACFARLANE PRIMARY SCHOOL, KATHERINE COST $20 | $15 CONC INFO facebook.com/katherineregionalarts WHEN WED 21 MAR | 7PM AT BARKLY REGIONAL ARTS THEATRE, TENNANT CREEK COST CHECK WEBSITE INFO barklyarts.com.au

with comedian

DARWIN BASED STAND UP AND ARCHAEOLOGIST KC MARTINSTONE (AKA KC MONICA) represented the NT at the Adelaide Fringe Festival last month. Off The Leash columnist Will Crawford had a chat with the comedian about her work. As Darwin’s premier quintuple threat – writer, performer, archaeologist, heritage council member and philosopher – how do you work out what pursuit will be next? I always try to do things that seem fun. But there’s no real strategy to it. I guess it’s just saying yes to random things, and learning to say no to things I don’t enjoy. You recently performed your first solo show, KC Monica – Chase The Fun Stuff, at the Adelaide Fringe. What’s it about? The show is an exploration of how a bogan dropout ended up with a life in archaeology, and what she learned along the way. I didn’t find any ancient wisdom, unfortunately! How did you get into comedy? I kind of fell into it. I was writing a web series about NT history, and I wanted to make it more engaging, so I signed up for a comedy screenwriting workshop. After class,

Susie Youssef

Which artists most influence your thinking and work? I take influence from a whole range of spheres, not just artists. I’m fascinated by the work that scientists and other researchers are doing these days. I love beautiful data. I get absorbed by social movements. I worry at the trauma in the world. These things occupy my thoughts, and I try to untangle them and make sense of them, and hopefully eventually make fun of them. Favourite comic writer? Mark Twain. Favourite comic performer? Alice Fraser, Celia Pacquola, Deanne Smith, Justin Hamilton, Hannah Gadsby. Life’s greatest pleasure? Crisp cotton sheets with freshly shaved legs. Proudest moment? Winning a world debating series on ethics in archaeological practice. Advice you might tell your 10 yearsago self?

Divorce is great! And job security isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Hook your toes over the edge of the cliff, look down, and then jump. Something you wish you had done? I shouldn’t regret this, but I do. I was invited to go on an archaeological dig and turned it down because I couldn’t afford the airfare. They ended up discovering a new species of human (Homo floresiensis – AKA The Hobbit). I try to say yes to all random invitations now. Tips for emerging comics? Play with it. Do it for the audience, not for yourself. Pop culture guilty pleasure? I don’t believe in guilty pleasure. I believe in owning your hedonism. As for pop culture, I can’t keep up – but I do love Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee, and the podcasts Probably Science and The Dollop. FOLLOW

kcmonica.com

Image by Amy Hetherington

Hillbilly Horror

Q&A KC Monica

we all went to the pub and told yarns, and everyone cracked up at mine. These complete strangers said I should try standup. I figured they had no stake in the outcome and weren’t trying to make me feel good, so six weeks later I got up on stage for the first time, and was instantly addicted.

KC Monica

RAW Comedy NT Final 10 TOP END COMEDIANS ARE PREPARING TO WALK COMEDY’S ULTIMATE HIGHWIRE. Presented by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, RAW Comedy is the annual hunt for Australia’s as yet undiscovered wit – it’s where the nation’s best and boldest comedy athletes jump in head first and compete for a prized podium position. After surviving the heats, competitors have just five minutes of original comedy time to win over audiences and judges, and the night’s gold medallist gets the chance to battle it out for the comedy crown at Melbourne’s National Grand Final in April. Umpired by comedian and actor Susie Youssef, there’ll be perfect 10s, death defying belly flops and some tentative dipping of toes in the water as contestants willing and able make the bravest of comedy leaps.

WHEN FRI 2 MAR | 8PM AT THE VENUE FANNIE BAY COST $30 INFO chordsandcomedy.com.au

YOUR ENTERTAINMENT DESTINATION

skycitydarwin.com.au @skycitydarwin 8

Previous names in the trophy cabinet include Chris Lilley, Hannah Gadsby and Peter Helliar, proving RAW really can be the diving board to comedy success. So get your Mexican wave on and ticket-up for the Darwin comedy spectating event of the year.

NT Travelling Film Festival

Finding Maawirrangga

Communities and regional centres will be transformed into outdoor cinemas during the Dry, as the inaugural NT Travelling Film Festival (NTTFF) showcases the high calibre of films coming out of the region. A diverse line up of locally produced flicks will be screened in pop-up, natural auditoriums from the Red Centre to the Top End. 14 remote communities including Elliott, Borroloola and Gunbalanya will also be treated to workshops to coincide with the festival screenings. Filmmaker Nathaniel Kelly says he is humbled that his 2015 film After Tracy was among the 10 selected for the festival.

The 10-minute short follows a teenager as he tries to find his father after the most devastating event in Darwin’s modern history. "I was inspired by the reinvigorated interest in Tracy during the 40th anniversary commemorations," Kelly says. “We wanted to make a film and, considering we were in high school, we thought it would be appropriate to focus on Tracy from the perspective of a kid our age.” The collaboration between the Darwin Film Society and Darwin based creative producing company ACCOMPLICE is designed to showcase some of the best films coming out of the Territory to audiences beyond Darwin. Britt Guy from ACCOMPLICE says it’s important to share NT films with as many people as possible.

“The idea is about being able to share those films with a broader audience and take some of the films back to the places they were made,” she says. The inaugural program includes acclaimed award-winning films including four SPARK short film initiative entries – Sumatra, Lured, Snowdrops keep falling on my head (The mystery down under) and DEADLINE; four original works from the Indigenous Short Film Program – Carry The Flag, Finding Maawirrangga, The Greedy Emu and BAKALA – which touch on prevalent cultural issues and finding solace in ancestral locations; and Capricornia Film Award winners including Nulla Nulla. NTTFF Program Launch WHEN AT COST INFO

SUN 4 MAR | 1PM BCC CINEMA DARWIN $25 | $18 CONC nttravellingfilmfestival.com

LISTINGS

Northern Territory Literary Awards 2018 – entries open Entries open this month for the Northern Territory Literary Awards. Celebrating the achievements of Territory creative writers, essayists, bloggers, playwrights and poets, the awards cover seven categories, including poetry, essays, short stories, flash fiction and nonfiction writing, as well as theatre scripts and a youth award. This year’s award ceremony will be held at the Araluen Arts Centre in Alice Springs in July. WHEN ENTRIES OPEN MON 19 MAR – MON 30 APR INFO ntl.submittable.com

French Film Night Enjoy the French comedy, Le Diner de Cons, along with French cheese and wine at this monthly Alliance Française de Darwin event. WHEN AT COST INFO

WED 7 MAR | 6.30PM MUSEUM & ART GALLERY OF THE NORTHERN TERRITORY $20 | $14 MEMB, STUDENT afdarwin.org

Flix IN THE

Wet WHEN AT COST INFO

Darwin Film Society’s Flix in the Wet finishes up at the end of this month, with films in the aircon every Sunday – be sure to enjoy every last drop.

NT WRITERS’ CENTRE ntwriters.com.au nor could Wright truly be considered the sole author. Rather Tracker is a cumulative ‘collective memoir’ that weaves more than 50 voices together from many years of interviews, including politicians and political heavy weights.

OFF THE SHELF REVIEWS FOR READERS WELCOME TO MY COLUMN WHERE EACH MONTH I’LL TAKE A BOOK FROM THE SHELF TO SHARE. It’s a review of sorts, but also hopefully a nudge of encouragement, to say go on – there’s a lot great reading out there! I kick off this month with Alexis Wright’s new book Tracker. It’s a particularly apt place to start given the book is set almost entirely within the context of the Territory. It’s also the latest offering from an author whose work I love. Tracker is the life story of charismatic Aboriginal leader and political thinker Tracker Tilmouth – a man familiar to many in the NT – who died in Darwin in 2015. Yet this is no ordinary biography,

The book begins, after Wright’s introduction, in Tilmouth’s own voice. He takes the reader back to his earliest memories on Minjilang (Crocker Island) and makes reference to a particular dormitory ‘mother’ Lois Bartram. It seems a passing reference, yet the very next voice on the same page is Bartram herself, remembering Tracker as a young boy. Her memories carry the reader for a couple of pages, before Tilmouth’s brothers pick up the narrative. It is a truly remarkable way to read a life – from many perspectives. It is this intricate layering of voices, the following of ‘an Aboriginal tradition of storytelling’, that is the triumph of this book. As Wright claims “a Western-style biography would never do for Tracker.” Tilmouth is a man whose lived experience connects the dormitories of Minjilang to the cattle stations of Central Australia to the fight against Jabiluka in Jabiru. A child of the Stolen Generations, who proved that life experience teaches you a thing or two, Tilmouth was a relentless advocate of Aboriginal rights. In this way, Tracker is not only a personal story but also a political biography of Aboriginal affairs in the NT. It is not always glamorous, you feel Tilmouth’s

frustration throughout and there is an overwhelming sense of lost opportunities. Much is still unresolved today. But it’s also what makes Tracker urgent and vital reading here and now. Don’t be put off by its size (it’s huge) because a multitude of voices need many pages! But don’t just take my word for it – Alexis Wright will share her reflections on the book at its launch with Francis Jupurrurla Kelly, Chair of the Central Land Council. Book Launch – Tracker WHEN THU 1 MAR | 5.30-7.30PM AT NT LIBRARY COST FREE INFO facebook.com/ northernterritorylibrary

Kate Rendell works as a Communications Manager in the arts. She is also a freelance writer and researcher. First and foremost though she is a reader.

Poetry and Coffee Connect with fellow poetry lovers and share your favourite verses, or your own originals. No criticism, just enjoyment. WHEN THU 15 MAR | 10-11AM AT EAT AT MARTIN’S COST FREE

Polishing Your Draft This workshop with Rebecca Starford explains the importance of rewriting, efficient techniques and approaches. WHEN AT COST

SAT 24 MAR | 10AM-4PM FROG HOLLOW CENTRE FOR THE ARTS $100 | $75 NTWC MEMB

Q&A with memoirist Rebecca Starford Co-founder and publishing director of quarterly publication Kill Your Darlings, Rebecca Starford is also an editor at Text Publishing. Starford talks about how she came to write her schooldays memoir Bad Behaviour: A memoir of bullying and boarding school.

The Midwife (Sage Femme) Gifted midwife Claire has led a quiet, focussed life, dedicated to her profession and to raising her son as a single mother. One day she receives a call from the extravagant mistress of her deceased father (Catherine Deneuve), 30 years after she disappeared without a trace. WHEN SUN 25 MAR | 3PM

God’s Own Country

WHEN SUN 25 MAR | 2-3PM AT NT LIBRARY COST FREE

Wild Words The stage is wide open for anyone to perform poetry, prose, song lyrics or even a blog! WHEN AT COST

SUN 25 MAR | 3-5PM RAILWAY CLUB $5 | FREE FOR PERFORMERS, CHILD, NTWC MEMB

Johnny works long hours in brutal isolation on his family’s remote farm in England’s north. When a handsome Romanian migrant worker arrives, Johnny soon finds himself wrestling with emotions he has never felt before. WHEN SUN 25 MAR | 5.15PM

14 Wed

Tue

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 Wet Season Treasures Tour 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 8 Hillbilly Horror 14 Skate Nights

20 Mon

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 Bringing Up Great Kids 6 Our Common Threads 6 Social Tennis 6 Salsa Addiction 6 Storytime 19 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals

26 7 ATMOS: Listening Parties

19 Monday Jam Nights

15 Thu

Wed

6 Argentine Tango 6 Storytime 9 Poetry & Coffee 15 Survey Moments (last chance)

See Around Town 6

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 8 Hillbilly Horror 14 Skate Nights

See Food & Drink 7

16 Fri

Tue

6 Argentine Tango 6 Storytime

Thu

6 Mindful Adventures in Movement 6 Grey Panthers 8 Hillbilly Horror 17 H A R M O N Y (opening) 18 The Voodoo Laksa Tour 19 Loud at the Library

22 27

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 Bringing Up Great Kids 6 Our Common Threads 6 Social Tennis 6 The Mermaid Tales 6 Storytime 19 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals

See Feature 4

Fri

Wed

6 Mindful Adventures in Movement 6 Grey Panthers 13 Croc Bite Comedy 17 Fecund: Fertile Worlds (opening) 19 Loud at the Library 19 Snapchat Regret, Kolors & Basic Rocket Science

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 14 Skate Nights

17 Sat

4 Dance Demonstration

Thu

6 Code Club 8 Hillbilly Horror 17 The Mystical (last chance) 17 Lyrical (last chance) 19 St Paddy’s Day 19 Have Fun with Brass

See Visual Arts 16

6 Argentine Tango 6 Storytime 13 LOL Thursdays 19 Allday

Sun

5 Tiwi Island Art Sale & Footy Grand Final

Sat

6 Aqua Zumba 6 ‘Movement Medicine’ 6 Argentine Tango Practica 9 Flix in the Wet

16 Pastel Progression (last chance)

Fri

6 Code Club 9 Polishing Your Draft 15 Defying Empire (opens) 16 36 (last chance) 17 Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa (last chance) 19 Rails Annual Music Quiz 19 Have Fun with Brass

Good Friday

6 Mindful Adventures in Movement 6 Grey Panthers 6 Milonga

See Around Town 5

Sun

9 Flix in the Wet

Sat

6 Aqua Zumba 6 ‘Movement Medicine’ 6 Argentine Tango Practica 9 Q&A with Rebecca Starford 9 Wild Words

6 Quest for the Best – entries close 6 Easter Saturday Celebrations 6 Code Club 16 Good Enough! (last chance) 16 Michael Cook: Undiscovered (last chance) 19 Have Fun with Brass

Mon

9 NT Literary Awards – entries open 19 Monday Jam Nights

See Books & Film 9

The Midwife (Sage Femme)

AROUND TOWn Books & fILM Performing Arts YOUTH Visual Arts Word on the STREET Food & Drink Music FESTIVALS

offtheleash.net.au

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

See Books & Film 9

Calendar Thu Alexis Wright

2 Fri

5 Queen’s Baton Relay

1 9 Book Launch – Tracker

Tue

6 Brick by Brick 6 Mindful Adventures in Movement 6 Spirit of Kirtan Celebration 6 Grey Panthers 8 RAW Comedy NT Final 17 Instability (opening) 19 Loud at the Library

6 6 Social Tennis

Fri

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 Brick by Brick 6 Our Common Threads 6 Salsa Addiction 6 Storytime 19 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals

6 Brick by Brick (last chance) 6 Grey Panthers 14 LAUNCH gig team – applications close 16 36 (opening) 16 Pastel Progression (opening) 17 Tarntipi (opening) 19 Thundamentals 19 The Roy Boys 19 Loud at the Library

See Around Town 5

5 Queen’s Baton Relay 6 Brick by Brick 6 First Thursday GLAMR Social Group 6 Argentine Tango 6 Storytime 13 First Thursdays Comedy

Thu International Women’s Day

See Around Town 6

8 5 International Women’s Day Breakfast 5 Made in Dagenham 6 Brick by Brick 6 Understand Your Teenager 6 Argentine Tango 6 Storytime 15 Unpeeling Perception (opening) 16 People Like Us (opens)

See Around Town 5 Jessica Mauboy

Sat

6 Brick by Brick 6 Code Club 15 Exit Art (opens) 16 Frog Hollow (last chance) 17 Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa (opens) 19 The Darwin Community Collective Ensemble 19 Have Fun with Brass

Sun

MAR 18

Sat

14 International Women’s Day Skate

11 5 International Women’s Day Walk

6 Aqua Zumba 6 ‘Movement Medicine’ 6 Argentine Tango Practica 9 Flix in the Wet

4 Singing in the Rain 6 Code Club 15 Unpeeling Perception – Artist Talk 16 Good Enough! (opens) 18 Backsliders 19 Have Fun with Brass

Sun

9 NT Travelling Film Festival

See Visual Arts 16

5 All About Women Satellite 6 Brick by Brick 6 Aqua Zumba 6 A Short Fused Workshop (commences) 6 ‘Movement Medicine’ 6 Argentine Tango Practica 9 Flix in the Wet 13 The Gut Movie 19 First Sunday Blues

See Youth 14

See Books & Film 9

Lured

Wed

6 Brick by Brick

Mon

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 5 Battle of the Sexes 6 No Lights No Lycra 6 Nursery Time 9 French Film Night 13 Croc Bites Comedy 14 Skate Nights

6 Bachata Obsession 19 Monday Jam Nights

Mon

Tue

6 Brick by Brick 6 Bachata Obsession 19 Monday Jam Nights

See Around Town 6

4 Drop-in Dance Classes 6 Bringing Up Great Kids 6 Our Common Threads 6 Social Tennis 6 Salsa Addiction 6 Storytime 19 Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals

NORTHERN TERRITORY WRITERSâ€™ CENTRE

8941 2651 ntwriters.com.au executive@ntwriters.com.au Workshops | Monthly Events | Opportunities

REHEARSALS Tue 7.00pm to 9.30pm TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM Sat 10.00am to 12noon Supported by City of Darwin

NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS WELCOME Ron Roberts (Music Director) 0418 857 744 Carol Atkinson (President) 0408 322 539 darwincitybrassband@gmail.com

darwincitybrassband.org.au

WORD ON THE STREET The Gut Movie

I M O C CS'

CORNER

DISCOVER, LOVE, SHARE CLEAN LIVING IS BEING MINDFUL OF WHAT YOU PUT IN YOUR BODY, mindful of keeping a healthy home and work environment, and mindful of your environmental footprint. I’m celebrating that, for once, Darwin is part of a successful nationwide tour – hurray! Thank you to Kale Brock, director, producer and presenter of The Gut Movie for making the effort and bringing his work to us. Brock debuts his documentary in Darwin with a Q&A session to help answer some of those questions you may have been thinking about for quite some time. Whilst terms like gut flora, probiotics and microbiomes may get bandied about, most of us

SHOWCASING TOP END COMICS AND LOCAL STAND-UP PERFORMERS

probably know very little about how our gut works. The Gut Movie is a long awaited and stunning documentary investigating the human microbiome, designed to help us understand more about how our gut really works and finally discover whether the ‘optimal microbiome’ (gut bacteria/gut eco-system) does indeed exist. In making the documentary, Brock travelled from Australia to Namibia to live with The San, an ancient hunter-gatherer people living traditionally from the land.

As a wellness advocate and believer in food being medicine, I choose wholefoods rather than processed foods, so I’m personally very curious about Brock’s findings. I am really looking forward to understanding more on how we can supercharge our microbiomes with amazing flora from the inside out.

The Gut Movie WHEN SUN 4 MAR | 7-9PM At BCC CINEMA DARWIN COST $26.50 | $39.20 VIP INFO facebook.com/ kalesbroccoli

The Surrealist In this month’s micro-essay, or “messay”, I examine the ethereal and whimsical stylings of the Surrealist Comedian. The Surrealists commonly dispense with reality’s restrictive undergarments and playfully wander through labyrinthine worlds of quirky characters, strange ideas and novel settings to unearth their laughs.

Lina Paselli is the joint owner of Clean Living in the Tropics, an online publisher dedicated to championing clean living individuals and businesses in the Top End. Lina is also the co-founder and General Manager of award-winning Malak Marketplace, Darwin’s premier organic, sustainable farmers’ market and eco-tourist destination. She also owns Paleo in the Tropics. FOLLOW cleanlivinginthetropics.com.au | facebook.com/cleanlivinginthetropics

REVIEWS, TIPS AND ADVICE FOR TRAVELLING THE WORLD WITH KIDS I love the fact that it’s quicker and cheaper to fly to from Darwin to Bali, than it is to fly to Sydney. We have a few favourite spots, but Ubud seems to be a place we visit over and over again. Known as the cultural heart of Bali, Ubud is famous for its verdant green rice paddies, lush landscape, Balinese arts and traditional crafts. More recently, Eat, Pray, Love has put Ubud on the map for globetrotters seeking spiritual healers, raw food cafes and yoga retreats. Sure, the centre of Ubud is pretty hectic these days, but in the surrounding villages the pace is slower and much more chilled. Ubud isn’t just for adults – there’s a mind-boggling array of activities for kids. For starters, there’re

heaps of Balinese arts and crafts classes – kite making, dance classes, silversmith jewellery making, Balinese offering making, wood carving, gamelan music and more. Check the schedule at the lovely Pondok Pekak Library and Learning Centre for what’s on offer. Sari Api also run brilliant ceramic courses for kids, and Studio Perak is awesome for silversmith classes. Another little gem is Yellow Coco – a delightful open arts space for kids designed to nurture creativity and understanding between the Balinese and non-Balinese community. Check out their Facebook Page to see what’s on. For Balinese dance and music performances you can’t beat the Arma Museum and the Ubud Palace for location and magical atmosphere. If you have a kid that needs to burn off lots of energy, head to the picturesque Ceking Rice Terraces in Tegallalang, north of Ubud. The circuit walk is pretty much up and down, but our kids love scrambling over the rice paddies and the views are sublime.

The Mechanics of Comedy – Part 3 Comedy is often just story telling from an unexpected perspective. Whether it’s a well-crafted Sean Loch one-liner taking aim at children’s acting abilities, watching Robin Williams dance with a panoply of improvised misfits, or a florid journey through Noel Fielding’s surrealist landscape of woodland elves, afro-Caribbeanfunk shamans and depressive anthropomorphized moons, comedy is, at its core, a narrative art.

We are big fans of the Bali Bird Park, just outside Ubud. It’s set in beautiful and expansive tropical gardens. There are heaps of different species of birds to see and lots of close encounters and photo opportunities with macaws, toucans and local tropical birds. When I think of Bali and food, I don’t necessarily think of chocolate. But on our 'Bali Bucket List' is a visit to the Pod Chocolate Factory outside of Ubud, where kids can watch the stuff being made from bean to bar, with tasting opportunities of course. But what about parents! For a date night try my new favourite, Hujan Locale, for divine Indonesian food with a modern twist. Make sure you have a cocktail downstairs first. And if you’re tearing your hair out trying to work out where to stay in Ubud, take a look at my blog for some reviews on places we love. Enjoy your holiday!

Libby Larsen Travel is, and has always been, Libby’s passion and she believes that this shouldn’t stop when you have kids. Libby knows that the best travel advice and tips come from other parents and so she started Growing up Troppo. It has loads of inspiration about hip places to stay, play and eat with kids that, importantly, parents love too.

The standup comics that can properly be classified as Surrealists include Australia’s own Sam Simmons, Britain’s James Acaster and Fielding, and in the US: the elastic faced Maria Bamford, Mitch Hedberg and Steven Wright. Wright is deservedly regarded as one of the modern era’s greatest standup comics, owing largely to his phenomenal ability to craft surrealist one-liners, often taking an idea, flipping a societal convention on its head and marinating the joke in a viscous film of otherworldly joy. The following Wright one-liners demonstrate how easily he has skipped between the cracks of logic in the universe’s pavement: “I busted a mirror and got seven year’s bad luck. But my lawyer thinks he can get me five.” “I bought a dog the other day... I named him Stay. It's fun to call him... "Come here, Stay! Come here, Stay!" Now he just ignores me and keeps typing. He's an East German Shepherd. Very disciplined.” “The other day when I was walking through the woods, I saw a rabbit standing in front of a candle making shadows of people on a tree.”

“I remember my first job…I used to be a narrator for bad mimes.” In television, Surrealists are less common. In the 50s and 70s The Goon Show and Monty Python’s Flying Circus would often play in surrealist, Dadaist sandpits. In more recent times, the English series Garth Marenghi’s Darkplace, was an excellent, quirky mockumentary about the fictitious makers of a fictitious Stephen King-esque sci-fi hospital drama. Several cast members launched their careers in this and went on to star in The Mighty Boosh and The IT Crowd. The American sketch-comedy show Tim and Eric: Great Show Nice Job is another impressive surrealist foray. Australia has rarely embraced the Surrealists. Sadly, the Doug Anthony All Stars were the last group that seriously played with anarchic and surrealist material in prime time. To catch some great local comedy and to try to spot an Australian Surrealist (a bit like Where’s Wally or hunting a Gouldian finch) head to:

First Thursdays Comedy – Frustrated and Furious WHEN THU 1 MAR | 7.30PM At BROWN’S MART COST $10 INFO facebook.com/ topendcomedy

RAW Comedy – NT Final WHEN At COST INFO

FRI 2 MAR | 7PM THE VENUE FANNIE BAY $30 | $25 CONC chordsandcomedy.com.au

Croc Bite Comedy Open Mic Night.

WHEN FRI 23 MAR | 8PM At MAYFAIR GALLERY COST $10 INFO facebook.com/ crocbitecomedydarwin

LOL Thursdays WHEN THU 29 MAR | 8PM At BEACHFRONT HOTEL COST FREE INFO face book.com/ topendcomedy

Will Crawford is an up-andcrawling comic. He moonlights as a land rights lawyer and policy activist.

FOLLOW growinguptroppo.com | @growinguptroppo

2017 Finalist Angel Babajo’s barramundi, snake bean and eggplant dish for the local produce round

YOU GO GIRL

With more and more women and girls hitting the skate park every year, City of Darwin’s Skate Development Officer Hannah Illingworth took a second for Off The Leash and International Women’s Day to give a thumbs up to the lasses who’re risking blood, sweat and tears.

LISTINGS

YOUTH

CITY OF DARWIN facebook.com/launchdarwin launchdarwin.com.au

International Women's Day Skate

BMX Name: Ellie-Jane Ascoli Age: 16 Discipline: BMX Racing Junior Elite How long have you been racing? 12 years Favourite park/place: New at Range BMX Track/Jingili BMX Club Why do you race? Fun, excitement, mateship, competition Follow @_ellieascoli Chaquira Jones discusses her dish with mentor Sel Kandasamy from Saffrron

Dishing Up Darwin DISHING UP DARWIN PUTS THE NEXT GENERATION OF YOUNG CHEFS HEAD TO HEAD TO TEST THEIR CULINARY SKILLS. Applications are now open for foodies aged 12–25, with the competition heating up in Youth Week next month. 12 contenders will be whittled down to four to compete in the NT fresh produce final. The finalists will also be treated to a food tour of Darwin to learn more about the Territory’s finest produce. Last year’s winner Zandro Lagman, 17, says being involved was a great chance to test his skills and meet plenty of like-minded young food fans.

which has really heavy flavours, so I tried to develop my own style in Australia that’s easier on the stomach.” Lagman encourages anyone who is at home in the kitchen to sign up. “Just try it – it’s something fun,” he says. “It’s not going to be Master Chef, it’s not tense – it’s casual, fun and exciting.” Last year’s judge David Taylor says he was impressed by the ability of the young cooks.

“I grew up eating and cooking great food, so I thought I’d do something new and try to test myself,” he says.

“I was quite surprised at the amazing talents of the young people that competed,” he says.

“I met a lot of people like me, young people who love to cook.” Over the four heats, Lagman cooked a variety of recipes, but when crunch time came he took out the title with a barramundi and rice salad dish.

“They took it seriously, they really considered what they were going to make on the final day, and as far as judging goes, they worked clean and neatly and efficiently, producing some great dishes with amazing NT produce.”

“I tried my best to cook healthy and cook light,” says Lagman.

Taylor says there is one main ingredient the judges looking for.

“I grew up with Filipino cooking,

“Passion – if you have a passion for cooking, enter. Enter. Enter,” he says.

WHEN AT COST INFO

SAT 21 & SUN 22 APR | APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN VARIOUS LOCATIONS FREE launchdarwin.com.au

QUADS Name: Rosie King Age: 28 Discipline: Roller Skating – derby, aggressive, street and jam How long have you been skating? 4 years Favourite park/place: Nightcliff Foreshore and Jingili Skate Park Why do you skate? Roller skating is like always listening to your fav song, it always makes you smile and lightens your mood. I always feel like I might fly away when I’m skating. Favourite Trick: Shoot the duck, Marilyn Stall and Fakie 180

Celebrate International Women's Day with a free skate etiquette workshop, as well as a jam session, accompanied by music, games, food and prizes. Aimed at getting females into skate parks, all skaters aged 12-25 are welcome to come along for a shred on the day. WHEN AT COST

SUN 11 MAR | 4-6PM | WORK SHOP 4-5.30PM LEANYER RECREATION PARK FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL FOR WORKSHOP

LAUNCH gig team – recruiting

Follow @princess_punch

SKATE Name: Reckell Sorrel Age: 14 Discipline: Skateboard How long have you been skating? 10 months Favourite park/place: Leanyer Skatepark Why do you skate? I feel free when I skate Favourite trick: Manual Follow @the_skater_258

SCOOT Name: Chloe Littler Age: 12 Discipline: Scoot How long have you been skating? 1.5 years Favourite park/place: Jingili, my local Why do you skate? I skate because it’s something I can do to get my mind off things and it’s something I enjoy. Favourite trick: Fingerwhip Follow @_chloelittler

City of Darwin's LAUNCH program is looking for five young live music event coordinators to help put on awesome all-ages events for their mates and the Darwin community. The event coordinators will receive one-on-one training and mentoring from local producer Amy Hetherington and have a budget to create something really special. The program will run March – September and 15-25 year olds who live, work or study in Darwin are invited to apply. WHEN APPLICATIONS CLOSE FRI 9 MAR

Skate Nights

Following a successful year in 2017, weekly skate nights return this month. New skaters, regular shredders and spectators are invited to come along, listen to music and thrive with the energetic skate park community – all welcome. WHEN EVERY WED | 6-8PM AT JINGILI SKATE PARK COST FREE | BYO SKATES

VISUAL ARTS Wenike Hensch

MAGNT

Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory 19 Conacher Street, The Gardens | 8999 8264 | magnt.net.au | MON–FRI 9AM-5PM | SAT & SUN 10AM-5PM

Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial A survey of Australian Contemporary art by 30 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists through a diversity of works that respond to the Triennial theme; the 50th Anniversary of the 1967 Referendum. A National Gallery of Australia exhibition. WHEN

SAT 24 MAR – SUN 15 JUL

Art U&T

Archie Moore, 'Aboriginal Anarchy', 2012; National Gallery of Australia, Canberra, purchased 2013

ABO

Image: Jan Danielle Domingo, ‘Redemption’, 2016, digital photograph; courtesy of the artist

Unpeeling Perception THE STORY OF ADOPTION IS A PERSONAL JOURNEY. IT CAN TAKE MANY YEARS TO UNFOLD AND MANY MORE TO BE TOLD. Adopted, virtually at birth, from one culture into another, artist Wenike Hensch continues her journey and exploration of various paths and points of connection with the home of her ancestors this month. Off The Leash caught up with Hensch ahead of her upcoming adoption research residency. What are you hoping to achieve through this residency? I'd like to open up the subject of adoption, to question the perception of adoption in society, to reflect on my experience and dig a bit deeper into my sense of self. Whether my sense of self is lead by nature vs nurture within my adoptive experience. How do you share your stories with others through your work? With this particular project, I will

be experimenting with colour and a range of different mediums: paint, Perspex and tapa cloth, to create emotional narratives that translate important elements of my story. What have you discovered through your artistic journey so far? That I find it much easier to express my ideas by creating visual landscapes than I do using words. This residency in particular will be a new and exciting opportunity for me to explore my story, to ‘feel’ and intuitively develop my own visual language. You’re encouraging participation from people with their own adoption story or connection, how can people get in touch with you and what will be the process for them? I will be available in the last week of the residency (12 – 16 March) to talk to members of the public who are interested in sharing their own adoption story or connection to adoption. All disclosed information will be

treated respectfully and can be noted as anonymous if requested (book online through Creative Accomplice).

Exit Art

Has becoming a mother impacted your artistic journey? Definitely! I'm always trying to configure a work/mama balance, especially as a solo parent. It's always a continual see-saw of producing and parenting. Hopefully more of a hybrid of both in future as my daughter's getting older and wants to get more involved.

A celebration of the talents and creativity of the next generation of artists and designers, Exit Art presents the very best contemporary art and design from Northern Territory Year 12 students. The exhibition reflects the diversity of NT artistic practice and practitioners, expressing universal themes of identity, place and environment. WHEN

Work In Progress Showing

SAT 3 MAR – SAT 12 MAY

WHEN THU 8 MAR | 5.30-7.30PM

Artist Talk WHEN SAT 10 MAR | 2-3PM AT COST INFO

MAYFAIR GALLERY FREE creativeaccomplice.com.au

Franck Gohier, 'The Phillip', 2006, synthetic polymer paint, metal can, nails and buttons on wood, 62x24x24cm; Artbank Collection

NORTHERN TERRITORY ARCHIVES CENTRE Kelsey Crescent, Millner | 8999 6890 | naa.gov.au MON–FRI 9AM-4.30PM

Surveyor's Camp, Port Darwin, c. 1869; NT Archives Service, NTRS 234, Kent collection, CP210

Survey Moments IN FEBRUARY 1869 GEORGE WOODROFFE GOYDER CAME TO PORT DARWIN with a team of surveyors to map out Palmerston (later Darwin) and the surrounding areas. This exhibition of survey archives features his diary, the original surveyor field books, survey diagrams, a survey register, aerial photographs and maps. WHEN UNTIL THU 15 MAR

Franck Gohier: a thousand miles from everywhere This celebration of Franck Gohier's work places him firmly in the Darwin, the Northern Territory and the Australian cultural landscape. The exhibition covers some of the major themes of Gohier’s work, from the global influence of Pop art and capitalism through to the bombing of Darwin in World War II and the city itself as subject.. WHEN UNTIL SUN 1 JUL

DVAA

Darwin Visual Arts Association Woods Street, Darwin | 8981 9351 | dvaa.net.au | WED–FRI 12-5PM | SAT 10AM–3PM

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

PEOPLE LIKE US This touring exhibition from the University of NSW captures universal aspects of the contemporary human condition in film, animation, digital and interactive art, revealing the many experimental technologies being deployed by artists as they comment on issues confronting us in the 21st century. WHEN THU 8 MAR – SAT 5 MAY Angelica Mesiti, 'Rapture (silent anthem)', 2009, single-channel video, colour, 10 minutes, 10 seconds; courtesy the artist and Anna Schwartz Gallery

PAUL JOHNSTONE GALLERY

Harriet Place, Darwin | 8941 2220 | pauljohnstonegallery.com.au | WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

GOOD ENOUGH!

Since 2008 The Spinifex Hill Artists has blossomed into a significant Indigenous Western Australian arts group. The studio artists regularly win awards and are recognised nationally for their vibrant and innovative art. This exhibition features Winnie Sampi, Nyaparu William Gardiner, Nyangulya Katie Nalgood, Doreen Chapman and Victor Burton.

THIS SERIES IS ALICIA SCOBIE’S DIRECT RESPONSE TO IMAGERY CUT FROM THE 1981 EDITIONS OF ART AND AUSTRALIA, and how the images directly invigorate memories of her own lived experiences. The associated commentary on the works is a tongue in cheek, darker humour response to situations, choices and experiences encountered in her life thus far. WHEN FRI 9 – SAT 24 MAR | OPENING FRI 9 MAR, 6PM

innie Sampi, 'My Ancestor Country', 2017, acrylic on canvas, 23 x 30cm

GYRACC

WHEN SAT 10 – SAT 31 MAR

Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts and Culture Centre Stuart Highway, Katherine East | 8972 3751 | gyracc.org.au | TUE–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM–3PM

Alison Worsnop, ‘Litchfield National Park’, 2012

Pastel Progression

Alison Worsnop’s remarkable collection of pastel sketches, drawings and paintings created over 30 years progresses from the Solomon Islands, to Oxford, Shetland and eventually the wild pristine landscapes of the Northern Territory. Her later work focusses closely on the wetlands and woodlands of her home in Humpty Doo. WHEN FRI 9 – SAT 24 MAR | OPENING FRI 9 MAR, 6PM

FROG HOLLOW Open to all current members of DVAA, the first member show for 2018 is Frog Hollow. This member show is likely to be the last to be held at the iconic Frog Hollow Centre for the Arts. What does the space mean to you?

WHEN UNTIL SAT 3 MAR

Michael Cook: Undiscovered

Photographic works by Michael Cook provide a contemporary Indigenous perspective of European settlement in Australia, a land already populated by its original people. Cook’s artworks shift roles and perspectives around the notion of European ‘discovery’ of Australia, reflecting upon our habitual ways of thinking and seeing our history. WHEN UNTIL SAT 31 MAR

Visit

PARAP GALLERIES

NCCA

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

NOMAD ART GALLERY

Vickers Street, Parap | 8981 6382 | nomadart.com.au MON–FRI 10AM–5PM | SAT 9AM–2PM Winsome Jobling, ‘Cyan August 13’ (detail), recycled photocopy toner on paper, 65 x 50cm

Instability This series of drawings by Darwin artist Winsome Jobling documents the cloudy days of the 2016/17 Dry seasons (2017 was the warmest on record). Made using recycled photocopy toner, the clouds are beautiful, cottony, floating arrangements of water molecules,

but they also carry an intrinsic message demonstrating the human impact on the natural world. WHEN FRI 2 MAR – SAT 7 APR | OPENING FRI 2 MAR, 6PM

Matt Sav with Pony Express, ‘“Girls Grown Wild VI” Ecosex Pinup #1’, 2015, digital photograph, 84.1 x 118.9cm

Fecund

OUTSTATION

2/3 Parap Place, Darwin | 8981 4822 | outstation.com.au TUE 10AM-1PM | WED–FRI 10AM-5PM | SAT 10AM-2PM

Fertile Worlds

Announced as the inaugural SPARK NT Curator in 2017, Katherine based curator Clare Armitage presents Fecund: Fertile Worlds. Showcasing contemporary artists from across the NT and Australia, Fecund is an exhibition that explores life, death and desire. It evokes the natural landscape and the resilience of life.

Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa - Culture, strong and true Mumu Mike Williams and Willy Muntjantji Martin are senior artists from Mimili Maku Arts. Their mixed media artworks explore sovereignty, and an unyielding connection to country. Williams presents a series of screenprints on found maps. As a traditional owner, he has obscured place names and borders with inscriptions of ancient and persistent Anangu culture and Pitjantjatjara text. Martin paints the Wanampi Tjukurpa, or Water Snake Dreaming, a story from Piltati on the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands in South Australia.

WHEN FRI 23 MAR – SAT 14 APR | OPENING FRI 23 MAR, 6PM

The

LYRICAL

Dana Duncan’s exhibition features highly intricate and richly coloured drawings, ceramics and mosaic, with patterned compositions in gel pen, along with forays into acrylic painting.

This exhibition is all about artist Kat Borrow’s favourite band – The Beatles – and the major impact it’s had on her life and love of music.

Mystical

WHEN UNTIL SAT 17 MAR Mumu Mike Williams, 'Tjukurpa Kunpu Mulapa - Tjukurpa is very powerful', 2018, screenprint on found map, 54 x 37cm

WHEN UNTIL SAT 17 MAR

TACTILE ARTS

ABORIGINAL BUSH TRADERS

TUE–FRI 10AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 10AM-4PM

MON–FRI 9AM-4PM | SAT & SUN 9AM-3PM

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

HARMONY Harmony is an exhibition of works created by Tactile Arts members. View the work of local artists and artisans as they respond to the theme Harmony. Works on paper, ceramics, glass, jewellery and textiles will feature. WHEN FRI 16 MAR – SUN 1 APR | OPENING FRI 16 MAR, 5-7PM

WHEN

SAT 3 – SAT 24 MAR

Lyons Cottage, 74 The Esplanade, Darwin | 8942 4023 | aboriginalbushtraders.com

Tarntipi: Teaching, Learning and Understanding Tiwi Culture Tiwi Traditional Owner Teddy Portaminni and family, working with photographer Nicholas Walton-Healey, proudly present this fundraising exhibition. Proceeds will be used to develop Tarntipi Bush Camp – a new cultural training business on Bathurst Island. WHEN FRI 9 MAR – FRI 20 APR | OPENING FRI 9 MAR, 10.30AM Nicholas Walton-Healey, ‘Crocodile Dreaming: Even the little kids are prepared for ceremony. This design is the crocodile because the crocodile is my grandson Vincent’s dreaming’, digital photograph taken and reproduced with permission; courtesy Tarntipi Aboriginal Homelands Corporation

MUSIC Birdz

WHEN AT COST INFO

THE VOODOO LAKSA TOUR The Voodoo Laksa Tour brings two powerhouses of Australian hip-hop together to perform their potent, political and poetic music. Birdz performs from his critically acclaimed album Train of Thought while rapper/ poet/author Omar Musa brings to life his latest album Since Ali Died. Both artists spoke to Off The Leash.

WHEN AT COST INFO

Birdz – can you tell me why you wanted to join forces with Omar? If there was one piece of poetry or music of his that you had to pick to introduce someone to his work, what would it be? I think we share a similar drive to share our stories in a way that really connects with people on a deeper level, and in turn generates a greater awareness of where we come from. Omar’s poetry and music are equally dope and the message always stays strong throughout. I feel as though that’s something we have in common –

BACKSLIDERS AUSTRALIAN BLUES LEGENDS BACKSLIDERS HAVE BEEN TOURING AND RECORDING TOGETHER FOR MORE THAN 30 YEARS, and Darwin audiences benefit regularly from their captivating live shows. Slide guitarist, multi-stringed instrumentalist, songwriter, vocalist and founding member Dom Turner spoke to Off The Leash about what keeps them going – and what keeps them coming back. Backsliders are regular visitors to Darwin. Do you have a stand out gig from over the years? Is there anything typically Territorian you're looking forward to doing while you're here? It was the heat of the very first Darwin gig a few years ago before the aircon at the Railway Club was happening. It transported us to South East Asia – the band did a Vietnam and Cambodia tour a few years prior – and I was personally reminded of a Louisiana gig I had done with some friends. Although time is always against us, we love just heading to the Parap Market, or down to the Waterfront and enjoying the view. It will still be hot. And sweaty. And sticky when you're here in March. Does our steamy, tropical weather influence your setlist? Darwin audiences – and the weather – seem to guide our performances and bring out even more spontaneity than usual. The band functions around musical interaction between members at live gigs and the heat seems to stimulate it. Can you tell us a little bit about the band’s journey over the last three decades? It’s been a great ride with Backsliders right from the outset in 1986, as a purely acoustic blues act. I’d just returned from a lengthy trip to the US and came back to Australia wanting to start a band that drew on my first musical love – rural blues – however I wanted to present it in a band format. At the time most acts playing that form of blues were either solo or duo.

FRI 16 MAR | 8PM RAILWAY CLUB $28.58 darwinrailwayclub.org

Birdz – how did this collaboration come about? And where did the fabulous tour name come from? It’s like a name just MADE for a Darwin show! We connected a while back through mutual friends and I’ve always had big respect for what Omar does as a lyricist and poet. We’ve both just dropped projects, so doing a tour together now just makes perfect sense. As for the name of the tour – Omar has a song called ‘Laksa’ and I have a song called ‘Hunger Voodoo’. We put them together and you get The Voodoo Laksa Tour. It was as simple as that, really. We can’t wait to hit D-Town – for the show and the laksa!

Omar Musa

SAT 10 MAR | 7PM RAILWAY CLUB $32.50 darwinrailwayclub.org

making a conscious decision to utilise music as a platform to make bangers with substance. If there was one tune to share right now I’d say ‘Assimilate’, featuring Tasman Keith. Omar – same question for you! Why did you want to team up with Birdz? And what’s the piece of music of his that you’d play if you were introducing someone to his music for the first time? Birdz has a fresh, unique style that is absolutely his own. He sounds like no-one else and is grappling with really big issues in his music in a playful, cool way. If I was introducing someone to his music, I’d show them ‘Rise’, featuring Jimblah. It’s anthemic, moving, inspiring and just goes hard. Omar – what’s the gig going to look like? Are you each just doing your own thing – or will you perform together? We will definitely collaborate towards the end of the set. It’ll be like Captain Planet – “when our powers combine!” I think the show will be really fun and high energy, hopefully bringing everyone into a really heightened state where they can dance and think at the same

time. When I’m performing, I give the crowd everything that I’ve got. For the both of you – you’re both very passionate storytellers – what are the issues that are really igniting your creativity at the moment? Are they personal or political or both? Omar: A balance of both. We’re surrounded by chaos and injustice and a world of political and religious violence, so I try to meditate on that, as well as my place in it. But I am equally inspired to write by personal matters, like falling in and out of love, friendship or meeting someone interesting on the bus and hearing some unexpected wisdom from them. We live in a whirlwind of stories. Sometimes you’ve just got to be brave enough to reach out and pluck one from the air. Birdz: For me, rap has always been about sharing my own personal story and representing where I’m from and what I’m going through at any given time. Also, as an Aboriginal man in Australia I feel as though everything I do is scrutinised so much that it becomes political – whether it’s my intention or not. I take that energy, channel it into positive motivation and try to push the envelope as far as I can.

As time went on, a number of other similar Australian acts began to appear, so I moved into writing originals as a focus. The next big change was in 2000 when Rob Hirst joined on drums. We began to co-songwrite, and I moved to electric guitar, drawing on rural blues artists Mississippi Fred McDowell and R.L. Burnside. What else are you working on at the moment? I have a number of international collaborations, particularly with American artists – but for now I’m focussing on my main project – Backsliders.

WHEN FRI 9 MAR | 7PM AT DISCOVERY DARWIN COST $36.63 INFO discoverydarwin.com.au

Darwin Chorale presents

Gloria!

Thundamentals

DARWIN CHORALE WILL BE JOINED BY MELBOURNE BASED CHOIR EXAUDI FOR A ROUSING AND SPINE CHILLING PERFORMANCE THIS EASTER. Fiona Wake from Darwin Chorale spoke to Off The Leash. ONE OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST BELOVED HIP-HOP ACTS, THUNDAMENTALS, CELEBRATE 10 YEARS TOGETHER IN 2018. They bring their anniversary tour to Darwin and Alice Springs this month. DJ Morgs chatted with Off The Leash. You're kicking off the tour in Darwin, before heading to Alice Springs. Thanks for the NT love! This isn't the first time you've played here either – what keeps you coming back? It was a long time into the touring career for us before we had the chance to play in either Darwin or Alice Springs, as the Territory was largely off the circuit for upcoming acts. We love getting to travel around the country and experiening everything we have here, and Alice and Darwin are two places in Australia like no other. When people who haven't travelled to Australia before think about what it is like here, I believe the picture in their mind is of places like Darwin and Alice Springs. And, I love the heat, so I’m always keen to get there! This is your 10 year anniversary tour. When the Thundamentals first came together, did you imagine you'd still be doing this together? It’s been such a journey, and I still can’t imagine how any of it is going

to work out. It still feels uncertain; I mean the industry is so fickle, and it can be hard to survive. I try and just be happy with where I am at, and keep doing what I enjoy. You reached number eight for the track ‘Sally’ and number 61 for ‘21 Grams’ in the Hottest 100 this year... the nation clearly has a favourite out of the two tunes – do you agree? Did Hottest 100 voters get it right? I think after touring these songs so much over the last 12 months, ‘Sally’ has really become a favourite. People really seem to connect and enjoy themselves when hearing it. Originally my favourite from the Everyone We Know album was the title track. Although, fulfilling the dream of doing a collab with the Hilltop Hoods [on ‘21 grams’] is up there too. Tough choice. Tell us a bit about what you've got planned for this tour? Will you get much of a chance to see the country – or will it just be gigs and hotel rooms? Definitely looking forward to playing some older Thundamentals songs and reminiscing back on how it began. The tour is mainly gigs and airports, but we usually have a few days here and there where we get to go exploring.

Tell us about the concert this Easter, Gloria! Chorale’s concert at Easter features beautiful sacred music appropriate to this time of the year. The main work on the program is Gloria by 18th century Italian composer Antonio Vivaldi. This is one of the most popular choral works ever written, incorporating both solo work and orchestra, and at just 30 minutes it’s not too long! There will be several other smaller works on the program, all very melodious and easy to listen to.

Mark O’Leary contacted Darwin Chorale’s Music Director, Michael Loughlin, to let him know that Exaudi was planning a tour to the NT. It seemed like a fantastic opportunity to perform together! Mark was keen, so he and Michael have been planning the program since the end of last year. Exaudi is planning to perform at some schools around Darwin and also to visit Katherine for performances there.

Why was this performance chosen to kick off the Chorale's 2018 season? The Chorale has not performed Gloria for quite a long time, and as our visiting choir will have just performed it at the end of last year, it seemed like a great opportunity for the two groups. The visitors have been invited to perform in

the first half of the concert – which is very exciting, as they are an award-winning, quality choir, and will no doubt charm the audience. Darwin Chorale will also perform some beautiful music on their own in the first half. A combined choir of 90 singers, plus an orchestra of 16 players – including strings, oboe and trumpet – will make a strong, full sound and will be very exciting for our audience. It will also be exciting to hear a top-class choir (apart from Darwin Chorale, of course!) from elsewhere. WHEN SUN 1 APR | 4PM AT CHARLES DARWIN UNIVERSITY, CASUARINA CAMPUS COST $30 INFO darwinchorale.org.au

You have the Exaudi choir from Melbourne joining you. What can you tell us about this choir? Exaudi is a choir made up of young people aged 18–29. Most have sung with various children's or youth choirs around Melbourne and join Exaudi as a bridge between youth and adult choirs. They perform all around Melbourne and have made several tours around Australia and overseas. Part of the same organisation, Young Voices of Melbourne, visited the NT a couple of years ago. The conductor of both groups is Mark O’Leary, an expert, highly regarded choral conductor, much in demand as a guest conductor, adjudicator and clinician.

Exaudi

How has this collaboration come about?

MARCH The Roy Boys John Coulehan and Darryl Barba from local original band Roymackonkey perform originals and covers. WHEN AT COST INFO

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

FRI 9 MAR | 5-10PM DINAH BEACH CRUISING YACHT ASSOCIATION FREE dbcya.com.au

Loud at the Library Enjoy free live miusic at your local library every Friday lunchtime.

#OTLmag

The Darwin Community Collective Ensemble More than 50 professional and amateur musicians present an informal concert of ensemble music.

Rails Annual Music Quiz The Rails Annual Music Quiz is back! Test your music knowledge and be in the running to win an Annual Gold Pass to all Darwin Railway events for 2018. Four gold passes to be won.

17 Somerville Gardens, Parap 8981 4171 | darwinrailwayclub.com

WHEN SAT 3 MAR | 7PM COST FREE

WHEN SAT 24 MAR | 7PM COST $16.50

Backsliders With special guests Ben Evolent and The Two Tones.

DISCOVERY DARWIN

CASUARINA LIBRARY

WHEN SAT 10 MAR | 7PM COST $32.50

Thundamentals

MAR 2

WAYNE CRISTAUDO

MAR 9

PANDEMONIUM

MAR 16 KEVIN MCCARTHY MAR 23 ANNA BOUSTEAD MAR 30

EASTER – LIBRARIES CLOSED

CITY LIBRARY MAR 2 MAR 9

BROOKE BARNETT CHARLIE POWLING

MAR 23 DAVID GARNHAM @OTLmag

WHEN FRI 23 MAR | 7PM COST $10

WHEN EVERY FRI | 12-1PM COST FREE INFO darwin.nt.gov.au/libraries

MAR 16 SOLO WEST

/OTL.magazine

RAILWAY CLUB

MAR 30 EASTER – LIBRARIES CLOSED

The Voodoo Laksa Tour Birdz and Omar Musa WHEN FRI 16 MAR | 8PM COST $28.58

St Paddy’s Day With The Bloody Marys and much other Irishness. WHEN SAT 17 MAR | 7PM COST $10

Snapchat Regret, Kolors and Basic Rocket Science

discoverydarwin.com.au

WHEN FRI 9 MAR | 7PM COST $36.63

Allday WHEN THU 29 MAR | 8PM COST $34.70

JAM NIGHTS AND OPEN MIC

WHEN SUN 4 MAR | 2-7PM AT PINT CLUB, MARRARA

COST GOLD COIN DONATION INFO facebook.com/firstsunday blues

Monday Jam Nights WHEN EVERY MON | FROM 7PM AT DARWIN COMMUNITY ARTS COST FREE INFO eo@darwincommunityarts. org.au

DARWIN CITY BRASS BAND

2 Abala Rd, Marrara darwincitybrassband.org.au Have Fun With Brass Darwin City Brass Band’s Training and Development Program is a fun, friendly and relaxed small group ensemble program that caters for both children and adults – entry level and developing players welcome. WHEN EVERY SAT | 10AM-12PM COST $10 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

Darwin City Brass Band Rehearsals New members and visitors welcome. WHEN EVERY TUE | 7-9.30PM COST $10 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP

Gloria! DARWIN CHORALE WITH MELBOURNE'S EXAUDI CHOIR PERFORM

Vivaldi's

Aboriginal Bush Traders is 100% not-for profit and provides support to Indigenous people wanting to engage in economic activities in a sustainable way.

CONDUCTORS Mark O'Leary Michael Loughlin

4pm Easter Sunday 1st April 2018

image courtesy of Tarntipi Aboriginal Homelands Corporation

Facebook Aboriginal Bush Traders

info@aboriginalbushtraders.com

Insta

aboriginal_bush_traders

Phone

(08) 8942 4023

Shop

www.aboriginalbushtraders.com

Charles Darwin University Theatre Tickets $30 | www.yourcentre.com.au or 08 8980 3333 www.darwinchorale.org.au

Lyons Cottage, 74 The Esplanade, Darwin

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A T M O S listening parties for story lovers

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at Go Sushi Darwin

6.30pm Monday March 26 $35 including dinner tickets @ www.storyprojects.com.au/atmos

3 March â€“ 18 May

magnt.net.au

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12/2/18 3:45 pm