GARRMALANG FESTIVAL – ANNOUNCES 2018 PROGRAM

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Garrmalang, the Larrakia name for what is now the Darwin CBD, will be staged at the Darwin Entertainment Centre this May. The people of the Larrakia Nation once again welcome Indigenous performers and artists from around the country to mark the start of the Dry Season.  Celebrating the richness of Indigenous culture The Garrmalang Festival officially Opens 6pm on Friday May 25^th with a spectacular Bunngul FREE for all the family.

Later in the evening direct from the Commonwealth Games Shellie Morris and Dhupanbul Yunupiŋu join the bulanydjan (sisters), through skin, as they share their stories and songs in a magical night unlike any you have seen chronicling their parallel life journeys until they converged and the path they walk together now. 

Late Friday night it’s time to party with the Skinnyfish Sound System [also direct from the Commonwealth Games]. The Skinnyfish Sound System is a Modern Tribal Late Night Dance Party. Blending some
of the best Australian music producers with some of the best Indigenous performers. The didge is placed in the centre of the sound system giving it a truly modern tribal feel. The strength of the Indigenous MCs come from powerful ancient chants. With up to 6 MCs / Singers / Musicians expect to be captivated with cultural authority.

Saturday night and Dan Sultan steps into the spotlight to perform his highly acclaimed solo show in The Playhouse.  A firm fan of Darwin, Dan will perform two sets running for a total of 90 minutes. Enriching his audience through sentimental storytelling, humorous banter, incorporating earthy blues sounds with rock and neo-soul. This is an emotive exploration that is wowing audiences across the country as we see this soul-man stripped back to basics – it’s the man, the piano and his guitar. Here we’ll see a different side of the ARIA Award winning artist; a little less rock and whole lot of soul.

The topic of this year’s Garrmalang Panel Discussion revolves around Issues of national significance in Indigenous education, training and employment. Titled “From womb to tomb – Indigenous lifelong learning and education – where are we and where do we want to be” this year’s panel features Prof. Peter Buckskin (national A&TSI education policy & program expertise), Prof. Jack Beetson (A&TSI Adult Education & the issues around adult literacy),  Cheryl Godwell Manager – Indigenous Student Services , Office of Indigenous Leadership CDU and Dr Stephen Hagan PhD MBA BA Cert IV TAE Senior Director Alliance Manager Batchelor Campus.

The Panel moderated by Murray McLaughlin will be held in the Studio Theatre on Saturday 26th May at 2pm.  It will be filmed for broadcast by ABC 24.  This is a FREE but ticketed event.

Finally Sunday arrives it’s time to be SPUN. Said to be a cross between story telling and TEDx SPUN returns to Garrmalang Festival with an all-Indigenous line up of storytellers. SPUN will transport you through time, embark on journeys of big change and explore the importance of coming together to keep culture alive. Don’t miss this very special SPUN event, celebrating Australia’s first storytellers. SPUN stories is the first NT entrant to be named as a finalist in the AU podcast awards. The podcast is based on the SPUN: True Stories Told in the Territory live storytelling events.

In a nutshell:

Friday 25^th May

6.00pm                       A spectacular Bunngul by the Kenbi Dancers Opens the festival for all the family. This is a FREE Event.

8.00pm-10.30pm       Shellie Morris and Dhupanbul Yunupiŋu 

1030pm – midnight   Skinnyfish Sound System closes Friday night.

Saturday 26^th May 

2.00pm           Garrmalang Panel Discussion – This is a FREE but ticketed event.

8.00pm           Dan Sultan – Solo – two sets running for a total of 90 minutes. 

Sunday 27^th May

6.00pm           SPUN returns to Garrmalang Festival with an all-Indigenous line up of storytellers