Darwin Festival 2005 program announced
13 July 2005
The full program for the Darwin Festival 2005 was launched at the Darwin Entertainment Centre today by Northern Territory Arts and Museums Minister Marion Scrymgour, Darwin Lord Mayor Peter Adamson and Festival Director Malcolm Blaylock.
Darwin Festival, the Northern Territory’s largest festival, will this year feature over 74 productions, over 190 events and performances, and over 1,100 performers from South-East Asia, around Australia, and the local Darwin community.
“The 2005 program will incorporate a vibrant, lively and colourful collection of performances that draw on Darwin’s rich multicultural heritage, Indigenous traditions and the stories of our culture,” said Festival Director, Malcolm Blaylock.
“Over 18 days, the Festival will tell stories that will not only entertain you but will also challenge and enhance your view of the world.”
“There is no festival anywhere like the Darwin Festival” said Northern Territory Arts and Museums Minister, Marion Scrymgour. “It has gone from strength to strength over the years and has become a major event on the Territory arts calendar."
The 2005 program will premiere 9 new works by some of the Northern Territory’s most innovative, contemporary artists and companies.
Highlights include Takbing Siwaliya & the Gupapuyngu Dancers – an historic reunion and collaboration between the Makassarese and the Yolgnu people of North-East Arnhem Land; and the not to be missed world premiere season of Entrapment, choreographed by internationally respected and renowned dancer/choreographer Gary Lang.
Sounds from a Million Islands, a collaboration between former Avalanches spin-man, DJ Dexter and two critically acclaimed Darwin based musicians, Airi Ingram (Drum Drum) and Steve Teakle, will also be a premiere performance at the Darwin Festival Star Shell. In their own innovative way, the trio will mix funky grooves, tribal rhythms and classic vinyl to create an atmosphere of unbelievable sounds and energy.
Two works of theatre premiering at the Festival include the Indonesian-Australian performance, Diburu Waktu (Time is a Hunter), which tells the story of four people hunted down by time on the night of the Bali Bombing; and Nerrpu Dhawu Rrurrambuwuy, The Story of George Rrurrambu. Nerrpu takes the audience to the heart of Aboriginal (Yolgnu) life in the Northern Territory by telling the compelling multi-lingual story of a famous Aboriginal Australian and confronting the issues and aspirations of Aboriginal communities in the Top End.
Traditional Indigenous dancers embarking on a spiritual journey steeped in the Dreaming will once again be a highlight of the Darwin Festival and will have a significant presence at the Botanic Gardens. Artists including Djilpin Arts Dancers, Red Flag Dancers, Larrakia Dancers and the Gupapuyngu Dancers, will each perform at sunset over nine days in the Star Shell.
Interstate artists headlining this year’s Festival are comedy trio and musicians, Tripod; The Australian Dance Theatre’s electrifying production, Birdbrain; the extraordinary David Page autobiographical production, Page 8; one of Australia's fastest rising comedians, Carl Barron; singer-songwriter Neil Murray; and three of the hottest contemporary Australian female singers, Christine Anu, Sophie Koh and Sarah Blasko.
The annual night of free live music, the Santos Concert on the Esplanade will take place on Saturday August 13, featuring some of the Territory’s best Indigenous musicians including blues and roots band Yilila; reggae, rock, dub and funk band Wild Water; and the sensational Saltwater Band.
Further program highlights include the 22nd Telstra National Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander Art Awards, the 2nd NT Indigenous Music Awards, and the Music NT Festival Club. It wouldn’t be a festival without a Festival Club and this year the Darwin Festival and Music NT are collaborating to produce the best Festival Club Darwin has ever seen, featuring a late night dance club at the Star Shell with local original live music from 9:30pm every night.
The Darwin Botanic Gardens will once again be the hub of the Festival with the Star Shell and the Gardens Amphitheatre, the two main outdoor entertainment venues, providing the key location for music, dance, comedy and cabaret. The popular Galuku Gallery will also transform the Gardens into a visually spectacular outdoor gallery with Indigenous screenprints and etchings from Yirrkala displayed on palm trees.
Running from August 11 until August 28, the Darwin Festival 2005 will present a diverse and colourful program over 18 days - encompassing an Indigenous showcase, community events, theatre, workshops, music, dance, visual arts, film and comedy.
Website: http://www.darwinfestival.org.au
