The 10th anniversary of the Yellamundie Festival will be celebrated in late September with a vibrant program of First Peoples voices and stories across the performing arts.
Moogahlin Performing Arts, in association with Carriageworks and APAM, are proud to be presenting the 2023 Yellamundie Festival which they say has “risen as an international beacon for First Peoples talent” since its inception in 2013, and reflects the richness and diversity of contemporary First Peoples performing arts, showcasing writing, movement, and sound works.
Out of the national call for submissions, six works will undergo two weeks of rigorous development before being presented in three days of public showings, yaans, and events at the Carriageworks in Eveleigh, from September 28-30.
Moogahlin Performing Arts is a leading First Peoples performing arts company, a resident company of Carriageworks on Gadigal Country, Redfern, and a member of Yarruu Hub on Ngemba Country, Brewarrina NSW. Moogahlin (Muu-gah-lin) is a Yuin/Bundjalung word meaning to play, to fool about.
Yellamundie Festival’s 10 year milestone affirms its role in the performing arts landscape. Numerous Yellamundie Festival-developed works have progressed to renowned stages like the Sydney Opera House and Belvoir St Theatre. Prominent pieces such as The Visitors by Jane Harrison and recent works like At What Cost by Nathan Maynard, and Capricorn by Aiden Rowlingson, among others, underline the festival’s unmatched influence in the industry.
“Reaching our 10th year is not just a milestone, it’s a testament to the resilience, brilliance, and relevance of First Peoples stories and storytellers,” said Lily Shearer, the Festival’s Artistic Director. “From the very start, our mission has been to spotlight these incredible voices and to offer them a platform like no other. We’re proud of what we’ve achieved and even more excited for what the future holds.”
The festival lineup includes …
Day 1
Healing Scars by Warren Mason: A deeply moving collaboration with Elder dancers depicting the history and resilience of First Nations Peoples.
Bush Medicine Magic by Peta Strachan: An abstract dance celebrating the holistic powers of Mother Earth’s medicines.
Day2
Local Players – Yellamundie Festival: A free event showcasing First Peoples dance, theatre, and contemporary performance from artists around Gadigal.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH US? by Michael Weir: A compelling narrative influenced by urban hip hop and spoken word, highlighting the pain borne by our First Nations people.
EULOGY by A DAYLIGHT CONNECTION: A satirical exploration of life, death, and the in-betweens, drawing from familiar pop culture influences.
Day 3
Dramaturgy in Dance! – A First Peoples Perspective: A panel discussion dissecting the role of dramaturgy in dance from a First Nations angle.
Watersong by Shannon Jensen: A heart wrenching tale of family secrets, generational ties, and the spiritual connection to water.
A Wake – A Woke Mob: A dark comedy depicting the aftermath of a patriarch’s passing in a small town.
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What: Yellamundie Festival
When: September 28-30, 2023
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Tickets:$15 per show (inc. booking fee)
Website: www.moogahlin.org/yellamundiefestival2023