Moogahlin Performing Arts, in association with Carriageworks and APAM, proudly presents the 10th anniversary of the Yellamundie Festival. Commemorating a decade of championing First Peoples voices and stories across the performing arts, the festival announces its vibrant 2023 program. This year’s line-up reflects the richness and diversity of contemporary First Peoples performing arts, showcasing writing, movement, and sound works.
Since its inception in 2013, the Yellamundie Festival has risen as an international beacon for First Peoples talent. Out of the national call for submissions, six ground-breaking works are set to undergo two weeks of rigorous development before being presented in a three-day extravaganza of public showings, yaans, and events at the Carriageworks in Sydney, from September 28-30.
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.
DAY 2:
· 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 by Maurial Spearim: A dark comedy depicting the aftermath of a patriarch’s passing in a small town.
Tickets are on sale now at www.moogahlin.org/yellamundiefestival2023
This 10-year milestone emphasizes Yellamundie Festival’s critical 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.”
Yellamundie Festival is supported by Australia Council for the Arts, CreateNSW, City of Sydney, Wales Family Foundation, Carriageworks, Annamilla Foundation, Australian Performing Arts Market, University of Sydney – Theatre and Performance Studies.
THE DETAILS
What: Yellamundie Festival
When: 28-30 September 2023
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Tickets: $15 per show (inc. booking fee)
Website: www.moogahlin.org/yellamundiefestival2023
Facebook: facebook.com/moogahlin/
Twitter: @moogahlin
Instagram: @moogahlin
Hashtag: #yellamundiefest
THE FESTIVAL SHOWINGS:
DAY ONE: 6.30pm Thursday 28 September 2023 (Bay 17). $15.
Healing Scars by Warren Mason (Composition & Movement)
A collaboration with Elder dancers to create a story of who we are and where we come from. Healing Scars crosses a number of generations of injustice of First Nations Peoples since colonization. Stories are told through dance, sound design and language telling the tough stories for this country to move forward.
Bush Medicine Magic by Peta Strachan (Movement)
An abstract dance piece about the power of mother earth’s medicines, all different elements that come together to make bush medicine magic and healing energy. Elemental Law. Healing and comforting energy that radiates beams of light out of our healing stones, native flowers, ochre, the power of mother earth’s medicines come together removing darkness into light.
DAY TWO: 6.30pm Friday 29 September 2023 (Bay 17). $15.
WHAT IS WRONG WITH US? by Michael Weir ((Writing for Stage & Composition)
Influenced by urban hip hop culture and mixed mediums incorporating motion graphics, spoken word sharing the stories of pain and hardship experienced by the oppressed experiences of grief suffered over multiple generations of our First Nations people. This story paints a clear picture of how trauma and grief we continue to hold back and oppress with hopes to contribute to this awakening with an alternative narrative.
EULOGY by A DAYLIGHT CONNECTION (Writing for Stage)
EULOGY is an exploration of corporate commodification, class, socialism, population crisis, land rights, retribution, redemption, crime and punishment in the realms of the afterlife. A satirical, slap-stick, black-comedy about life, death and funeral insurance. Exploiting pop/cult-culture tropes like the Goonies, BeetleJuice, and Scoobie Doo, creating a chaotic and magical world of unexpected and familiar characters that will equally shock and delight. Created by Kamarra Bell-Wykes & Carly Sheppard with Alexis West.
DAY THREE: 6.30pm Saturday 30 September 2023 (Bay 17). $15.
Watersong by Shannon Jensen (Writing for Stage)
With the return of Lynette after a 15 year absence. Watersong focuses on the relationship between three women in the Joinbee family. The women must come together for the grandmother’s final days – unearthing the family secret that separated them and cut off their connection to the long line of water women connected to the water and spirits who once dwelled in the rivers of their country that came long before.
A Wake – A Woke Mob by Maurial Spearim (Writing for Stage)
A dark witty comedy of eras that strips away the facade of grief when the Patriarch passes away in a small country town. Families butt heads, old wounds are opened. Can family and community let their walls down to heal and rebuild after the dust settles. (Part one of a three part series of plays)
THE FREE EVENTS:
Local Players: Yellamundie Festival 5pm Friday 29 September 2023 (Public Space). FREE.
First Peoples dance, theatre and contemporary performance artists living and working around Gadigal will give insights into their practice and their aspirations for national and international engagement. Presented in partnership with Australian Performing Arts Market.
Dramaturgy in Dance! – A First Peoples Perspective 11am Saturday 30 September 2023 (Bay 17).
FREE.
