Featuring some of Australia’s finest Indigenous singers and performers, dirtsong is a moving tribute to the Aboriginal cultures, languages and music of our vast country.
Coming together for the closing night of the Darwin Festival, dirtsong is the latest production by the shape-shifting Black Arm Band which, in its Darwin Festival incarnation includes rock and roller Dan Sultan (pictured), former Tiddas member Lou Bennett, Shane Howard, Tim Rogers, internationally acclaimed didgeridoo player Will Barton, performer, roots, soul and gospel songstress Deline Briscoe, Darwin’s own Shellie Morris and many others. Together, this motley crew of form one voice, delivering a performance that’s unique and stirring.
The Black Arm Band is an ever changing collective of Indigenous musicians from all over Australia, conceived by Artistic Director Steven Richardson to “perform, promote and celebrate contemporary Australian Indigenous music.” A rare opportunity to catch a combination of pioneering Indigenous artists and emerging young talent, past members have included Archie Roach, Leah Flanagan and Geoffrey Gurrumul Yunupingu.
Likened to a map of Australia by Steven Richardson, dirtsong, he says, uses language and place to render a symbolic portrait of Australia while embracing cultural and linguistic diversity. Through performances of traditional and more modern songs in 11 different Aboriginal dialects, dirtsong celebrates the diversity of cultures and reignites lost languages from across Australia through the words of the Miles Franklin award-winning author Alexis Wright.
The Black Arm Band: dirtsong is proudly supported by ConocoPhillips.
WHEN: Sun 26 Aug | 8pm | Gates open 7pm
WHERE: The Amphitheatre, George’s Green
COST: $39 | $30 Conc | $35 Group | $120 Family | Free 4yrs & U
BOOKINGS: www.darwinfestival.org.au | 8943 4222
