10th anniversary of Yellamundie Festival marks decade of pioneering first peoples performing arts

Moogahlin Performing Arts, in association with Carriageworks and Australian Performing Arts Market, is presenting the 10th anniversary of the Yellamundie Festival with the milestone emphasising 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.

Lily Shearer, the Festival's Artistic Director shares "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. 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.

Commemorating a decade of championing First Peoples voices and stories across the performing arts, the festival’s vibrant 2023 program has been released. 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 28th-30th September.

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

THE DETAILS
What: Yellamundie Festival
When: 28th-30th September 2023
Where: Carriageworks, 245 Wilson St, Eveleigh NSW 2015
Tickets: $15 per show (inc. booking fee)