The inaugural Boomerang – “an Indigenous festival for all Australians” – brings together some of the best known Indigenous acts from different artforms. The first music acts, announced today, include Gurrumul with the 24 piece Queensland Virtuoso Symphony Orchestra; Archie Roach with Lou Bennett, Emma Donovan & Deline Briscoe and a ten-piece ensemble feat. string quartet; Shellie Morris; The Medics; and Thelma Plum.
The first round of speakers includes Ernie Dingo and academic Larissa Behrendt. The Arakwal Dancers are part of the Dance component, Sean Choolburra’s 50 Shades of Black (comedy), Tammy Anderson’s I Don’t Wanna Play House (theatre) while Butcher Paper, Texta, Blackboard and Chalk make up the First Nation’s Film Festival. The next round of announcements, on July 3, will include international names.
Boomerang will be held on the October Long Weekend Friday October 4 to Sunday 6 at the Bluesfest site, Tyagarah Tea Tree Farm just outside Byron Bay on Bundjalung land. It is a new partnership between Bluesfest’s Peter Noble and Boomerang festival director and curator Rhoda Roberts. It features four stages, workshops, traditional healings panels and forums over three days which define the Indigenous experience in Australia NOW. “It is an all-embracing event – for peoples of every persuasion – come join us,” they say. Full details.
- Christie Eliezer
