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Six ground-breaking works from eight First Peoples storytellers will be presented on centre stage as part of the 5th biennial Yellamundie Festival through a collaboration between Moogahlin Performing Arts, Sydney Festival and Carriageworks.

Yellamundie is a Darug word meaning “storyteller”, and from 22^nd to 24th January 2021, Sydneysiders can be the first to see brand-new developmental works and discover new First Peoples talent, from cutting-edge voices around the country.

Yellamundie Festival Director, Lily Shearer notes “It is an honour to serve as the new Artistic Director of Yellamundie Festival. In 2021, the Festival celebrates ancient mediums of First Peoples storytelling, expanding to feature music and dance-based programming for the first time in its history.

“Yellamundie Festival is the only Festival of its kind in Australia - a launchpad for new work and pioneering First People’s creatives.  Since we started in 2013, 10 Yellamundie Festival works have gone to full production, promoting some incredible yelamundies (storytellers) from across Australia.

Telling their stories through plays, movement, sound and an engaging Meet the Artists Session are: Aidan Rowlingson, a Butchulla and Kabi Kabi man from South-Eastern Queensland; Dalara Williams, a Gumbaynggirr and Wiradjuri woman from the NSW Mid-North Coast; Shana O’Brien, a Darkinjung woman from the NSW Central Coast;  Sermsah Bin Saad, a Nyikina man from the West Kimberley Region; Troy Russell, a Biripi and Gamilaroi man from Taree and New England; Brad Steadman, a Ngemba man from North-West NSW; Brad Hardy, a Yalarai man from North-West NSW; and Mark Ross, a Jardwadjali man from the Grampians Region in Victoria. A series of panels will also be announced in January 2021.

Shearer adds “this year we have two plays, Capricorn, by Aidan Rowlingson, exploring culture, sexuality, grief and personal growth through the lens of a young couple at the end of their long-term relationship; and The Lookout, by Dalara Williams, about a man who seeks solitude at his favourite lookout after losing everything.

“We also have two incredible choreographed performances, Waterholes by Shana O’Brien, examining the emotion of connecting to our ancestors, and the potential that water presents for healing; and Seventh Season Dreaming by Sermsah Bin Saad, which delves into concepts of timelessness, dreamlessness, joy, love and spirituality.

“Finally, this year’s Festival introduces two mesmerising composition showings, The First Shot, by Troy Russell, a powerful story of love and loss as seen through the eyes of a couple struck by tragedy; and Gumbirrangarroo Dalanngarroo by Brad Steadman, Brad Hardy, and Mark Ross, a multi-disciplinary work combining traditional language, music, and animation to tell stories of from the land and the river.

“From poignant portrayals of cultural identity to celestial compositions and breathtaking choreography, we look forward to celebrating the incredible new and distinct First Peoples voices at the 2021 Yellamundie Festival.”

Each work will undergo two weeks of Development Workshops, before being presented over the three days of public showings, yarns and events at Carriageworks in Sydney.

Yellamundie Festival is the only Festival in Australia to identify, develop, and present new First Peoples stories for stage and has seen ten featured works go on to full production in Australia.

From 22^nd to 24th January 2021 for just $15, Sydneysiders can be the first to see brand-new developmental works and discover new First Peoples talent, from cutting-edge voices around the country.

Full program of live talks to be announced in January 2021.

For further information and tickets go to sydneyfestival.org.au/events/yellamundie-festival.   

Image top: Yellamundie Day 8 and Opening Night 2019 and Image above: Yellamundie Friday 2019 Credit: Jamie James

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