Due to interstate border restrictions, Composition Showings has been moved to Saturday 23 January and Movement/Choreography Showings has been cancelled. The works Seventh Season Dreaming by Sermsah Bin Saad & Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson will be developed in the artists home states and shown in February & March.
Moogahlin Performing Arts
Moogahlin Performing Arts is delighted to announce the six works selected for the Yellamundie Festival 2020.
The Lookout by Dalara Williams (Text / Playwriting) Waterholes by Shana O’Brien (Movement / Choreography) The First Shot by Troy Russell (Sound / Composition) Gumbirrangarroo Dalanngarroo (Longest Time Right Now) by Brad Steadman, Brad Hardy, and Mark Ross (Sound / Composition) Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson (Text / Playwriting)* Seventh Season Dreaming by Sermsah Bin Saad (Movement / Choreography)*
The Yellamundie Festival is a biennial celebration of national and international First Peoples storytelling. A showcase for new and distinct voices in Australian performing arts.
Presented by Moogahlin Performing Arts, Sydney Festival, and Carriageworks, Yellamundie Festival takes its name from the Darug word for storyteller. Previously focused only on writing for stage, in 2021 the 5th Yellamundie Festival will showcase a range of live performance art forms, providing development opportunities for Playwrights, Composers, and Choreographers, with industry forums, networking opportunities for artists, and showings of new national work. Take the opportunity to be part of the discovery and championing of First Peoples stories.
*Due to interstate border restrictions, the works Seventh Season Dreaming by Sermsah Bin Saad & Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson will be developed in the artists home states and shown in February & March.
The Lookout by Dalara Williams (Playwriting) Jack is just trying to deal with crap life throws his way. He lost his job, his scholarship for uni, and now his girlfriend... well, ex-girlfriend. To get away from it all, Jack decides to head to his favorite spot. The Lookout, a place where he can get away from life’s problem, if only for a second. Until one night he meets a young woman there. Who is she? All Jack wants is to be alone, but the woman has other plans.
Waterholes by Shana O’Brien (Movement / Choreography) Waterholes is a new dance piece that explores the emotion of connecting to those that came before us and the potential that water presents for healing and new life. O’Brien states “I have found that the most important information has come via secret messages from the ancestors. A floating feather, a feeling in the gut, whispers floating on the wind… they have led me to some water holes… They became a kind of sanctuary when the world felt so out of control and unpredictable this year. I knew I could return to this quiet place.”
As in previous years, the Yellamundie Festival will feature the popular public forum, Meet the Artists.
Hosted by festival artistic director, Lily Shearer, Meet the Artists introduces the 2021 Artists, Aidan Rowlingson, Dalara Williams, Shana O’Brien, Sermsah Bin Saad, Troy Russell, Brad Steadman, Brad Hardy, and Mark Ross, to the public and provides the opportunity for them to discuss and reflect on their work and unique process.
Hosted by Moogahlin Co-founder and Senior Artistic Associate, Dr Liza-Mare Syron this international panel of renowned First Nations theatre makers from Australia, Aotearoa (New Zealand) and Turtle Island (Canada) is a global discussion on the rise and role of theatre in the revitalisation of native languages across colonial contexts. Theatre makers will discuss dramaturgical practices when developing and presenting language play texts and translations. Topics explored include seeking consultation and consent from Elders and community, the process of pronunciation and comprehension of language terms, and what cultural values and principles are at play in the rehearsal room and how these were navigated in the development/rehearsal process.
*Yawarra is from the Wiradjuri language meaning take care, watcher.
The First Shot by Troy Russell The First Shot is a story of anger and sorrow, told through conceptual composition with a folk twist, about a young couple in flight after a tragic event. It is a story that tells of the love and happiness that is found in each other's arms and hearts, but it is also of the tragedies and injustices that have befallen the people whose lives have been lost in colonial Australia.
Gumbirrangarroo Dalanngarroo (Longest Time Right Now) by Brad Steadman, Brad Hardy, and Mark Ross Gumbirrangarroo Dalanngarroo (Longest Time Right Now) is a multi-disciplinary work combining traditional language, music, and animation to tell stories of from the land and the river which provides life to all. Brad Steadman will write and narrate the stories, and Bradley Hardy composing the soundtrack to be co-produced with Mark Ross. The final outcome for this work will be a video presentation that can educate people young and old about our culture.
YELLAMUNDIE FESTIVAL AT HOME
Will be available via SYDFEST AT HOME and Moogahlin Youtube and Facebook in February and March – dates to be announced soon!
Capricorn by Aidan Rowlingson Capricorn tells the story of a young couple at the end of their long-term relationship. But we learn more about the individuals as fate brings them together again and again for Sorry Business, work commitments, and drunken rebounds forcing the pair to confront their conflicts as they search for their wants and needs. Through the lens of a doomed romantic relationship, Capricorn explores culture, sexuality, personal growth, and grief.
Seventh Season Dreaming by Sermsah Bin Saad How do you impart a sense of the Dreamtime? Words might say some. Music of course. Movement/Dance of course. Light and images plenty. Song, undeniably. Drama just as much. Story most of all.
Seventh Season Dreaming is the journey of a young man who is adrift, numb, spiritually delirious, and dispossessed - like someone crushed to the sea-bed by the force of huge waves, trapped by the current in a hole he can’t get out of. Bin Saad will explore concepts of timelessness, dreamlessness, joy, and love, to connect the spirits of many through the spirit of one.
Fri 22 Jan at 6.30pm Sat 23 Jan at 11am Sat 23 Jan at 6.30pm
Ticketing and Pricing
Full Price – $15 each + booking fee
Accessibility
Wheelchair Access Entrance to Carriageworks is via an access ramp leading to the main entrance which is located at street level at 245 Wilson St. Accessible parking is available at the end of Carriageworks Way with entry via 229 Wilson Street. The Carriageworks car park also includes four mobility parking spaces.
Service Animals Service animals are welcome at Carriageworks.
Important Info
Face masks are mandatory at all Sydney Festival events for all patrons 13 years and older, in line with NSW Government regulations. A face mask is required at all times while inside foyers, theatres and outdoor venues, including during performances. Children 12 and under are exempt but are encouraged to wear masks where practicable.
Cast and Credits
Festival Coordination Artistic Director/Producer Lily Shearer Digital Content Producer Stephen Wilson Barker Assistant Producer Akala Newman
Artists Shana O’Brien – Waterholes Sermsah Bin Saad – Seventh Season Dreaming Aiden Rowlingson – Capricorn Dalara Williams – The Lookout Troy Russell – The First Shot Brad Steadman, Brad Hardy, and Mark Ross – Gumbirrangarroo Dalanngarroo (Longest Time Right Now)
Mentors Kyle Morrison Jane Harrison Deon Hastie Dr Christopher Sainsbury Daniel Riley
Nearby Festival Feasts
Worked up an appetite after a full day at the festival? We’ve partnered with some of Sydney’s leading eateries to bring you the best Sydney has to offer:
Venue