'Spectacular' 10-day First Nations international arts festival YIRRAMBOI kicks off in Naarm/Melbourne
WARNING: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this article contains the names of people who have died.
With a grand cohort of international talent joining local mob across this year's YIRRAMBOI — the Naarm/Melbourne-based biennial First Nations arts festival that both embraces and upends tradition — the decision was made to ease audiences in.
"We're starting off slowly, being grounded onto Country and then really going out with a bang with the Uncle Archie Roach Block Party, making some noise on closing night," says co-creative lead Sherene Stewart (Taungurung/Filipino), who co-leads with J-Maine Beezley (Wakka Wakka/Kabi Kabi).
"It's a spectacular and beautiful event."
Billed as one of the largest-ever First Nations-led happenings in Naarm, the Block Party is named in honour of the late game-changing musicians Archie Roach (Gunditjmara and Bundjalung) and partner Ruby Hunter (Ngarrindjeri/Kukatha/Pitjantjatjara), whose collective voice helped fire up generations of activists and artists.
Amos Roach, pictured with Sky Thomas, says his parents would more than approve of YIRRAMBOI's Block Party line-up.
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National Indigenous Times/Joshua Scott
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Curated by YIRRAMBOI music producer Sky Thomas, aka Soju Gang (Gunnai/Kurnai/Yorta Yorta/Wiradjuri), it's a giant street party centred on the Aunty Ruby Hunter Stage. It's headlined by Roach and Hunter's son, award-winning musician and dancer Amos Roach (Ngarrandjerri/Djab Wurrung/Gunditjmara).
"It means so much to me that the Block Party carries my mum and dad's names," Roach says.
"Growing up, I'd travel round the country with them performing and meet so many musicians and their kids, including Kutcha Edwards [also playing the Block Party]," he adds. "I know they'd love this line-up."
Acclaimed Mutti Mutti songman Kutcha Edwards features in YIRRAMBOI.
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Susan Carmody
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That stacked line-up includes the likes of Miss Kaninna (Yorta Yorta,/Dja Dja Wurrung/Kalkadoon/Yirendali), who recently supported Irish rappers Kneecap, pioneering rockers Blackfire and Canadian roots star Leonard Sumner (Anishinaabe).
"I'm hoping to catch as many performances as possible," Roach says. "I can't think of a better tribute."
Stumble upon something new
YIRRAMBOI will also stage the welcome return of Barring Yanabul, a free showcase of First Nations arts events in and around Bourke Street Mall.
"Barring Yanabul translates to 'we all walk the path', and the idea is it's a great way to stumble upon something you've never seen before," Stewart says.
Yorta Yorta/Dja Dja Wurrung/Kalkadoon/Yirendali artist Miss Kaninna is performing at this year's festival.
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Supplied: Yirramboi Festival
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First dreamt up by YIRRAMBOI founder Jacob Boehme and a council of Elders, this year's iteration includes everything from installation art to psychic readings and drag stars, and it continues to evolve the idea of moving beyond designated spaces, decolonising where art can happen.
"The idea was to remove barriers of engaging with new audiences," Stewart says.
"You don't need to go and buy a ticket to engage with incredible work created within our communities, interwoven with international acts."
The breadth of free works on offer is impressive, and it comes with a message.
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For far too long, we were only seen as capable of traditional art," Stewart says. "That's an incredibly important part of our cultural inheritance, but we can also do anything and everything.
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Hence a program with "a diversity of people and practices" and a little bit of everything for everyone, bringing "joy into the public sphere".
Breaking down the door
Continually expanding what YIRRAMBOI can do is built into the festival's mission statement.
"Yirramboi means 'tomorrow' in the local languages of the Boon Wurrung and Woi Wurrung," Stewart explains.
"I worked on the very first festival and remember going for a walk along the Birrarung with Jacob. He said to me, 'One day you'll be in a position where you have the opportunity to hold open the door, and when you do, pull through as many people as you can.'"
It's advice that stuck. "As I've been able to grow and develop within YIRRAMBOI, we've gotten to the point where we say, 'Why not rip the door down?'"
Already Occupied, a contemporary art project that's part of Barring Yanabul.
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Supplied: Yirramboi Festival/Keelan O'Hehir
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YIRRAMBOI's international offering is an excellent example of folks passing through that door in either direction.
"J-Maine and I sat down and we really thought about how to program international artists authentically," Stewart says.
"And it's all about self-determination."
They invited Anishinaabe producer Sage Wright to help coordinate that aspect of the festival, including the Block Party and Barring Yanabul participants.
"She sits in the office with us," Stewart says. "It's not just a moment in time where we pick up a show or program an international musician. It's about legacy building; creating relationships that will continue forevermore."
Rock the block
The Block Party builds a bridge between the past, present and future.
"When Sky was curating the music program, she reinforced that Archie and Ruby transformed the landscape of the Australian music scene way back when they didn't get the opportunities we do today," Stewart says.
"So having Uncle Kutch and Amos in there alongside emerging artists is vital.
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When we talk about futures past, we have that responsibility to create platforms for the people that created platforms for us.
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It's more important now than ever.
"There has been a lot of hate, not only here but across the globe, including in the gender space," Stewart says. "We have survived for 80,000 years-plus, and that doesn't just happen. It happens because of the power and resilience of our communities.
"YIRRAMBOI is a joyful act of resistance."
YIRRAMBOI runs in Naarm/Melbourne from May 1–11.
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