Calendar Date: Easter long weekend, April 13 – 17 @
Bluesfest.
New South Wales has the largest population of Aboriginal
Australians than any other state in the country, however, the state receives
less financial support for Indigenous programs than any other region in the
country; pro-activeness and support by audience appreciation to Indigenous art
and culture is key to empowerment and inclusion in our diverse society.
Many feel there is a discrepancy between being interested in
engaging, and not knowing how to access Aboriginal culture or to support it.
Boomerang Festival offers the solution for this gap for those whom yearn to be
a part of and celebrate the ethereal spirit of dreamtime that the Indigenous
are so acutely attuned to.
Boomerang
Festival is a global indigenous arts and culture event aimed at Aboriginal
access for audiences wishing to engage with a quality, unique and true
Indigenous experience. It encompasses dance, weaving, carving, talks and ideas,
workshops, music, drumming and authentic cultural exchanges between Aboriginal
and non-Aboriginal people.
Produced from an Aboriginal perspective by one of
Australia’s most accomplished and respected Artistic Directors, and proud
Bundjalung woman, Rhoda Roberts, Boomerang Festival is programmed with
high-quality performance art, featuring masters of craft and cultural leaders
from around the globe.
The 28th annual Bluesfest for 2017 has, for the
second year in the row, made a gesture of support, by adding Boomerang Festival
to their program.
Bluesfest attracts an average patronage of 100,000 per
festival, giving those showcasing their work at Boomerang a broad platform of
audience access, with the support from the Australian Council for the Arts and
Bluesfest, Byron Bay, Boomerang will feature as a smaller ‘festival within a
festival’ at this year’s Bluesfest.
"The Boomerang precinct at Bluesfest is all about cherishing
culture and ending the disparity between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal
Australia. This intergenerational exchange will allow our loyal audiences a
unique hands-on engagement and experience while allowing the Boomerang Festival
to build audiences and find support as a future stand-alone festival.” - Peter
Noble, Festival Director, Bluesfest.
As part of the stellar line-up of artists for the Boomerang
Festival is renowned Sunshine Coast group, OKA. Drawing upon their indigenous
connection to place and country, OKA creates their signature feel good
Australian earth sound, with an irresistible blend of influences spanning
house, big beat, reggae-dub, Roots, Jazz and world music. Led by Stu Fergie on
Yidaki (aka DidgeriSTU) who connects you to earth with the deep subsonic pulse
and resonance of his Yidaki (didgeridoo). OKA will be performing on Friday April
14 and Sunday April 16.
Boomerang Festival will also feature Emily Wurramara. Driven
by passion for culture - heard through every beat and skip of her deeply
engaging and personal songs sung in both English and Anindilyakwa, the
traditional language of her home, Groote Eylandt in the Northern Territory.
With national airplay on ABC local and Triple J, Emily has performed across the
country and at festivals including Garma, Woodford Folk Festival, Island Vibes,
Bellingen Turtle Fest and Clancestry. Wurramara has been awarded several
Queensland Music Award nominations and has been showcased on Triple J
Unearthed, being labelled as someone to watch with a bright future. Emily
Wurramara is performing on Friday April 14 and Saturday April 15.