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Walking With Spirits Festival announces line-up for 2017
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Walking With Spirits returns
to spectacular  Beswick Falls  with a lineup to match
Friday 14th and Saturday 15th July

 

For Immediate Release – May 10th 2017
Regarded as one of the country’s most spiritually significant Indigenous cultural festivals, this year’s Walking with Spirits returns to Beswick Falls with an outstanding national cultural coup. The event will be headlined by ARIA Award winning musician and composer David Bridie performing with Papuan Songman superstar George Telek and musicians from the Gunantuna. Singing songs from the highly acclaimed latest album a Bit na Ta this special performance is an incredible experience and a rare treat for NT locals and visitors alike. a Bit na Ta peaked on the Transglobal Int’l Chart at No.9 and continues to accrue outstanding reviews from senior music reviewers across the country and a 5 star review in Songlines Magazine [UK].
 
Adding to the stellar line-up is Yorta Yorta man Benny Walker. Recently crowned the “Aboriginal Act of the Year” by MusicVictoria, he received four [4] NIMAs last year and has the industry labeling him as ‘a rising star’.  Benny’s never played an NT festival before and is pumped to bring his full band to WWS, “The moment I heard about Walking With Spirits I wanted in, get close to its vibe.  We’re gonna give it all we got.says Benny.
 
Equally talented but totally different is N.E. Arnhem Land’s Rrawun Maymuru. Recently having embarked on a solo career Rrawun’s 'velvet-vocals' got the Sydney critics raving recently due to his song featured by Sydney Dance Company. This will be his first public performance in the Top End. And what would Saturday night be without a spectacular dance performance? This year Rako Pasefika from Fiji will perform their exuberant and visually tantalizing traditional dance and song; a feast for all eyes young and old. Having impressed audiences at Byron Bay’s Boomerang Festival Rako brings a rich injection of cultural grooves from the Pacific.
 
While Saturday has traditionally been the main event, 2017 offers intimate cultural engagement on Friday evening with a special ceremony at Beswick’s Culture Centre. Festival Director Tom E. Lewis  amps up Walking with Spirits with an opening NT premiere screening of his new short film Finding Mawiranga. This film journey back to country to rediscover Dhambul, the Morning Star, is a chance to share Tom’s cultural inner world and celebrate with a dance performance from his Murrungun family, travelling all the way from Numbulwar to dance Dhambul live. The film will have its national premiere next month and have its NT premiere at WWS.  Together with the raising of Beswick’s own Morning Star pole, traditional dancers from the region, and led by one of Arnhem Land’s leading Songmen Djakapura Manyarryun,  expect nothing less than magic in a wonderful kick off Walking With Spirits 2017.
 
[SNAPSHOT DESCRIPTION OF WWS]
Walking With Spirits is an outstanding way to experience the heart and soul of the Northern Territory. Located 107km south-east of Katherine, the exclusive weekend event features upcoming Indigenous musical talent, as well as a stellar line-up of acts from across the country and the region.  Share in ancient ceremonies and vibrant culture on a land where it is said that the shadows of the Aboriginal song men and dancers flicker in the firelight. An array of family-friendly activities including dance and weaving workshops, local food, art and cultural museum tours featuring AR technology, will be open for visitors to explore.
 
 “Walking with Spirits is so important for us, we invite our families from all over Arnhem Land, all the different styles of Bunggul (dance) come together and this way we teach our young people proper culture. And we want to share this with visitors from around the world, our country, our culture, our stories,” says Beswick artist, Julie Ashley
 
2017 artist announcement
Artistic Director, Tom E. Lewis, is delighted to announce the program and venue. “I truly believe this to be our most significant event so far, showcasing stars from across the country and the Pacific. It is a privilege to welcome them to walk on the ground and with the spirits of Melkjulumbu (Beswick Falls).  This year especially, we return to the Falls to honour the senior Lawmen who worked for 15 years to make his event what it is today, we celebrate and cover their spiritual tracks in order to continue their legacy.
 
BOOKINGS ARE ESSENTIAL . Tickets are limited.
Book online now at www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au
For full details visit  www.djipinarts.org.au
 
3 night package   - Friday to Sunday
Friday 14th July:  Opening ceremony, film and your choice of workshop
at Ghunmarn Culture Centre, includes Camping in Beswick Community
Saturday 15 July: Main concert and camping at Beswick Falls,
Sunday 16th July: Explore the amazing area around the falls and enjoy another night camping on site.
Adults: $195, Conc. $155, child (5-15) $75
 
2 night package - Saturday and Sunday
Saturday 15th July:Visit Ghunmarn Culture Centre in Beswick Community,
then onto Beswick Falls for Main concert and on site camping.
Sunday 16th July:Explore the amazing area around the falls and enjoy another night camping.
Adults: $165, Conc. $135, child (5-15) $55
 
1 night concert package - Saturday
Saturday 15th July: Visit Ghunmarn Culture Centre in Beswick Community
 then onto Beswick Falls for Main concert.
Adults: $145, Conc. $115, child (5-15) $35
 
BOOKINGS/MORE INFO : http://www.shakespeareaustralia.com.au/walking-with-spirits-2017.html
 
FIRST ANNOUNCE:
David Bridie & George Telek - songs from a Bit na Ta an album featuring musicians of the  Gunantuna
Benny Walker [FULL BAND]
Rrawun Maymuru ft: members of East Journey
Djakapura Manyarryun
Rako Pasifeka [DANCERS - Fiji]
 
Media Enquiries:
Chryss Carr - AUM PR & MGMT // aum@aum.net.au //
0417 800 869
Cooper-Lily Nikora – AUM PR & MGMT // cooper@aum.net.au // 0432 601 211
 
Artist Snapshot Bios >>
 
David Bridie & George Telek  and musicians from Gunantuna- Songs from a Bit na Ta [PNG/West Papua/Melb]
An outstanding collaboration by George Telek and David Bridie
Bringing together George Telek [PNG], Levi [West Papua] Bill H [PNG], Phil [Melb] David Bridie [Melb]. Expect nothing less than beauty grace and magic  a Bit na Ta is a musical immersion in the history, culture and spiritual essence of the unique region of New Guinea; a journey of sublime filmic atmospheres, exhilarating acoustic energy and timeless devotion to a place buffeted by world wars, political unrest and natural disasters. It’s a musical experience, that is at once primal and surreal, as in the percussive throb and wail of Telek's Lili Ram Kavavar: a dream song humming with powerful images of the ocean and the volcano. David's haunting Black Lotu weaves field recordings, weather events, choirs, children's voices and other village ambience with the subtle drones that have long characterised his work.   Stream 1.34 minutes of magic to introduce you to the sounds of a Bit na Ta.>> https://soundcloud.com/wantokmusik/george-telek-tatabai
The album shot to No. 9 on the Transglobal World Music Chart, received 5 star in leading mag Songlines [UK] and top shelf reviews in The Age/SMH/Courier Mail/The West/The WE Australian. Telek/Bridie interviewed on ABC RN - The Music Show - http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/musicshow/a-bit-na-ta/8293938 
David Bridie interviewed by Seth Jordan re a Bit na Tahttps://soundcloud.com/user-630828536
 Images and deeper background >> http://onepagelink.com/abitnata/

Benny Walker [Echuca, Victoria]
A Yorta Yorta man from Echuca, Benny Walker was crowned as “Best Aboriginal Talent” at The Age MusicVic Awards and received four NIMA 2016 nominations last year. His killer voice and epic tales are mixed with a deep groove and passion for the land and he has the industry buzzing; he’s the real deal and a star in the making.  Recent offerings SAVE and Oh No You Don’t shot to No. 1 on the AMRAP charts. His latest songs produced by Jan Skubiszewski mix Blues n Roots with a contemporary guitar driven soul vibe. Benny Walker has performed alongside some of Australia’s finest, including Archie Roach, Alex Lloyd, Blue King Brown and Tim Rogers.  For more info, clips, images >> http://onepagelink.com/bennywalker/
 
Rrawun Maymuru [Yirrkala, N.E. Arnhem Land, NT]
Rrawun Maymuru comes from a long line of Yolngu songmen from Yirrkala a remote community in N.E Arnhem Land [NT]. He is the direct grandson of Dr Yunupingu and sings in both English and Yolngu Mata. His songs reflect a love for country and culture as well as his distinct perspective on the modern world. A strong and prolific songwriter, Rrawun penned the song Bayini that gave Gurrumul Yunupingu his first No.1 ARIA chart single. In October 2016 Rrawun Maymuru debuted his live solo set at the request of Rhoda Roberts for Homeground Festival at the Sydney Opera House - it was here that we witnessed the power of Rrawun’s extraordinary vocal resonance and the way he can affect a great space within and without. In 2012 Rrawun Maymuru was awarded the GR Burrarwanga Memorial Award for best new talent at the National Indigenous Music Awards. Rrawun also fronts the Aboriginal rock band East Journey who were awarded the 2015 MusicNT Song of the Year [Rock category] and 2014 ‘Film Clip of the Year’ at the National Indigenous Music Awards [NIMAs] for Bright Lights Big City. Rrawun’s ability to transcend language and cultural barriers with his distinct resonance is an experience to be seen, heard and felt.
 
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/music/yolgnu-band-east-journey-is-on-a-cultural-odyssey/news-story/853ec1c5888826ca2073b981e487e91a
 
Djakapurra Munyarryun [Yirrkala, N.E. Arnhem Land, NT]
Djakapurra Munyarryun was born in Yirrkala as a member of the Munyarryun clan of northeast Arnhem Land. He was raised with traditional dance and ceremony as an integral part of his life and as a teenager toured Australia with elders from Yirrkala, teaching and conducting traditional dance and music workshops.
In 1991 at the invitation of Stephen Page, Munyarryun joined Bangarra Dance Theatre, performing in more than seven major productions as didgeridu player , traditional singer and dancer. He was the recipient of the inaugural Australian Dance Award for outstanding performance by an individual.
Djakapurra played the water spirit in Kevin Lucas' operatic film Black River and appears in the films Breaking Through, Two Brothers and Spear. He was a featured performer in the opening and closing ceremonies of the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Djakapurra performs traditional songs in The Shadow King (Malthouse Theatre), which toured nationally in 2013-14 and to London June 2016.

Rako Pasifeka [Fiji]
Our Rako family came together in search of a safe space to learn, to express, create and to nurture our creativity.  Our love of life and the progress of our creative community is an ever-present theme in our works and continues to mold our outlook and our experiences. Our spiritual commitment to each other and our creations has         enabled Rako Pasefika to progress and evolve over the years through a very organic process with strong family values as our foundation.  
 
“Rako” is a Rotuman word, literally translated means to learn, or as a noun it means, school. Rako was formed by a group of Rotuman and Polynesian artists as part of our quest to gain more insight, depth and knowledge of our heritage, with a focus on   creative freedom. One of our main focuses at Rako Pasefika is to breath new life into ancient art forms and skills, and encourage innovation and a freedom to create new work
 
Our artists are from Fiji, Rotuma, Tonga and Rabi and our work shows our love of our       heritage as well as the ever present link to our Pacific sisters and brothers.  We perfect our art while building sustainable careers that carry messages of safeguarding our  culture, our lands, and oceans.
 
Rako has represented Fiji internationally to major festivals and events such as the Association of National Olympic Committee Gala Awards in Washington DC, the World Conservation Convention in Hawaii, Homeground Festival at the Sydney Opera House, the BluesFest Byron Bay to name a few. 


 
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