General News
25 August, 2023
Sand people’ in spotlight
DON’T miss the world premiere of Gulgi-Barra, an important local dance work created for Cairns Festival 2023 and just one of the many highlights of the 10-day program that starts tonight.
Audiences will be taken on a journey of discovery of the ancient sand people in this free performance on Cairns Esplanade’s Eastern Events Lawn, the first of five shows including a matinee tomorrow.
The Miriki Performing Arts production features a cast of 60 dancers and singers telling the story of this old Yidinji clan group whose ancestral custodians lived within traditional homelands in and around what is now known as Trinity Inlet.
Directed by Miriki assistant artistic director and head choreographer Balla Neba, Gulgi-Barra brings together Miriki developing artists aged seven to 16 years, cultural advisor Uncle David Mundraby’s Dabul Dancers from Yarrabah, the Kingdom Voices Choir and the NRL Cowboys House Ensemble from Townsville.
Ms Neba said the show came together after a series of interpretive workshops exploring the sand stories and the way the clan used it in their daily lives.
“It is a very special story and I am honoured that Uncle David and Aunty Roberta Mundraby have trusted Miriki with this story,” she said.
“The Gulgi-Barra or sand people are not there anymore, and I believe Uncle David is only one of a handful of living descendants of that tribe,” he said.
“The show starts off with Uncle David and the Dabul dancers, blessing the dance space and audience with a prayer in language. It’s beautiful.
“Then the Cowboys Ensemble dancers come out, the Miriki walk out and then the Kingdom Voices choir, with their beautiful soulful harmonies, sing We Are Gathering, a traditional peace song.”
Tiffany Beckwith-Skinner, who is widely respected in the fashion, TV and music industries with three decades experience working with artists like Powderfinger, Russell Crowe and Usher, has created the traditional country and Paris-Milan catwalk-inspired contemporary costumes for the performance.
Ms Neba also acknowledged Tristan Barton as an important collaborator, creating a moving video and short film for Gulgi-Barra, incorporating Uncle David Mundraby’s song line of the Gulgi-Barra story.” Seeing all these people come together is quite an emotional experience.
“I am so proud of our dancers,” she said.
Miriki Performing arts chief executive officer and artistic director Pauline Lampton said the team first talked about the concept of sand as a theme for a show in 2022 before consulting cultural advisors Uncle David Mundraby and Aunty Roberta Mundraby who shared stories of the sand people.
For the full Cairns Festival program that runs until Sunday, September 3, go to www.cairnsfest.com.au
