Indigenous rapper Baker Boy will headline The University of Queensland’s inaugural NAIDOC Music Culture Art Festival, to be held on Thursday 2 August.
Talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander performers, artists, dancers will take part in the festival, which will celebrate this year’s NAIDOC theme “Because of her, we can”.
Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Engagement) Professor Bronwyn Fredericks said the festival was an excellent opportunity to recognise the culture and history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
“Baker Boy, aka Danzel Baker, is a multi-talented artist who proudly uses Yolngu Matha language in his performances, representing his Arnhem Land bloodlines,” she said.
“Benny Walker, a Yorta Yorta man from Echuca, will also take to the stage.
“His infectious music includes English and Yolngu Matha language, dance and didgeridoo.
“The festival will also feature 98.9FM’s Wild Black Women, particularly fitting for this year’s NAIDOC theme of ‘Because of her, we can.’
“The hosts of this show, which include UQ’s own Dr Chelsea Bond, are an excellent example of the strength, resilience and intelligence of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women.
“This festival will highlight the many ways Indigenous people, especially women, have fought for justice and equal rights, and honour our culture and success.”
The event will include food trucks, arts, crafts, screenings, and the Defying Empire: 3rd National Indigenous Art Triennial exhibition at the UQ Art Museum.
UQ Art Museum Director Dr Campbell Gray said the exhibition would encourage a dialogue among viewers.
“By challenging us to engage with important social justice issues through a powerful and provocative selection of artworks, this exhibition not only encourages us to reflect on our country’s past, but also compels us to consider how we can shape a better future,” he said.
UQ Art Museum will also have a special screening of Aboriginal filmmaker Trisha Morton-Thomas’ Occupation: Native film.
The festival is a collaboration between UQ’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit, UQ Art Museum and UQ’s Student Experience teams.
More information is available on the Facebook event page, and tickets are available online.
Occupation: Native Tickets are available here.
Media: UQ Student Services Jye Cruff, jye.cruff@uq.edu.au, +61 7 336 56618; ATSIS Donald Johannessen, d.johannessen@uq.edu.au, +61 7 344 57319; UQ Art Museum Nicola Garrett, n.garrett@uq.edu.au, + 61 7 3346 7793
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