Milpirri Sensorium
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Darwin Waterfront,
Garramilla (Darwin)
August 13 -17
Darwin Festival
Australian Indigenous cultural heritage is inextricable from music, dance, design, story, ceremony and what Aboriginal people call ‘country’. For the first time off-country, the Sensorium brings Milpirri from Lajamanu, on the northern edge of the Tanami Desert, and onto the saltwater country of the Larrakia.
A stunning outdoor venue, twenty-seven beautifully colour-coded Milpirri banners bring to life Warlpiri kinship (Warlalja) relationships, Supported by an evocative bilingual soundtrack, alongside rarely-seen performance footage.
Drawn from the radical 30-year collaboration between the Lajamanu Community and Tracks Dance Company, Milpirri links the energy of youth and the wisdom of the old, gaining a better understanding of Western and Warlpiri ways of learning.
“Enlivening tradition for an intercultural twenty-first-century future” - Steve Wanta Jampijinpa Patrick - Milpirri Creative Director.
Free Event
Entry from Goyder Park, Anchorage Court, Darwin Waterfront
Sun 13 - Thu 17 Aug 2023
6:30 pm - Venue Open
7:00 pm - Sensorium cycles every 40 mins (7:00, 7:40, and 8:20)
9.00 pm - Venue Close
Creative Team
Sensorium Concept: Tim Newth and David McMicken
Creative Director: (Milpirri): Wanta Steve Jampijinpa Patrick
Artistic Directors (Milpirri): Tim Newth and David McMicken
Warlpiri Cultural Advisers, Song Women, Yawulyu dancers: Jerry Jangala Patrick, Myra Nungarrayi Herbert, Agnes Napanangka Donnelly, Judy Napangardi Martin, Ursula Napangardi Marks, Audrey Nakamarra Baker
Sensorium Video Editor: Duane Preston
Larrakia Artist - Damibilla (Barramundi) painted designs: Mikaela Lee
Original Banner Designs
Drawn by: Joe Japanangka James, Jerry Jangala Patrick, Teddy Jupurrula Morrison, Myra Nungarrayi Herbert, Gladys Napangardi Kelly, Tim Jupurrula Kennedy, Peter Japanangka Dixon, Lindsay Jungarrayi Herbert, Leslie Jampijinpa Robertson, Norman Jampijinpa Kelly, Dick Japaljarri Raymond, Jacko Jakamarra Gordon, Thomas Jangala Sampson, Marcus (Paku Paku) Lawson, Victor Jupurrula Simon, Robin Lawson, Molly Napurrula Tasman, Rosie Napurrula Tasman, Biddy Nungarrayi Long Anderson, Judy Napangardi Martin, Liddy Nampijinpa Miller.
Original Film Content
Soundtrack: Walpiri Elders, Marc Pekham (Monkey Marc). Rob Tremlett (Mantra), North Tanami Band (Marine Boy Mix)
Original Video: Burrundi Pictures, Cutting Edge, VAMP TV, People Pictures
Addition Lajamanu Footage: Duane Preston
Film Editing: Duane Preston
Photographic Portraits: Peter Eve
Men's and Women's Dance: Warlpirri Elders
Youth Choreographers: Nick Power, Jessica Rosewarne, Jenelle Saunders, Jess Devereux, Kelly Beneforti, Aaron Lim, David McMicken
For a full list of performer credits as seen in the Sensorium Film footage check below
Production and Promotions Personnel
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Technical Assistants: Shaun Trainor and Steph Spillett
Marketing and Administration: Debbie Jane Micairin
National Publicist: Julie Clark - HUMANKIND Public Relations
Documentation: Duane Preston
Front of House
Head Usher: Sally Crawford
Lajamanu Traditonal Owners: Wanta Steve Jampijnpa Patrick, Myra Nungarrayi Herbert (Patrick), Agnes Napanangka Donnelly, Judy Napangardi Martin, Miranda Napurrula Donnelly, Ursula Napangardi Marks, Kitty Napanangka Simon
Thank You
Newmont
Warnyaka Arts Centre: Jake Combe and Charleen Morris
Central Desert Regional Council
Lajamanu School
Darwin Waterfront Corporation
Darwin Festival, made possible by Darwin Festival's Spotlight Fund supported by Power and Water
Explore Further
The Milpirri Festival is a bilingual, bicultural celebration. Every two years, on the eve of the wet season, the Lajamanu community and Tracks have come together under the stars of the desert sky. Through dance, music and spectacular visual imagery the energy of the youth and the wisdom of the old come to life.
Explore the Milpirri story and our creative collaboration with Lajamanu since 1988
Lajamanu / Milpirri (Indigenous)
Company Partners
Tracks Inc is proudly sponsored by the Northern Territory Government.
Project Partners
Newmont Australia
Darwin FestivalTracks
Tracks 2023
Artistic Director: David McMicken
Associate Artistic Director: Jess Devereux
Creative Producer: Britt Guy
Production Manager: Duane Preston
Dance Animateurs: Kelly Beneforti and Steph Spillett
Administrator: Debbie Micairan
Bookkeeper: It Figures
Auditors: Brian Tucker Audit
Committee Members: Chairperson: Max Dewa Stretton. Treasurer: Glenn Bernardin. Ordinary Members: Andrea Wicking, David Taylor, Ken Conway, Lachlan Peattie, Rachael Wallis, Anna Lindsay. Ex-Officio: David McMicken, Tim Newth (on leave 2023)
Photos
Videos
Milpirri Symposium
August 15 - 16
Tracks Dance Studio
Lajamanu community members and Tracks Dance present the Milpirri Symposium as part of the 2023 Darwin Festival Milpirri Sensorium. This two-day event invites audience participation in workshops and discussions on the history of the Northern Warlpiri biennial celebration Milpirri.
Tuesday, August 15, Wednesday, August 16, 9 am - 12.30 pm
Tracks Dance Studio - Ground Floor Harbour View Plaza, 8 McMinn Street, Darwin