Big ideas and unique perspectives will be brought to stages and venues across Darwin this August, for Darwin Festival.
Across 18 August days and nights, Darwin Festival is set to intoxicate the senses and offer up stirring theatrical performances, live music, cabaret, circus, collaborations, dancefloors under the stars and outings for the whole family.
The INPEZ Sunset Stage will featuring music from the likes of Ngaiire, JessB, Gordon Koang, Montaigne, Rainbow Chan, Miiesha, King Stingray, Fanny Lumsden, and Angie McMahon. This line-up is completed with Flight Facilities, headlining a night under the stars at The Amphitheatre alongside Confidence Man and Sycco.
Constantina Bush, Selina Jenkins, Amelia Ryan, Libby O’Donovan and Reuben Kaye present cabaret throughout the festival. . . While Hannah Gadsby, Zoe Coombs Marr, Karen From Finance, Dilruk Jayasinha, Ivan Aristeguieta and Oliver Twist bring the laughs.
Darwin Festival looks to the future in 2021, making space for the voices of young people as generations collide in ‘I’ve Been Meaning To Ask You’, where 16 plucky performers aged 9-13 from Darwin’s Corrugated Iron Youth Arts take the stage – and the power – for an hour of hard questions and home truths. Aspiring teen DJs and party planners pack fun into a shipping container with ’10 Minute Dance Parties’, guided by Melbourne artist JOF. A collective of young performers cast a fresh light on the plight of children in detention in ‘We All Know What’s Happening’, in collaboration with theatre makers Lara Thoms and Samara Hersch.
Ngaiire
A canopy of 3,000 colourful dream flags will fly high at the Darwin Waterfront for ‘Fly Me Up To Where You Are’, a conceptual project that started in 2020 representing the hopes and dreams of the young people of Darwin. The City Of Darwin’s Teddy Bears’ Picnic returns to The Esplanade for a big day out. Justine Clarke will also be headlining a free show to close out the family fun at the end of the festival.
“The programme features 194 performances, spread across 30 venues and featuring 597 artists from around Australia, the Territory, and even a few Kiwis who made it through the bubble,” Darwin Festival Artistic Director Felix Preval says. “So, whether you’re a local looking for some dry season fun, or a visitor seeking an escape from the winter chills, we’re looking forward to hosting you for this year’s festival.”
“Darwin Festival provides a million and one reasons for people to head to the Top End and support the Arts and Hospitality sectors,” Minister For Major Events Natasha Fyles says.
“They get to see world-class acts perform alongside incredible Territory artists who have earnt themselves a spot in this first-class festival. They also get to experience everything Darwin and our tourism industry has to offer. This year’s programme is remarkable, as the event continues to elevate its position on the national festival circuit.
“The Northern Territory Government proudly supports this event to grow the visitor economy and provide new performance and business opportunities Territorians.”
Tickets are on sale now.
Darwin Festival is on from 5-22 August.
