Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)’s Clancestry festival will ignite the venue with extraordinary First Nations storytelling, music, dance, art and culture.
Clancestry has been a part of QPAC’s calendar since 2013. It celebrates identity and connection, and provides a platform for both established and emerging First Nations artists to share stories and talent. The 2025 event will bring together some of the country’s most celebrated creatives, for an unforgettable audience experience.
The mainstage programme for 2025 includes Jane Harrison’s ‘The Visitors’, ‘Wata: a gathering for songmen, improvising soloists and orchestra’, Bangarra Dance Theatre’s ‘Illume’, and ‘Electric Fields with Queensland Symphony Orchestra’.
‘First Gathering’ will return to honour the ancestral history of the land, pay tribute to its spirits, and commemorate its enduring legacy, bringing together First Nations artists and cultural groups to present dance, song, and cultural practices.
Jess Hitchcock, Megan Sarmardin, and SOLCHLD will come together, accompanied by Paul Grabowsky, for ‘Art Of Song’. . . Offering an authentic and heartfelt exploration of identity, connection, and tradition.
Plus, there’s ‘Biggest Mobs’ – the culmination of QPAC’s ‘BlakBeats’ First Nations music development programme. It’ll showcase the fire, rhythm and energy of Garret Lyon, Keysody, and Rudy Matoy.
‘Sparks: First Nations Play Readings’ is the culmination of a six-month programme nurturing aspiring First Nations playwrights, guiding artists from the very first idea to sharing their art on stage. Audiences will be able to check out works from emerging theatre makers Bianca Valentine, Jamaine-Errol Wilesmith, and Aunty Valerie Matthews.
Local First Nations artists will come together for a night of free live music and storytelling, celebrating Mob across three generations in ‘Black History Month: HERstory | HIStory’. ‘HERstory’ Artistic Director Deline Briscoe will lead a line-up of powerful women including Gaja Kerry Charlton, Kiana Charlton and the Goodjee Youth Dancers, Kaylah Coghill, Aunty Dawn Daylight, Rochelle Pitt, BADASSMUTHA, Kristal West, Guyala Bayles, and Suga Cane Mamas. . . While ‘HIStory’ Artistic Director Peter Thornley leads a powerful night of music and story, joined by legendary voices Fred Leone and Jungaji, with rising star Rowie.
There’s something for the young ones too – ‘Clancestry For Kids’ will transform the Melbourne Street Green into a vibrant space filled with art, music, and playful discovery.
The ‘Mob Music’ stage will return in 2025, with an epic line-up of First Nations musicians and artists hosted by DJ Big Mike. Expect to see the likes of Wawumun, Sachém, Dean Brady, Kee’ahn, Keely, Sunny Luwe, Birren, and Jarulah ft. Blackline The Band.
For the art-inclined, the Live Art At Clancestry programme showcases bespoke creations from artists across Fish Lane and Melbourne Street Green. . . While ‘Mob Words’ returns, with Arabella Walker, Boneta-Marie Mabo, Dean Tyson (Bingkin) and Dylan Bolger leaving their creative mark on YARN.
Also featured this year is the fourth iteration of BLAK DAY OUT, co-presented by Clancestry – it’s an all-ages celebration of First Nations culture, food, and music. This year features Christine Anu, Thelma Plum, Miss Kaninna, Stiff Gins, GLVES, dameeeela, and Kritty, playing The Princess Theatre.
“As QPAC celebrates its 40th birthday this year and four proud decades of entertainment, gathering, inclusion, and stories, Clancestry is a joyous reminder that QPAC’s work follows 60,000 years of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island music, dance, storytelling, and community,” QPAC Chief Executive Rachel Healy says.
“We are proud to stand with the community and celebrate both its mighty heritage and its contemporary expression. We recognise those artists and leaders who came before us and those whose continuing creative practices enliven the stages.”
Tickets are on sale now.
QPAC presents Clancestry from 23 July-10 August.
