Welcome Message
The Hon. Marion Scrymgour MLA
Minister for Arts and Museums
The Darwin Festival is a celebration of our city’s uniqueness, celebrating our multicultural community, youthful energy, tropical climate and
our great lifestyle.
This year’s cultural program provides a feast of local, national and international performances to excite, inspire and entertain!
It includes opera, cabaret, dance, music, film, comedy, the visual arts and workshops – incorporating music and dance from Indigenous, Indonesian and Pacific Island communities.
There is also a strong visual arts component, with Larrakia traditional land owners guiding you through the many galleries exhibiting Indigenous Art on the Gallery Bus Tour.
The NT Government is a strong supporter of the Darwin Festival, this year committing more than $470 000 to make it a success.
The Festival creates a dynamic atmosphere for growth in the arts and entertainment industry, and of course is also a major tourism attraction.
I urge everyone to get behind the wonderful program this year, and take part in Darwin Festival 2006.
PETER ADAMSON
His Right Worshipful
the Lord Mayor
It’s shaping up as being another great Darwin Festival with an entertaining mix of cultural, artistic and musical events.
We know about our vibrant cultural diversity here in the Top End and that’s reflected in this year’s program.
And where else in Australia could you have such a blend of indoor and outdoor events making the most of our facilities and the ideal weather conditions.
I am sure the 2006 Darwin Festival will build on the success of the past and I am personally looking forward to taking in as many performances as possible.
Once again the Darwin City Council is delighted to be one of the major sponsors of the Darwin Festival.
To our wonderful arts community - congratulations for what I am sure will be another spectacular Darwin Festival!
IAN PRINCE
Chairman
Darwin Festival
Welcome to the 2006 Darwin Festival.
With a focus on Territory talent, Indigenous artistry, international excellence, cultural diversity and superb events from around Australia, there is little reason to be anywhere but at Festival events in beautiful, tropical Darwin.
The Festival Board would like to thank the Northern Territory Government and the Darwin City Council for their ongoing support of the Darwin Festival. On behalf of the board I extend our thanks and gratitude to all of our sponsors and welcome those who have come aboard for Darwin Festival 2006.
The Festival Board is especially pleased to welcome Anne Dunn as General Manager of the Festival. Anne, together with Artistic Director Malcolm Blaylock, and the Festival team have put together a wonderful program of events. We welcome all the artists and community groups who we know are ready to entertain you.
MALCOLM BLAYLOCK
Artistic Director
Darwin Festival
Let us take you on a journey through the rich cultures of our region, in a part of the world where close contact between different societies has a history as old as the dugout canoe.
As we present the contemporary art and culture of northern Australia and our Asia-Pacific neighbours we are rooted in a myriad of traditions that have influenced one another through trade and marriage, funerals and the sorts of ceremonies and rituals that unite people no matter where they are from.
The sharing of culture that began when the first canoe was paddled across the Timor Sea continues today as artists and performers representing 14 countries come together to tell their stories and show their artistry.
The arts define who we are and the cultural regeneration that takes place when we come together to celebrate is as old as humanity itself. I invite you to share in this timeless tradition over 18 days and nights of art and performance.