Rising stars of Indigenous arts and culture will take centre stage when Wominjeka Festival returns to Footscray Community Arts Centre from May 25 to 27.
Featuring music, exhibitions, conversations, film and theatre, the three-day festival kicks off Friday night with ILBIJERRI Theatre Company’s critically acclaimed production Which Way Home.
Infused with humour and heart, Which Way Home draws on writer Katie Beckett’s own memories of growing up with her single Aboriginal father.
Saturday’s Black Screen film program, curated by filmmaker John Harvey, will include a screening of Irene Ridgeway and Q&A with director Daniel King.
Sunday’s events showcase the next generation of Indigenous visual artists, performers and musicians.
The day will include the opening of two new exhibitions Blak to the Future, and Narrun Yana, a deadly collective of artists united through their experiences from out-of-home care to high school to adulthood.
Musical celebration Little Wominjeka will feature rising Aboriginal and Torres Strait voices, including Allara Briggs Pattison, Robert K. Champion, Maylene Slater-Burns, Brett Lee and Elaine Crombie.
Other events include a conversation with playwright Elaine Crombie and an interactive weaving circle led by Aunty Bronwyn Razem, Jarrah Bundle and Marlee Bundle.
FCAC associate producer Hannah Morphy-Walsh said the driving force of the festival has always been community.
“Through its programming, Wominjeka is a vibrant show of the strength, resilience and creativity that has always been the core of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture,” she said.
FCAC elder in residence, Uncle Larry Walsh, said the festival is a great opportunity for rising Indigenous artists.
“For me, Wominjeka is about giving space for the up and comers. It’s really all about young creators, painters, musicians and performers getting the chance to be seen and heard.”
Details: www.footscrayarts.com
