Clancestry is the Queensland Performing Arts Centre’s (QPAC) semi-annual program which seeks to curate a range of free and affordable programming to “[bring] together First Nations voices, ideas and talent through performance and professional development opportunities”. A fabulous event with some passionate engagement with local First Nations communities, dates haven’t always favoured the event, being postponed for several years – most recently because of the COVID-19 pandemic. After being postponed this year due to the increased risks posed by the pandemic, QPAC has locked in 13 to 28 May 2022 as the official dates for Clancestry 2022.
These dates were chosen as, according to QPAC, these dates “allowed for expansion of the program, and the creation of additional career pathways for First Nations artists and staff”. Programming on offer includes:
Launch Event: First Gathering
First Gathering is a free event, including a celebration of the Land, Waters and Sky that surround QPAC on the Cultural Forecourt, followed by a gig with Uncle Joe Geia on the Melbourne Street Green.
Tony Gould Gallery: Stories From Here
Stories from Here is a showcase of the archives of Jo-Anne Driessens, who has photographed First Nations performances at QPAC and its surrounds since the early 2000s. The free exhibition will be open every Tuesday to Saturday from 12pm.
QPAC Tunnel
Seven First Nations storytellers including actor and director Leah Purcell, performer Roxanne McDonald and Australasian Dance Collective’s Tyrel Duvarie, will acknowledge the seven watershed regions of Queensland and their importance as individual and diverse ecosystems that have sustained families for many thousands of years.
Melbourne Street Green: Talks and Music
Each day of the work week will see a free lunchtime program of talks, performances and workshops on the Melbourne Street Green from 12noon to 1pm. Interested persons are invited to learn local language and Aboriginal weaving, or enjoy bush tucker talks and digeridoo sets.
On Mondays from 6pm, Biggest Mobs returns to the Melbourne Street Green with a stacked free program of cabaret, poetry, drag queen bingo, comedy and music.
The Green Jam music sessions will also be held every Friday night during Clancestry 2022, starring a line-up of the elders from the First Nations music scene including Uncle Joe Geia, Toni Janke and Rochelle Pitt.
Those with jarjum (children) in their household can also look forward to a free program of live shows and activities on the Melbourne Street Green every Saturday at 9am and 2pm.
Paid Event in Concert Hall: BLAKTIVISM
On 16 May in the Concert Hall, the mic will be handed to musical activists in the collaborative set BLAKTIVISM. The cross-generational event involves Bart Willoughby, Emma Donovan, Deline Brisco, Tasman Keith and Baarka, who are pitched as “[laying] bare issues such as First Nations sovereignty, police brutality and state oppression”. Tickets to this event are available via the QPAC website or calling QTIX on 136 246.
Paid Event in Concert Hall: BLAKTIVISM
Digi Youth Arts and The Good Room will be presenting COOKED in the Cremorne Theatre, where young First Nations People will “turn the tables and be the one asking questions”. Tickets for these sessions can be booked via the QPAC website or by calling QTIX on 136 246.
When rolling out Clancestry, QPAC also claims they will be engaging “additional First Nations staff across programming, production, marketing and content creation, while connecting them with mentors in their field”. They also claim they will “join forces with Queenmode Collective to hold workshops and conversations for the local First Nations community to support artist and sector development”.
Jump to the next page for statements from key stakeholders.
