Many Australian performing arts venues, as part of the line-up of events they curate annually, work with communities, producers and individuals to deliver productions which highlight the rich cultural heritage of Australian’s first nations communities, as well as shine a line on the issues such communities faced both historically and on a regular basis. With COVID-19 impacting the performing arts industry indefinitely, it is no stretch of the imagination that these partnerships would be impacted until the shows can go on.
The main events of Victoria’s NAIDOC Week have also been postponed until 8-15 November 2020 due to the pandemic, with the committee making this decision to ensure the safety of their communities. However Arts Centre Melbourne, as part of their Together with You initiative, will be holding a series of NAIDOC Week events digitally from 5 July 2020 – 12 July 2020, during the originally planned dates.
Offerings next month will include streams of several archived performances, including those for Jack Charles v The Crown and A Not So Traditional Story. You can read more about each of these productions below:
Jack Charles v The Crown
Streaming 10 July 2020 – 24 July 2020
Jack Charles vs The Crown is a powerful one-man show that shines the spotlight on the incredible life of one of Australia’s treasures. Uncle Jack Charles is an actor, musician, potter and gifted performer who has also been homeless, an addict, a thief and spent time in Victoria’s prisons.
A Not So Traditional Story
Streaming 6 July 2020 – 16 July 2020
A Not So Traditional Story by Nathan Maynard delighted families last year when it was performance in Arts Centre Melbourne’s Fairfax Studio. This production comes from renowned Terrapin Puppet Theatre, and uses masks, shadow puppetry and physical theatre to tell an important story of culture, identity, bravery and friendship. This beautiful and funny production was written by award-winning playwright Nathan Maynard, a Trawlwoolway, Pakana/Palawa man from lutruwita/Tasmania.
Furthermore, a NAIDOC Concert titled Always Was, Always Will Be will be performed from Hamer Hall in partnership with Aboriginal Victoria, 3KND, VACCHO and Victoria Together. The concert will be presented on 5 July 2020, with more information to be confirmed later this week.
Other events include online streams from Tell It Like It Is – First Nations Hip Hop Forum hosted by the Australian Music Vault, Australian Music Vault Long Play Series interviews with Dr Lou Bennett AM from Tiddas and musician Archie Roach AM; along with stories which showcase the cultural impact of the First Nations community across the arts. As they do every year, the spire will be lit to represent the colours of the Aboriginal flag.
