NAFA: a festival of fun

Under the creative direction of Kyle Page, NAFA 2024 promises to transform Townsville with a dynamic blend of local talent and debut international performances. Check out the program highlights.

NAFA starts in Townsville on September 26 PHOTO: Andrew Rankin

Under Kyle Page’s visionary leadership, this year’s North Australian Festival of Arts is set to be a landmark event cementing Townsville’s place on the national cultural map.

In crafting the festival, Page has not only embraced Townsville’s rich cultural tapestry but has also ensured that the city’s cultural diversity shines through.

Page – this year’s NAFA guest curator and Dancenorth Australia’s Artistic Director – has boldly envisioned a festival that is firmly rooted in “love, connection, and resilience.”

With a diverse and multifaceted line-up, Page aims to transform Townsville into a cultural hub that resonates with audiences far beyond its borders.

“When I was invited to participate in NAFA 2024 as Guest Curator, I wanted to excite and inspire Townsville audiences,” Page told NQ Weekend. “As Artistic Director of Dancenorth Australia I have the incredible privilege of taking Townsville to the world when we tour our shows around the globe – with NAFA I really wanted to bring the world to Townsville.”

This vision has driven the curation of a festival that not only highlights local talent but also welcomes international performances for the first time.

“The world is a vastly interconnected system, carrying all the joys and sorrow, heartache, and celebration of humanity. Townsville can at times feel small or tucked away, but the truth is our story is a vital part of this global ecosystem.

Cal Harris from Godz and dancer Charlotte Ruddell will take part in NAFA 2024 Photo: Andrew Rankin

“People often reflect on what is going on ‘down south’ and my invitation is to cast the net a little wider … what is going on in New York, Argentina, or Mozambique.”

A standout highlight of the festival is the inclusion of Andrew Schneider’s acclaimed performance, YOUARENOWHERE.

Page describes the show as a transformative experience.

“In over 20 years working professionally in the arts, there is no other show that has stayed with me for as long as Andrew’s performance YOUARENOWHERE. It truly shook me out of my habitual relationship with the world.”

One of the unique aspects of NAFA 2024 is the active participation of local teenagers in the collaborative project Nightwalks with Teenagers, led by the Canadian company Mammalian Diving Reflex.

“This is an invitation to get to know their stories and see the world through their eyes,” said Page, emphasising the importance of understanding and celebrating the perspectives of Townsville’s younger generation.

In addition to innovative performance art, the festival features literary contributions like Trent Dalton’s new production, Love Songs.

NAFA guest curator and Dancenorth artistic director Kyle Page has crafted a first-class festival Photo: Amber Haines

Page highlights the universal appeal of the theme, noting that “Brisbane audiences have been going wild for this very special new work.”

He anticipates a similarly enthusiastic response in Townsville.

“I expect nothing but rapturous applause (and the occasional tear) from Townsville audiences.”

NAFA 2024 also incorporates a strong visual arts component with Judy Watson’s exhibition, Skeletons.

Watson, a distinguished artist, uses her work to challenge traditional narratives and encourage deeper reflections on history.

The exhibition invites attendees to “discover the buried evidence within the state’s archive that brings to light undisclosed happenings,” addressing crucial yet often overlooked historical truths.

Integral to the festival’s identity is its commitment to showcasing First Nations art.

“First Nations, culture, stories, song, and dance are the heartbeat of this landscape.”

This year marks a historic milestone for NAFA as it commissions its first festival artwork by a local First Nations artist, Michael Andersen, a descendant of Girudala Country.

NAFA highlights

Looking Forward Looking Back

September 28

Looking Forward Looking Back will see North Queensland’s emerging First Nations musicians share the stage with some of the nation’s best in a new performance that pays homage to Australia’s King of Country, Slim Dusty. The free performance will include a mix of reimagined Slim Dusty songs and originals, with emerging musicians accompanied on stage by popular Indigenous bands Black Image and Bull Dust. The musicians will be joined by household names Jem Cassar-Daley, Emma Donovan, Jungaji and the Briscoe Sisters

Xavier Rudd with Fred Leone, Kee’Ahn and Djawarray

September 29

To round off NAFA’s spectacular opening weekend, a perfect line up of Australian musicians have been curated. Headlined by national folk treasure Xavier Rudd along with Garrwa and Butchulla artist Fred Leone. This free concert will also feature local artist Kee’ahn and Cairns artist Djawarray.

YOUARENOWHERE will be shown between September 26 and 29

YOUARENOWHERE

September 26 and September 29

A not-to-be missed smash hit from New York’s downtown theatre world, this rapid-fire high-tch existential meditation teleports from physic lecture to pop culture and personal revelation while dissecting quantum mechanics, parallel universes, missed connections, and AA recovery steps. Using an array of complex visual and aural effects to produce a fluid, shifting landscape, YOUARENOWHERE transforms the physical performance space and warps linear time to short circuit preconceived notions of individual perspective and what it means to be here now.

Silent Disco Dance Parties

September 28 to October 6

Dance your way around The Strand with Silent Disco Dance Parties presented by Global Dance Collective. Get ready to dance like nobody’s watching and make memories you’ll never forget. All ages welcome. Headphones and guide provided, just bring your best theme outfit and comfortable dancing shoes.

Godz

September 26 to October 3

Time to get Greeced! A hedonistic dive headfirst into the lives of the ancient gods of Olympus! Follow your favourite gods like Cupid and Hercules as they paint the scene of Ancient Greece and bring you to the biggest party to hit Mount Olympus since 500 BCE.

Your favourite group of comedy acrobats take their unique mix of storytelling, circus, and physical prowess to godlike proportions.

Queensland State Archives exhibition, ‘skeletons’, by artist Judy Watson, will debut in Townsville this September as part of Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts’ partnership with North Australian Festival of Arts (NAFA).

Judy Watson – Skeletons

September 13 to October 27

This exhibition, at Umbrella Studio Contemporary Arts, opens the closet doors to Australia’s skeletons and explores an alternative national narrative. Waanyi artist Judy Watson explores controverted histories that provide moments of recognition for First Nations peoples. Discover buried evidence and undisclosed happenings which validate the mistrust of terra nullius and the continuation of Aboriginal resistance.

KABOOM

September 27 to September 29

The maddest of mad scientists, Magnus Danger Magnus, heads to Townsville for the very first time; with a brand new, all ages electromagnetic extravaganza in KABOOM! Chaotic mayhem abounds in this stunningly stylish S.T.E.M. show with 10 times the spectacle and 20,000 times the voltage of the science classes at school! This is an absolutely feast for the senses, and educational entertainment at its absolute best

The No Bang Theory

September 27 to September 28

The No Bang Theory is packed with more banging show tunes than a night of karaoke. Plus sex talk. And dodgy dancing. And sparkly jackets. Oliver Hetherington-Page is a Matilda award-winning performing artist on the autism spectrum, fighting daily against the stereotypes popular culture tells the world about the condition. Authentic representation of autism stories on stage is the best way to defeat the Sheldon Cooper syndrome.

Bingo Bango

October 6, 1.30pm to 3pm

Join Valerie Hex, as they lead you through a ridiculous bingo bash packed with fun and excitement. Prepare for a vibrant atmosphere with catchy tunes brought to you by Dr Trevor Jones, alongside Camp Culture’s clown king Dale Woodbridge-Brown who’ll be making an unforgettable appearance. With fantastic lucky door prizes up for grabs, every moment is filled with anticipation.

Love Stories is a must-see NAFA show

Love Stories

October 4 to October 11

Inspired by a personal moment of profound love and generosity, best-selling author – and one of Australia’s finest journalists – Trent Dalton spent two months in 2021 gathering stories on his sky-blue 1960s Olivetti typewriter, on a prominent street corner in Brisbane’s CBD. Speaking to Australians from all walks of life, he asked them one simple thing: ‘Can you please tell me a love story?’What followed was Dalton’s unashamedly joyous collection of Love Stories, and the creative team behind the smash-hit page-to-stage adaptation of Boy Swallows Universe reuniting to bring to life Dalton’s latest warm, wise, poignant, funny and moving story about love, in all its guises.

Nightwalks with Teenagers is a walking performance created in collaboration with young people, who plan, design and lead public walks through the city at night

Nightwalks with Teenagers

October 10 to October 12

Nightwalks with Teenagers is a walking performance created in collaboration with young people, who plan, design and lead public walks through the city at night, sharing their favourite parts of the neighbourhood with members of the community. The performance brings together teens and adults who might not otherwise meet, to have experiences related to a shared place and time; it offers an opportunity for adults to socialise with young people in a safe social space, where everyone can let loose, and silences offer moments for contemplation.

Camp Culture

October 2 to October 6

Camp Culture is an interactive circus show for campers of any age. But this is no gammin summer camp – it’s serving up equal parts skill and sass. Hosted by seasoned and completely unqualified camp leader Dale Woodbridge Brown. He can’t use a compass but will show that no matter where you come from, there’s always a way to earn your badge for being your most authentic self. From growing up as a Faboriginal kid from the bush to one of Australia’s most prolific circus artists – his ability to use humour and heart to empower unrepresented voices will leave campers begging to stay just a little longer!

Party Ghost is a ghoulish journey of the post-mortem mystery through a comedic pop-cultural lens.

Party Ghost

October 2 to October 6

Party Ghost is a ghoulish journey of the post-mortem mystery through a comedic pop-cultural lens. A cacophony of dismembered limbs and ghosts that range from the ludicrous to the downright disturbing, this show is next level messed up and twice as amusing. As side-splittingly hilarious and downright weird as it is physically astonishing, this show sees two of Australia’s most sought-after company acrobats – Jarred Dewey and Olivia Porter – behind the wheel of their own show.

No Disco like the Cosmos

October 13

No Disco like the Cosmos is an interplanetary cinematic experience like no other, take in the magnificent nature of the cosmos through the eyes of experts and artists. Peer deep into the universe and view the stars up close with images and footage from NASA’s telescopes and allow yourself to be captivated. Star expert and educator from the Charleville Cosmos Centre, Murray Griffin will guide you through the ceaseless beauty of our universe with an educational foray into the cosmos.

Christine Anu will perform October 13

Christine Anu

October 13

Christine Anu is one of the country’s most popular performers who uses her voice and reputation to spread a message of unity and hope. With 17 ARIA nominations, including the APRA AMCOS award-winning My Island Home and her platinum album Stylin’ Up, she has on of Australia’s most enduring and recognisable voices.

Songwriters in the Round

October 5

Ever wondered what goes on in the mind of a songwriter? This exclusive evening invites the audience to have a rare glimpse inside the creative mind and delve deeply into the process of songwriting. A night featuring a small group of local and travelling artists, each with unique processes and inspirations, tactics and approaches to the craft of making music.

Midwife Crisis

October 3 to October 4

Hoarding husband and offspring gone feral: one midwife’s hilarious escape plan! Sarah Stewart’s past 40 years have been a rollercoaster of birthing babies, battling clutter, and wondering where her kids ‘parked’ themselves this time. Now, on the wrong side of 60, she’s traded delivery rooms for bucket lists and swapped forceps for funeral plans.

Wanderlust

October 5

Presented by Global Dance Collective, this show will feature dances from across the globe. It’s a thrilling spectacle, taking the audience on a journey around the world.

Originally published as NAFA: a festival of fun