Darwin Festival 2024 week one guide: Missy Higgins, NIMAs and the Spiegeltent
DARWIN FESTIVAL GUIDE: From death-defying stunts, heartwarming stories to awe-inspiring musical acts, here’s your guide to what’s hot in the opening week of the Darwin Festival.
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Whether you’re looking for death defying stunts, heartwarming stories or awe-inspiring music, the first week of Darwin Festival has you covered.
This year’s festival launch host events celebrating the 20th anniversary of two moments in Australian music history: the launch of the National Indigenous Music Awards and Missy Higgins’s trailblazing debut album.
After expanding your mind, indulge your tastebuds at Festival Park which will host some of Darwin’s favourite food vendors; Ella by Minoli, Cucina sotto le stelle, Three Mums Kitchen, Porkin’, Mr Minucci, Christine’s Exotic Eats, Bamboo Lounge, HUGS PANIM and Trampoline Gelato.
The free nightly event will also host free live music, roving entertainment, bars and special guests.
Here’s your guide to the first week of Darwin Festival:
Tuesday, August 6:
Song Spirals: The world premier of the Yolngu Dance work ‘Song Spirals’ opens the Festival on Tuesday night at Browns Mart Theatre. This 60-minute performance invites audiences to immerse themselves in the music of the Milkarri (song spirals) and the beauty of their language, culture and Country through music, dance and projections.
Tickets start at $38, with the performance running from Tuesday August 6 to Sunday August 11.
The Party: Running nightly throughout the festival at the Spiegeltent, ‘The Party’ is a celebration of the Festival spirit with acrobatics, dance, music, humour, extravagant costumes – and a wild, escalating energy.
This lavish performance comes from the minds of Blanc de Blanc Encore and LIMBO will run from Tuesday August 6 to Sunday August 25 with tickets starting at $59.
Wednesday, August 7:
Big Name, No Blankets: Be there for the first night of a rock ‘n’ roll theatre extravaganza from the heart of Papunya (Warumpi) at the iconic Darwin Botanic Gardens Amphitheatre.
‘Big Name, No Blankets’ celebrates the journey and impact of the Territory’s own Warumpi Band, inspired by stories from one of the founding members, Sammy Tjapanangka Butcher.
Packed with rock star performances, iconic songs and humour, this uplifting show tells the story of how these Australian music icons made history as the first rock ‘n’ roll band to sing in Aboriginal language.
This two-night only three-hour performance runs until Thursday August 8, with tickets starting at $25.
Thursday, August 8:
Festival Park: Festival Park opens for the first time on Thursday, transforming Civic Park into a hive of activity almost every night from 5pm till late.
Immerse yourself in the artistic adventures on show, including music, illuminated artworks, discos bars and tasty treats.
This free event runs every night (except Mondays) until Sunday August 25.
Friday August 9
Wayfinder: DanceNorth’s spectacular performance of ‘Wayfinder’ brings together a kaleidoscopic fusion of dance, music, and visual arts opens on Friday night.
The dance troupe joins with three-time Grammy nominated Australian band Hiatus Kaiyote and sound artist Byron J. Scullin, with joyful stage design and costumes by Japanese-Australian visual artist Hiromi Tango to create this 55-minute performance.
Tickets start at $44 at the The Playhouse, Darwin Entertainment Centre.
POD: Adventure into a world of magic and nature in this interactive performance following the journey of a seed pod through the Top End seasons.
This all-ages performance honours the traditional Larrakia seasons by telling the story of fires, floods, storms, wind and monsoonal rains through puppets, projection, live improvised music and an interactive set.
This 50-minute performance will hold four sessions over three-days at the Studio Theatre, at Darwin Entertainment Centre.
Saturday, August 10
The NIMAs: The biggest annual celebration of Indigenous music is back to shine a spotlight on the rich diversity of Indigenous music from across Australia, from emerging talents to international sensations like Gurrumul and Jessica Mauboy.
Marking its 20th anniversary this year’s NIMAs will allow Territorians to gather under the stars on Larrakia land and watch stellar unforgettable performances at Darwin’s historic Amphitheatre.
Tickets for this one-night only event start at $44.
Festival Park: Throughout the weekend the INPEX Sunset Stage will play host to Circus performance ‘The Mirror’, Comedian Gillian Cosgriff, family entertainment ‘Kids Club Spectacular’, and music acts ‘Stories of Water and Earth’, ‘Arrkula Yinbayarra’, ‘JAZZPARTY’ and ‘Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers’.
Sunday August 11
Missy Higgins: One of Australia’s most beloved singer, songwriters is returning to the Darwin stage in a two-act show at the Darwin Amphitheatre celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut studio album, ‘The Sound of White’.
Tickets start at $86 for this four-hour one-night only event.
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Originally published as Darwin Festival 2024 week one guide: Missy Higgins, NIMAs and the Spiegeltent
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