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Kuya James and Tara Murphy triumph at 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards

A music producer, violinist, dancer and circus artist are among the winners of the 2023 Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards. See all the pictures.

Arafura music collective performs as Greg Jansen, Brian Cullen and Claire Kilgariff at the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards, Double Tree Hilton. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Arafura music collective performs as Greg Jansen, Brian Cullen and Claire Kilgariff at the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards, Double Tree Hilton. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Kuya James, aka James Mangohig, took home the Outstanding Creative Award and Best Performance Award at the 2023 Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards on Monday night.

The awards recognised his two-decade long contribution to the arts as musician, music producer, and most recently as a producer and artist of the theatre dance performance, Hymns for the Witching Hour.

Violinist Tara Murphy followed suit, bringing home both the Outstanding Performer Award and People’s Choice Award.

Artistic Director of Darwin Festival and NTPAA judge Kate Fell was delighted with the quality of nominations across this year’s nine categories.

“We were really thrilled with the quality of the nominations for the Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards and each award was fiercely contested,” she said.

“These awards are a fantastic way to shine a light on the incredible talent and impact of artists and arts workers in the Northern Territory.

“It is a great recognition of not only who you see on stage but also the people behind the scenes who make so much happen.”

Outstanding Creative and Best Performance Award winner James Mangohig with Caiti Baker at the 2023 Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Outstanding Creative and Best Performance Award winner James Mangohig with Caiti Baker at the 2023 Northern Territory Performing Arts Awards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Singer and songwriter Dr Shellie Morris AO and artistic director Sean Pardy both received the Legend Award for their dedication to elevating the Northern Territory’s arts scene throughout their respective careers.

Emerging artists Spillett and Tomm Lydiard won the Young Achiever and Behind the Scenes awards respectively.

Spillett was nominated for their “charismatic and hypnotic performances” as a dancer while Lydiard was praised for shining a light on local Darwin talent and household names including Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy.

Chryss Carr with Dr Shellie Morris AO who received the Legend Award at the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Chryss Carr with Dr Shellie Morris AO who received the Legend Award at the 2023 NT Performing Arts Awards. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Nikki Jeffries was awarded the Inspiration Award for her work as a circus and performing arts educator with Zoe Scrogings taking out the Impact Award for elevating the Corrugated Iron Youth Arts team’s profile to national recognition.

In its fourth year, the NTPAA are peer judged awards recognising the outstanding achievements of Territory storytellers and creatives in classrooms, backstage and on stage.

Over 70 nominations were received this year with 25 shortlisted as finalists.

Scroll down to see pictures of all the action.

Les Huwddleston and James Parfit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Les Huwddleston and James Parfit. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Nisha Madhan, Honey Taylor and Michaela Nutt. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Nisha Madhan, Honey Taylor and Michaela Nutt. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Cj Fraser-Bell, Maari Gray and David Mcmicken. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Cj Fraser-Bell, Maari Gray and David Mcmicken. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Michelle Graf and Zoe Crawford. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Michelle Graf and Zoe Crawford. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Danielle Ngahere-Inglis, Laurie May and James Winwood. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Danielle Ngahere-Inglis, Laurie May and James Winwood. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Les Huwddleston, Jeny Dowling, and Ben Graetz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Les Huwddleston, Jeny Dowling, and Ben Graetz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Lukas Bendel, Ioanna Thymianidis, Eric Vaughn Holowacz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Lukas Bendel, Ioanna Thymianidis, Eric Vaughn Holowacz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Les Huwddleston performing at the 2023 NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Les Huwddleston performing at the 2023 NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Arts Minister Chansey Paech, Max Stretton, Mitch Hart and Jenelle Saunders. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Arts Minister Chansey Paech, Max Stretton, Mitch Hart and Jenelle Saunders. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Emily Ryan performing at the 2023 NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Emily Ryan performing at the 2023 NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Francine Chinn and Anisha Angelroth. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Francine Chinn and Anisha Angelroth. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
NTPAA Young Achiever winner Steph Spillett and Tahlia Biggs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
NTPAA Young Achiever winner Steph Spillett and Tahlia Biggs. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Attendees at this year’s NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Attendees at this year’s NTPAA. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Kelly Blumberg and Jodie Reichstein. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Kelly Blumberg and Jodie Reichstein. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Ciella Williams and Ivy Crichton. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Ciella Williams and Ivy Crichton. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Michael Spry, Michaela Dunn, David Spry, Liz Rogers and Taneidi Schatz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Michael Spry, Michaela Dunn, David Spry, Liz Rogers and Taneidi Schatz. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Marita Smith and Tim Newth. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Marita Smith and Tim Newth. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Hannah Illingworth and Impact Award winner Zoe Scrogings. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Hannah Illingworth and Impact Award winner Zoe Scrogings. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Seraphina Newberry and Bernadette Ryan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Seraphina Newberry and Bernadette Ryan. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Evan Sounders and Juran Timu. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Evan Sounders and Juran Timu. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Arthur Lariosa and Piper Whiting. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Arthur Lariosa and Piper Whiting. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Natalie Pellegrino. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin
Natalie Pellegrino. Picture: Pema Tamang Pakhrin

Original URL: https://www.ntnews.com.au/entertainment/kuya-james-and-tara-murphy-triumph-at-2023-nt-performing-arts-awards/news-story/2c8e849f783bf1a01e26ce3866315d4d