Three generations, Three songs concert at chamber music fest

As part of this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music, The Three Generations, Three Songs concert celebrates Indigenous culture, tradition, and connection to Palm Island through music and storytelling.

Three Generations Three Songs - Deline Briscoe, Normey Jay and Gail Mabo CREDIT Tszar

Long before the patchworked paradise of Palm Island was stitched together by more than 40 First Nations tribes, it was cared for by its traditional owners, the Manbarra people.

A jewel floating on Halifax Bay, the Island and its people – collectively, the Bwgcolman people, meaning ‘many tribes, one people’ – are steeped in salt air, sunshine, spirit and – perhaps to outsiders – a significant serving of mystery.

Some of that mystery is set to be lifted in a free outdoor concert as part of this year’s Australian Festival of Chamber Music (AFCM) on Saturday, August 3.

Three Generations, Three Songs invites audiences to cross the saline waters of Halifax Bay and discover the stories, the strength and the deep love of place that lives in the hearts of the Manbarra and Bwgcolman people.

This richly emotive performance – produced by the Regional Arts Services Network NQ in collaboration with Gaba Musik – features original songs written by three generations of the same Manbarra family.

Together, Gail Mabo, Normey Jay and Nashae share traditional stories and contemporary reflections through their own unique lenses, celebrate the Bwgcolman and Manbarra people and unpack the depth, beauty and truth of their island home. 

The elder of the three, Aunty Gail Mabo, said the Three Generations, Three Songs project was a wonderful way to invite the broader community into the fold and to deepen their understanding of First Nations culture, tradition and connection to Country.

“We need to educate the broader community, because we know why these stories and places are important, but the broader community doesn’t,” Aunty Gail said.

Gail Mabo, Normey Jay and Nashae CREDIT Tszar

“Music speaks in many languages.

“When people connect to little bits of a song, they remember the message, and when you remember the message, it takes you back to that space and how you first felt hearing that song.

“I think bringing different stories to people who share an interest in listening to music will help change the mindset of people and improve their understanding of Indigenous Australia. because, you know, songs break barriers.

“Just being in a room and hearing people perform will set the tone for what the future will hold for music in this country,” Aunty Gail said. 

Guided by established musician and Yalanji woman Deline Briscoe, Gail, Normey and Nashae have explored their own lived experience, consulted with their elders and engaged with the Palm Island family to put the Manbarra Bwgcolman stories to music and bring them to stage.

“It’s completely different to what I normally do,” Gail, who is better known as a Visual Artist, said

“It’s a wonderful experience because I’m learning a little bit more about the space, about people’s stories and how they connect.”

Among the songs Gail, Normey and Nashae will perform at the AFCM Festival Garden is a creation song, that celebrates the many First Nations people across the Townsville North Queensland region including the Gulngay, Girrmay, Bandjin, Warrgamay, Manbarra and Wulgurukaba peoples.

Deline Briscoe, Nashae and Normey Jay CREDIT Tszar

“As indigenous people we are connected to Country through our creation stories,” Gail said.

“We’re turning that story into a song because a song lives on longer, is told by more people and listened to by more people.

“Then they can understand what it is that made that space a particular way, and why they have to remember those stories.”

Normey said the process of engaging with the Palm Island community to gather stories, fact check details and ensure proper use of traditional language had been a unifying experience for all involved.

“This project is so much bigger than the finished concert that audiences will see,” Normey said. “I feel like it is more about reflecting and acknowledging who we are.

“It’s about working together, bringing out the best of us and embracing who we are as Island people - our culture, our gifts, our singing, our music, our dance.

“I’m just embracing that and, putting it out there for the world to see.

“Being back home, on Country, is healing for us.

“It connects us, even if we were just there for a moment.

“Together, we feel proud and feel strong and I think projects like this remind our young people to keep chasing their dreams, remembering who they are and keep culture alive.”

The Three Generations, Three Songs project is part of the Creative Heartlands Program, a Strategic Initiative of Topology | RASN North Queensland supported by the State Government through Arts Queensland.

Catch the free concert at 6pm on Saturday, August 3 at the AFCM Festival Garden in front of the Townsville Civic Theatre, Gurambilbarra.

Gail, Normey and Nashae will be joined on stage by Deline Briscoe, Airileke, Stephen Maxwell and musicians from Topology.

Suga Cane Mamas will play a guest set at 4pm.

Originally published as Three generations, Three songs concert at chamber music fest