Song Spirals

By Rosealee Pearson

World Premiere Season
A Brown’s Mart production presented with the Darwin Festival

 

Let the Milkarri dance around you

Ancient Yolŋu rhythm and songs are brought to life through stunning movement in a world premiere dance event. A feast for the senses, Song Spirals invites you to experience the language, culture and Country of creator Rosealee Pearson through music, dance and projections.

 

Composed by Andrew Grimes, the music uses the ancient rhythms and songs of the Milkarri in contemporary compositions, as the dancers become the canvas for stunning visuals created by Video Artist, Naina Sen.

 

Inspired by the 2020 award-winning book written by the Gay’wu group of women, Song Spirals blends the Yolŋu women’s role in crying the ancient Milkarri (song spirals) with movement that spells out Yolŋu Matha language through the dancers’ bodies.

 

The result transports you to the heart of Yolŋu country for a sensory experience that combines age-old tradition with contemporary creativity.

 

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Director + Choreographer | Rosealee Pearson

Cultural Consultants | Merrkiyawuy Ganambarr-Stubbs, Djawundil Maymuru

Composer/Sound Designer | Andrew Grimes

Video Artist | Naina Sen

Lighting Designer | Sean Pardy

Dancers | Henrietta Baird, Maddison Fraser, Brianna Kemmerling, Harlisha Newie-Joe

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SONG SPIRALS has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its arts funding and advisory body.

 

 

 

Song Spirals is supported with a generous donation from Buku-Larrnggay Mulka Centre and assistance from Rirratjingu Aboriginal Corporation.