First Nations Telegraph

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Parrtjima – A Festival in Light returns to illuminate Alice Springs (Mparntwe) from 8-17 April 2022 and the program promises 10 nights of fantastic free entertainment under star-studded skies.

A raft of big names will wow visitors, with ARIA Award-winning Dan Sultan and Triple J’s 2021 Unearthed Artist of the Year King Stingray leading the music program. They will be joined by a range of performers including Aussie rapper BARKAA, West Arnhem Land’s Black Rock Band and the Top End’s Jimblah.

The King Stingray song ‘Get Me Out’ is the soundtrack for the Parrtjima promotional video, and band member Yirrnga Yunupingu said they are looking forward to playing at the festival.

“This will be the first time for us playing in the Red Centre. Our dreams have come true! We can’t wait to experience the good vibes of Parrtjima and rock the stage with all the other amazing artists,” he said.

Some of the musicians will also appear as part of the talks program, intimate conversations between fascinating Australians and Parrtjima Curator Rhoda Roberts AO.

Other names on the program include NRL star Josh Addo-Carr, Steven Oliver of Black Comedy fame, and Parrtjima artists Carmen Glynn-Braun and Raelene Ngala Williams.

This year’s film program offers a retrospective of acclaimed filmmaker Warwick Thornton’s work.

The workshops program will be released at a later date. Parrtjima is delivered by the Northern Territory Government through Northern Territory Major Events Company (NTMEC) and produced by Creative Directors AGB Events.

NTMEC CEO Tim Watsford said this year’s theme is Sky Country.

“The Red Centre’s phenomenal star-filled night skies are the perfect backdrop for Sky Country, which focuses on our place in the universe and the relationship Aboriginal Australians have with the skies above,” he said.

The only authentic Aboriginal light festival of its kind, Parrtjima shines a light on the world’s oldest living culture by using the newest technologies, including large-scale light installations and a light show projected onto the 300-million-year-old natural canvas of the MacDonnell Ranges.

For program details, to register for Parrtjima and to book a free spot at any of the film screenings, visit www.parrtjima.com.au