First Nations programming will feature prominently at this year’s Darebin FUSE Festival, with curator Ethan Savage bringing together music, dance, visual arts and cultural practices. The program explores contemporary expressions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander identity, while highlighting connections to Country, community and histories of resistance.
First Nations creativity will feature prominently at this year’s Darebin FUSE Festival, with programming curated by Murri broadcaster and curator Ethan Savage, in collaboration with Wurundjeri Curatorial Advisor Stacie Nicholson-Piper.
The festival opens on 5 September with Ganbu Gulin: burndap neto! — meaning “One Mob: deadly, now!” — bringing together contemporary Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music, dance and visual arts at Darebin Arts Centre and Ray Bramham Gardens.
I want to bring audiences as well as Blackfellas along for the ride and show off the deadly artists that we do haveEthan Savage
The program includes a performance by neo-soul artist MO’JU and local indie-rock band Liv & The Dream, alongside a Smoking Ceremony led by Wurundjeri Elder Uncle Bill Nicholson and a performance by the intergenerational Djirri Djirri Dancers.
Family activities will include bracelet and charm-making with Elijah Money and arts and crafts with Aunty Brenda.
Savage, who has ancestral connections to the Northern Kaantju of Lockhart River, Girramay peoples and Badu Island, has lived on Wurundjeri Country for almost a decade and is also a broadcaster with Triple R.
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