YIRRAMBOI 6–16 May 2021
6–16 May 2021
200+ artists programmed
80+ performances
30+ venues across narrm
A future-focused celebration of the sophistication, diversity and continuous evolution of 4,000 generations of culture, art and storytelling.
YIRRAMBOI 2021 emerged during the uncertainty of the post-2020 period. Although the full public program was impacted by pandemic conditions, more than 200 artists were supported through development programs, digital works, commissions and community-focused initiatives.
Image Gallery
Program Highlights
Considerable Sexual License
Joel Bray and his talented team of collaborators took audiences on a flirty, filthy and passionate look at the true history of sensuality down under. Rejecting the conservative straightness of sexual politics in Australia, this provocative performance blended cabaret, comedy, and choreography. It tempted audiences to explore their own history and relationship to sex, sexuality and personal freedom, while celebrating Country, community, consent and kinship.
Miss First Nation 2021
Blak Queens set the stage on fire (that's FI-YA), showing the audience what being fabulous is all about.
Ngarngk: Giver of Life
Ngarngk, meaning 'giver of life' in the Nyoongar language, put women at the front in a powerful story about Blak motherhood and returning to traditional practices Ngarngk was written by Nyoongar woman, Nazaree Dickerson.
Arterial
This enchanting Na Djinang Circus performance explored the ancient connections tying First Nations people together, strong through bloodlines but damaged through colonisation.
Barring Yanabul
Melbourne became an all-day celebration of Blak culture as Barring Yanabul sprinkled the city with more than 40 pop-up live events from YIRRAMBOI artists.
Soul of Possum
Emerging playwright Brodie Murray (Wamba Wamba) drew on stories handed down from his grandfather, creating an exploration of the contrasting relationships that settlers and Blak peoples have with Country, ecology, leadership and spirituality.
James Henry x Grand Organ
James Henry explored a blend of traditional style songs in Yuwaalaraay and Gamilaraay languages, infused with the techno rhythms and the rich sonic textures of the Melbourne Town Hall's Grand Organ.
Crumbs
Crumbs, a magical story of a cubby, a sneaky neighbour and a fight for survival. This bold family-friendly debut show from writer NazAree Dickerson, teaming up with award-winning writer Nathan Maynard, saw an epic and hilarious face off in the name of crumbs and country.
Deadly Funny Showcase
The Melbourne International Comedy Festival's national comedy comp and workshop program Deadly Funny unearthed the freshest and funniest Blak talent from around the country.
Coconut Woman
Coconut Woman was a comedy-drama with music. A fish out of water story, raw, funny, poignant, with just the right amount of musical punctuation. A Torres Strait Islander led production, Coconut Woman explored disconnection and the challenges of navigating the choppy waters of reunification. Of finding a way Home.
Festival Guide
