Djuki Mala
Venue:
Showplace Performance Centre: 290 George St N, Peterborough
Tickets:
Tickets available from showplace.org or through the Showplace Box Office
$22 / $12 Students and Underwaged / $7 High School Students (+$3 ticketing fee when buying online)
Q&A immediately following the performance.
“…playful, charming and informative, like a family-friendly diplomatic envoy, sharing hope and knowledge from North-East Arnhem Land.” – Sydney Morning Herald
Join a joyous celebration 60,000 years in the making.
Direct from Elcho Island, Djuki Mala (Djuki meaning ‘bird’ with a Yolngu accent and Mala meaning ‘mob’) perform a high-energy and stunning fusion of traditional Indigenous culture, contemporary dance and storytelling.
Since 2007 they’ve been consistently thrilling audiences with reinterpretations of popular culture and traditional dances in a way that juxtaposes contemporary Yolngu culture.
The show tells the genesis of Djuki Mala, interspersed with multimedia, and gives audiences the opportunity to experience some of the more intimate moments and turning points that have shaped them, in a show that is a marvel of timing, comedy and clowning, with a hefty dose of heart and soul.
Public Energy’s spotlight on Australian Indigenous Dance is curated by Patti Shaughnessy.
About Djuki Mala
Djuki Mala achieved overnight success when Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy uploaded a video clip of the group dancing to “Zorba the Greek” on YouTube in October 2007. Within twelve weeks it had peaked at over 500,000 hits worldwide and to date it stands at over 2.5 million views.
Since 2007 they have created a number of shows combining their re-interpretations of popular culture and dance with narrative and drama. The work reflects the juxtapositions they see in contemporary Yolngu culture, and offers a rare and insightful view into Aboriginal Australia. With a busy touring schedule, they have performed to ecstatic crowds around the world, from China to North America, Europe and the Middle East.
Dressed in traditional costumes and ochre, with Gara (spears) & Galpu (spear thrower) they create work that is a marvel of timing, comedy and clowning, warming both the heart and soul. Behind the humour is startling movement skill and discipline, drawn from traditional culture and dance.
The style of dancing and comedic element of their performance has its origins in Yolngu culture as much as the traditional dance. Clowning within Yolngu Culture has been around longer that many of the traditional dances themselves. It is from this that Djuki Mala’s natural flare for comedy has emerged.
‘… an hour of infectious joy’ ***** BroadwayBaby
‘No better offering at this year’s Fringe’ ***** West Australian
‘Joy enhancing, inspiring, thrilling, intoxicating’ ***** Upside News
Best Dance Adelaide Fringe 2015 & FRINGE WORLD 2017.
West Australian Arts Editors Award 2017.
“No better offering at this year’s Fringe” ★★★★★ West Australian
“Joy enhancing, inspiring, enthralling, thrilling, intoxicating” ★★★★★ Upside News
“Their sheer joy is as infectious as it is delightful” ★★★★ The Advertiser.
“Cheeky, fun, feel-good” ★★★★ Sydney Morning Herald.
Sponsored by:
Lett Architects
Monkman Gracie and Johnston Insurance Brokers
With the Support of:
The Peterborough Foundation
Photo: Sean Young Photography
This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council for the Arts, its arts funding and advisory body.
