Maali Festival
Past Show
24 Jul - 24 Jul
State Theatre Centre of WA
A free festival celebrating the oldest living cultures on earth.
Maali Festival
Kaya. It’s time to listen. It’s time to acknowledge. It’s time to dance. It’s time. Set over one full action packed day, curators Ian Michael (Wilman Nyoongar) and Chloe Ogilvie (Yamatji Nhanda) bring us a festival reclaiming the State Theatre Centre. Maali is a Nyoongar term for the black swan.
All Maali Festival events take place in and around the State Theatre Centre of WA. For more information on transport to The State Theatre Centre, visit the Parking & Transport page on our website.
All activities and events throughout the festival are FREE. Due to capacity restrictions, registration is essential for certain events.
A NOTE FROM CURATORS IAN MICHAEL AND CHLOE OGILVIE
What began as a conversation has turned into a festival. But more than just a festival, it’s an acknowledgment of history, a gathering of community, recognition of resilience and a moment for our cultures and stories to reclaim space.
It is a privilege that Maali Festival is being held on Whadjuk boodjar, on land and waterways that have seen song, dance and story performed and told for multi millennia. The festival has been put together over time that is minuscule in comparison but what you’ll witness is that these artists and their work resonates across time, from the past, to the present and into the future.
I hope you take what you hear and see, whatever it is, with you beyond these two days, that it makes you listen, take action, start a conversation and for the blackfullas, I hope you know that this festival is for you, that you can laugh as loud as you want, you feel safe, seen, heard, are inspired, proud, sing at the top of your lungs and dance all the way home.
This is about us, for us.
See details of Maali Festival below.
WELCOME TO COUNTRY (special event)
Honouring ancestors, a cleansing and a reclamation of space.
HEATH LEDGER THEATRE FOYER 10:00AM - 10:30AM
HIGH TEA WITH ELDERS (special event)
A rare chance and opportunity to listen and hear the stories and experiences of Nyoongar Elders over a cuppa set for royalty.
MIDDAR ROOM 10:30AM - 12:30PM
BOOX KID (music)
Fremantle based singer-songwriter Jarred Wall is a beat creator delivering unique melodies, harmonies, instrumentation and a stellar live show.
REHEARSAL ROOM 1 10:45AM - 11:30AM
STORY TIME WITH CEZERA CRITTI-SCHNAARS (storytelling)
Join Cezera, a young Noongar and Greek actor for a quiet moment in the Festival as she reads children's books by Indigenous authors.
HEATH LEDGER THEATRE FOYER 11:00AM - 11:45AM
MARKET STALLS (special event)
Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses Gungurra, Kiya Watt, Felicity Robinson, Thomasisha Wareham & Emma Janes Weaving
HEATH LEDGER THEATRE FOYER 11:00AM - 4:00PM
CREATIVE CANVAS LIVE MURAL ART INSTALLATION (special event)
Try your hand at painting or watch as the artwork evolves before you with 'Urban Indigenous' as they share traditional techniques of Aboriginal Art.
HEATH LEDGER THEATRE FOYER 11:30AM - 1:30PM
FLEWNT (music)
Nyoongar hip hop artist, WAM 2018 winner, Flewnt, has performed at numerous rallies and festivals and is heavily involved in his community.
REHEARSAL ROOM 1 11:45AM - 12:15PM
LILLY GOGOS AND BAND (music)
Lilly performs acoustic originals and covers, in the style of country, soul, gospel and blues.
REHEARSAL ROOM 1 12:45PM - 1:45PM
POETRY READINGS BY YIRRA YAAKIN THEATRE COMPANY (poetry reading)
Written & performed live by inspiring participants of Yirra Yaakin’s "Which Way?" First Nations Virtual Poetry Workshops.
FESTIVAL HUB 1:30PM & 2:30PM
PANEL DISCUSSION (special event)
Shareena Clanton, Mark Howett, Dr. Clint Bracknell, Chloe Ogilvie and Michelle Broun share their exciting perspectives on culture and art.
STUDIO UNDERGROUND 2:00PM - 3:00PM
YORK BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHRIS ISAACS (theatre)
Inspired by 200 years of real accounts, this daring new work sheds light on how our stories are told – and who tells them. Tickets to be purchased.
HEATH LEDGER THEATRE 2:00PM & 7:30PM
CITY OF GOLD BY MEYNE WYATT (play reading)
Described as a howl of rage at inequality, injustice & wilful ignorance of this country’s 21st century. A play for our times from a vital new voice.
MIDDAR ROOM 2:30PM - 4:00PM
NYUMBI (special event)
An explosive dance ceremony with dance groups Middar, Djiripin Djindas, Koolangkas Kreate, Kwarbah, Djookian and others.
REHEARSAL ROOM 1 4:30PM - 6:00PM
BROTHERS WRECK BY JADA ALBERTS (play reading)
A gripping drama about a grief-stricken family whose love for each other knows no limits. One of the most moving pieces to grace Australian stages.
MIDDAR ROOM 6:00PM - 7:20PM
PHIL WALLEYSTACK (music)
Singer-songwriter Phil's performances are a cultural fusion of traditionally inspired contemporary edge works with western sounds.
STUDIO UNDERGROUND 6:30PM - 7:30PM
WIRUN BY CHAD O'BRIEN & EBONY MCGUIRE (9 MINS) (film)
A young Indigenous girl must dig deep to own her performance of a Shakespearean sonnet for her high school drama class in this powerful short film.
MIDDAR ROOM 8:00PM - 8:10PM
THE COOLBAROO CLUB DIR. BY ROGER SCHOLES (55 MINS) (film)
About the only Aboriginal-run dance club held in a city that hundreds of aboriginal people and their white supporters attended every Friday night.
MIDDAR ROOM 8:15PM - 9:10PM
BINDJAREB PINJARRA (theatre)
A play about the Pinjarra massacre which occurred in 1834 between Nyoongars and mounted police at a place now known as Pinjarra, 90kms south of Perth.
STUDIO UNDERGROUND 8:00PM - 9:50PM
CLOSING PARTY (music)
Wrap up the festival in the Studio Underground Foyer with Pindan Princess, an emerging DJ and co-host on Noongar Radio’s Hustle & Grind show.
FESTIVAL HUB 10:00PM - 11:00PM
Dates
24 Jul - 24 Jul
Venue
State Theatre Centre of WA
Duration
One day event
Content Warning
Adult themes
Media
Thank you for your submission!
We'll be in touch soon!
Click anywhere to close