Create and connect – Clancestry festival returns with a jam-packed program of First Nations art and culture
QPAC’s annual celebration of First Nations art and culture returns in November with an exciting program of live events, workshops, concerts, theatre, children’s shows and more. Clancestry is proudly programmed, curated and run by First Nations people, and spotlights everything that is ‘beautiful, Blak and deadly’ about First Nations culture. An incredible line-up of events will roll out from November 8–12, so keep reading to discover what’s on offer …
Kicking off the culture-packed Clancestry festivities is an unmissable free event that will light up the banks of the Brisbane River on Thursday November 9. First Gathering invites you to pay respects to the ancestors of this land, their spirits and legacy in a vibrant celebration of dance, song and culture. QPAC’s Concert Hall will host two awe-inspiring music events including a powerful performance from master musician William Barton. Bringing together song woman and wordsmith Aunty Delmae Barton, violin virtuoso Véronique Serret, music legend Iva Davies and John Foreman’s magnificent 45-piece orchestra, William Barton: Sky Songs will transport audiences to a sonic world that transcends time and space. Then on Wednesday November 11, Song Circle will see multi-generational artists Shane Howard, Troy Cassar-Daley, Dan Sultan, Neil Murray and Sara Storer join forces for a moving night of songs and stories.
From November 8–12, Emily Wells’ intimate theatre work Face to Face will captivate audiences from the Cremorne Theatre stage through a poignant drama about two women navigating the complexities of disconnecting from Country. While Clancestry Conversations, a curated series of three conversations centred around First Nations’ issues of today, will take place from November 11–12. Explore the cultural and linguistic history of place names in Brisbane with Gaja Kerry Charlton and Karina Hogan, hear stories from internationally acclaimed artist Leah Purcell AM about her journey through the industry, or discuss truth-telling, healing and the Path to Treaty with Katie Kiss and Mick Gooda.
The Festival Ground at the South Bank Cultural Forecourt will also host a bunch of free events, including four jam-packed nights (November 9–12) of deadly First Nations music on the Mob Music Stage, including funk jams in native tongue by the renowned Andrew Gurruwiwi Band. Curious kids can explore, play and discover at Bubs and Cuzzies in the Festival Grounds from November 10–12, and on November 11 and 12 you can create a woven masterpiece while you sit and yarn with deadly Aunties and Uncles in the fun and free drop-in Weaving Workshops.
For more information and to check out the full Clancestry program, head to the QPAC website.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at QPAC.
