The ACT Reconciliation Day public holiday, this year on Monday 27 May, leaves Canberrans perfectly poised to celebrate our country’s proud Indigenous culture and heritage. With a number of events around town doing just that, this is your guide to what’s on throughout National Reconciliation Week.
Reconciliation From Inside
Tuggeranong Arts Centre is celebrating National Reconciliation Week with a reception and viewing of Reconciliation From Inside, an exhibition of artworks by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander detainees from the Alexander Maconochie Centre.
The Reconciliation Week reception will be held at Tuggeranong Arts Centre on 24 May 3-4pm, and is a free, family-friendly event; tuggeranongarts.com
Reconciliation Day Eve concert
In the capital, on the eve of the Reconciliation Day, the Canberra Theatre will continue the tradition they started last year as powerhouse rapper Briggs returns to the stage along with Australian icons Yothu Yindi & The Treaty Project for a celebration of Black excellence.
They will be joined on the evening by Alice Skye and Emily Wurramara for what promises to be a night of power and beauty.
The Reconciliation Day Eve concert will take place at the Canberra Theatre on 26 May 6.30-11pm; canberratheatrecentre.com.au
PeopleLab
A new pop-up artists’ residency, PeopleLab, is taking over a vacant shopfront in the Sydney Building at 3/100 Alinga Street, Civic, and will host a Reconciliation Day movie night on 27 May 5-7pm.
PeopleLab has been established to encourage Canberrans and visitors to have some fun with a series of interesting and unusual activities in what would have otherwise been an unused space. See @PeopleLabCBR on Facebook for more.
Reconciliation in the Park
Melbourne duo The Merindas will headline the second annual Reconciliation in the Park event being held on the ACT’s Reconciliation Day public holiday, Monday 27 May.
The Merindas – best known for their appearance in Australian movie The Sapphires and recent festival performances – will bring a fusion of Indigenous electro-tribal pop sounds to the stage.
In addition to the live entertainment, Canberrans will be able to join in a number of activities including art and craft, kids’ games and storytelling, as well as leaving a message at the Reflection Forest. A number of community stallholders and organisations will be participating.
Reconciliation in the Park is a free event on 27 May 10.30am-2.30pm in Glebe Park, Civic; events.act.gov.au/reconciliationday
Dance lesson and film screening at NFSA
Etched in Bone is a film examining the theft of Aboriginal human remains by the American-Australian Scientific Expedition to Arnhem Land in 1948, their removal to the Smithsonian Institution in the US, and their eventual repatriation to the Arnhem Land community of Gunbalanya after a long campaign.
After the screening, directors Martin Thomas and Béatrice Bijon will discuss their eight-year journey to make the film.
NFSA Arc cinema, 31 May 6pm; $10
Carriberrie is a VR experience celebrating Indigenous song and dance, and is introduced by iconic actor David Gulpilil. It features 156 dancers and 36 performances, representing nine cultural groups, and encompassing both traditional ceremonial song and dance through to contemporary and modern expressions.
Meet the Makers involves Arakwal Bumberin Bundjalung woman Delta Kay, one of the performers in Carriberrie, in a special session comprising a live performance, and interactive dance lesson.
NFSA Theatrette, 1 June 2pm; $10; nfsa.gov.au
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