Baker Boy to hit coast
Indigenous hip-hop artist and Triple J Unearthed winner Baker Boy will headline the inaugural Giiyong Festival near Pambula on September 22.
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the Arnhem Land singer had two Triple J Hottest 100 hits, performed at the National Indigenous Music Awards, and supported international acts 50 Cent and Dizzee Rascal. Fresh from his first Australian tour he’ll head to Jigamy Farm.
Twofold Aboriginal Corporation, Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council and South East Arts are working together to present the one day multi-arts festival at Jigamy Farm.The Giiyong Festival will be set up as a celebration of traditional and contemporary Aboriginal culture, and a unique event for the south east region of NSW.
The festival will be the first event of its type held within the Yuin Nation, which stretches from the Shoalhaven River down into East Gippsland in Victoria and across to the Great Dividing Range. Giiyong – pronounced Guy-Yoong – means 'come to welcome' in the South Coast language.
Organisers say some of the most exciting Aboriginal performers in Australia will take the stage, including powerful acts like No Fixed Address.
No Fixed Address came together in 1979 – influenced by punk music and hard-rock outfits such as Deep Purple and Kiss – and have gone on to earn a place in Australia’s musical history as the first Aboriginal band to break into the mainstream.
Other performers include Benny Walker, Jessie Lloyd and Frank Yamma. They will be joined by professional artists from the region such as Gabadoo, CJ Leon, Chelsy Atkins, Warren Foster, Robbie Bundle and Driftin’ Doolgahls.
Entry is free.
Also at the festival, a variety of workshops mean visitors can try their hand at cultural skills including weaving, shell-work, cooking, wood burning, bush medicine and more. There will be dance performances, cultural ceremonies, films, and art and history exhibitions.
Aboriginal artists, craftspeople and creative producers are invited to register their interest in having a stall at the festival; contact the organisers.
Jigamy is a 58 hectare property situated 9kms north of Eden. Twofold Aboriginal Corporation own the property, which houses the Monaroo Bobbaru Gadu Keeping Place, a fantastic building featuring a huge auditorium and stage, and commercial kitchen with restaurant space overlooking gum trees and the pristine Pambula Lake.
The Corporation’s building, the Mamadja Community Centre has a meeting room and stunning surrounds that will also be utilised for this event.
More information at giiyong.com.au or contact festival coordinator Jazz Williams on acceo@southeastarts.org.au or 0497281464.