WORLD PREMIERE – GARABARI

Plunge into the swirling depths of a new civic ritual by Joel Bray. Bodies, light and sound entangle and loop to reveal hidden meanings in a reimagined corroboree inspired by ancient ceremonial practices.

Across the globe, First Nations cultures have harnessed the enduring power of rituals to transmit knowledge. Countless generations have undergone rites of passage that have left them changed – closer to others, and more attuned to themselves.

By returning to these unchanging rituals, we are changed as we grow in wisdom and stature in the community.

Garabari draws from this rich well of meaning to create a celebratory dance work that plugs you into this wellspring of energies.

Created by Australian dance’s fast-rising star Joel Bray, supported by Chunky Move and the Tanja Liedtke Foundation as Chunky Move’s inaugural Choreographer in Residence, Garabari has been crafted in close collaboration with the Wiradjuri community in and around Wagga Wagga. The work is performed by five Indigenous and non-Indigenous dancers, with a little help from you. Garabari features lavish costumes by Wiradjuri fashion designer Denni Francisco, driving beats by Byron Scullin and otherworldly lighting by Katie Sfetkidis.

Join the circle and dance.

World Premiere Season

Arts House
1–10 December 2022
Previews: Thu 1 Dec & Fri 2 Dec 7pm
Sat 3 Dec 7pm
Sun 4 Dec 5pm
Wed 7–Sat 10 Dec 7pm
Get Tickets

Garabari is supported through the Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) Fund – an Australian Government initiative, the Australian Government through the Indigenous Languages and Arts program and through the Australia Council for the Arts, the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, BlakDance through BlakForm, the Besen Family Foundation, Creative Partnerships Australia through MATCH Lab, and Eastern Riverina Arts.

Joel Bray is supported by Chunky Move and the Tanja Liedtke Foundation through the Chunky Move Choreographer In Residence program. This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through the Australia Council, its arts funding and advisory body and the City of Melbourne through Arts House.