Giiyong Festival announces diverse lineup of Aboriginal performers from the across the country
Giiyong Festival, the largest multi-arts Aboriginal cultural festival in the Yuin Nation, will take place on Saturday 18 November 2023 at Jigamy near Eden, NSW. The event organisers, South East Arts, Twofold Aboriginal Corporation and Eden Local Aboriginal Land Council have started unwrapping their epic lineup of performers.
Giiyong means ‘come to welcome’ in the south coast languages as spoken by Elders. Giiyong Festival celebrates traditional and contemporary Culture and features live music, dance, food, demonstrations and immersive activities.
Jazz Williams, Giiyong Festival Director says, “Our live music lineup this year has something for everyone. It’s an all-ages event and we think we’ve pulled together a great array of artists for our third Festival at Jigamy.”
The smooth vocals of big names Radical Son and Emma Donovan will lead the live music lineup this year, alongside two diverse additions - Eric Avery and J-MILLA. Eric Avery, Kabi Marrawuy Mumbulla, is a violinist, vocalist, dancer and composer from the Ngiyampaa, Yuin and Gumbangirr people of NSW.
He works with his family’s custodial songs and his haunting compositions often feature him singing while playing violin, predominantly in the Ngiyampaa language. Quickly gaining an international reputation, Eric has appeared alongside and in association with some of the greatest artists of our time, from Yo-Yo Ma to Tina Arena.
Ms Williams says, “After the massive crowds that came to see Baker Boy and Briggs at previous Giiyong Festivals, it was pretty clear to us that hip-hop and rap really hit a chord on the coast. This year we are bringing J-MILLA to the Giiyong stage.”
J-MILLA is a loud and proud member of the Mak Mak Marranungu people of the Northern Territory, who knows the power of narrative and the influence it can have. He is making waves across the nation with his strong performances and powerful lyrics.
Local performers are always a highlight of Giiyong Festival and announced so far are Ron Callaghan, Dust ‘n’ Echoes, Djinima Yilaga and Mudjingaal Yangamba choirs and Eden duo Nikea & Dre, with more to come.
To keep the day rolling, Giiyong Festival is bringing on board two of the funniest comedians in the business as emcees. Sean Choolburra returns for his third Giiyong Festival, alongside comedic star Steph Tisdell. Steph is a regular on The Project and Hughsey We Have a Problem.
Duurunu Miru Dance Group and Djadjawaan Dancers will perform once again at this year’s Giiyong Festival, along with two other Yuin dance groups by special invitation.
Giiyong Festival also includes a special speakers program, presentations and live demonstrations of Cultural practices, plus the Guganyela Arts & Cultural Market featuring Aboriginal artists and producers from across the state.
Tickets are on sale now to this all-ages event and the Giiyong organisers have just announced that community Elders and Under 18s can enter the event for free. Adult tickets are $35 and are available online - along with the full and ever-expanding lineup.
