Haunting history play to premiere at new First Nations festival
There’s a special feeling on Boorloo boodja (Perth country) in the lead up to Black Swan State Theatre Company’s inaugural Maali Festival of First Nations culture.
30 Jun 2021 12:00
Jo Pickup
Performing Arts
Maitland Schnaars in a promotional image for the Black Swan/WAYTCO production York. Photo credit: Garth de Bruno Austin.
A new festival showcasing the oldest living cultures on Earth will mark the first time First Nations arts and artists have taken over every space in the State Theatre Centre of WA.
The Maali Festival (maali meaning ‘black swan’ in Noongar language) runs over 9 -10 July to coincide with NAIDOC week, and is co-curated by WA artists Ian Michael (Wilman, Nyoongar) and Chloe Oglivie (Yamatji, Nhanda).
ArtsHub's Arts Feature Writer Jo Pickup is based in Perth. An arts writer and manager, she has worked as a journalist and broadcaster for media such as the ABC, RTRFM and The West Australian newspaper, contributing media content and commentary on art, culture and design. She has also worked for WA arts organisations such as Fremantle Arts Centre, STRUT dance, and the Aboriginal Arts Centre Hub of WA, as well as being a sessional arts lecturer at WAAPA.