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Curator's Cut

If Darwin Festival's opening night show, Buried Country, piqued your interest in Aboriginal country music, then the next instalment of Curator’s Cut is for you.

The double-bill will feature Country Outcasts, and The Sunshine Club: Days of Old Darwin.

Country Outcasts was an Aboriginal country and western band that toured communities in Central Australia in 1977. The documentary, narrated by songwriter and former administrator Ted Egan, follows musicians, including Harry and Wilga Williams, Mac Silver and Auriel Andrew, on their journeys from urban to remote communities.

Sticking with the musical theme, The Sunshine Club: Days of Old Darwin takes a look into the culturally diverse music and dance scene in Darwin during the 40s and 50s. Introduced by Aboriginal and Filipino families, the scene created a fusion of music and dance that helped break down barriers with the wider community.

Early next month, The Search for the Shell Encrusted Toilet Seat takes us to Alice Springs to explore the passionate and curious characters in the lawn sale scene. 

Curator Charlie Ward says it’s a pretty unique film that will hopefully evoke a good response from filmgoers.

“We’re asking people to bring along their favourite story or curious item purchased from a lawn sale,” he says. 

The Northern Territory Library panel of collectors and sociologists will discuss lawn sales’ pros and cons (if there are any!) on the evening. 

Remember you need to go through Parliament House security to get to the Library, so maybe leave the treasured sword or unique spiky objects at home.

The Curator’s Cut film series screens rare films from the Library collection followed by a discussion with experts on the topics.

The Curator’s Cut series has been so successful it will continue in 2019.

Country Outcasts, and The Sunshine Club: Days of Old Darwin WED 7 NOV | 5.30-7.30PM | NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY | FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL | ntl.nt.gov.au

The Search for the Shell Encrusted Toilet Seat WED 5 DEC | 5.30-7.30PM | NORTHERN TERRITORY LIBRARY | FREE | BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL | ntl.nt.gov.au

Image: Northern Territory State Reference Library ‘book sale’; PH0427/0387, Libraries 1991-1992 Collection, Northern Territory Library

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