Desert Harmony Festival
BARKLY REGIONAL ARTS PRESENTS
As a chilly winter wraps up on Warumungu Country, the annual Desert Harmony Festival returns for its 35th iteration to shepherd in the springtime and bring locals and visitors together in celebration of art, community and culture.
DESERT HARMONY FESTIVAL is a free, community event proudly presented by Barkly Regional Arts. The theme for the 2024 festival – the largest celebration of its kind in the Barkly region – is ‘Artiwinji, Piliyi, Yarntarnpa, Kuluu-Jju (Strong, Positive, United Community)’ and a stacked line-up of exciting local and interstate talent has been programmed in reflection of this.
Preparing to delight audiences over the Picnic Day long weekend is Mutti Mutti activist and singer-songwriter Kutcha Edwards, who has prolifically been combining the magic of songwriting with the power of activism since 1991. Joining him on the line-up is Maningrida’s own all-female rock outfit Ripple Effect, Darwin-based rising hip-hop star Yung Milla, homegrown desert reggae heroes Newboys Band, and 22-time Golden Guitar winner Sara Storer.
Of her return to Tennant Creek for the celebration, Storer said she is excited to get back to the roots of what inspires her as a songwriter.
“I’ve written songs about living out bush and living in town, songs about the country and characters and falling in love,” she said.
“Thank you, Tennant Creek, for inviting me, and I look forward to sharing some songs and stories with you all.”
Desert Harmony has something for everyone, with plenty on offer over the course of four days across a number of spaces around Tennant Creek.
Enjoy a free screening of Next Goal Wins by Academy award winning director Taika Waititi, Drag Story Time with Katherine sensational Queen Constantina Bush, a bush food and medicine experience with Warumungu elder and native plant expert Jerry Kelly, and a dedicated Youth Fest featuring a meet and greet with Yung Milla, DJ workshops with Charly Templar, and ending with a celebratory youth disco.
With so much to see and do, it’s the perfect way to spend your Picnic Day long weekend.
WHEN FR1 2 – MON 5 AUG
AT TENNANT CREEK
COST FREE
INFO barklyarts.com.au
