Djuki Mala have been thrilling audiences and touring extensively, both nationally and internationally. Now they return to Western Australia with performances in Perth and Regional WA throughout October and November.
Djuki Mala’s highly energized dancers present their re interpretation of pop culture, dance and story telling, juxtaposing traditional dances with contemporary Yolngu culture. By embracing a variety of styles, Djuki Mala pay tribute to Motown, Bollywood, techno, hip-hop, breakdance, krumping and classic numbers.
There’s a salute, with umbrellas, to Singing in the Rain – set against the backdrop of their spectacularly beautiful island home. Michael Jackson’s black suit and spangled glove are slipped into a Billie Jean routine, all done with a hefty dose of heart and soul.
Interspersed with multimedia, this retrospective and autobiographical show, is a marvel of timing, comedy and clowning and offers a rare and insightful view into Aboriginal Australia, leaving the audience feeling genuinely happy!
“Our family of dancers are proud to bring this landmark theatrical show back to Perth,” said Director Joshua Bond. “It tells the story of our modest beginnings on the basketball court at Ramingining Festival to travelling and sharing culture, dance and our humour with the rest of the world – Yolgnu style.”
“This show is part of our DNA. We have been overwhelmed by the rousing support received from Western Australian audiences since first arriving in 2017 as part of Fringe World Festival. We’re now thrilled to bring the show back to The Regal Theatre and invite old and new friends to join us.”
Direct from Elcho Island, North East Arnhem Land, Djuki Mala’s extraordinarily humble journey started twelve years ago. Beginning in 2007 Frank Djirrimbilpilwuy uploaded a video clip of the group dancing an exuberant interpretation of Zorba the Greek at Ramingining Festival.
Frank’s daughter was cared for by a woman of Greek heritage in Darwin, the dance showcased how two strong cultures could come together. The clip was an overnight success and went viral with currently over 3 million views.
“Our show tells the genesis of Djuki Mala, in a way that challenges the western anthropological view of First Nations culture,” says Djuki Mala performer Baykali Ganambarr. “We do this with our humour, our dance, our story and our culture.”
“It’s alive, it’s living, breathing, ever changing and evolving. Rooted in over 75,000 years of ancestral knowledge. We take our culture out of the museum and place it very firmly in the 21st century – with a bit of circus and bling!”
Djuki Mala have performed in the movie Bran Nue Dae, ABC TV’s You Can’t Ask That, Secret River, Move It Mob Style, Network Ten’s Totally Wild, Kids WB and at major festivals and events throughout Australia, UK, China, the Pacific, US, Canada, Taiwan, Europe, and the Middle East including Lebanon, Egypt and Cyprus, attracting massive media interest and winning multiple awards and nominations.
Over thirty young men have danced in the troupe and members have performed alongside high profile Australian artists including: John Butler, Jessica Mauboy, Kate Miller Heidke, Yothu Yindi and Blue King Brown to name a few.
Djuki Mala kick off their Western Australia tour at the Mandurah Performing Arts Centre on Saturday 3 October 2020. For more information, including performance dates and venues, visit: www.djukimala.com for details.
Image: Djuki Mala – photo by Cam Campbell