With a massive 680 performances across a record 38 venues, this year’s Darwin Festival promises something for everyone this August. The 2024 Festival features an unmatched mix of world premieres, national sell-out shows, iconic Australian musicians, award-winning art, comedians, and plenty of family fun in the tropics.
The Spiegeltent is back and if you’ve ever been to a wilder party – you’re under arrest! Calling all social climbers, rich kids, gate crashers and hangers-on. The lavish stage is set for The Party of the century – so make sure you’re on the invite list – the evening is destined to be one for the history books. From the makers of Blanc de Blanc Encore and LIMBO comes The Party, an evening of the upmost sophistication with absolutely no rules… what could possibly go wrong?
Calling all dog lovers! A pack of giant inflatable dogs is moving into Festival Park. The Lost Dogs’ Disco is a free interactive sculpture that stimulates the senses and celebrates the important place of dogs in our lives and families. Everyone’s invited to explore a space of light wonder and play on the Council forecourt, where an illuminated immersive installation of dogs is hanging out. As you move amongst them, the dogs’ coats light up and they grunt happily.
Beauty and bravery ignite for 60 minutes of electrifying action in Cirque Bon Bon. Be wowed by an extravaganza of light, mind-bending contortion, sensational dancers, death-defying feats of acrobatics and more than a few laughs. An all-star cast of contortionists, acrobats and dancers will get hearts racing as they set the INPEX Sunset Stage alight, transforming it into a cauldron of excitement, drama and hilarity.
Presented by Tracks Dance, the mesmerising Cloud Split is a powerful physical work mixing dance, sound and visuals. Local dancers Spillett and Kelly Beneforti explore the moody sky of the Top End through the choreography of Jess Devereux. In an intimate work for two, the dancers embody changeable cloud-like motion and inexplicable natural phenomena, encompassed by a formidable musical score by James Mangohig.
Join Larrakia Senior Elder Dr Aunty Bilawara Lee and NT Composer Netanela Mizrahi for the world premiere of their stunning new work Gurrulwa Guligi (Big Wind) commemorating the 50th anniversary of the devastating Cyclone Tracy that forever changed Darwin. This new work, performed by the Darwin Symphony Orchestra, brings a fresh perspective on our culture and history, in a uniquely moving world premiere composition.
Set to a nostalgic mixtape of 90s bangers from all your faves – from Shania Twain to The Spice Girls – Fourteen tackles the trials and tribulations of growing up with honesty, humour and heart. Based on the best-selling memoir by award-winning journalist Shannon Molloy, Fourteen is the inspirational true story of growing up gay in central Queensland, transformed into a powerful must-see theatre production by nationally acclaimed shake & stir theatre co.
A stunning visual treat for the whole family to enjoy – ground-breaking projection, an extraordinary soundscape and a blizzard of paper and confetti combine in the stunning dance theatre show Little Murmur.
New to the Festival this year will be the first-ever extension of the Festival fun to Palmerston, as well as brand new food and drink tours and experiences, and the new immersive experiences by Darkfield – Flight and Séance.
The Festival’s longest-running event, the free City of Darwin Teddy Bears’ Picnic will keep kids of all ages happy. Bring a sense of adventure, your favourite teddy bear and the whole family to The Esplanade for a free fun day like no other.
The iconic Darwin Ski Club will once again host the closing weekend, this year featuring three incredible concerts with The Cat Empire, Kate Miller-Heidke and Marlon Williams.
The 2024 Darwin Festival continues to 25 August. For more information and full program, visit: www.darwinfestival.org.au for details.
Image: Lost Dogs Disco – photo by Diana Snape Photography