Share the Spirit, presented by Songlines Aboriginal Music, celebrates 20 years as the state’s largest and longest running Indigenous festival and returns to Arts Centre Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl for its third year as part of Live at the Bowl on Thursday 26 January – Survival Day.
“The ushering in of 2023 will be such a dynamic and monumental time of change for all peoples and shall be written and spoken about well into the future,” said Songlines CEO Robbie Bundle.
“As with all things, there is always an ancestral link that permeates and flows like water into crevices of the consciousness, to a state of total being in the moment.”
“Share the Spirit, in its 20th year, is one of those moments in time – from its inception to now – that will activate the Songlines, thus in turn taking quantum leaps to its realisation and completeness.”
The community-based festival celebrates the survival of First Nations peoples in Australia in an important cultural gathering for local and regional communities.
It is a reminder to all Australians that despite the many great accomplishments Australia has achieved as a nation, Nationhood has come at a cost to the country’s First Nations people.
The festival boasts an eclectic mix of established and emerging local Indigenous artists who perform side-by-side to celebrate the achievements of all Indigenous peoples.
Dan Sultan, Bumpy and Jess Hitchcock have already been announced to play the event but joining them will be Charlie Campbell, Djirri Djirri Dancers, Doe Eyes, Gavin Somers, Jayden Lillyst & Aaron Morgan, Kool Mist, Maylene Yinar, Meriki Hood, Monica Karo, Stray Blacks, The Yappera Kids and Yambra.
“This year’s stellar line-up is an interesting array of artists that offer a diversity of youth with some who either haven’t played Share the Spirit before or haven’t played with us in a long time,” said Bundle.
“With this year’s theme being Continuum: Those Who Tell Their Story In Song, it is even more important that we have these voices of the future take centre stage.”
Drawing on the collective talent, support and passion of the local and regional Indigenous communities, the festival will see a jam-packed program of music, dance, arts, market stalls and various cultural activities for all ages.
The annual festival was created in 2003 by Songlines and has been growing stronger each year as it continues to be an important gathering for increasing awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, and contribute to the process of political change, reconciliation and national excellence.
Share the Spirit is a free non-ticketed family-friendly event that is drug and alcohol free. As with every Songlines event, all people are invited to attend, and a safe space is offered for all.
Share the Spirit
Sidney Myer Music Bowl – Event: Thursday 26 January 2023 (11.ooam – 7.00pm)
Free entry
For more information, visit: www.artscentremelbourne.com.au for details.
Image: Djirri Djirri Dancers – photo by James Henry