Singing Up Country
5pm, Sunday 31st May 2015
Posted Saturday, April 25, 2015
Aboriginal voices will be ‘Singing Up Country’ at a Guringai Festival concert that will celebrate Aboriginal languages in performances by musicians, singers and dancers and include contributions by non-Aboriginal performers. Performances will highlight the importance of identity and knowing our shared history. Contributions will pay special attention and respect to local and surrounding Aboriginal Languages, land and community.
St Anthony in the Fields
46 Myoora Road
Terry Hills
Northern Sydney was deeply impacted by the implications of European invasion. Certainty about the local Indigenous languages, tribal groups and tribal borders were in turn affected. Reclaiming that knowledge for the descendants and the wider community continues to this day.
Events like ‘Singing up Country’ allow the Indigenous community to engage, celebrate and collaborate; re-voice our languages and re practice our c
The local Indigenous Australian Community in the Northern Beaches is a diverse group, and is made of descendants of the original inhabitants of the area; as well as from all over Australia.
The event has come out of a long and ongoing partnership between Frenchs Forest Catholic Parish’s Social Justice Group and members of the Local Aboriginal Community. The ‘Sharing the Story and Sharing the Land’ project has previously involved both communities gathering to hear respected members of the Aboriginal Community share their inspirational stories.
“Singing Up Country” aims to build on this relationship in 2015, creating wider and more diverse networks as well as celebrating the talents and achievements of the contributing performers.
We aim to affirm the presence of an Indigenous community in the Northern Beaches.
The Evening will begin with a Smoking ceremony and will include a prayer recited by performer Michael Birk and authored by Aboriginal Reverend Lenore Parker of the Grafton diocese.
The musicians will be inspired by their family history, culture and languages. Aboriginal Dancers will perform, encouraging audience members and others to participate.
A table of local languages resources will be present and manned by a member of the Aboriginal community.
The event will end with a BBQ Supper, where everyone is invited to stick around have a yarn and the sharing of good food and conversation.
The Singing Up Country concert is on Sunday May 31st at St Anthony in the Fields Church, 46 Myoora Rd, Terrey Hills. The Smoking Ceremony starts at 4.45pm and the Concert starts at 5pm. To reserve a seat please call Anne Lanyon (0408) 279 871 or send her an email.
