Inaugural Clancestry Festival

Destined to become a signature event on the Queensland culture calendar, Clancestry (26 February to 3 March) is a brand new festival celebrating the art and culture of First Nation peoples from around the globe.

Curated by Rhoda Roberts (renowned creative director of the Awakening segment of the Sydney Olympic Games opening ceremony), the first year of this exciting new festival will showcase both traditional and contemporary art forms that highlight the continuation, revitalisation and dynamic evolution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture in Australia.

With a host of free and ticketed events throughout the festival, program highlights include:

Tuesday 26 February at 6pm – Clancestry Conversations: Postcode Justice – Wesley Enoch joins a panel to discuss ‘Postcode’ – Does the location of an event influences how it is perceived by the public, covered by media, and managed by the legal system. (Clancestry Conversations continue Wednesday with Rhoda Roberts reflecting on her life in art and Thursday with Dr Anita Hiess who joins a panel discussion on ‘Just who is black enough’.

Friday 1 March Opening night ceremony will take place by the banks of Maiwar (Brisbane River) when the Elders of Brisbane will welcome guests to country. Enjoy the free concert featuring Troy Cassar-Daley at the River Stage to kick of the weekend festivities.

Saturday 2 March: The fabulous Chooky Dancers, Darky Roots and Impossible Odds perform at the River stage (tickets are free) and at 8pm, direct from sell-out performances in New York City, Black Arm Band will perform dirtsong at QPAC Concert Hall (this is a ticketed event, with tickets on sale now). Black Arm Band features guest performers such as Archie Roach, Emma Donovan and Lou Bennett.

Sunday 3 March sees the festival draw to a close with free events all day in the cultural forecourt including the Clancestry Marketplace with the closing ceremony taking place at 6:30pm and into the evening.

For more information on the events taking place for the first Clancestry Festival see www.qpac.com.au/clancestry and join in the celebration of country.