Joel Bray’s DADDY comes to Midsumma
Wiradjuri dance artist Joel Bray is set to sweeten the Midsumma
Festival stage with Daddy, showing in the Arts Centre Melbourne’s State Rehearsal Room from 4 – 8 February.
This immersive performance from the prolific artist features his trademark confection of conversation, exploring his
journey as a queer man with Indigenous heritage, navigating his identity in an increasingly complex world.
Bray’s debut performance at Midsumma Festival comes after a decorated decade that has involved the creation of
pieces such as Daharawungara (2018) and Biladurang (2017). In his latest work, the Melbourne artist is on a journey of
personal investigation, fetishization and colonisation.
Joel has developed a reputation as one of the most electric new figures in Australian dance who has an uncanny ability
to explore his journey and unapologetically present it in a conversational manner. His creative works have drawn praise
from audiences and critics alike and the appearance of Daddy on the Midsumma stage will only add further weight to
his creative repertoire.
“Daddy demonstrated that we are indeed living in a blak queer cultural renaissance. And while there are struggles yet to come, unique perspectives are finally being celebrated.” – ABC Arts
“And carefully, gently, with a mixture of irresistible humour and breathtaking, desolating honesty, he brings his audience
with him into this central trauma of his life. It’s a trauma that opens infinitely, because it’s at once deeply personal and
part of much larger colonial histories. But the truth is that history is always personal.” – Witness Performance.
Arts Centre Melbourne is delighted to collaborate with Joel and his team to present Daddy as a feature for the upcoming
Midsumma Festival in early February.
The Midsumma Festival is headlined by a musical masterpiece fronted by Australian music icon Paul Mac titled The
Rise & Fall of Saint George, a story surrounding George Michael and the solidarity of the queer community. Another
featured piece will be BOOBS, performed by acclaimed musician and comedian Selina Jenkins, a one woman show
exploring the journey of her double mastectomy and our relationship with our own bodies.
Arts Centre Melbourne presents Daddy
Arts Centre Melbourne, State Theatre Rehearsal Room
4 – 8 February| 8:00pm
Warnings: course language and adult themes
Age Recommendation: 18+
Accessibility: wheelchair access, assistive hearing, companion card
Bookings at artscentremelbourne.com.au
