QPAC Announces New Dates for Clancestry 2022

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) has announced new dates for QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country, which will run from 13 to 28 May 2022, with the two-week program of mostly free events bringing together First Nations voices, ideas and talent through performance and professional development opportunities.  

Clancestry gets off to a monumental start with First Gatheringon 13 May – a free opening event including a celebration of the Land, Waters and Sky that surround QPAC on the Cultural Forecourt, followed by a gig with Uncle Joe Geia on the Melbourne Street Green. 

Around the bend in the QPAC Tunnel, seven First Nations storytellers including actor and director Leah Purcell, performer Roxanne McDonald and Australasian Dance Collective’s Tyrel Duvarie, will acknowledge the seven watershed regions of Queensland and their importance as individual and diverse ecosystems that have sustained families for many thousands of years. 

Each day of the work week will see a free lunchtime program of talks, performances and workshops on the Melbourne Street Green from 12noon to 1pm. Pop down to learn local language and Aboriginal weaving, or enjoy bush tucker talks and digeridoo sets. 

The free entertainment continues with QPAC’s popular Green Jam music sessions, starring a line-up of the elders of the First Nations music scene including Uncle Joe Geia, Toni Janke and Rochelle Pitt every Friday at 5pm. 

There’s plenty for the jarjum (children) too, with a free program of live shows and activities on the Melbourne Street Green every Saturday at 9am and 2pm. 

Musical fun abounds with the hilarious Lucas Proudfoot on 14 and 21 May, as he yarns with guitar, didgeridoo and stomp box; while Our Backyard on 28 May will see Alinta McGrady, Waveney Yasso and their native animal friends sing and dance about working together and taking care of the land and each other. 

From 24 to 28 May in the Cremorne Theatre, Digi Youth Arts and The Good Room will present COOKED, where young First Nations People will turn the tables and be the ones asking the questions. 

Minister for the Arts Leeanne Enoch said QPAC’s Clancestry – A Celebration of Country showcased the arts and cultural practices of First Nations peoples.

“We are fortunate to be the only state in Australia to be home to two of the oldest living cultures in the world and Clancestry 2022 is set to showcase Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders peoples’ cultures, country, heritage and history,” Minister Enoch said.     

“Through important events such as Clancestry, we have the unique opportunity to build greater awareness and understanding of the contribution and beauty of First Nations arts experiences, especially as we look ahead to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, when Queensland’s rich cultural identity is celebrated on a global stage.”
 
Visit qpac.com.au to learn more about Clancestry 2022.