Direct from Western Australia’s unique Pilbara region comes Songs for Freedom, a unique event bringing the uplifting songs and stories from Ieramugadu (Roebourne) to the shores of the Swan River, at Dyoondalup, Point Walter Riverside Park on Saturday, March 6.
Songs for Freedom is a new partnership between the Roebourne community, The City of Melville and Big hART. Performed by a stellar cast, the homegrown concert captures the essence of the Pilbara, the joy of living on country, and the spirit of a town which knows love, loss and resilience.
Led by broadcaster and Grammy award-winning artist Lucky Oceans, Songs for Freedom features an ensemble of Western Australian musical collaborators and prominent Ieramugadu musicians including Naomi Pigram, Kankawa Nagarra, Lois Olney, John Bennett, Patrick Churnside, Harry Hookey, David Hyams, Tyson Mowarin, Angus Smith and Delson Stokes (Yabu Band).
Songs for Freedom in Perth is the culmination of 10 years of songwriting development and intercultural exchange on Ngarluma country in the West Pilbara involving leading Australian musicians – in the community, the prison, with Elders and young people. These workshops began in the prison to honour John Pat, a 16-year-old whose death in custody in 1983 brought much sorrow and trauma to Roebourne. Through songwriting, Ieramugadu began to sing again, giving rise to the Murru album and a series of concerts presented annually at the John Pat Peace Place in Ieramugadu on the International Day of Peace.
The songs that came out of these exchanges have been sung by some of Australia’s most iconic artists, including Paul Kelly, Emma Donovan and The Waifs’ Vikki Thorn. This community has also shared the stage with Archie Roach and opened the 2014 Melbourne Festival in Federation Square.
People are invited to pack a picnic and gather friends, family and loved ones for an unforgettable night of music, peace and freedom in a free, family friendly event.
Founded in 1992, Big hART is a not-for-profit organisation which has worked in 50 communities in remote, rural, regional and urban Australia. Big hART works with communities to make content, build community and drive positive change.
Songs for Freedom goes down at Dyoondalup, Point Walter Riverside Park on Saturday, March 6 from 7-9:30 pm. For more information head to the event Facebook page.
