Presented in association with Musica Viva Australia Women of Song is an authentic show of conversations and songs, articulating First Nations cultural practice in the here and now, live on stage.
Women of Song is an innovative new show, developed by the acclaimed Jessie Lloyd (of Mission Songs Project) including themes of intergenerational practices, singing on and from country, commitment to community, and preserving knowledge in song. It’s an intimate celebration of the ‘here and now’ of Indigenous culture, a rare mix of spontaneous conversation and songs, exploring the modern-day practice and living heart of the ‘world’s oldest living culture’.
The audience listens in as three First Nations singers have a conversation. Someone’s story may remind someone else of a song, or a favourite popular song might start a discussion among them all. Each conversation and each performance will be unique, as the women explore live on stage how their songs preserve the social, cultural, or environmental shifts of a community, and deepen connections to country, genealogy, and custom.
Jessie Lloyd (Creative Producer)
A composer, performer and creative entrepreneur, Jessie Lloyd is a songkeeper of Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and is dedicated to the continuation of song traditions through the presentation of stories and songs.
Dr Shellie Morris
Dr Shellie Morris is a singer-songwriter. Raised in Sydney by her adopted non-Indigenous family Ms Morris began singing at an early age performing in church choirs. In the 1990s, she moved to Darwin to find her Indigenous Yanyuwa, Gudanji, Marra and Garrwa families and Elders.
Dyagula
Dyagula (which means ‘lyrebird’ in Wiradjuri) is a Wiradjuri Ngunawal Song Woman born in Yass, NSW, and an established multi-genre vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, songwriter, composer and vocal producer and vocal arranger.
Tales of Land and Sea
This event is part of Bundanon’s program of live events for current exhibition Tales of Land and Sea.
Tales of Land and Sea brings together three distinct projects exploring storytelling, mythological narratives, migration and the diasporic experience. Drawing from both personal narratives and Eastern mythologies, each project highlights age-old themes of longing, displacement, cultural connection and belonging.
