Joel Bray brings immersive First Nations dance event GARABARI to the Illawarra

Merrigong Theatre Company in association with BlakDance are thrilled to present Garabari, an inclusive, immersive, multi-sensory theatre experience like no other by acclaimed choreographer and Wiradjuri artist Joel Bray, at the Wollongong Town Hall on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th February, and on Country at the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on Saturday 14th February.

Developed on Wiradjuri Country with Elders and artists, Garabari shares the Giilang (story and song) of Marramalngidyal Marrambidyagu, the making of the Murrumbidgee River, gifted by the late Uncle James Ingram. This “lyrical, furious, ecstatic” (Limelight) contemporary corroboree made its critically acclaimed debut at Melbourne’s Arts House in 2022 and comes direct to Wollongong from its Sydney premiere at the Sydney Festival.

 

 

Guided by performers, Garabari weaves together bodies, light and sound into a powerful contemporary gathering, inviting audiences to experience culture as a living connection between people and Country.

Performer and spectator, Indigenous and non-Indigenous all become part of a thrilling dance party, as audiences gain a visceral sense of how story, song and dance continue to live and evolve today.

Choreographer, Director and Creator of Garabari, Joel Bray:

Garabari is a labour of love that I and the team have been crafting for years in and with the community in Wagga Wagga. It weaves together all the threads that I am so passionate about: sharing and celebrating our culture, sumptuous contemporary dance and, of course, my love of a good party! I’m so SO excited to be coming to the Illawarra to share this hard-to-describe experience with Blackfellas, Whitefellas and Everyfella!

Featuring a stellar cast of nine performers, Garabari is one of Bray’s most ambitious works, with lavish costumes by Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco, melodic beats by Byron Scullin and lighting projections by Katie Sfetkidis.

 

 

Plunge into the swirling depths of a new civic ritual in this unforgettable celebration of culture and connection.

CHOREOGRAPHER/DIRECTOR Joel Bray PROJECT ELDER Uncle Christopher Kirkbright COLLABORATING ELDER Uncle James Ingram (deceased) SONG WRITERS, TRANSLATORS & PERFORMERS Uncle Christopher Kirkbright & Letetia Harris LIGHTING & PROJECTION DESIGNER Katie Sfetkidis SOUND & MUSIC Byron Scullin ASSOCIATE SOUND DESIGNER Gideon Cozins DRAMATURG Luke George COSTUME DESIGNER Denni Francisco WITH Chandler Connell, Glory Tuohy-Daniell, Karlia Cook, Kiarn Doyle, Luke Currie-Richardson, Nadiyah Akbar, Olivia Adams, Shiobhan McKenna & Zoe Brown-Holten.

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Season Details

Venue: Dapto Ribbonwood Centre
Date: 06 – 14 Feb 2026

For more information click HERE