In its first year, the major focus will be on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders. In following years, Clancestry will invite participation from around the globe.The festival will draw on spiritual culture and aims to provide a space to connect with other clan groups across the country and the globe. There will be performances, workshops, free events and it aims to entertain, educate and connect people. Rhoda Roberts, one of the organisers, explains more.
Describe this event in 5 words?
Clancestry: a celebration of country.
What role do you play?
QPAC Guest Curator for the exciting new festival Clancestry.
What is the driving aim of this festival and how did it all come about?
QPAC wants to encourage all communities to come and gather at their site and experience the unique and the moving. It's also a great opportunity for our artists to highlight the work and new projects they are undertaking and creating.
What makes it different to other festivals? It’s simply fun, engaging and celebrates the oldest living culture. From ancient weaving practices to contemporary voices, it really is a weekend to kick back and just gather, hear some great music, witness and participate in dance and conversations.
Who is involved and what can audiences expect?
We have an amazing line-up with festival treats such as Troy Cassar-Daly and Archie Roach but joining them on the Clancestry stage one of Australia’s favourite, adopted son Jimmy Barnes and the Black Arm Band. If you would rather bring a picnic and sit with the kids then there is weaving, stories, dance and perhaps you might want to dig your feet into the sand and learn few steps. Or simply grab a drink and listen to a variety of music from the Torres Straits in the north or the latest country rockabilly with QMUSIC awardwinner Sue Ray to at the Cascade Court.
Why should people come and check it out when MasterChef is on TV?
Because you can watch the repeats the following day and or simply record the series. Cooking will always be there but it's not everyday you see the YouTube phenomena from Arnhem Land — the Chooky dancers up close and personal.
What are your picks and highlights? What is unmissable? The opening Ceremony is a special time for me as it’s about experiencing or witnessing a modern day corroboree. The continuance of age-old protocols and the knowledge is what keeps the Opening ceremony going and it will include participants from local schools and colleges. The Brisbane community joins our artist and crafts people, with representations from the Torres Straits to Arnhem land. Plus the Aboriginal Centre for Performing Arts teachers and students are truly continuing intergenerational exchange which for me is an incredible legacy. In years to come I think most students will want to be part of the unity of our communities through song, dance and chant. You really get to see how large Australia is and the diverse languages, movement and dance that is our celebration of country.
Any challenges or struggles making this festival happen?
Selecting specific artists was the only challenge as seriously there is so much new talent across Australia. Although while selecting the artists, we wanted to make sure we had some national highlights that would attract everyone as we begin to create an annual destination for gathering with the local artist and community.
Anything else readers should know?
QPAC celebrates 25 years and what a great birthday present for them to have a new destination event that will only get better. So come and visit us, give us your critique so we can capture what you would like as you come back to gather at Clancestry in 2014. We are all family in one way or another and everyone has clans after all.
Clancesty 2013 Is On For One Day Only Saturday March 2 At The Qpac Cultural Centre.
