Students from Yirrkala Community Education Centre dancing at Garma 2007. Pic: Xavier Jefferson

Billed as “Australia’s leading cultural exchange event”, the 12th annual Garma Festival was “held from 6-10 August 2010 at Gulkula, North East Arnhem Land, NT.”

Shellie Morris will play at the 2010 Garma Festival. She is pictured performing at Garma 2008. Pic: Mark Rogers

“Garma is a nationally significant, intimate, spectacular celebration of cultural traditions and practices – dance, song, music, and art (including presentations, collaborations, sales) – and the annual venue for a major Key Forum on Indigenous issues.”

“As well as the Key Forum and integrated academic presentations on language and culture, Key Forum participants also have the opportunity to watch the daily bunggul and music performances, enjoy Garma art exhibitions and projects, and participate in evening and night activities.” (Source: Garma website)

Garma Festival is renowned for showcasing NT Indigenous – and some non-Indigenous – bands and musicians, in special musical events.

This year’s music program included B2M, Lonely Boys, Rruwun Maymanu, Dunganda Street Sound, The Seven Stars Band, Marwila, Tom E. Lewis, Wildflower, Bush Reggae, Shellie Morris, Garrangali Band, Galarrwuy Yunipingu (Babatji), Little G and NEAB, David Dingala and The Island Band. NT-based Indigenous Music VET Students and young Indigenous bands participating in the Indigenous Students’ Contemporary Music Training Program and young Nhulunbuy band Sleeveheads also played at Garma for the first time.

Visit the Garma website.

Words: Megan Spencer