Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland
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https://carriageworks.com.au/events/liveworks-festival-2024/
Date Reviewed: 23/10/2024
Saturday, 26 October, saw Bay 17 at Carriageworks Redfern transformed into a psychedelic spectacle, the latest incarnation of multidisciplinary artist and Wiradjuri man Joel Bray’s Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland. The interactive dance party, running as part of the 2024 Liveworks Festival, promised to fill every nook and cranny of the space with ‘light, colour, projected image and ecstatic dancing bodies, inspired by First Nations stories of the dancing Brolga’.
The brolga, known as the ‘dancing bird’ holds a lot of cultural significance for Indigenous Australians. Bray stated before the event that many Indigenous stories about the brolga describe its ability to shape, shift, and transform. He sees this as particularly symbolic for queer, gender fluid Indigenous people. Traditionally, corroborees were events where community members had the opportunity to share songs and dance in a ritualised setting. Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland can be seen as a contemporary incarnation of those corroborees performed for millennia.
Kicking off at 9pm, our self described ‘Aunty for the evening’ (and clad in an amazing silver outfit) gave the Welcome to Country, reminding us that we were on Gadigal land – land that had never been ceded. We were also reminded of Redfern’s importance in the history of Blak culture and resistance and so it was very symbolic that this night was able to take place there.
Set up around the cavernous space was a floor-to-ceiling screen displaying rainbow images reminiscent of an acid trip. Next to this, a crafting table filled with glitter, masks, glue, and tape encouraged partygoers to adorn themselves for the night ahead—a nice touch for those who might have overlooked wearing a costume out. It also provided an opportunity for early arrivals to chat and perhaps make new friends.
For the next six hours, Bay 17 truly became a wonderland. Drag performer and Miss First Nation 2017 winner Josie Baker sizzled as she danced and sang for the first performance of the night. Highlights of the party included amazing performances from queer artists, including drag performer Felicia Foxx and the gender-ambiguous DANDROGYNY. Compelling music from DJ Jonny, BVT, SOVBLKPSSY, Basjia and Crescendoll kept everyone on the dancefloor well past midnight.
In a deliberately interactive experience, partygoers were encouraged to roam freely, watch video installations, and take time out from the dance floor in the chill-out room, replete with bean bags and lounges.
Brolga: A Queer Koori Wonderland proves that Indigenous culture in Australia continues to thrive and transcend boundaries. Hopefully, we will see the dance party back in Redfern next year for another night of vibrant queer celebration.
This show is part of the Liveworks Festival 2024, which will be hosted at The Carriageworks Performance Space from 23rd to 27th October.
Reviewed by