Creative inspiration gained from a recent artistic and cultural immersion workshop at Mt Grenfell will form part of this year’s Moorambilla Voices 2016 program.
Following on from the incredible success of the Wide Open Sky national documentary release in cinemas in March, Moorambilla’s Artistic Director Michelle Leonard has turned her focus to this year’s program and last month brought her team to Cobar for a workshop at the historic Mt Grenfell aboriginal site.
Facilitated in consultation with Ngiyampaa Indigenous and community leaders, Ms Leonard said the immersion experience will drive the artists’ source material.
“This incredibly beautiful landscape has an ancient history as a meeting place for the Ngiyampaa people, and is notable for its spectacular examples of ancient Ngiyampaa rock art,” Ms Leonard said.
“When I first found out about it I knew that this place would form a strong foundation for our performances; incorporating music, dance and visual art.
“Combined with the rich local history and unique landscape this year is shaping up to be quite a big one for Moorambilla Voices.”
She said Moorambilla 2016 has a stunning array of leading artists, including composers Andrew Howes and Elena Kats-Chernin, Taikoz artists and choreographer Jacob Williamson from Queensland Ballet.
“The team of artists were grateful to be given this time to experience the energy of the landscape and to appreciate the rich depth of cultural knowledge shared by Ngiyampaa Elder, poet and powerhouse Elaine Ohlsen and elder Peter Harris, with members of the co-management committee Rick Ohlsen, Lawrence Clarke and Philip Sullivan,” Ms Leonard said.
The 2016 program is one of the busiest yet and includes a Sydney tour, annual residential camps in Baradine, a gala concert in Dubbo and several associated performances and tours.
