BEMAC Live: The First Creatives – Ya’Djin Spirit Women

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“Creativity, for First Nations people, is a fundamental part of our unique and ancient way of storytelling. Colonisation impacted our way of expression, stripping our rights to practise our creativity in this way. In recent times, there has been a reclaiming of culture, language, song and dance in a way that is healing for our ancestors, elders and the next generation. We believe sharing our experiences and stories is the ultimate form of courage.”

Ya’djin Spirit Women is the premier full-length production from The First Creatives and is based on stories shared by Kabi Kabi/Kuku Yalanji Aunty Sharyn Malone, and Gooreng Gooreng/Kabi Kabi Aunty Chantay Link. Featuring a cast of First Nations’ women traversing colonial violence, dispossession, abuse, motherhood, blak joy, connection, Country and healing, woven together through dance, theatre and film. This unapologetic work seeks to reclaim and sustain traditional healing practices and inspire future generations to stand strong in their identity and truth. Ya’Djin, meaning ‘speak’, echoes a message of resistance and courage from the artists, inviting the community to speak up and fend off any pressure to remain silent. 

The First Creatives is a First Nations creative and performing arts company that aims to pass down cultural and contemporary creative skills and opportunities to the next generation.

The company brings together First Nations creatives and elders within the community to deliver classes, projects and shows sharing creation stories, lore and lived experiences through creative connection to one another.

As a new company, The First Creatives is here to change the landscape of the Performing Arts sector by creating safe-spaces for First Nations stories and experiences to be shared from a grassroots community-led framework. All artists involved have deep ties and connections with their community, country and spirituality and creative expression has been a healing power to overcome the forces of colonisation. 

*Language and content warning: This performance contains coarse language and references to rape, violence, family and domestic abuse, substance abuse. The performance also contains images of First Nations women who have passed.

About BEMAC Live

BEMAC Live is a series of professionally produced shows, underpinned by BEMAC’s programming principles, that champion and elevate diverse artists, and their artistry, as creators of original work of the highest quality and relevance possible. For more information about BEMAC’s program of upcoming events, visit bemac.org.au/season/

Evening show: 7:30pm, Saturday May 18
Tickets $35 Full/$25 Concession

Matinée: 3:00pm, Saturday May 18
Tickets: $20

Show duration: 60 min approx.

Queensland Multicultural Centre
102 Main Street, Kangaroo Point QLD
Tickets through events.humanitix.com/bemac-live-the-first-creatives-ya-djin-spirit-women/tickets
More info: bemac.org.au

There is very limited parking around the QMC. We encourage all guests to use public transport. QMC is only a 2-minute short walk from the Holman Street Ferry Terminal and bus routes 27 and 234. You can find more info about how to get to QMC at http://qmc.org.au/visit

BEMAC is a subsidiary of Settlement Services International (SSI), supported by the Queensland Government through Arts Queensland.