Sand Song at Barangaroo

Sydney's unique cultural space, the Cutaway, will host SAND SONG, an uplifting contemporary Aboriginal dance and theatre performance and workshop, during the October school holidays.

Created by visual artist Walbira Murray and director Elena Vereker, and produced by Insite Arts, SAND SONG will illuminate the Cutaway at Barangaroo Reserve with nine shows across six days from Tuesday, 3 October to Sunday, 8 October 2017.

Murray, a Gammilleroi woman from Dirranbandi, said SAND SONG is a unique and inspiring Aboriginal culture experience for children aged 5-12 and their parents or carers.

'The vibrant performance tells the story of -Cheeky Brolga stealing Emu's egg', which is the Gammilleroi Dreaming story of the -First Sun' – the first time the sun's light shone on Australia. The story also represents the dawn of understanding, growing up, and gaining wisdom," said Murray.

During a 30-minute hands-on workshop, children meet the performers, learn the Emu dance and -paint up' their dream on a glass -dream holder' that becomes part of the SAND SONG set. Children will get to keep their dream holder after the show.

The workshop is followed by a mesmerising and humorous 40-minute performance exploring the power of light, dreams and fire and featuring a fusion of contemporary and traditional music, with live singing, didgeridoo and clap sticks.

Aboriginal artist and storyteller Rick Roser and four dancers perform on a large artwork of red sand, white ochre, emu feathers and five towering ancestor poles. Roser tells the captivating story using traditional Aboriginal bush craft techniques such as fire-making, ochre-spraying and net-weaving.

Previously performed at Brisbane Festival and Out of the Box children's festival in Brisbane, SAND SONG will make its much-anticipated New South Wales debut at Barangaroo.

Barangaroo Delivery Authority, Executive Director, Activation and Precinct Management, Sandra Bender, said: 'SAND SONG is a magnificent experience of First Nations storytelling, particularly for five to 12-year-olds and their parents or carers. We are delighted to present this contemporary work, which features the crossing of culture between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal peoples as part of our inaugural school holiday programming at Barangaroo."