Blakout: Gikilangangu Wergaia (feat. James Howard, Alice Skye & Michael Julian)
- Blakout
- The Count’s
The Ian Potter Centre for Performing Arts
Monash University Clayton Campus
$20 - $35
Past Event
Presenting Gikilangangu Wergaia as part of Blakout—a powerful collective honouring Wergaia language and culture. Alice Skye, James Howard, and Michael Julian come together to share stories of family, ancestors, and Dreaming through music and sound art.
“We always sing Wergaia. It is a promise we make to our ancestors, our community, and our children. A promise of resilience to keep our language and culture alive through creative expression”—Gikilangangu Wergaia
Celebrating Wergaia language and stories, this special event takes place at The Count’s, and on the lands of the Kulin Nation, home to each performer.
Following its world premiere in 2024, MPAC is thrilled to present Alice Skye, Wergaia and Wemba Wemba songwriter known for her heartfelt ballads, Jaadwa composer James Howard, who explores the spiritual potential of electronic sound, and Koori musician Michael Julian, who provides the rhythmic foundation of the Gikilangangu Wergaia collective. Together, they will share personal histories, weaving stories of family, ancestors, community and Dreaming.
Sung in Wergaia, their performance is a dynamic blend of songwriting, sound art, and improvisation, taking the audience on a journey back to Country and into the future.
“This marks the beginning of a journey to find new ways to tell our stories. We will always sing Wergaia.”
Originally commissioned by Melbourne Fringe as part of the Deadly Fringe program.
This show is proudly part of Blakout. Blakout is a bold celebration of First Nations talent, shining a spotlight on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists from Reconciliation Week to NAIDOC Week. Experience a deadly mix of music and dance, with a multi-generational lineup that brings powerful First Nations storytelling to life. Find out what else is on during Blakout.
Doors 6.30pm Show 7.30pm
Eat & Drink
Make a meal of it! The music gets underway at 7.30pm, but arrive a bit earlier if you can. From 6.30pm until 8:00pm, enjoy pre-show dinner and drinks at The Count’s Italian-style kitchen and bar. Reservations are not required when you purchase a ticket to a show. Order from the QR code on your table, or at the bar. View the menu.
