Maali Festival

A celebration of the oldest living cultures on earth

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MAALI FESTIVAL - SATURDAY 24 JULY

CURATED BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHLOE OGILVIE

Kaya. It’s time to listen. It’s time to acknowledge. It’s time to dance. It’s time. Set over one full action packed day, curators Ian Michael (Wilman Nyoongar) and Chloe Ogilvie (Yamatji Nhanda) bring us a festival reclaiming the State Theatre Centre. Maali is a Nyoongar term for the black swan.

All Maali Festival events take place in and around the State Theatre Centre of WA. For more information on transport to The State Theatre Centre, visit the Parking & Transport page on our website.

All activities and events throughout the festival are FREE. Due to capacity restrictions, registration is essential for certain events.

See details of Maali Festival below.

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • MUSIC

  • STORY TELLING

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • MUSIC

  • MUSIC

  • POETRY READING

  • Special Event

  • THEATRE

  • PLAY READING

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • Play Reading

  • MUSIC

  • FILM

  • FILM

  • THEATRE

  • MUSIC

  • WELCOME TO COUNTRY

    Honouring ancestors, a cleansing and a reclamation of space.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 10:00am - 10:30am
    FREE

  • HIGH TEA WITH ELDERS

    A rare chance and opportunity to listen and hear the stories and experiences of Nyoongar Elders over a cuppa set for royalty.

    Middar Room 10:30am - 12:30pm
    REGISTER

  • BOOX KID

    Fremantle based singer-songwriter Jarred Wall is a beat creator delivering unique melodies, harmonies, instrumentation and a stellar live show.

    Rehearsal Room 1 10:45am - 11:30am
    FREE

  • Story time with Cezera Critti-Schnaars

    Join Cezera, a young Noongar and Greek actor for a quiet moment in the Festival as she reads children's books by Indigenous authors.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 11:45am
    FREE

  • MARKET STALLS

    Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses Gungurra, Kiya Watt, Felicity Robinson, Thomasisha Wareham & Emma Janes Weaving

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 4:00pm
    FREE

  • Creative Canvas Live Mural Art Installation

    Try your hand at painting or watch as the artwork evolves before you with 'Urban Indigenous' as they share traditional techniques of Aboriginal Art.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:30am - 1:30pm
    FREE

  • FLEWNT

    Nyoongar hip hop artist, WAM 2018 winner, Flewnt, has performed at numerous rallies and festivals and is heavily involved in his community.

    Rehearsal Room 1 11:45am - 12:15pm
    FREE

  • Lilly Gogos and Band

    Lilly performs acoustic originals and covers, in the style of country, soul, gospel and blues.

    Rehearsal Room 1 12:45pm - 1:45pm
    FREE

  • Poetry Readings by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

    Written & performed live by inspiring participants of Yirra Yaakin’s "Which Way?" First Nations Virtual Poetry Workshops.

    Festival Hub 1:30pm & 2:30pm
    FREE

  • PANEL DISCUSSION

    Shareena Clanton, Mark Howett, Dr. Clint Bracknell, Chloe Ogilvie and Michelle Broun share their exciting perspectives on culture and art.

    Studio Underground 2:00pm - 3:00pm
    FREE

  • YORK BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHRIS ISAACS

    Inspired by 200 years of real accounts, this daring new work sheds light on how our stories are told – and who tells them. Tickets to be purchased.

    Heath Ledger Theatre 2:00pm & 7:30pm
    PURCHASE

  • City of Gold by Meyne Wyatt

    Described as a howl of rage at inequality, injustice & wilful ignorance of this country’s 21st century. A play for our times from a vital new voice.

    Middar Room 2:30pm - 4:00pm
    REGISTER

  • NYUMBI

    An explosive dance ceremony with dance groups Middar, Djiripin Djindas, Koolangkas Kreate, Kwarbah, Djookian and others.

    Rehearsal Room 1 4:30pm - 6:00pm
    FREE

  • Brothers Wreck by Jada Alberts

    A gripping drama about a grief-stricken family whose love for each other knows no limits. One of the most moving pieces to grace Australian stages.

    Middar Room 6:00pm - 7:20pm
    REGISTER

  • Phil Walleystack

    Singer-songwriter Phil's performances are a cultural fusion of traditionally inspired contemporary edge works with western sounds.

    Studio Underground 6:30pm - 7:30pm
    FREE

  • Wirun by Chad O'Brien & Ebony McGuire (9 mins)

    A young Indigenous girl must dig deep to own her performance of a Shakespearean sonnet for her high school drama class in this powerful short film.

    Middar Room 8:00pm - 8:10pm
    REGISTER

  • The Coolbaroo Club Dir. BY Roger Scholes (55 mins)

    About the only Aboriginal-run dance club held in a city that hundreds of aboriginal people and their white supporters attended every Friday night.

    Middar Room 8:15pm - 9:10pm
    REGISTER

  • Bindjareb Pinjarra

    A play about the Pinjarra massacre which occurred in 1834 between Nyoongars and mounted police at a place now known as Pinjarra, 90kms south of Perth.

    Studio Underground 8:00pm - 9:50pm
    REGISTER

  • Closing Party

    Wrap up the festival in the Studio Underground Foyer with Pindan Princess, an emerging DJ and co-host on Noongar Radio’s Hustle & Grind show.

    Festival Hub 10:00pm - 11:00pm
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    WELCOME TO COUNTRY

    Honouring ancestors, a cleansing and a reclamation of space.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 10:00am - 10:30am
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    HIGH TEA WITH ELDERS

    A rare chance and opportunity to listen and hear the stories and experiences of Nyoongar Elders over a cuppa set for royalty.

    Middar Room 10:30am - 12:30pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    BOOX KID

    Fremantle based singer-songwriter Jarred Wall is a beat creator delivering unique melodies, harmonies, instrumentation and a stellar live show.

    Rehearsal Room 1 10:45am - 11:30am
    FREE

  • STORY TELLING

    Story time with Cezera Critti-Schnaars

    Join Cezera, a young Noongar and Greek actor for a quiet moment in the Festival as she reads children's books by Indigenous authors.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 11:45am
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    MARKET STALLS

    Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses Gungurra, Kiya Watt, Felicity Robinson, Thomasisha Wareham & Emma Janes Weaving

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 4:00pm
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    Creative Canvas Live Mural Art Installation

    Try your hand at painting or watch as the artwork evolves before you with 'Urban Indigenous' as they share traditional techniques of Aboriginal Art.

    Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:30am - 1:30pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    FLEWNT

    Nyoongar hip hop artist, WAM 2018 winner, Flewnt, has performed at numerous rallies and festivals and is heavily involved in his community.

    Rehearsal Room 1 11:45am - 12:15pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    Lilly Gogos and Band

    Lilly performs acoustic originals and covers, in the style of country, soul, gospel and blues.

    Rehearsal Room 1 12:45pm - 1:45pm
    FREE

  • POETRY READING

    Poetry Readings by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

    Written & performed live by inspiring participants of Yirra Yaakin’s "Which Way?" First Nations Virtual Poetry Workshops.

    Festival Hub 1:30pm & 2:30pm
    FREE

  • Special Event

    PANEL DISCUSSION

    Shareena Clanton, Mark Howett, Dr. Clint Bracknell, Chloe Ogilvie and Michelle Broun share their exciting perspectives on culture and art.

    Studio Underground 2:00pm - 3:00pm
    FREE

  • THEATRE

    YORK BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHRIS ISAACS

    Inspired by 200 years of real accounts, this daring new work sheds light on how our stories are told – and who tells them. Tickets to be purchased.

    Heath Ledger Theatre 2:00pm & 7:30pm
    PURCHASE

  • PLAY READING

    City of Gold by Meyne Wyatt

    Described as a howl of rage at inequality, injustice & wilful ignorance of this country’s 21st century. A play for our times from a vital new voice.

    Middar Room 2:30pm - 4:00pm
    REGISTER

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    NYUMBI

    An explosive dance ceremony with dance groups Middar, Djiripin Djindas, Koolangkas Kreate, Kwarbah, Djookian and others.

    Rehearsal Room 1 4:30pm - 6:00pm
    FREE

  • Play Reading

    Brothers Wreck by Jada Alberts

    A gripping drama about a grief-stricken family whose love for each other knows no limits. One of the most moving pieces to grace Australian stages.

    Middar Room 6:00pm - 7:20pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    Phil Walleystack

    Singer-songwriter Phil's performances are a cultural fusion of traditionally inspired contemporary edge works with western sounds.

    Studio Underground 6:30pm - 7:30pm
    FREE

  • FILM

    Wirun by Chad O'Brien & Ebony McGuire (9 mins)

    A young Indigenous girl must dig deep to own her performance of a Shakespearean sonnet for her high school drama class in this powerful short film.

    Middar Room 8:00pm - 8:10pm
    REGISTER

  • FILM

    The Coolbaroo Club Dir. BY Roger Scholes (55 mins)

    About the only Aboriginal-run dance club held in a city that hundreds of aboriginal people and their white supporters attended every Friday night.

    Middar Room 8:15pm - 9:10pm
    REGISTER

  • THEATRE

    Bindjareb Pinjarra

    A play about the Pinjarra massacre which occurred in 1834 between Nyoongars and mounted police at a place now known as Pinjarra, 90kms south of Perth.

    Studio Underground 8:00pm - 9:50pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    Closing Party

    Wrap up the festival in the Studio Underground Foyer with Pindan Princess, an emerging DJ and co-host on Noongar Radio’s Hustle & Grind show.

    Festival Hub 10:00pm - 11:00pm
    FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

WELCOME TO COUNTRY

Honouring ancestors, a cleansing and a reclamation of space.

Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 10:00am - 10:30am
FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

HIGH TEA WITH ELDERS

A rare chance and opportunity to listen and hear the stories and experiences of Nyoongar Elders over a cuppa set for royalty.

Middar Room 10:30am - 12:30pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

BOOX KID

Fremantle based singer-songwriter Jarred Wall is a beat creator delivering unique melodies, harmonies, instrumentation and a stellar live show.

Rehearsal Room 1 10:45am - 11:30am
FREE

STORY TELLING

Story time with Cezera Critti-Schnaars

Join Cezera, a young Noongar and Greek actor for a quiet moment in the Festival as she reads children's books by Indigenous authors.

Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 11:45am
FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

MARKET STALLS

Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses Gungurra, Kiya Watt, Felicity Robinson, Thomasisha Wareham & Emma Janes Weaving

Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:00am - 4:00pm
FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

Creative Canvas Live Mural Art Installation

Try your hand at painting or watch as the artwork evolves before you with 'Urban Indigenous' as they share traditional techniques of Aboriginal Art.

Heath Ledger Theatre Foyer 11:30am - 1:30pm
FREE

MUSIC

FLEWNT

Nyoongar hip hop artist, WAM 2018 winner, Flewnt, has performed at numerous rallies and festivals and is heavily involved in his community.

Rehearsal Room 1 11:45am - 12:15pm
FREE

MUSIC

Lilly Gogos and Band

Lilly performs acoustic originals and covers, in the style of country, soul, gospel and blues.

Rehearsal Room 1 12:45pm - 1:45pm
FREE

POETRY READING

Poetry Readings by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company

Written & performed live by inspiring participants of Yirra Yaakin’s "Which Way?" First Nations Virtual Poetry Workshops.

Festival Hub 1:30pm & 2:30pm
FREE

Special Event

PANEL DISCUSSION

Shareena Clanton, Mark Howett, Dr. Clint Bracknell, Chloe Ogilvie and Michelle Broun share their exciting perspectives on culture and art.

Studio Underground 2:00pm - 3:00pm
FREE

THEATRE

YORK BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHRIS ISAACS

Inspired by 200 years of real accounts, this daring new work sheds light on how our stories are told – and who tells them. Tickets to be purchased.

Heath Ledger Theatre 2:00pm & 7:30pm
PURCHASE

PLAY READING

City of Gold by Meyne Wyatt

Described as a howl of rage at inequality, injustice & wilful ignorance of this country’s 21st century. A play for our times from a vital new voice.

Middar Room 2:30pm - 4:00pm
REGISTER

SPECIAL EVENT

NYUMBI

An explosive dance ceremony with dance groups Middar, Djiripin Djindas, Koolangkas Kreate, Kwarbah, Djookian and others.

Rehearsal Room 1 4:30pm - 6:00pm
FREE

Play Reading

Brothers Wreck by Jada Alberts

A gripping drama about a grief-stricken family whose love for each other knows no limits. One of the most moving pieces to grace Australian stages.

Middar Room 6:00pm - 7:20pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

Phil Walleystack

Singer-songwriter Phil's performances are a cultural fusion of traditionally inspired contemporary edge works with western sounds.

Studio Underground 6:30pm - 7:30pm
FREE

FILM

Wirun by Chad O'Brien & Ebony McGuire (9 mins)

A young Indigenous girl must dig deep to own her performance of a Shakespearean sonnet for her high school drama class in this powerful short film.

Middar Room 8:00pm - 8:10pm
REGISTER

FILM

The Coolbaroo Club Dir. BY Roger Scholes (55 mins)

About the only Aboriginal-run dance club held in a city that hundreds of aboriginal people and their white supporters attended every Friday night.

Middar Room 8:15pm - 9:10pm
REGISTER

THEATRE

Bindjareb Pinjarra

A play about the Pinjarra massacre which occurred in 1834 between Nyoongars and mounted police at a place now known as Pinjarra, 90kms south of Perth.

Studio Underground 8:00pm - 9:50pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

Closing Party

Wrap up the festival in the Studio Underground Foyer with Pindan Princess, an emerging DJ and co-host on Noongar Radio’s Hustle & Grind show.

Festival Hub 10:00pm - 11:00pm
FREE

A Note from Curators Ian Michael and Chloe Ogilvie

What began as a conversation has turned into a festival. But more than just a festival, it’s an acknowledgment of history, a gathering of community, recognition of resilience and a moment for our cultures and stories to reclaim space.

It is a privilege that Maali Festival is being held on Whadjuk boodjar, on land and waterways that have seen song, dance and story performed and told for multi millennia. The festival has been put together over time that is minuscule in comparison but what you’ll witness is that these artists and their work resonates across time, from the past, to the present and into the future.

I hope you take what you hear and see, whatever it is, with you beyond these two days, that it makes you listen, take action, start a conversation and for the blackfullas, I hope you know that this festival is for you, that you can laugh as loud as you want, you feel safe, seen, heard, are inspired, proud, sing at the top of your lungs and dance all the way home.

This is about us, for us.

FAQ

  • Where are the events held?

    All events are held in and around the State Theatre Centre of WA.

  • Is the festival free?

    Yes, all activities and events throughout the day are FREE. However, due to capacity restrictions, registration is essential for certain events.

    Note, two performances of York will be taking place in the Heath Ledger Theatre at the same time of Maali Festival. This event is not free. Tickets can be purchased by visiting the York page on our website here.

  • Do I need tickets to get in?

    You do not need a ticket to attend Maali Festival at The State Theatre Centre. Due to capacity restrictions, registration is required for certain events. These include:

    • Bindjareb Pinjarra
    • High Tea with Elders
    • City of Gold
    • Electric Fields
    • Brothers Wreck
    • Wirun and The Coolbaroo Club

    There are multiple ways you can register for the above events.

    Online: bsstc.com.au/whats-on/maali-festival

    Phone:     Black Swan Box Office 08 6212 9300. Monday to Friday 10am - 5pm or State Theatre Centre of WA Box Office 08 6212 9292. Monday to Friday 10am - 5:30pm.

    In person: Black Swan Office. Level 1, 182 William Street, Perth WA 6000 or State Theatre Centre of WA Box Office 174-176 William St, Perth WA 6000.

  • How do I get there?

    The State Theatre Centre is just a stone's throw away from Perth Railway Station and Roe Street Bus Station, making public transport a great option for travelling to and from the Festival.

    Rail & Bus
    The Centre is easily accessed from the Perth train station. Transperth's Blue CAT buses travel from the Barrack St Jetty to Northbridge. The closest pick-up and drop-off points to the State Theatre Centre are Beaufort Street (stop 7) and James Street (stop 14).

    Taxis
    Pick up and set down only points are available on William Street close to the main entrance to the venue. This area is also classed as a Taxi Zone when not being used for parking.

    Parking
    There are three City of Perth parking locations in close proximity to The Centre.

    • State Library Car Park, 15 Francis Street, which has 7 ACROD bays (note: the James Street entrance to this carpark is now closed.)
    • The Cultural Centre Car Park, 2 Roe Street, which has 4 ACROD bays
    • Roe Street Car Park, 68 Roe Street, which has 5 ACROD bays

    For more information on transport to The State Theatre Centre, visit the Parking & Transport page on our website.

  • Can I bring children?

    Definitely! Maali Festival is for everyone.

  • I've registered for an event, but I can no longer attend. What do I do?

    You can reach the Black Swan ticketing team at tickets@bsstc.com.au or call our office at 08 6212 9300. We're open Monday - Friday 10:00am - 5:00pm.

  • Access Information

    Black Swan endeavours to make arts accessible to the whole community. Please advise us if you have any special access needs by emailing tickets@bsstc.com.au or calling 08 6212 9300. For more information about the accessibility services available at the State Theatre Centre, visit our accessibility page here. We have multiple events during the day which are auslan interpreted. These include:

    • Welcome to Country
    • City of Gold
    • Brothers Wreck
    • Binjareb Pinjarra

Thanks to our partners

PRINCIPAL PARTNER
Fortescue
SUPPORTING PARTNER
City of Perth
MAJOR SUPPORTER
Lotterywest
VENUE PARTNER
State Theatre Centre of WA
NEIGHBOURHOOD PARTNER
Alex Hotel
EVENT PARTNER
Known Associates
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
GOVERNMENT PARTNER
Australian Government | Australia Council of the Arts