Maali Festival

A celebration of the oldest living cultures on earth 9 & 10 July

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MAALI FESTIVAL

CURATED BY IAN MICHAEL AND CHLOE OGILVIE

Kaya. NAIDOC Week is coming and we’re throwing a party. Actually - a festival! Free for all! The whole street is invited. This includes you. Tell the city, tell the state, tell the country. It’s time to listen. It’s time to acknowledge. It’s time to dance. It’s time. Set over two incredible days, 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 weekend are FREE. Due to capacity restrictions, registration is essential for certain events.

See details of Maali Festival below or click on the Calendar & Map to view all events.

FRIDAY 9TH JULY

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • THEATRE

  • MUSIC

  • MUSIC

  • MUSIC

  • WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND NYUMBI

    A smoking ceremony travels from STCWA, to the Perth Cultural Centre, honouring ancestors, cleansing and a reclamation of space.

    Courtyard to PCC 4:00pm - 6:00pm
    FREE

  • 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 6:30pm - 8:20pm
    REGISTER

  • BOOX KID

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

    Courtyard 7:00pm - 7:45pm
    FREE

  • Phil Walleystack

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

    Courtyard 8:00pm - 9:00pm
    FREE

  • THE MERINDAS

    A collective force of Ballardong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman. Expect electronic pop with a dance-hall feel with hip hop and R&B influences.

    Courtyard 9:15pm - 10:00pm
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND NYUMBI

    A smoking ceremony travels from STCWA, to the Perth Cultural Centre, honouring ancestors, cleansing and a reclamation of space.

    Courtyard to PCC 4:00pm - 6:00pm
    FREE

  • 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 6:30pm - 8:20pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    BOOX KID

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

    Courtyard 7:00pm - 7:45pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    Phil Walleystack

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

    Courtyard 8:00pm - 9:00pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    THE MERINDAS

    A collective force of Ballardong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman. Expect electronic pop with a dance-hall feel with hip hop and R&B influences.

    Courtyard 9:15pm - 10:00pm
    FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

WELCOME TO COUNTRY AND NYUMBI

A smoking ceremony travels from STCWA, to the Perth Cultural Centre, honouring ancestors, cleansing and a reclamation of space.

Courtyard to PCC 4:00pm - 6:00pm
FREE

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 6:30pm - 8:20pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

BOOX KID

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

Courtyard 7:00pm - 7:45pm
FREE

MUSIC

Phil Walleystack

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

Courtyard 8:00pm - 9:00pm
FREE

MUSIC

THE MERINDAS

A collective force of Ballardong Whadjuk and Nyoongar woman. Expect electronic pop with a dance-hall feel with hip hop and R&B influences.

Courtyard 9:15pm - 10:00pm
FREE

SATURDAY 10TH JULY

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • THEATRE

  • PLAY READING

  • MUSIC

  • Play Reading

  • MUSIC

  • MUSIC

  • SPECIAL EVENT

  • THEATRE

  • FILM

  • FILM

  • MUSIC

  • 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 on day

  • 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.

    Festival Hub 11:00am - 1:00pm
    FREE

  • MARKET STALLS

    Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses.

    Studio Underground 11:00am - 4:30pm
    FREE

  • BILYA KAATIJIN BY ZAC JAMES

    Yirra Yaakin's Bilya Kaatijin (“Fresh Water Knowledge” in Nyoongar) teaches us about the importance of water to First Nations people around the world.

    Rehearsal Room 1 11:30am-12:30pm & 2:30pm-3:30pm
    REGISTER

  • 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.

    Studio Underground 12:45pm - 2:15pm
    REGISTER

  • FLEWNT

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

    Courtyard 3:30pm - 4:00pm
    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.

    Studio Underground 4:15pm - 5:35pm
    REGISTER

  • MIIESHA

    From the small Aboriginal community of Woorabinda in Central Queensland comes a 20 year old with a big R&B/Soul laced voice ready to be heard.

    Courtyard 4:30pm - 5:15pm
    FREE

  • ZIGGY RAMO

    Bringing his original voice and razor sharp lyrics to the contemporary music scene, Ziggy is an arresting and important performer not to be missed.

    Courtyard 5:30pm - 6:15pm
    FREE

  • COMMUNITY DINNER

    Enjoy a break in the program with some downtime to buy a plate of tucker and have a yarn with family and friends.

    Studio Underground Foyer 7:00PM - 9:30PM
    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 7:00pm - 9:30pm
    TICKETED EVENT

  • Wirun Dir. by Chad O'Brien (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.

    Studio Underground 8:00pm - 8:10pm
    FREE

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

    About the only Aboriginal-run dance club in a city which practiced unofficial apartheid, submitting its Aboriginal population to police harassment.

    Studio Underground 8:15pm - 9:10pm
    FREE

  • Electric Fields

    This duo is the brilliance and creativity of music producer and composer Michael Ross, with the mesmerising sensitivity of Zaachariaha Fielding.

    Courtyard 9:45pm - 10:30pm
    REGISTER

  • 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 on day

  • 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.

    Festival Hub 11:00am - 1:00pm
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    MARKET STALLS

    Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses.

    Studio Underground 11:00am - 4:30pm
    FREE

  • THEATRE

    BILYA KAATIJIN BY ZAC JAMES

    Yirra Yaakin's Bilya Kaatijin (“Fresh Water Knowledge” in Nyoongar) teaches us about the importance of water to First Nations people around the world.

    Rehearsal Room 1 11:30am-12:30pm & 2:30pm-3:30pm
    REGISTER

  • 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.

    Studio Underground 12:45pm - 2:15pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    FLEWNT

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

    Courtyard 3:30pm - 4:00pm
    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.

    Studio Underground 4:15pm - 5:35pm
    REGISTER

  • MUSIC

    MIIESHA

    From the small Aboriginal community of Woorabinda in Central Queensland comes a 20 year old with a big R&B/Soul laced voice ready to be heard.

    Courtyard 4:30pm - 5:15pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    ZIGGY RAMO

    Bringing his original voice and razor sharp lyrics to the contemporary music scene, Ziggy is an arresting and important performer not to be missed.

    Courtyard 5:30pm - 6:15pm
    FREE

  • SPECIAL EVENT

    COMMUNITY DINNER

    Enjoy a break in the program with some downtime to buy a plate of tucker and have a yarn with family and friends.

    Studio Underground Foyer 7:00PM - 9:30PM
    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 7:00pm - 9:30pm
    TICKETED EVENT

  • FILM

    Wirun Dir. by Chad O'Brien (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.

    Studio Underground 8:00pm - 8:10pm
    FREE

  • FILM

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

    About the only Aboriginal-run dance club in a city which practiced unofficial apartheid, submitting its Aboriginal population to police harassment.

    Studio Underground 8:15pm - 9:10pm
    FREE

  • MUSIC

    Electric Fields

    This duo is the brilliance and creativity of music producer and composer Michael Ross, with the mesmerising sensitivity of Zaachariaha Fielding.

    Courtyard 9:45pm - 10:30pm
    REGISTER

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 on day

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.

Festival Hub 11:00am - 1:00pm
FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

MARKET STALLS

Browse, purchase and explore the curator's favourite local businesses.

Studio Underground 11:00am - 4:30pm
FREE

THEATRE

BILYA KAATIJIN BY ZAC JAMES

Yirra Yaakin's Bilya Kaatijin (“Fresh Water Knowledge” in Nyoongar) teaches us about the importance of water to First Nations people around the world.

Rehearsal Room 1 11:30am-12:30pm & 2:30pm-3:30pm
REGISTER

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.

Studio Underground 12:45pm - 2:15pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

FLEWNT

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

Courtyard 3:30pm - 4:00pm
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.

Studio Underground 4:15pm - 5:35pm
REGISTER

MUSIC

MIIESHA

From the small Aboriginal community of Woorabinda in Central Queensland comes a 20 year old with a big R&B/Soul laced voice ready to be heard.

Courtyard 4:30pm - 5:15pm
FREE

MUSIC

ZIGGY RAMO

Bringing his original voice and razor sharp lyrics to the contemporary music scene, Ziggy is an arresting and important performer not to be missed.

Courtyard 5:30pm - 6:15pm
FREE

SPECIAL EVENT

COMMUNITY DINNER

Enjoy a break in the program with some downtime to buy a plate of tucker and have a yarn with family and friends.

Studio Underground Foyer 7:00PM - 9:30PM
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 7:00pm - 9:30pm
TICKETED EVENT

FILM

Wirun Dir. by Chad O'Brien (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.

Studio Underground 8:00pm - 8:10pm
FREE

FILM

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

About the only Aboriginal-run dance club in a city which practiced unofficial apartheid, submitting its Aboriginal population to police harassment.

Studio Underground 8:15pm - 9:10pm
FREE

MUSIC

Electric Fields

This duo is the brilliance and creativity of music producer and composer Michael Ross, with the mesmerising sensitivity of Zaachariaha Fielding.

Courtyard 9:45pm - 10:30pm
REGISTER

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 weekend are FREE. However, due to capacity restrictions, registration is essential for certain events.

    Note, our Preview performance of York will be taking place in the Heath Ledger Theatre on Saturday 10th July 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

    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.

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