Come join the song circle! This workshop is open to people of all levels of singing - the only requirement being a joy for singing with others. Most Sunday afternoons Emma enjoys sharing and leading songs with Splinter Sisters, a small circle of singers in Alice Springs. She will share with you some quick-to-learn songs […]
Incite Arts has been delivering inclusive arts programs since 2004. As an organisation, they have learnt a lot on their journey over the years and will be sharing these learnings in this exciting panel. From physical access to the need for accessibility in communications, this panel will be centred around how we can help make […]
The Alice Springs Town Council with support from the Northern Territory Government are proud to bring back the highly successful Pop Up Park Series in 2022, and this edition will feature a curated lineup of exciting Desert Festival talent! This place-based activation series targets Alice Springs families, neighbours and individuals looking for an opportunity to […]
Come and join the song circle! This workshop is open to people of all levels of singing - the only requirement being a joy for singing with others. Most Sunday afternoons Emma enjoys sharing and leading songs with Splinter Sisters, a small circle of singers in Alice Springs. She will share with you some quick-to-learn […]
Desert Paradise is a South Pacific Island dance school based in Alice Springs. Students ages range from 4 to 17 years old, and come from diverse backgrounds; Aboriginal, Fijian, Solomon Islands, Samoa, Maori, the Cook Islands and Tuvaluan. Teachers collaborate each term to share their unique knowledge and cultural through dance, and teach dances from across the South […]
Fringe dwelling experiential spaces that bring together people and ideas to explore the heart and soul of the desert through multiple mediums and transitions This immersive experience brings together a collaboration of artists in an experiential installation that integrates people, culture and lands by creating safe spaces that change the way people experience their surrounds […]
Live entertainment, food from across the globe, and unique crafts and culture will fill the Todd Mall. Come and check out great live acts by Sissy Fu!, Michael Connell, Super Raelene Harmonium band, and the The Holy Dimes. Michael Connell Imagine a cross between Jerry Seinfeld and Cirque Du Soleil and you'd have something like […]
Interplay Project x Desert Festival Change has always come from the Edge Fringe dwelling experiential spaces that bring together people and ideas to explore the heart and soul of the desert through multiple mediums and transitions A community art installation curated by a diverse group of volunteer artists including and with guidance from Mparntwe’s Traditional […]
Join local artist Pip McManus in a wander around the Alice Springs/Mparntwe town center, to discover the huge array of public street art. FREE - registration required. Meet at the Todd Mall entrance sign - corner of Todd St & Gregory Terrace. Due to the weather, this has been moved foward and will now start at […]
Join an exciting opportunity to create screen-printed posters and then paste your work up in a large-scale installation at Desert Festival. The CDU print studios will host a workshop for high-school students to explore playful and political approaches investigating critical, contemporary issues that participants are passionate about; providing the opportunity to communicate their messages through […]
One ticket, 3 performances! 6pm - Songs of Spring by The Splinter Sisters The Splinters Sisters invite you to celebrate the new beginnings of Spring through song. From a Swedish love ballad about wrapping flowers around your heart, to a Spanish song opening doors to new beginnings, and closer to home with a Torres Strait […]
Join Children's Ground to launch our album of deadly, uplifting Arrernte songs for children: 'Ampe-mape Alyelheme! (Kids Sing!)'. The first children’s Arrernte language album of its kind – created by Arrernte artists, families and educators during this International Decade of Indigenous Languages. Come for a dance and, sing along with us to our versions of […]
Interplay Project x Desert Festival The audience is invited to an experience of Deep Listening to the important but less-heard voices of in our community. 4pm - The Edge Community Bush Expo; Sharing Knowledge & Ideas The Edge huts host a bush style expo event that brings together people and cultures to share knowledge, passions […]
The bushfoods inspired dinner is a culinary journey that not only tantalises the taste buds but also pays tribute to the knowledge of local indigenous women and their sustainable harvesting practices. This menu showcases the interconnectedness of culture, nature and ethics creating a memorable dinning experience that honours the land and its caretakers. All […]
Alice Springs Town Council invites all community members to enjoy the Desert Festival Pop Up Park held at Lyndavale Park, Larapinta from 4-7pm. Join local Hip Hop legends Dan the Underdog, Karnage N Darknis & Dem Arrente Mob for an evening of live music and festivities at Lyndavale Park. There will also be a Youth […]
Join local artist Pip McManus in a wander around the Alice Springs/Mparntwe town center, to discover the huge array of public street art. FREE - registration required. Meet at the Todd Mall entrance sign - corner of Todd St & Gregory Terrace. Due to the weather, this has been moved foward and will now start at […]
One ticket, 4 performances! 6:15 & 8pm - From the Edge to the Centre We celebrate the sacred Country that holds us here in a playful and uplifting show of light, performance, soundscape and song - all woven together as a web of community artworks. A playful and gentle procession of lanterns through Country is […]
CDU X Desert Festival 14th 15th & 22nd September Get a message you are passionate about out on the streets of Mparntwe! The CDU print studios will host a workshop to explore playful and political approaches investigating critical, contemporary issues that participants are passionate about; providing the opportunity to communicate their messages through bold and […]
In partnership with In The Mix As part of Desert Festival’s Synth School series join Kaytetye producer and DJ, RONA. for a music production workshop. Discover her unique sound, production techniques, and methodologies as you unpack track stems. Share ideas, connect with others, and bring your creativity. Joining RONA. to host this workshop, is the […]
Presented by Desert Festival and Melbourne International Comedy Festival For almost 20 years, this deadly competition has been travelling so-called Australia to unearth the freshest, fiercest, funniest First Nations comedians and yarn-spinners. ------------ 3pm - Comedy Workshop (90 mins) Aspiring First Nations comedians will sit with a seasoned professional comedian in a 90-minute Comedy Workshop […]
Dallas Frasca, Emily Wurramara, MusicNT's Desert Divas & More Friday 27th September, 6:30 – 11:30pm Join Desert Festival for an uplifting Opening Night dedicated to the resilience and power of our region’s First Nations and female artists. _________________________________________ Welcome to Country & GUTS’ Brave Bodies Commencing with a Welcome to Country, then a showcase from […]
FREE – registration required Join prominent local artist Pip McManus in a wander around the Alice Springs/Mparntwe town center, to discover the huge array of public street art. This Art Walk will feature works from the CDU Passion Paste Up Projects. Location meet-up: Todd Mall entrance sign – corner of Todd St & Gregory Terrace […]
Red Hot Arts Project Seed Saturday 28th September Join the Stick Mob Studio creatives for an intimate conversation in their WTS studio. They will share the sentinel stories that shape their lives and why their creative approach is vital to Mparntwe and beyond. Stick Mob creatives do not distinguish what they do in the studio […]
DesFest Synth Saturday x Peachy Parties Saturday 28th Sept, 2pm – 5pm Footy- but QUEER! Come and watch the Grand Final with your mates and enjoy pre-game and half-time entertainment in between watching all the action on the big screen. Think all the excitement of the big day in September but put a big queer […]