From artist and researcher Dean West, The Buffel Harvest is an experimental performance orbiting around a live demonstration of how to grow Oyster Mushrooms using Central Australian weed species Buffel Grass as a substrate. The demonstration will take you through harvest, pasteurisation, inoculation, incubation and finally harvest again. The demonstration will be elaborated with animations, […]
Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It’s too high! Come to the edge. And they came. And he pushed. And they flew. - Christopher Logue Dusty Feet Dance Collective aims to create uplifting dance theatre that inspires and provokes. Set to an evocative soundtrack, with quirky characters, contemporary dance physicality […]
Billy Black is a talented and travelled singer and guitarist. He has performed across a wide array of musical styles over a long career of six stringed debauchery. Join him for a delicate evening of acoustic, pure, clean, joy.
The Nestmakers is a time capsule of climate anxieties, a resting place for your doom and gloom. It is a funny and sad play about culpability and climate, bunkers and billionaires, and the refusal to give into your prepper side. Written by Betty Sweetlove and directed by Bek Law with dramaturgy by Declan Furber Gillick […]
Bambadino is a Filipino-born lesbian Maths teacher singer-songwriter who yearns to belong. Her songs take you from funny anecdotes to bittersweet ballads about belonging to her body, to her family, to community, to herself. Bambadino lives in Mparntwe wtih her wife, dogs and chickens. She loves singing and watching the sunrise. If you can't make […]
Come to the edge. We might fall. Come to the edge. It’s too high! Come to the edge. And they came. And he pushed. And they flew. - Christopher Logue Dusty Feet Dance Collective aims to create uplifting dance theatre that inspires and provokes. Set to an evocative soundtrack, with quirky characters, contemporary dance physicality […]
The Nestmakers is a time capsule of climate anxieties, a resting place for your doom and gloom. It is a funny and sad play about culpability and climate, bunkers and billionaires, and the refusal to give into your prepper side. Written by Betty Sweetlove and directed by Bek Law with dramaturgy by Declan Furber Gillick […]
Ronja Moss is a twinkly-eyed singer songwriter who delights in telling tales with her banjo and rolling melodies. Recently relocated to our Nation’s capital, Ronja grew up in the central desert of Alice Springs. Her songs paint pictures; either witnessed, or imagined, endeavouring to take the listener into the lives of her characters and thoughts. […]
On The Wing Theatre Co. invites you to come and get creative in the Kardboard Kingdom! Blending workshop and theatre performance, this interactive piece gives audiences the chance to get crafty and then enjoy watching performers bring their creations to life. If you can't make this performance, Kardboard Kingdom will also take place on Saturday […]
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 […]
Stellar Sea explore our hidden aspirations in a time when we need to desire less for the sustainability of our planet. Weaving live music, projected media and a compelling poetic narrative, they will deliver an embodied experience inspired by PJ Harvey and their own dreams. Stellar Sea are a cohort of post-punk eco queers with […]
Amidst times of questioning our losses, our sense of belonging and our resilience, songs came to be. This is a collaborative project initiated by Jakarta- born, now Mparntwe-based musician and visual artist Dina Indrasafitri. Dina will be collaborating with local legends such as Dave Crowe and Xavia to create a medley of song, dance and visuals rich […]
Three women co-exist within a forest of plastic columns, experimenting with gentle but persistent acts which transform their bodies and surroundings over a six hour period. Their collective attempts to understand the material gives way to unintended consequences, patience is required in this precarious landscape. From Infancy is a collaboration from Ashleigh Musk with Kelly Beneforti […]
An adventure awaits you – will you answer the call? Join FIX IT the clown in this interactive workshop as they undertake a journey of mystical and mythical proportions to discover what it takes to become true hero. This physical, performative workshop from Anna Thomson will include improvisation, movement, object play and more, as children […]
A child is carefully constructing a blanket fort. A person pauses in their car for an extra moment in the driveway. The Ilparpa Ranges are lit up golden on a post work pilgrimage to the clay pans. Do you remember your happy place when you were young? Nook is a new theatrical work that explores […]
The inimitable Lady Lash builds intoxicating ambience through sultry vocals, poetic rhymes and haunting sonic sequences. A woman with both Kokatha and Greek heritage, she is influenced by the two ancient cultures. Don’t miss this incredible collaboration supported by fellow First Nations singer/songwriter/poet and activist, Kirra Voller, and Karnage N Darknis. KND are a hip-hop […]
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 […]
Started in 2010 by local First Nations women, Desert Divas is a longstanding development program from MusicNT that links First Nations female songwriters with expert mentors. Be inspired as the 2022 Divas share their hopes, dreams, fears and goals through a diverse musical lens in this moving family friendly experience. Admission Adults - $15.00 Under […]
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 […]
Please join us at 5:30pm for the official Welcome to Arrernte Country with Kumalie Riley. Featured performances include: 5:45pm - Ayenge Arrweketye (I Am Woman) - Toni Lord X GUTS GUTS Dance and emerging Indigenous choreographer Toni-louise Lord share Ayenge Arrweketye, in Arrernte, meaning "I am Woman". Indigenous Contemporary Dance piece, Ayenge Arrweketye, is an […]
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 […]
World renowned beatboxer Tom Thum, and talented musician-songwriter Jamie MacDowell guide you through an interactive vocal and sampling workshop for participants of all skill levels. In this hands-on session, participants will learn how to create, manipulate and arrange sampled sounds to craft compelling musical compositions. Please note this is and Adults only workshop. FREE - […]