The Sydney Opera House will resonate with the sound of traditional language at a spectacular cultural opening to this year’s 2011 Deadly Awards at the Opera House on 27 September.
Acclaimed Northern Territory singer/songwriter Shellie Morris and the Yanyuwa Singers will perform two songs in language from Shellie’s new album, Together We Are Strong – or Ngambala wiji Li-Wunungu in Yanyuwa language.
“The Yanyuwa Singers have been singing traditional songs since they were born,” Shellie says.
“They are traditional songs that have been passed down from generation to generation in Borroloola (NT), through women being strong and holding onto their culture.”
Shellie and the Yanyuway women will perform with Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir, making the opening of the Deadlys something special.
Under the direction of Artistic Director and Founder Lyn Williams OAM, Gondwana National Indigenous Children’s Choir gives talented Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children the opportunity to join with their peers from across Australia, take part in musical, social and cultural education and performance opportunities, and share the voice of their generation with the nation and the world. The choir performs nationally and internationally.
Western Australia’s Pigram Brothers also headline the list of talent lined up for the Deadly Awards, performing an acoustic piece. The Brothers are no strangers to the Deadly Awards, having opened them in September 2006 and brought home the Deadly Award that year for Album Release of the Year.
Up and coming talent Naomi Pigram, the daughter of Stephen Pigram, will perform at the Sunset Ceremony, which kicks off the Deadlys at 5.00pm in the Opera House Northern Foyer, making it a night for Pigram performances. She is joined by singer/songwriter Nathan Foley who will also perform at the Sunset Ceremony.
In the Deadlys Concert Hall, the performances take on both a country and a 60s feel with Troy Cassar-Daley performing, and Casey Donovan performing a song from her upcoming Australian musical show FLOWERCHILDREN about the turbulent private lives of the American vocal group The Mamas and The Papas.
Hip Hop isn’t left out, with Indigenous hip hop sensations Last Kinection also included in the talent line-up for the Deadlys show.
Deadly duo Aaron Pedersen and Casey Donovan will host the Deadly Awards, making it a night to witness major Indigenous Australian talent.
Don’t miss your opportunity to be a part of the Deadlys this year! Tickets for the 2011 Deadlys ($45 or $30 concession) are available from the Sydney Opera House. For more information, visit www.sydneyoperahouse.com
Voting in Australia’s largest Indigenous awards night is now open at www.vibe.com.au/deadlys. Voting closes on 10 September 2011, so get in and have your say on who’s Deadly.
The Deadlys are sponsored by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing, the Sydney Opera House, Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA), Vibe Australia, Indigenous Electoral Participation Program – Australian Electoral Commission, PPCA, Reconciliation Australia, Department of Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts, Qantas, Mission Australia, Australian Public Service Commission, Job Futures, Sodexo, Signwave, APRA-AMCOS and Equmen.
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