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Circus Oz Goes Bush 2013
Mark Sheppard (Murri) and acrobat Dale Woodbridge (Kamilaroi) are members of the current Circus Oz ensemble. Image: Rob Blackburn
by Ben Starick
F
ollowing the Circus Oz 2013: Cranked Up Melbourne Big Top season, Circus Oz Goes Bush in July and August – taking the show on the road for free community performances in remote Arnhem Land communities, including Gunbalanya, Maningrida, Ramingining, Gaupuwiyak, Yirrkala and Gulkula at the Garma Festival. Circus Oz has a commitment to tour large scale circus works to remote communities with a long-term goal to engage with Indigenous youth to establish community circus programs. Community circus programs aim to complement education initiatives
focused on healthy living, practical skills and physical activities that are fun and empowering with extremely positive long-term outcomes. Since 1985, Circus Oz has been doing gigs and workshops in remote communities – performing in local halls or outdoor rigs under the vast Australian sky and teaching classes to local kids who make a lasting impression on the company, showcasing amazing tricks of their own. For over 28 years Circus Oz has engaged with remote Indigenous communities, including: 2011 Palm Island and Wujal Wujal 2010 Hermansburg, Imanpa, Bagot and Binjari
2008 Wujal Wujal, Kuranda and Palm Island 2007 Fitzroy Crossing and Warmun 1997 Fitzroy Crossing, Halls Creek and Warmun 1993 Tennant Creek, Yuendumu, Hermannsburg, Maningrida, Millingimbi, Galiwinku and Yirrkala 1988 Arnhem Land, including Angurugu, Yirrkala, Galliwinku, Raminginning and Maningrida 1985 Kintore, Papunya, Docker River, Mutitjulu and Yuendumu “20 years ago we toured Arnhem Land in a vintage DC3 aeroplane. The connection with the amazing local culture while performing outdoor circus shows in the communities had a profound
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impact on Circus Oz. We’re honoured to be going back to one of Australia’s most amazing regions, this time with two Indigenous ensemble members, and to have the opportunity to connect with the world’s oldest living culture,” said Mike Finch, Circus Oz Artistic Director. Recruited through the Circus Oz BLAKflip program, the exuberant clown Mark Sheppard (Murri) and irrepressible acrobat Dale Woodbridge (Kamilaroi) are members of the current Circus Oz ensemble. The Circus Oz BLAKflip
program aims to provide a pathway for talented Indigenous performers to be mentored and supported through internships, master classes and scholarships – with the potential to join the Circus Oz ensemble. “We have recently reflected on the great power and timelessness of Yothu Yindi and its lead singer Dr Yunupingu. In 1992, Circus Oz was honoured to perform alongside Yothu Yindi their multi ARIA winning song “Treaty”. As we plan our tour to the Aboriginal nations of Arnhem Land, the Yolngu nation and beloved homeland of
Dr Yunupingu, we will remember him as a man who built bridges of understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people through music and education. He is a true leader and inspiration to people all over the world,” said Joshua Bond, Circus Oz Artistic Associate and Indigenous Programs Coordinator. Circus Oz Goes Bush 2013 – Arnhem Land is supported by Recognise, Toll, West Arnhem Shire Council, East Arnhem Land Shire Council, Adventure Tours, Sidney Myer Fund, Miwatj Health Aboriginal Corporation and The Yothu Yindi Foundation.
Circus Oz Goes Bush 2013 – Arnhem Land Monday, 29 July Gunbalanya FREE Cranked Up community show Wednesday, 31 July Maningrida FREE Cranked Up community show Saturday, 3 August Ramingining FREE Cranked Up community show Monday, 5 August Gaupuwiyak FREE Cranked Up community show Wednesday, 7 August Yirrkala FREE Cranked Up community show Friday, 9 August Gulkula – Garma Festival Cranked Up show Saturday, 10 August Gulkula – Garma Festival Circus workshops
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