Desert Harmony Festival 2024: Wrapped

With Desert Harmony Festival 2024: Artiwinji, Piliyi, Yarntarnpa Kululu-jju; Strong, Positive, United Community, coming to a close on a high note on the 5th of August, let’s look back on a long weekend of sharing a celebrating arts with the Barkly community.

Taking place over four days from 2nd – 5th of August, the festival saw 3500 attendees pass through the gates of Barkly Regional Arts, with many more attendees engaged in the Saturday workshops held in various locations all over Tennant Creek.

Featuring varied performances and exciting workshops in Tennant Creek, the annual festival provided an opportunity to celebrate and showcase talented creatives from the Barkly region alongside some special guest performances.

Attracting both locals and tourists alike, the 2024 Desert Harmony Festival kicked off with a vibrant opening ceremony featuring traditional dances from the Munga Munga, Pujjali and Jarra Jarra dance groups of Tennant Creek and Ali Curung/Ampilatwatja. Traditional owner Jimmy Frank put on a spectacular bush tucker buffet, cooked up in a ground oven set up on site. Finishing up the night were performances by Mudburra man Ray Dimakarri Dixon and the Borroloola Songwomen- Arrkula Yinbayarra ft. Dr Shellie Morris.

Sunday, 4th of August was a heady mix of genres delighting a diverse range of attendees. From live looping artist XAVIA, all female rock outfit from Maningrida- Ripple Effect Band, country music singer songwriter- Tom Curtain, PAW House Band, Country Gospel Band to hip-hop sensation Yung Milla.

The final day of Desert Harmony Festival was a star studded mix of local and interstate acts including Kutcha Edwards, Sara Storer, Newboys Band, AC Reggae, Harold Dalywaters, Maddy Simioni and Dan the Underdog.

Beyond the stage, the Desert Harmony Festival celebrated local and visiting artisans through a program of workshop offerings and satellite events.
Locals and visitors alike had the chance to immerse themselves in bush tucker and medicine with the famous Jerry Kelly, learn the art of painting bush tucker with Epenarra artist Julie Beasley, mix tunes and creates beats at a DJ workshop in Tennant Creek Youth Centre and get storied with Constantina Bush at Drag Story time in the Tennant Creek Public Library. Emerging and aspiring songwriters had the chance to finesse their songwriting chops in a workshop led by award winning musician and activist, Kutcha Edwards. Amongst the hustle and bustle of a busy weekend, attendees were also able to sit back and enjoy a screening of “Next goal Wins” directed by Taika Waititi at the Civic Hall. Check out some highlights below-