Come together in Bundanoon in the Shoalhaven and celebrate the opening of Bundanon – Australia’s newest art destination.
Celebrations will be marked with a First Peoples-led festival, IMPULSE, and will include a program of live music, workshops, talks and artist activations. The IMPULSE Festival is a community celebration of the stories of this unique place, old and new. On stage, see Miiesha, Nooky, Kee’ahn, Djinama Yilaga Choir, Kyarna Rose & Matty Walker, The Drifting Doolagahls and Ngaran Ngaran Dancers. Workshops and talks will be presented by Nooky, Uncle Steve Russell, Aunty Julie Freeman and Clive Freeman and Gadhungal Murring. The Festival’s Creative Producers are Uncle Richard Scott-Moore and Candice Scott-Moore, with support from Maddison Wellington and Rebecca Moore.
Bundanon Chief Executive Officer, Rachel Kent comments: “We are delighted to be celebrating the opening of Bundanon’s new Art Museum and Bridge with a First Peoples-led festival with artmaking, performances and headline acts Miiesha, Nooky and Kee’ahn. The Impulse Festival is a community-led celebration of the ancient and new stories of Bundanon.
We thank the Australian Government which has supported the build with a $22.5 million investment and the NSW Government who has contributed $10.3 million. With philanthropy and Bundanon’s own investment, the $34 million project will drive visitation and cultural tourism to the Shoalhaven region. The Australian Government, in the last budget, announced additional uplift funding of $6 million over two years.”
Festival goers will be able to experience Bundanon’s inauguralexhibition, From impulse to action, which draws on the creative energy of experimentation. At the IMPULSE Festival, audiences will experience performances by exhibiting artists Tina Havelock Stevens & Jo Lloyd, Skye Saxon and Kaitlen Wellington.
From the small Aboriginal community of Woorabinda, Australia, Miiesha arrived on the R’n’B landscape with a sound and a story that instantly demanded attention. A strong, proud Anangu/ Torres Strait Islander woman, Miiesha released her debut collection of songs entitled Nyaaringu in 2020.
Nooky is one of the most vital voices in the Australian music landscape. The proud Yuin rapper, producer and radio host has been championing Blak excellence for well over a decade. Growing up in Nowra, Nooky found hip-hop through his older cousin Selway, and music became his healing process. “Music is where I let the warrior come out and protect myself,” he says. “I had to fight the pain and turn it into supreme confidence. I could do and say whatever I wanted.”
Kee’ahn is a proud Kuku Yalanjii, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman. Kee’ahn aims to honour her name and Ancestors through her soulful music. Blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout her music, Kee’ahn weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing.
Visit Bundanon’s pop-up bar by local winery Cupitt’s Estate, and a range of food stalls on the day, or pre-book a picnic hamper online.
Bundanon will have a shuttle bus operating between Nowra, Bomaderry Station, North Nowra and Bundanon.
TICKETS
Now on sale.
$30.00 Adult
$20.00 Concession
$70.00 Family (two adults and two youths)
Children under 12 years free.
DATE & TIME
Saturday, 5 March 2022
2pm – 9pm
LINEUP
Performances by
Miiesha
Kee’ahn
Nooky
The Drifting Doolagahls
Kyarna Rose and Matty Walker
Djinama Yilaga Women’s Choir
Ngaran Ngaran Dancers
With workshops and activations presented by
Uncle Steve Russell, Aunty Julie Freeman and Clive Freeman, Skye Saxon, Tina Havelock Stevens and Jo Lloyd, and Gadhungal Murring.
Featured image – Milesha