I created this Google Calendar, pretty cool eh?
http://www.ididj.com.au/ididjcalendar.htmlI've added all the major events for the Northern Territory, if I've missed something let me know. The dates for some events are to be confirmed so keep an eye on the Calendar for changes. Note also the "Meet the iDIDJ Stars of YouTube" in May/June and July/August, should be a very exciting program! The aim is to have 1 Yolngu/Bininj teacher for every 5-10 participants, so let's say there are 20 students for the 1st "Meet the Stars" in which case there will be 2-4 Aboriginal teachers. It saves participants a lot of money this way, the travel cost of going to Gapuwiyak, Ramingining and Elcho Island alone would amount to several thousand dollars by light plane. I would also encourage people to book into the various Aboriginal workshops and masterclasses in Arnhem Land such as Djalu's at Gikal' outstation, and there was also talk a short time ago about something at Dhaliny.
There may be another "Meet the Stars" closer to Christmas depending on the level of interest, there are those who can't take time off during the year so around November/December is better for some.
The "Big 3" events in the NT are the Darwin Festival (including the Telstra Art Award and the Indigenous Music Awards), Barunga Festival, and Garma Festival. And there's the Walking with Spirits Festival - don't miss this or you'll regret it! In Queensland, there's the Dreaming Festival which has become a feature on the national music scene and also the Laura Festival.
If you are Australian, it would be a shame if you did not go to at least some of these events in your lifetime. If you're from overseas, plan your trip so that you take in as much as what this country and Indigenous Australians can offer.
Enjoy!
Guan
Wow plenty of events this year !!!
