Our Warrior: The story of Robbie Thorpe screening x The Afrobiotics x BIGBANG 10th birthday

No Time Like The Presence** is pleased to invite you to a special screening of the powerful documentary: Our Warrior: The story of Robbie Thorpe - a story of resistance across generations, and the unrelenting struggle for justice in a country that remains in denial.  Blessed by Robbie Thorpe (Krautungalung/ Djapwurrung people and 3CR Radio presenter) this coincides with BIGBANG studio’s 10th birthday!

• Friday 18th April (Good Friday) 2025
• 6-11pm drinks available at bar prices
• 7pm Acknowledgement with smoking ceremony
• 7:30pm screening Our Warrior: The story of Robbie Thorpe (director Anthony Kelly)
• 8:30pm Q&A with film makers
• 9pm The Afrobiotics* (Afrobeat but incorporating Sabar rhythms from Senegal)
• 11pm venue closes

BIGBANG studio 1/177 Beavers Road WURUNDJERI-WILLAM & MERRI MERRI country NORTHCOTE

Aboriginal political activist Robbie Thorpe stands as part of a long line of Indigenous resistance to invasion.
This 53 minute documentary shows the making of this modern leader and tracks the resurgence of a powerful Black, Indigenous, anti-colonial movement that is currently reshaping the country.

Robbie draws the threads of two centuries of oppression together by relentlessly focusing our attention on the core injustices. His messages are critical to modern Australia.

As the country debates its ‘Australia Day’ foundation myths and and governments grapple with Treaty negotiations with the First Nations of Australia, the story of Robbie’s relentless pursuit of justice is vital.

Our Warrior looks back at Robbie’s childhood, his family and explores the emergence of his radical politics in the formative years of Black Power in Australia, his apprenticeship in the 1970’s under Dr Bruce McGuiness, and his emergence as one of the most controversial and uncompromising activists in Australia today.

This film examines his political impact as an activist, how he sustains himself against such great odds and whom he has influenced. In doing so the film uncovers the story of how resistance and resilience is transmitted across generations and the power of family.

Robbie is Krauatungalung (Gurnai) / Djapwurrung (Gundditjmara) raised in Yallourn, a State Electricity Commission town in Eastern Victoria and later moving to inner-city Fitzroy with his family.

Robbie has organised challenges to ongoing genocide, colonisation and assimilation for more than 40 years, always working toward Indigenous economic and political independence.

The producers of this film acknowledge the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nations on whose unceded lands this film was made. We pay our respect to Country and to Elders, past and present.  Please feel free to share this invitation with others who may be interested. The more people we can bring together for this important conversation, the better.  https://www.ourwarriordoco.com. https://crimesceneaustralia.co...

*The Afrobiotics play Afrobeat but not like you’ve heard before. Listeners will recognise the familiar undulating interwoven rhythms and fiery energy, but also discover a more intimate and collaborative sound incorporating Sabar rhythms from Senegal. 

Founded as a side-project from the much-larger Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, The Afrobiotics (fka The Public Opinion Six) began as a way of writing new material and getting inside the sounds of Afrobeat, but it didn’t take long for the six musicians to discover they had found something unique and special - a sheer love of playing together in a much more intimate setting, creating a more well-rounded dialog and interplay between each other. Where The Public Opinion delivers a dynamic and captivating show, The Afrobiotics is less sensory and more spiritual. 

Out of this fertile foundation, Senegalese multi-instrumentalist Lamine Sonko began introducing the Sabar to the group, resulting in a music reminiscent of Afrobeat but with more melodic twist and turns. 

The sound of The Afrobiotics has grown organically from the roots of Afrobeat and Sabar, and been nurtured with intuitive understanding between a band of like minds. There’s an effortless proficiency apparent in the playing but also a camaraderie and infectious joy that is impossible to ignore. https://theafrobiotics.com/epk

**No Time Like The Presence is a group of sassy culture changers- Rachel Hanrahan, Samantha Bond, Erin Veronica Ender, with special guests.

Rachel Hanrahan (she/her) is a Shaman, Meditation/ Yoga Nidra and Qigong Educator with over 25 years experience in the wellbeing industry.

Samantha Bond (she/her) is a Trade Union Educator, Campaigner and International Activist who has facilitated worker's rights education and global solidarity campaigns for over 25 years.

Erin Veronica Ender (she/her) Architecture/ Spatial design Educator for 20 years, director of BIGBANG and SHEBANG! dance studio -hub for social/cultural events.