Desert Festival 2024: Opening Night: Future is Bright

Dallas Frasca, Stuart Joel Nuggett, MusicNT's Desert Divas & More

Friday 27th September, 6:00 – midnight

Join Desert Festival for an uplifting Opening Night dedicated to the resilience and power of our region’s First Nations and female artists.

The hilarious Jay Wymarra will be your special MC, guiding us through the night.

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6:15pm: Welcome to Country & GUTS’ Brave Bodies
Commencing with a Welcome to Country, then a showcase from GUTS Dance Brave Bodies Dance Program. Since 2021 Brave Bodies have engaged 15, majority First Nations young femme and non-binary people once a week, learning various dance styles and techniques and bravely undertaking public performances at events around Mparntwe.

7pm: Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s Deadly Funny Comedy Showcase, featuring Leon Filewood and Jay Wymarra.
Cheeky, loud, black, and proud!
Join us for an exciting hour of comedy as the most incredible comedians and storytellers of the future take the stage.
For 18 years, this deadly competition has unearthed the freshest, fiercest, funniest comedians and yarn-spinners from the oldest culture on earth.
Open to First Nations comedians and storytellers, Deadly Funny and has seen the likes of Steph Tisdell, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders, Shiralee Hood, Dane Simpson, Elaine Crombie and Sean Choolburra as both participants and mentors.

8pm: MusicNT’s Desert Divas
After a 6-week development season, hear and watch this year’s deadly Desert Divas own the festival stage and perform their songs to you. Each year we are blown away by these budding performers' lyrics, musicality and stories shared from the heart throughout an intimate, family friendly showcase.
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Then taking to the stage, are the Desert Divas’ superstar guest mentors:

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9:30pm: Dallas Frasca
With a career spanning almost two decades, Dallas Frasca is a stand-out of her class, a charismatic force on stage, and an almighty presence on the mic. Dallas breaks away from her commonly known band rock project to mark the advent of her brand new ‘one-woman show’ format.

10:30pm: Stuart Joel Nugget

Graciously stepping in to entertain us in the absence of Emily Wurramara is the exceptionally talented Stuart Joel Nuggett. A Jingili Man from Kulumindini / Elliott, now based in Mparntwe / Alice Springs. Stuart performs in the language of Jingili which has only 5 native speakers alive today.

He has been playing and writing music since he was a child and was taught by his Uncles while growing up in Ali Curung, Elliott & Barunga regions. His song ‘Ilbingini Agiyabarda’ was named a finalist in the blues and roots category for the NT Music Awards earlier this year!

11:15pm – Shy Monk 

Shilo is a local favourite, known for their many music projects around town. With an exciting upcoming DJ gig supporting Ayebatonye and C.FRIM, Shilo is sure to get us up and dancing to close out the night!

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Access

For more information and updates about accessibility at the festival, including a downloadable Access Guide, please check our Accessibility page.

To discuss access needs, please email admin@redhotarts.com.au or call 8952 2392