Matya - A magical performance about the Sun Moon
Central West Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Red Ridge Interior Queensland present "Matya" - A magical performance about the Sun Moon
Central West Aboriginal Corporation in collaboration with Red Ridge Interior Queensland have been working tirelessly with Barcaldine community to produce new works that will be presented at the Tree of Knowledge Festival on 30 April at the Australian Workers Heritage Centre offering a professional and multi arts performance.
The production “Matya” meaning long ago will bring to life the story of the sun and moon as told by Wendy Scott and Janeece Thompson for the past 23 years and adapted by Central Western Aboriginal Corporation into a performance of song, music, dance and digital animation for the Tree of Knowledge Festival.
“The significance of the storyline is connected to the Caring of Country” said Janeece Thompson, Manager of Central West Aboriginal Corporation. “we have shared the story of sun and moon at many previous community event, but this new works will be absolutely amazing”
​
A cast of over 50 people will proudly perform as Indigenous and non-indigenous people walking and talking together as one in a vibrant showcase of wearable art, characterized into a staged production that showcases local skills and talent and creatively sharing the story of the sun and moon.
A dedicated team from Virtual Songlines will introduce the concept of 3D virtual reality landscape and bring the story line into an animation as the back drop and key feature to compliment the physical performance around the billabong at the Heritage Centre.
A new song specifically written and recorded for the production called “Barcaldine” will be a highlight performance by Leroy Wilson a young musician with connections to Barcaldine.
Matya as new creative works has come together over the past 4 month in community workshops in Barcaldine, Longreach, and Blackall making garments, development of a new song and animation.
​
The concept of bringing artwork from the canvas into textiles as a way of visually telling a story compliments the storyline through music, song, animation and dance.
​
Milan Dhiiyaan, a contemporary dance team accompanied by respected Elder Uncle Peter Peckham will be in Barcaldine for a week prior working with Barcaldine community teaching choreography for main performance. The synchronization of song, dance, music with virtual reality is set to deliver a dynamic local production.
“Matya will create new pathways for learning understanding and delivery of new arts and cultural tourism products,” said Louise Campbell Manager of Red Ridge Interior Queensland.
​
This project has been supported by Arts Queensland, National Indigenous Agency Australia and Department of Communication and the Arts and presented by Central West Aboriginal Corporation and Red Ridge Interior Queensland.
Contacts:
Janeece Thompson
Manager
Central West Aboriginal Corporation
Mobile 0437 772 547
Louise Campbell
General Manager
Red Ridge Interior Queensland
Mobile 042397319