Acclaimed Indigenous Girls Choir Marliya to fill QPAC
The renowned Marliya, part of Gondwana Choirs, is set to grace the stage at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) on October 20, 2023, in a powerful performance of Spinifex Gum. The concert, presented by QPAC in collaboration with Women of the World (WOW) Australia, promises to be a mesmerizing showcase of music, language, and culture.
Spinifex Gum, a song cycle and stage show, features 16 talented young female singers from Far North Queensland and the Torres Strait, who blend their voices to convey captivating stories in both language and English. The poetic lyrics, written by Felix Riebl of The Cat Empire, and choreography by Deborah Brown add depth and meaning to the performance.
Since its debut in 2015, Spinifex Gum has received widespread acclaim, touching audiences across Australia with its poignant themes of First Nations empowerment, sisterhood, and the significance of country and culture. The choir’s artistic director, Lyn Williams, has nurtured the young singers, helping them share their experiences, heritage, and the challenges faced by their communities through music.
John Kotzas, QPAC Chief Executive, expressed his excitement for the upcoming performance, highlighting the choir’s ability to inspire change through their engaging and soul-stirring artistry.
“We have been working together with WOW Australia for some time to bring this inspiring group of young women to QPAC to perform, and we couldn’t be happier to finally be welcoming them to the Concert Hall,” Kotzas said.
Cathy Hunt, WOW Australia Executive Producer, praised Marliya’s Spinifex Gum as a cultural phenomenon, with the choir delivering stories that resonate with audiences nationwide.
Marliya’s unique sound, a blend of powerful harmonies and captivating lyrics, challenges traditional perceptions of a choir, breaking boundaries and merging genres to create an unforgettable experience.
The choir, founded in 2015 after a trip to the Pilbara, has already recorded two albums, Spinifex Gum (2017) and Sisters (2019), with a third album set for release in 2023.
The one-night-only performance of Spinifex Gum by Marliya is scheduled for October 20 at 8 pm in the Concert Hall at QPAC. This exceptional event promises to be a celebration of Indigenous culture, language, and resilience, showcasing the transformative power of music and storytelling.
For ticket information visit QPAC’s website and don’t miss this extraordinary opportunity to witness Marliya’s musical brilliance.
