Arts

Baker Boy to headline free event this Friday for Reconciliation Week

On 3 June 2022, Reconciliation SA is presenting a major, free community event during National Reconciliation Week. Featuring Baker Boy, J-MILLA, and more.

Reconciliation South Australia will proudly present the very first Nguyanguya muri wamangka ‘Reconciliation In The Park’ at Pinky Flat, Tarntanya Wama this Friday 3rd June 2022 during National Reconciliation Week 2022.

This free outdoor family friendly event will take place on the final day of Reconciliation Week celebrating the 2022 theme “Be Brave, Make Change” and is headlined by BAKER BOY, Yolngu rapper Danzal Baker aka ‘the Fresh Prince of Arnhem Land’. Baker Boy is undoubtedly at the top of the list of the hottest and most sought-after live performers in the country at present having recently wowed audiences at Womadelaide and Bluesfest.

“Coming back to Adelaide to headline Nguyanguya muri wamangka/ Reconciliation in the Park during National Reconciliation Week will be a huge vibe for me because it is so important to gather community together to celebrate and honour First Nations peoples and our culture,” said Danzal Baker. 

“It’s an amazing line-up of artists and I’m so excited to be a part of this event. We want to speak out, be brave and make change and that’s what Reconciliation Week is all about.”

South Australia boasts an impressive collective of First Nations performers living and working here and
Reconciliation SA are proud to feature some crowd favourites – 2021 NIMA Archie Roach Foundation award winner J-MILLA, Tilly Tjala Thomas, Glenn Skuthorpe and DJ SVVLO, to acknowledge the strength and diversity of the local Indigenous music scene. Kevin Kropinyeri, a bona fide star of the Indigenous
performing arts scene and one of Australia’s most popular Aboriginal comedians, will bring the house down as MC. The event will also feature a Greeting to Country, live art activations and free sporting activities for the kids.

There will be an exciting and diverse selection of First Nations and non-First Nations owned food and beverage vendors, giving plenty of opportunity for everyone to enjoy an afternoon of funky tunes, food and fun with your family and friends.

In 2022, Reconciliation South Australia proudly celebrates its 20th anniversary. The organisation has guided and supported the framework towards a reconciled Australia for 20 years in South Australia. It seeks to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, heritage and history are valued and form part of a shared identity.

“We are so thrilled to reach this milestone of 20 years and to be able to stage this event for the first time as an opportunity to celebrate our culture and history with the South Australian community,” said Reconciliation South Australia CEO Shona Reid.

“We invite everyone to join us on the final day of Reconciliation Week by the banks of the River Torrens at Pinky Flat/ Tarntanya Wama and we know that this will be an important time to come together to connect in unity strength and celebration.”

Baker Boy’s hugely successful career continues to soar with the release of his long-awaited debut album ‘Gela’ in October 2021, a self-titled record which reflects his skin name. The 2019 Young Australian of the Year also added an OAM (Medal of the Order of Australia) in 2021 and a blistering performance at the 2021 AFL Grand Final to his long list of successes. Baker Boy will hit the road on the Gela tour in Australia across May and has just announced a performance on NYC’s prestigious Summerstage for June.

Photo Credit: Morgan Sette (Pictured: J-MILLA)

23- year-old J-MILLA is a proud member of the Mak Mak Marranungu people. Born in Darwin, now a resident of Adelaide, J-MILLA’s life started hard from the get-go; yet he managed to find a way to stand outside the intergenerational trauma pathway that affects so many Aboriginal families.

Losing himself in music and storytelling was what got him through, and it was this part of his culture that he clung to. His lyrical content swings between deep societal commentary and bangin’ club vibes. In 2020, J-MILLA was handpicked for THE BIGSOUND50 and nominated as “Best Aboriginal/TSI Artist” by Music SA’s SAM Awards.

In July 2021 J-MILLA won a spot on Australia’s largest independent music prize the 2021 Needle in the Hay competition and was nominated for a 2021 NIMA – Best New Talent. His most recent single ‘Ball and Chain’ (Feb 2022) is a collaboration with Xavier Rudd.

Hailing from the Fleurieu Peninsula, emerging singer/songwriter Tilly Tjala Thomas has been writing and performing her own songs around Adelaide since the age of 11. Tilly’s highly acclaimed debut single ‘Ngana Nyuni’ was released through local indie label Part Time Records. The song was added to Triple J, Sydney’s FBI radio and Unearthed Radio whilst Tilly scored opening act performance spots with high-profile artists Archie Roach and Bernard Fanning. Tilly is currently working on new material for her next release.

*As at May 31st, Deadly Nannas are unable to perform due to COVID19, replaced by Glenn Skuthorpe
Deadly Nannas are a group of Ngarrindjeri women with two kringkri ma:dawar (white sisters) who come together to perform songs in Ngarrindjeri and English to spread and empower a positive message to the community. They perform together as nannas and sisters who love to share the joys of happiness and reconciliation. Their songs create their journey’s in life and how they have overcome them to heal their mi:wi (inner spirit). Deadly Nannas are always hugely popular for the joy they share through music.

SVVLO is a 21-year-old Arrernte man, originally from Alice Springs NT. He has recently brought his DJ sounds and vibe to community events including OzAsia/ Lucky Dumpling Market and to major events and nightclubs all over Adelaide. SVVLO has always dabbled with different types of music, to experimenting and creating his own music projects. He is a keen follower of the latest Aboriginal sounds and enjoys exploring the underground and independent genres.

Where: Pinky Flat, Tarntanya Wama, War Memorial Drive, Adelaide 5000.

When: 3 June, 4.00pm to 9.30pm

For more information on the event, click here.

To learn more about National Reconciliation Week, head to the website.

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