From 9 to 11 January, the Northern Broadwalk of the Sydney Opera House will pulse with ancient rhythm and contemporary spirit as acclaimed Wiradjuri choreographer Joel Bray presents Garabari, a monumental participatory dance work that transforms the iconic waterfront into a living corroboree for everyone.
Open to families, friends, first-timers, and seasoned movers alike, Garabari invites audiences to join a collective act of storytelling, movement, and connection beneath the summer night sky. At its core is the Story of the Making of the Murrumbidgee, entrusted to the project by the late Uncle James Ingram, a revered Wiradjuri Elder from Wagga Wagga. Shared with deep respect and permission from local Elders, this sacred narrative anchors the entire experience.
Conceived in response to a directive from Wiradjuri Elders to create a new dance honoring a lost one, Garabari, meaning corroboree in Wiradjuri language, is not a recreation of tradition but its living continuation. Developed through close collaboration with community members across Wagga Wagga and the Riverina, the work affirms First Nations sovereignty while celebrating the enduring vitality of Wiradjuri culture.
Guided by Joel Bray and a powerhouse ensemble of First Nations performers, participants will learn foundational Aboriginal dance movements through respectful, protocol-led teaching. Far from spectacle, these moments are acts of welcome, woven into the performance through call-and-response, shared rhythm, and a grand communal dance sequence. A newly composed Wiradjuri song by Uncle Christopher Kirkbright and Letetia Harris flows through the work like the Murrumbidgee River itself, carrying memory, language, and strength.
The production features immersive sound design by Byron Scullin, set design by Katie Sfetkidis, and costumes by acclaimed Wiradjuri label Ngali, led by Denni Francisco. Together, they craft a space of movement, memory, and togetherness on a scale rarely seen.
Produced by BlakDance and created by Joel Bray Dance, Garabari is a rare opportunity to step inside a millennia-old ritual, reimagined for today and led by community. This is ceremony continued—not observed, but shared.
Tickets are on sale now. Come and be part of this dazzling Sydney Festival Garabari and be swept away by the heart-pounding mix of dance, light and sound. Visit sydneyfestival.org.au for bookings.
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