Showcasing the best of the Barkly’s creative talents and providing memorable and exciting experiences for all ages, the Barkly Regional Arts (BRA) 33rd Desert Harmony Festival is set to be as fun and engaging as ever.

The festival kicks off next Thursday with an official ceremony at 5pm at BRA headquarters on Staunton Street, with Rosemary Plummer conducting a Welcome to Country. There will be a smoking ceremony, a performance by the Pujjali Dancers and a kangaroo tail cook-up.

On Friday Elder Jerry Kelly will facilitate a cultural tour starting at Nyinkka Nyunyu Art & Culture Centre followed by a bush tucker experience at Karguru Nursery.

That evening the Desert Pea String Quartet from Alice Springs will perform a set of classical music from 6pm at Nyinkka Nyunyu, where classical music lovers can also check out the current exhibition – Art on Country – Works from the Barkly. The event is free and no tickets are needed.

Next Saturday is a Variety Spectacular at the Desert Harmony Fair, starting at 9am at Nyinkka Nyunyu where you can nab one-of-a-kind works from the Artists of the Barkly collective, Artists of Ampilatwatja and the Arlpwe Art Centre.

Waramungu carving experts Jimmy Frank and Joseph Williams and Warl-manpa artist Lorraine Napaltjari Gibson will also be on hand to show festival goers the art of carving and beading.

From 3pm, BRA will light up for an evening of poetry, music, circus and dance featuring acts by Kasey Chambers, Olive Knight and many more artists

The festival wraps up on Sunday 31 July will the long-time tradition of BAM-Fest – presenting the best regional bands showcasing a mix of genre, style, sounds and language.

The official closing will be a performance by Eastern Arrernte Band, Desert Eagles and Newboys and more from 2pm at BRA.

This article appeared in Tennant & District Times, 22 July 2022.