It’s NAIDOC week! It is a time to celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements. This year’s theme is “We all stand on Sacred Ground: Learn, Respect & Celebrate” – below is a list of events which encourage you to do just that. 

NAIDOC events are marked with asterisks.**

Monday 6th July

**NAIDOC Film Night: BabaKiueria

Tonight you can join in dinner and a show with the NAIDOC week film night. The film BabaKiueria is a satirical ethnographic documentary that examines the customs of the white natives of BabaKiueria, from the perspective of the country’s black colonisers.

WHAT: NAIDOC film night: BabaKiueria
WHEN: 5.30 – 9 pm
WHERE: Glebe Town Hall
HOW MUCH: FREE

Tuesday 7th July

**NAIDOC Exhibition: Wilcannia Community

Upstairs on level two of Pine Street Gallery is putting on the Wilcannia Community on show. This is a collection of works by indigenous artists from the Paakantji Tribe. These are works are part of the NAIDOC week celebrations and will celebrate the tradition and country of these communities.

WHAT: Wilcannia Community on Show
WHEN: Weekdays 9am – 5 pm – Weekends 11am – 4pm
WHERE: Pine Street Gallery
HOW MUCH: Free

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Interrogation by Zachariah Fenn

When entering an art gallery we have come to expect white walls, white ceilings and concrete floors. Often referred to as the ‘white cube’ mode Zachariah Fenn wants to break it down. His exhibition at Kudos Gallery will include works from past COFA students in an attempt to subvert the traditional way we view works of art.

WHAT: Exhibition Opening: Interrogation Space
WHEN: 5 – 7 pm
WHERE: Kudos Gallery, 6 Napier Street Paddington
HOW MUCH: Free

Wednesday 8th July

Break by Georgia Saxelby

They say art is good for the soul. As if it has a spiritual power to make us better people. Well Georgia Saxelby will be exploring the ritual associated with art objects in a sacrificial destructive performance.

WHAT: Exhibition Opening: Break by Georgia Saxelby
WHEN: 6 – 8 pm
WHERE: Culture at Work: 6-8 Scott Street Pyrmont
HOW MUCH: Free

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Scandinavian Film Festival

Australia’s second ever Scandinavian Film Festival is kicking off in Sydney this week.  The festival features 20 of the most interesting films coming out of the Nordic countries this year.

WHAT: Scandinavian Film Festival
WHERE: Palace Cinemas Leichhardt and Paddington
WHEN: 8th of July – 26th of July
TICKETS: Starting at $10

Thursday 9th July

Nasim Nasr, Ashob- Unrest (still), (2015) single-channel video, sound, subtitles.

Duel Solo Exhibitions at 4A Gallery

4A is known for serving up some of the best progressive asian contemporary art in the city. For there latest show they get will be exhibiting an ambitious sound installation from Indonesian artist Titin Wulia and photographic, video and sculptural works from Iranian, Nasmin Nasr. Both artist will look at identity across cultures and communities.

WHAT: Opening: Tintin Wulia: Untold Moments and Nasim Nasr: Only for my Shadow
WHEN: 6 – 8 pm
WHERE: 4A Contemporary Art Gallery
HOW MUCH: Free

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**NAIDOC Talk: We all Stand on Sacred Ground

For NAIDOC Week you are invited to share the knowledge of the important contributions and sacrifices made by Aboriginal Australians in shaping our identity. Panellists include respected senior artist William ‘Badger’ Bates, Chief Executive Officer Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council Nathan Moran, and Chairperson La Perouse Local Aboriginal Land Council Marcia Ella-Duncan.

WHAT: NAIDOC Week Talk: We all Stand on Sacred Ground
WHEN: 6pm – 7pm
WHERE: Museum of Contemporary Art
HOW MUCH: Free

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** NAIDOC Talk: Classics at Night: Heaven and Earth

Hear about the rich astronomical tradition in Aboriginal Australia with two experts in indigenous history and our relationship with the stars. Astrophysicist with the CSIRO, Professor Ray Norris, will discuss the rich astronomical tradition in Aboriginal Australia – such as the “Emu in the Sky” constellation of dark clouds, and stories about the Sun. Archaeologist and historian Dr Paul Irish will discuss his recent research into Aboriginal people and places of 19th century Sydney.

WHAT: Classics at Night: Heaven and Earth
WHEN: 6:30 – 8 pm
WHERE: Customs House, 31 Alfred St, Circular Quay
HOW MUCH: Free – RSVP here

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She could taste metal in her mouth like blood

Going to an opening at Chalk Horse gallery makes you feel like you’re part of some secret society. Behind heavy black doors on William Street you head underground to a pristine gallery space. The works the gallery exhibits always appear to turn something ordinary into a sleek, sexy and seductive work of art, you can be assured that this opening will be no different.

WHAT: Exhibition Opening: Blackartproject and Bridie Lunney
WHEN: 6 – 8 pm
WHERE: Chalk Horse gallery
HOW MUCH: Free

Klub Koori at Carriageworks

Klub Koori have put together a special evening with the legendary Bart Willoughby and a line-up of his favourite artists and friends. They’ll be singing about their connections to land and country and giving honour to the NAIDOC theme – ‘sacred ground’.

WHAT: Klub Koori at Carriageworks
WHERE: Carriageworks, Wilson St. Eveleigh
WHEN: Tonight, 7pm
TICKETS: $10 via ticketmaster.com.au

Friday 10th July

A feast of theatre, music, comedy and food.

8 artists. 1 world event. The artists involved in Rapid response have two days to respond creatively to this current affair. This event is an initiative of PACT centre for emerging artists. They can occupy any space they choose from the streets to the internet. This impulsive event will take over the Bondi Pavilion Big Theatre for the opening night of the Bondi Feast!

WHAT: Rapid Response Team: Bulletin #5
WHEN: 7 – 8 pm
WHERE: The Bondi Pavilion Theatre
HOW MUCH: $20 book online

Sunday 12th July

**NAIDOC Burramatta Festival

This NAIDOC join in the celebrations and discover the story of the Darug People – traditional custodians of Parramatta – through ceremony, song, dance, food and the arts. Check out a lineup of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, dance and music on the banks of the Parramatta River. Live music from Radical Son, Shannon Williams AKA Brotha Black, Emma Donovan & The Putbacks and Yarramundi Kids; plus free indigenous bike tours, rides and kids’ activities and free BBQ.

WHAT: Burramatta Festival (NAIDOC 2015)
WHEN: 11am – 3pm
WHERE: Parramatta River Foreshore
HOW MUCH: FREE – more info here

** Film screening: ‘Charlie’s Country’

Riverside Screen and NAIDOC are putting on a free screening of Charlie’s Country: an honest yet uplifting depiction of modern Australian indigenous culture. Winner Best Actor: Un Certain Regard at Cannes (David Gulpilil).

WHAT: Charlie’s Country – film screening
WHEN: 4pm
WHERE: Raffertys Theatre, Parramatta
HOW MUCH: FREE – more info here

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Don’t forget to tune in to Arvos on FBi for more Culture Guide– each weekday at 4:30pm