SandSong presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre

Under the vast Kimberley sky, the red pindan dust stretches across the desert homelands of the Walmajarri, where the ancient knowledge of People and of Country is preserved through Songlines that have endured for hundreds of generations.

SandSong tells the unique story of this Place and the survival of its People.

SandSong is a journey into ancient story systems framed against the backdrop of ever-changing government policy and of the survival of people determined to hold strong to their Culture.

Between the 1920s and 1960s, Aboriginal people were removed off their Country and onto pastoral stations where they were forced into hard labour, usually for no wages and only minimal rations. Despite this displacement and cultural disruption, the Traditional People of the Western Desert have maintained unbroken connection to Land and Country - keeping songs, stories and kinship strong.

SandSong is created by Bangarra Dance Theatre in consultation with Wangkajunga/ Walmajarri Elders from the Kimberley and Great Sandy Desert regions, drawing on stories, knowledge and memories of the past to create a new narrative for our Indigenous futures.

This work honours the legacy of Ningali Josie Lawford-Wolf (1967 – 2019) and her family - past, present and future.

Presented by Bangarra Dance Theatre

"★★★★★ Stunning on every level” Limelight

"Stirs the soul" The Australian

"Heart-stopping" The Sunday Telegraph

"Impossible not to be swept away" Limelight

"★★★★ Bangarra is one of the true wonders of Australian culture” Time Out

Artsitic Director: Stephen Page

Associate Artisitic Director: Frances Rings

Choreographers: Stephen Page, Frances Rings

Composer: Steve Francis

Set Designer: Jacob Nash

Cultural Consultants: Putuparri Tom Lawford and Eva Nargoodah

Cultural Contributors: Wangkajunga & Walmajarri Elders