Media Release, Wed 23rd May 2007
Windstrokes Concert in Broome Cancelled
On Tuesday 22nd May Tura New Music announced that the Windstrokes concert in Broome scheduled for that evening had been cancelled due to uncertainty around traditional laws surrounding the performance of didgeridoo.
Windstrokes is a unique instrumental and vocal combination, brought together by Tura New Music featuring internationally respected artists William Barton (didgeridoo), Claire Edwardes (percussion), Iain Grandage (cello), and Mel Robinson (cello and voice). Windstrokes is a striking example of cross cultural collaboration creating vibrant new work for indigenous and non-indigenous communities alike.
Planning for the Windstrokes project had been in place for over 6 months, including planning with a number of indigenous organisations in Broome and the remote communities of the Dampier Peninsula. The playing of didgeridoo was never raised as an issue in these areas.
The tour to the remote communities of Beagle Bay, Djarindjin/Lombadina and One Arm Point has been a great success with a high level of participation and enthusiastic response.
The day before the tour began Tura New Music became aware that several elders of the Yawuru people in Broome had made an objection to William Barton playing didgeridoo at the venue where the Broome concert was to be held.This came as a shock to both Tura and the indigenous organisations that Tura had been planning the tour with. Meetings were held between Tura and the Elders to try to clarify the situation.
On the day of the Broome concert Mr Neil McKenzie, a Yawuru Elder, gave a TV interview banning didgeridoo in the Broome area. William Barton’s performance as part of Windstrokes was singled out as going against traditional law.
Whilst finding this statement perplexing, Tura respected what were understood to be the wishes of the Elders. The Windstrokes artists were clear that if William was banned from playing didgeridoo then they, as part of a tour promoting cultural and artistic exchange, could not perform.
The Windstrokes tour is the fourth group of artists brought to the Kimberley by Tura New Music. Past tours in 2004, 05 and 06 have been extremely successful with important cultural exchange and collaboration taking place with a number of different communities.
Tura and the Windstrokes artists regret having to take the extreme measure of cancelling the concert and the missed opportunity for the people of Broome. Tura will be contacting all relevant authorities to help ensure clear processes are set in place for future visiting artists and touring groups. Tura will continue to include Broome and the Kimberley in future regional plans.
Media Enquiries:
Tos Mahoney
Artistic Director
Tura New Music
0412 779 807
