Set to feature a two-day celebration of First Nations arts, music, food and culture, Quandamooka Music & Cultural Festival will be returning to Minjerribah August 30-31 for its first full-scale event since 2022. Following its iteration at last year's Wynnum Fringe, the much-loved festival is predicted to draw a crowd with its return in 2024.
The multi-artform festival provides a special opportunity for patrons to experience the continuing culture of the Nughi, Nunukul, and Goenpul clans of Quandamooka firsthand.
As an annual winter festival, it will begin with a Traditional Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country for participants and audiences to celebrate the yalingila (whale) migration season. The gathering will then showcase a diverse lineup of cultural activities, including tours, Kunjiel (corroborees), music performances, food, weaving, arts, crafts, panel discussions, First Nations' film, and more.
The festival is also part of Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation's (QYAC's) arts and culture strategic plan Mara Millen Yagabili (many hands create), delivering on priorities that build on the native title outcomes to support a strong future for the Quandamooka People.
"Quandamooka Festival is a great opportunity to bring the whole community and visitors together to celebrate culture and the arts, and learn more about Quandamooka Country; the sands, seas, sacred lakes, creeks, catchments and creatures found across the Redlands/Moreton Bay islands from the Quandamooka Peoples perspective", said QYAC chair, Cameron Costello.
When it comes to the festival music scene, it has been announced that proud Gumbaynggirr/Bundjalung woman, Jem Cassar-Daley will headline the Friday night music program with her four-piece band. After taking home the QMA 2024 Song Of The Year with "King of Disappointment", earing the prestigious title of NIMA New Talent of the Year in 2022 and esteemed QMA Indigenous Artist of the Year in 2022, the young artist is in high demand.
"Being a part of Quandamooka Festival this year is particularly special for me and has been a dream of mine for a long time! Minjerribah is very close to my heart, and is a place that holds so many wonderful memories for me. From catching the ferry over with my friends on the school holidays, to camping on Flinders Beach and visiting Brown Lake (Bummiera), Minjerribah will forever be special to me," said Cassar-Daley.
"I am most looking forward to learning the traditional ways of the Nughi, Nunukul, and Goenpul clans and embracing a weekend of music, arts and culture with you all."
Celebrated artist Uncle Joe Geia and Quandamooka musician Sachem are also scheduled to perform and feature at the festival.
"The Quandamooka Festival is one of the most vibrant cultural events, music performancs and art. It is through song, dance and art that our culture is kept alive. It is one of my favourite festivals to play at, as I've had a strong connection with Minjerribah for many years," said Uncle Joe Geia.
"Set against the beauty of Minjerribah the Quandamooka Festival, for me, is an inspiring place to play and share my music - and the Joe Geia Band has been sharing our music every year since 2016, with a fantastic response. Looking forward to catching up with fellow musicians and old friends once again."
The festival Saturday program will see the return of the Kunjiel (corroboree/traditional dance) programming, with traditional dance groups attending and sharing cultural dance with locals and visitors.
2024 festival attendees will also be the first ever to experience the Quandamooka Film Festival, featuring films made by local creatives, emulating a drive-in movie experience that blends cultural celebration with cinematic storytelling.
Quandamooka Festival is a free-entry, mandatory registration event at QYAC campus Minjerribah Gunaba, 100 East Coast Road. Festival gates open 4pm Friday 30th of August 2024.
Ticket registration opens Tuesday the 9th of July at quandamookafestival.com.au. All registrations go in the running for travel and accommodation prizes for Quandamooka Festival 2024.
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