EverNow returns to celebrate Noongar culture in Boorloo

Dianne Bortoletto
Dianne Bortoletto Published June 27, 2024 at 11.30am (AWST)

EverNow, a celebration of culture, seasons and stories, returns to Boorloo (Perth) from 3 to 7 October during Kambarang, the Noongar season of birth, new life and renewal.

EverNow will light up iconic Perth locations with a series of displays and performances, inspired by Western Australia's rich biodiversity and creativity.

The Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak is an immersive and emotive 1.4 kilometre walk through Kings Park.

The towering lemon-scented gum trees that line Fraser Avenue in Kings Park become a canvas, the trees seemingly come alive to "speak" of stories of the land, of Noongar Boodjar, through projected animation, sound, spoken word and song.

The story unfolds in sections during the 45-minute audio-visual experience which is on a constant loop.

The mesmerising showcase of Noongar songs and dance, Song Circle, returns and will be held in a soon-to-be-announced new location.

Song Circle features musicians on a revolving raised stage surrounded by dancers on a ring of sand.

Audiences are invited to enjoy Noongar-language songs reflecting animals and environments from Perth through to the South Coast.

Western Australian Culture and the Arts Minister David Templeman hailed last year's edition as a success.

"The free event is an excellent showcase of the incredible culture and creativity of Indigenous people and I hope the WA community will get behind EverNow to learn more," Minister Templeman said.

The inaugural event held last year attracted 160,000 people, grounding it as a home-grown signature event on Noongar Boodjar.

The free multi-sensory festival is a WA state-owned event delivered by Tourism WA and produced by Perth Festival's out-of-season Special Projects arm, guided by Perth Festival's Noongar Advisory Circle.

The Noongar Advisory Circle exists to ensure a respectful representation of place, people and culture.

Members of the Noongar Advisory Circle include artists, performers and consultants namely, Dr Roma 'Yibiyung' Winmar, Vivienne 'Binyarn' Hansen, Dr Richard Walley OAM, Carol Innes AM, Barry McGuire and Mitchella 'Waljin' Hutchins.

EverNow is a re-imaging of the successful 2017 and 2019 Perth Festival lightshows Boorna Waanginy: The Trees Speak, which drew 300,000 people to Kings Park.

EverNow will take place at the same time as the World Travel and Tourism Council Global Summit in Perth, expected to attract hundreds of global industry leaders to WA.

WA acting Tourism Minister John Carey said EverNow showcases the unique attributes of Western Australia.

"This year's event is particularly exciting as it falls around the same time as the globe's biggest tourism summit, meaning another incredible opportunity to showcase our beautiful city to hundreds of leaders from major global companies."

More information is available online.

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