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With a focus on providing audiences with a memorable, educational and interactive performance, a new cultural visitor experience showcasing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander music and dance will launch this Friday at 51, The Esplanade.

The aim of Ngar Bayal Wed is two-fold: to activate the former Mulgrave Shire Headquarters and Visitor Information Centre while providing the city’s visitors with a greater appreciation and understanding of Queensland’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.

Created and presented by UMI Arts, Ngar Bayal Wed is a new, interactive song and dance presentation which encompasses the cultural heritage and stories of the Aboriginal Buri Guman Dance Group from Yarrabah along with the Ailan style Torres Strait Islander Maluilgal and Gerib Sik Dance Groups.

Beginning this Friday 9 August and weekly thereafter (every Friday), UMI Arts will present two shows featuring three dance groups at 2.30pm (30 minutes) and at 6.30pm (60 minutes) at 51, The Esplanade.

Ngar Bayal Wed translates to feet, dance and song in Torres Strait and Yidinji languages.

UMI Arts’ Executive Officer Peter Lenoy said he welcomes locals and visitors to come along and see, listen and experience the wailing sounds of Ailan drums and rhythmic creole voices of Queensland’s First Peoples in a performance that includes an introduction to the region’s and culture. 

“We are proud to launch this new visitor experience that will promote, through entertainment, the rich culture of this region’s First Peoples to a broad, all-age, audience.

“We will give our audiences the unique opportunity to sit down with our talented performers to learn dance and language through participation in a fun and welcoming atmosphere.

“We are committed to strengthening our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural practices,” Mr Lenoy said.

The Shows:

2:30pm Session:                   30 mins, $20 pp with Kids under 10yrs Free
6.30pm Session:                   60 mins, $40 pp with Kids under 10yrs Free

UMI Arts is the peak Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander arts and cultural organisation for Far North Queensland. Membership based, UMI Arts’ members are Queensland’s First Peoples with a traditional blood-line connection to the region.