Behold the dance sensation you feel as well as watch

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander readers are advised that the following article contains the name of a person who has passed away.

An immersive dance event is set to bring a compelling story of Indigenous Australia to Wollongong audiences this week, driven by a woman drawing on her family's strong matriarchal power.

Choreographed by acclaimed Wiradjuri artist Joel Bray, Garabari (“corroboree” in Wiradjuri language) invites audiences into the giiland (story and song) of marramalnigdyal marrambidyagu – the creation of the Murrumbidgee River.

Dhunghutti/Gomeroi dancer Zoe Brown-Holten is set to dance the powerful role of Balana, the central figure in the creation story, who sets the river free to all men, women and children of the Wiradjuri nation.

“To be a part of this work is, to put it very clearly, quite a privilege,” Zoe says.

“Balana's role in the work is so staunch and so fierce, so powerful. It is such a legacy to be able to carry forward and bring it to the current day.”

The story was gifted by the late Uncle James Ingram and re-imagined as a contemporary performance by Joel, who has worked collaboratively since 2020 to develop the work on Country with community leaders in Wagga Wagga.

“The community that’s involved from the absolute get-go ... we're able to share this with communities all across where we get to travel and connect First Nations people, non-First Nations people, all people, to the world of corroboree,” Zoe says.

The production joins ceremonial movement with a pulsing, communal energy. The music, written by project elder Uncle Christopher Kirkbright and translated by Leticia Harris, provides the heartbeat for a world-class cast. Zoe is joined by standout dancers including Nadiyah Akbar, Shiobhan McKenna, Luke Currie-Richardson, and Chandler Connell (affectionately known as Cheeky).

“Collaboration is the whole point of ceremony and corroboree, and every single one of these dancers are astounding in their craft,” Zoe says.

Zoe grew up in Helensburgh and her passion for dance began locally, when, as a teenager, she was welcomed into the Wollongong High School of the Performing Arts’ music program before changing to dance, which she found “far more compelling and nuanced”.

"There’s so many reasons that I love dance. I got into dance when I was a little bubs. I had R&B music playing in the background all the time, so I've always had the knack for groove,” she says.

Her training was further honed at the Thirroul Dance Academy, where she was introduced to improvisation and a "plethora of creative tools" before moving to Melbourne to continue her career in dance.

Garabari premiered in 2023, and Zoe was honoured to join the cast for the current national tour. The show’s recent Sydney Festival shows at The Sydney Opera House received five-star reviews from The Sydney Morning Herald and City Hub, and drew in audiences of 700-plus, including Zoe’s mum, nan and aunty, who inspired her in her portrayal of the story’s heroine.

“I drew a lot from the matriarchs in my family – the strong women who have helped shape me, and the grandmothers that have fought hard for us all to have a voice. So working with Joel was a kind of connecting back with my matriarchal line,” she says.

"To be able to perform that role for them, that was about them, was so amazing.”

Garabari is a show designed to be felt, not just watched. Featuring stunning costumes by Wiradjuri designer Denni Francisco, sound by Byron Scullin and immersive projections by Katie Sfetkidis, the show breaks the fourth wall to involve the audience directly.

“I don’t think a lot of people are aware of how important and integral a corroboree actually is.” Zoe says. “It’s so inclusive of every single person, from children all the way up to elders. The audience are able to immerse themselves into our culture and our beliefs and this gorgeous story, and leave better because of it.”

Garabari is presented by Merrigong Theatre Company in association with BlakDance at Wollongong Town Hall at 7:30pm on February 6 and 7, then the Dapto Ribbonwood Centre on February 14, 1:30pm & 7:30pm.

The show runs for 1 hour and 20 minutes with no interval and is recommended for ages 12+. Adult tickets $55, concession $45, student $45, under 30s $40 and groups of 8+ $40. Bookings can be made at: https://merrigong.com.au/shows/garabari/