AUSTRALIAN pop favourite Jessica Mauboy leads a stellar line up of local and national stars at this year's Quandamooka Festival.
Mauboy is set to bring the three-month festival to a close and North Stradbroke Island to a standstill in August.
The event runs from June 1 until August 31 and includes dance, music, art exhibitions and workshops, cultural whale watching tours, kunjiel or corroborees, Indigenous sports and cultural heritage opportunities.
Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation chief executive officer Cameron Costello said the festival had a tradition of inviting First Nation performers from across Australia and the world to perform on Quandamooka Country.
"This year's program brings the super stars of Australian music together with the next generation of performers in a series of magical events showcasing the depth and diversity of contemporary Indigenous culture," Mr Costello said.
"I can't wait to see Jessica Mauboy mixing it up with the Mornington Island Dancers and the expressions of our community's aspiring rap stars as they take in the spoken word wisdom of Baker Boy."
The opening event Yura at Goompi (Dunwich) on June 1 will include dance performances and lessons, weaving workshops, story and song sessions with elder and songman Joshua Walker.
"As the sun sets, DJ Salty Beats, Nix and Baker Boy will set the stage alight during the evening concert," Mr Costello said.
The traditional welcoming of the whales ceremony Yura Yalingbila will be at Mooloomba (Point Lookout) on June 2.
"Quandamooka people have a special relationship with humpback whales, one of our sacred moieties, and for more than 60,000 years we have been welcoming them as they pass the Minjerribah coastline," Mr Costello said.
Other highlights were Dolphin Day or Buangan Biyiga at Amity Point on July 6 and the Winnum (Wynnum) NAIDOC Kunjiel on July 20.
The Goompi (Dunwich) Kunjiel or closing event on August 31 will include a dance contest.
"Our dancers have thrown down the challenge to the best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance troupes across Australia to join us on the island to stomp the earth at the ultimate dance competition," Mr Costello said.
"Dancing with the stars won't have anything on this event."
Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan will perform during the closing event.
For more information, visit quandamookafestival.com.au.
Yura - Opening Event
When: Saturday, June 1 10am to 2pm
Where: Deanbilla Bay, Goompi (Dunwich), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
What: Watch traditional dance, listen to ancient stories and song, join a collective weaving circle, enjoy native foods re-imagined in modern dishes, learn how to throw a boomerang, follow in the footsteps of the ancestors as part of a bush tucker tour, take home unique arts and crafts from Indigenous markets and meet and learn from elders.
Cost: Free
Yura - Concert
When: Saturday, June 1 5.30pm to 10pm
Where: Deanbilla Bay, Goompi (Dunwich), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
What: Australian rap star Baker Boy headlines a line-up of emerging and established First Nation and Quandamooka performers in a concert celebrating contemporary Indigenous voices. Other performers include Thelma Plum, Roger Knox, DJ Salty Beats and Nix.
Watch the sun set over the bay, enjoy modern Quandamooka cuisine and browse the bespoke gifts of the Indigenous marketplace, while experiencing some of the most exciting new voices on the Australian music scene.
Cost: $50 / $20 (concession) / under fives free
Book via quandamookafestival.com.au
Yura Yalingbila Yalingbila (Welcome the whales)
When: Sunday, June 2 10am to 2pm
Where: Mooloomba (Point Lookout), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
What: Be transported back in time as the Yulu Burri Ba dancers, under the guidance of acclaimed songman and elder Josh Walker, perform the rituals of their ancestors and greet the whales on their passage north.
Mooloomba has the best land-based whale watching in the world with the lucky visitor able to view more than 200 whales pass the headland from dawn to dusk on a good day.
Yuru Yalingbila also features arts and craft activities for the whole family, including a weaving circle, food trucks, markets stalls and storytelling.
Cost: Free
Winnam NAIDOC Kunjiel (Corroboree)
When: Saturday, July 20 10am to 2pm
Where: George Clayton Park, Winnam (Wynnum)
What: A celebration of local Quandamooka culture bringing together First Nation dancers and musicians, including Scott Darlow, in this family-friendly day overflowing with arts and craft, markets, storytelling, language classes, traditional sports and food trucks.
Cost: Free
Goompi Kunjiel (Corroboree) - Closing event
When: Saturday, August 31 10am to 2pm (kunjiel) and 4.30pm to 10pm (concert)
Where: Deanbilla Bay, Goompi (Dunwich), Minjerribah (North Stradbroke Island)
What: The best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dancers from across Australia will travel to Minjerribah in an attempt to bring home the inaugural Quandamooka Festival Cup. Witness the passion and skill of these remarkable dancers as they revive ancient techniques with individual flair.
Once the dancing is done, Australian rock super stars Jessica Mauboy and Dan Sultan, will bring the festival to a close in an intimate concert under the stars with the sea as their stage.
Kunjiel cost: Free
Concert cost: $50 / $20 (concession) / under fives free
For more information, visit quandamookafestival.com.au.
