Dancers from Riverland Youth Theatre have been rehearsing regularly at RYT’s home in Renmark with young choreographer and RYT tutor/performer Katisha Jackson. Professional dancer Jess Statton and Country Arts SA Dance program manager Richard Seidel have provided professional mentorship for the group during several visits to the Riverland from Adelaide.
The event will be an all-star jam featuring Adelaide MC, producer and DJ Jimblah who is set to launch his highly anticipated new album at Blak Nite. The line-up of talented artists also includes; Karnage and Darknis, Mimili Mob, Sunlight Band, Kurruru Choir, Rikina Inma Dancers and Riverland Dancers.
Blak Nite is a biennial showcase of South Australia’s best emerging and established Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth artists. Held as part of the Come Out Festival, and presented by Carclew Youth Arts and Kurruru Youth Performing Arts, Blak Nite will feature more than 100 young performers from regional, remote and metropolitan areas.
Along with a broad mixture of artistic offerings there will also be activities for children and stalls selling a variety of wares and food. Music performances will encompass current and time-honoured styles.
“Blak Nite celebrates the best of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander youth arts and culture,” said event producer Narisha Cash from Carclew Youth Arts. “It’s the only event of its kind in South Australia and the diverse range of art forms on display means it’s an event that offers something for everyone to enjoy.
“Blak Nite offers young people a platform to showcase their talents and provides an opportunity to celebrate traditional and contemporary dance, music, fashion, comedy and visual arts. In the lead up to the event young Indigenous artists are given the opportunity to take part in creative development workshops with skilled professional artists and event managers to create works to put on display.
"A team of Indigenous youth also spearhead the event advisory committee, helping to oversee the event artistically, practically and culturally, ensuring that young voices are heard throughout planning and development.
“Workshops extend beyond the metropolitan region to include young people in regional and remote areas and this year they extended to the Riverland and the APY Lands,” Narisha said.
“Not only is the event a fantastic opportunity for local artists to display their work but it also gives the public a chance to experience these diverse art forms and meet and talk with the artists about their works. It offers young people a platform to showcase their talents and provides an opportunity to celebrate traditional and contemporary dance, music, fashion, comedy and visual arts.”
Blak Nite is funded by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Arts Board of the Australia Council and Arts SA and is an alcohol and drug free event. The RYT Hip Hop Crew have been supported by AC Care and Country Arts SA’s Dance program.
Entry is by gold coin donation.