The Archie Roach Foundation Stage will once again shine a massive spotlight on both emerging and established First Nations artists from across Australia.
In 2022, the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation Stage was launched at the Port Fairy Folk Festival to great acclaim. It returns in 2023 as an ongoing partnership between Port Fairy Folk Festival, the Archie Roach Foundation, with support from Australia Council.
Celebrating first nations artists both established and emerging, the stage will feature music from the likes of Andrew Gurruwiwi Band, Birdz & Fred Leone, Bumpy, Dobby, Emma Donovan, Gina Williams & Guy Ghouse, Pirritu, and a group tribute to Uncle Archie. Workshops and conversations will include dance workshops with Billy Briggs, basket weaving with Carla Lauch, yidaki-led healing meditation sessions with Lionel Lauch and traditional art workshops with Tracy Roach, among others.
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Port Fairy Folk Festival – Archie Roach Foundation Stage lineup
In July 2022, national treasure and Eastern Maar Elder, Uncle Archie Roach AM AC left peacefully and entered the Dreamtime. As a community we collectively felt the impact of losing one of this country’s greatest song men and storytellers. One of Uncle Archie’s proudest moments was when he officially opened the Archie Roach Foundation stage on his mother’s ancestral lands at the 2022 Port Fairy Folk Festival. He smiled from ear to ear as he watched members of his own family and other Traditional owners share culture through art, dance, and song workshops, yidaki healing and a yarning circle led by Uncle Rob Lowe. Uncle Archie himself held his iconic Kitchen Table Yarns with young artists live on stage.
Last year, the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation stage was buzzing, and festival-goers packed in to learn, listen and dance along to all genres of music from First Nations artists from all corners of the continent. And this year will be no different, with performances from a brilliant array of First Nations artists and musicians as well as conversations and workshops. Many of Uncle Archie’s long time musical collaborators, friends and family will come together to honor his legacy across the long weekend.
“Following the launch of the inaugural Archie Roach Foundation Stage at the Port Fairy Folk Festival in 2022, we are so honoured and grateful to once again be partnering with the foundation to produce such amazing First Nations and local content across the festival,” says Port Fairy Folk Festival Program Director Justin Rudge.
“With the immense sadness of Uncle Archie’s passing, it’s more important than ever to share the stories, culture, and songs of our amazing First Nations artists.”
Port Fairy Folk Festival takes place on the land of the Pyipgil Gundidj clans on Peek Whurrong Country, in Port Fairy, Victoria from 10-13 March 2023. To book tickets, view the full line up and plan your adventure visit portfairyfolkfestival.com
