Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie is a storyteller, learning from his experience and point of view as a young Aboriginal man of Yergala-Mirning & Wuthathi cultures growing up in an ever-changing world. As the drummer of now defunct The Medics (Triple J Feature Album, ARIA top 30 album charts), Jhindu’s performances were full of intensity, commanding an immediate emotional connection with audiences. Mentored by Jhindu’s father, ARIA Award winning Bunna Lawrie of Coloured Stone, the band won a swag of awards for band, album and song of the year (The Deadly Awards, National Indigenous Music Awards, Queensland Music Awards).
Jhindu has continued his creative work as a drummer, vocalist and guitarist for a long list of bands, including Elko Fields, Minor Premiers, and Gentle Ben And His Shimmering Hands, such is the Meanjin/Brisbane way. He composes, writes and performs stories and workshops in varied and interesting ways, with his culture at the forefront, including live contemporary dance productions, children’s programming at the Museum Of Brisbane, and an interactive music installation for the High Rotation exhibition honoring the past 30 years of Brisbane music history.
Jhindu is the lead artist undertaking multiple music projects and mentoring with Indigenous arts organisation Digi Youth Arts. Slowly but surely, he studies his family’s history and language to explore music and educate the next generation of Indigenous artists.
Embark on a special journey to discover Mirning language and song with Brisbane-based musician and artist Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie. Learn the story of the river and the sea and follow along as Jhindu shares the language of his ancestors and the importance of caring for place and Country.
Designed for children aged three to eight years.
Queensland's First Nations Performing arts company, Karul Projects, are ready to show Australia their powerful production, Silence, with a national tour.
Described as a powerful narrative in its original, compelling with all the elements of which add up to a transformative stage experience choreographed.
Silence is an hour-long performance that encompasses dramatic and visual storytelling replete with dialogue, humour, and rhythmic percussion.
After a previously sold out premier season in 2020, Silence is back with an ensemble of an all First Nation cast.
The production will kick off their tour starting in NSW in March before taking in Victoria in April, and Adelaide in May with more to be announced.
BlakDance Executive Producer Merindah Donnelly said: "Silence is a searing commentary on Australian Nationhood, representing the call for Land Back."
"BlakDance is a self-determined First Nations producing house so it's fitting the first work we tour is adding to the conversation about recognising our Sovereignty," she said.
Silence was written by Karul Projects' co-founder and director, Minjungbal-Yugambeh, Wiradjuri and Ni-Vanuatu man Thomas E.S. Kelly.
Including Kelly, his co-founder Taree Sansbury and returning multidisciplinary performing artist, Benjin Maza, the cast of seven perform on a stage slowly engulfed in dirt.
According to Kelly, Silence is a seminal, First Nations Australian work developed on rich and raw grounds with the light and shade of visual storytelling in dance, dialogue, and percussion.
"Abounding in our struggle for Land Back and Treaty, SILENCE breaks the silence both literally and symbolically using dynamic live percussion from composer Jhindu-Pedro Lawrie, whose rich drumbeats drive the dancers in their exploration of past, present, alternate realities and dreamscapes of Country, the milky way and Murun, the emu in the sky," he said.
"Silence interprets what a 250 plus year-long denial of meaningful listening to First Nations people has done to the psyche of the people and land.
"Brown feet kick up sand, earth, dirt, and dust. The sand seeps through brown fingers as it always has. Always was, always will be."
Time/Venue:
Bunjil Place, Wednesday 3 May at 7PM
Tickets:
Tickets - $16
MobTix – Free
Or you can get tickets at the door