Looks like a really great community event.... organised by Rose, a friend of mine from the dog park across the road. You meet such interesting peeps having a dog!!

3cr.org.au/node/372

Djerrip' is a Kulin Nation word for 'friend'.

FRIENDSHIP DJERRIP FESTIVAL
SAT MARCH 29 2008, 2pm to midnight at the NORTHCOTE UNITING CHURCH, 251 High Street, Northcote

The Friendship Djerrip* Festival is an annual event that will provide an opportunity for non-Indigenous Australians to express their respect and support for Indigenous Australians and their culture. It aims at fostering friendship and partnerships between non-Indigenous and Indigenous people, while exploring our respective and shared histories, culture and stories.

The event will be a celebration and exchange facilitated through programs of film, theatre, music, visual art and art auction, a market place, workshops and talks.

The Friendship 'Djerrip' Festival will be launched 29th March 2008 with a one day program incorporating all of the above categories.

Each year, all profits from the event will go towards an Indigenous project or organisation. The recipient for the 2008 festival donation will be The Maya Healing Centre, an Aboriginal place of healing in Thornbury, Melbourne.

The initial organisers of this event are a group of independent non-Indigenous Australians who seek to build a wider collaboration within our communities. The organisers aim to provide a framework that encourages the contribution and participation of Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.

The Friendship Djerrip Festival is auspiced by Lentil as Anything, a local charity with a focus on providing training and employment opportunities for refugees, and good quality food through their renowned chain of ‘pay as you feel’ restaurants.

The Friendship Djerrip Festival is proudly supported by ANTaR (Australians for Native Title and Reconciliation), 3KND, Reconciliation Victoria, Lentil as Anything, Friends of the Earth, Northcote Uniting Church and Synergy Gallery.

PROGRAM OF EVENTS>>

IN THE ACTUAL CHURCH BUILDING:
Talks and workshops (2pm-7pm)
(Indigenous speakers covering topics such as history, language, craft)

IN THE CHURCH HALL:
Kids and family entertainment (3pm-7pm)
(including TimTim, Juggularity, West Papuan Cultural Group. More to be confirmed)

The Welcome (7:15pm-7:45pm)
· Welcome Ceremony including speech by Maya Centre director Uncle Reg Blow.
· "Thank you for your Welcome" song by Jan Wositzky. Sung by Bridge the Gap Choir.
· ACES - Elders Choir (Aboriginal Community Elders Service, East Brunswick, Melbourne)

Earth hour (8pm-9pm)
Ian Pidd (theatre director) will curate this hour of storytelling and theatre.
Fitting in with international Earth Hour, no lights will be used for this period, just candles.

Evening Concert (9pm-midnight)
Live music featuring Indigenous hip-hop act Tjimba and the Yung Warriors.

IN THE GALLERY:
Art Auction (8:30pm onwards)
There will be an exhibition for two weeks leading up the festival. On this night, all pieces will be auctioned. (The exhibition opening will be held on March 19 at 6pm.)
(The first half an hour of the auction will be during Earth Hour, so will be carried out in candle light!)

INFORMATION STALLS FOR LOCAL INDIGENOUS SERVICES WILL BE SET UP ALL AFTERNOON.
DINNER WILL BE SERVED FROM 6PM ONWARDS IN THE COURTYARD AND THE CHURCH.
NB: THE FRIENDSHIP DJERRIP FESTIVAL IS AN ALCOHOL FREE EVENT.

Information from the management of the Maya Healing Centre
(Maya Living Free Healing Association)

CONTACT ROSE on 0414 / 346 436 or roseturtle@gmail.com