NAIDOC Week is taking place from July 3rd to July 10th this year, and this year's theme is Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!. To mark the week, Bundjalung singer Budjerah, Gomeroi rapper Kobie Dee and Indigenous pop duo The Merindas will be performing as part of the Burramatta NAIDOC event, which is taking place as part of Warami, the City of Parramatta's yearly First Nations festival.
Budjerah, Kobie Dee and The Merindas will be performing alongside Fleurieu Peninsula artist Tilly Tjala Thomas, Gomeroi family band Castlereagh Connection and Kamilaroi artist Uncle Col Hardy. The event will be MC'd by Luke Carroll. It's set to be a free, family-friendly affair, with dance, didgeridoo and Dharug language workshops, market stalls, food and more all on offer. Don't miss out.
Speaking about the event, City “Join us in our celebration of First Nation’s culture through art, dance, song, food and crafts. This year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘Get Up! Stand Up! Show Up!’, reflects the strength and proud history of our First Nations people. Getting involved in the activities is the best way to bring everyone together, so we can share and enjoy our rich First Nations culture.”
2022 has been a big year for Budjerah. He recently featured on a remix of Ed Sheeran's 2step, adding his soulful vocals to the global superstar's track. Speaking about the experience in a video, Budjerah explained, "When I got the text I was really shocked. I didn't think Ed Sheeran would even know who I was. It was a big shock even for him to say my name right at the ARIAs.
"Getting asked to write a verse for one of his songs is just crazy. It’s a real ‘what the heck’ moment. I just grew up in a small town, just a small Aboriginal boy singing every day and now I’m on a song with one of the biggest artists in the world. I just can’t believe it. I just hope people like the song!”
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You can learn more about the Burramatta NAIDOC Week event here. The event will be taking place from 10.30am to 5pm on Sunday, July 10th, at Pavilion Flat, Parramatta Park, and it's a celebration of First Nations culture. You can also check out the full Warami program here.
