Manning Bar, Sydney Universiy
TZU
Blue King Brown
Kid Confucius
Emma Donovan
Paul Sinclair and Jack Manning Bancroft
Dj Wanted
Surcas fire twirlers
National Sorry Day was the day and Manning Bar at Sydney University the venue for the Second Annual Indigenous Carnivale. All the hype before the event had claimed that it would be bigger and better than the previous year’s event that had attracted some 600 people. For the 2006 event the bill included two of the hottest young groups in Australia, Melbourne based hip-hop group TZU, and the electrifying roots and soul hybrid of Blue King Brown. No one was willing to question the talent; the issue was whether people would want to be associated with an Australian event that used the word Indigenous.
This organiser had hope and genuinely believed that people did care. After last years success it was clear that the hard part was not putting together a good event, or creating a positive uplifting atmosphere, the challenge was breaking down existing stereotypes and getting people to come along. We had to play the game, and knew that we had to promote our event in a way that made people feel like they wanted to be a part. The key hook was that we genuinely believed that this was an event for anyone who had any connection to Australia. We communicated this message across many mediums including: painting the graffiti tunnel; chalking the University streets; creating 500 press kits, wearing100 t-shirts and putting up over 200 posters.
We also had a group of people outside Manning for the month before the event promoting the event, educating people about the day and selling tickets. One of the crew used the line “this is the most easily accessible reconciliation event ever!” We had a lot of fun during this period but we all knew how serious this event was.
One of the core aims of the Carnivale is to attempt to change the way people look at our flawed National Identity that has so much distance between all cultures. It aims to change the way difference is enforced as a means of separation. The Indigenous Carnivale is a place that all people can come together, and build a sense of community that is so desperately needed. A sense of community that recognises and embraces the Indigenous owners of our great land that have the keys to the oldest living history in the world.
Above: 2005 Indigenous Carnivale.
But before we can work together and come together we must meet and feel comfortable in an arena that encourages respect for all. As it is with a couple, before they get married they spend a significant period getting to know each other, whilst they feel out and get to understand their differences and similarities. This period offers a bridge between single and married life. The Carnivale aims to build a similar bridge for all Australians to forge stronger relationships. Essentially it is a meeting place, a small beginning. To continue the analogy from before, the Indigenous Carnivale is a first date with the intention to eventually marry.
That is why another key aim of the event is for people to have fun. For the environment to be one that emits an inviting aura. You don’t tell someone on a first date all the problems in your life, and if you do, your partner tends to run away muttering something along the lines on ‘psycho’ under their breath. By the same sense of reasoning, the Carnivale must be a place that gives people a taste of Indigenous and Australian culture melded together.
Some people struggled to understand how we could hope to have fun on an evening such as National Sorry Day. There is a touch of irony about this event. A sense that if, on this day that recognises the disgraceful past that we all share, if on this day, we can manage to come together, then there is a chance we can come together on every other day. Out of the depths of despair, the strongest people rise. On a day that holds more despair than any other, the strong have risen over the last two years, and we will continue to do so.
Before I end this piece I want you to come back with me to the Indigenous Carnivale this year on Friday the 26th of May. I want to take you to one moment. After all the bands had had their sound checks done, and had a bit of a feed. After about 600 people had streamed through the doors downstairs. After the fire twirlers had lit up the forecourt as people arrived. After the didgeridoo players had welcomed everyone and Emma Donovan had belted out a spine tingling song that demanded listeners to recognise that “Aboriginal Woman is here to stay.” After all of this one of the Manning staff told me we were near capacity. Looking over the balcony their was a line of near 100 people patiently waiting to be a part of this event. At that point, standing on the balcony, looking around at roughly 900 people, of all colours, mainly young, and being told by some of the older people present that this is the vibe they felt at events early in the 1960’s.
That very vibe was one of belief, a belief that change was possible. At that moment, looking over the balcony then back to the crowd, as Blue King Brown sent the crowd into frenzy with a monologue about how far we have to go as a nation. Standing there, time stopped, and we were there. The bridge was momentarily built. This was right and people didn’t want it to end. It was then that I knew that the Carnivale must grow. Bridges like these must be built over the ones that those before us have let burn.
Success and failure cannot really be measured. Economically there was a profit made that will be put straight back into our community with the AIME mentoring program. The venue was full. The Sydney Morning Herald and Drum Media covered the event.
The one failure, that every Australian didn’t get the chance to feel what the 1000 people felt on Friday the 26th May, 2006. But, give it time, let it grow, and everyone will get his or her chance.
Jack Manning Bancroft
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