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| BLAK OUT |
The 2025 Blak Out program, curated by Sydney Festival’s Creative Artist in Residence Jake Nash, brings together some of Australia’s most talented First Nations artists to share their powerful stories, challenge perspectives, and honour cultural truths. Spanning a month, this special program is set to ignite conversations, inspire reflection, and celebrate First Nations voices and artistry.
Taking place over three weeks in January, the program will transform a new gathering space at Barangaroo Reserve into a hub for free, community-focused events. Beneath a stunning woven canopy designed by Cave Urban in collaboration with First Nations fibre artists, Vigil: Gunyah will host a series of thought-provoking conversations, curated by ABC Radio National’s Rudi Bremer, alongside workshops and performances led by local artists and cultural leaders.
Throughout the program, a soundscape by composer and sound designer Brendon Boney will envelop the space, inviting passersby to pause, listen, and reflect on their role in shaping a future led by First Nations voices. On 25 January, Vigil: Truths will mark the culmination of the program with a ceremony centred on being heard, sharing knowledge, and presenting First Nations visions of the future. At its heart is the act of listening—listening to the diverse voices that will reverberate across the land and waters, fostering deeper connections with Indigenous wisdom and perspectives.
Theatre, Music, and Environmental Storytelling
After its successful debut, the gritty new play Jacky arrives at Belvoir Theatre, offering a sharp exploration of private life, work life, and the complexities of culture. Written by Arrernte playwright Declan Furber Gillick and directed by Mark Wilson, the production stars Guy Simon (Jasper Jones, The Visitors) in the title role, with Greg Stone (A Doll’s House, Part 2) joining the cast. The play, which explores the devastating aftermath of the 2019–2020 fires and the changing climate, promises a compelling and raw depiction of identity and survival.
Plant a Promise is a groundbreaking multi-format work that blends Indigenous knowledge and environmental science to emphasize the urgent need to care for Country. Created by choreographer and playwright Henrietta Baird, the World Premiere will unfold in four parts: a dance performance and native planting at Bangarra’s Studio Theatre, a Baya (fire) installation at The Thirsty Mile by the water, and yarns hosted at Barangaroo Reserve as part of Vigil: Gunyah. This collaborative work invites both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences to explore the deep connections between culture and environment.
Music and Cultural Celebration
The program will kick off with a highly anticipated album launch by Radical Son, a Kamilaroi and Tongan artist. His new album Bilambiyal celebrates cultural connection, heritage, and belonging. Later in the program, DOBBY, a Murrawarri-Filipino rapper and drummer, will launch his debut album WARRANGU; River Story. Fusing hip-hop with immersive storytelling, DOBBY will use his music to raise awareness about the exploitation of the Murray-Darling Basin and rally for environmental justice.
Redfern Renaissance: Celebrating National Black Theatre
Redfern Renaissance, curated by Wiradjuri Yuin actor Angeline Penrith, will celebrate the legacy of National Black Theatre, a pioneering company that operated in Redfern from 1972 to 1977. The program will feature workshops, discussion panels, and performances that highlight the role of art in activism and self-determination. Central to the program at Belvoir Theatre are two classic productions: The Cake Man by Robert Merritt and Here Comes the N****r by Gerry Bostock—a work that has only been available in excerpts and is now being presented in full.
bagan bariwariganyan: Echoes of Country
At Bundanon in the Shoalhaven region, Aunty Julie Freeman, Aunty Cheryl Davison, and Jonathan Jones will present bagan bariwariganyan: Echoes of Country, a body of new works that bring to life the Glossy Black-cockatoo creation story of Cambewarra Mountain. This stunning exhibition celebrates the artists' deep connection to the region, its traditions, and the ongoing collaboration between these cultural leaders.
Ngabu: A Tribute to Shell Art
Aunty Lola Ryan, a renowned Dharawal shell artist from La Perouse, has created Ngabu, a giant interactive installation on the overhead bridge at Hickson Road. The work pays tribute to the shell harbour bridges created by her late mother, Lola Delia Ryan, many of which are now housed in Australia’s most significant cultural institutions. The installation invites visitors to climb the arch and marvel at the vibrant shell patterns while taking in panoramic views of Sydney Harbour and the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
The 2025 Blak Out program is set to be a transformative, thought-provoking celebration of First Nations culture, artistry, and wisdom. From theatre to music, environmental storytelling to community workshops, this festival will offer unparalleled opportunities to engage with and support Blak futures, while listening to the stories that must be heard.
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