Blak and Deadly takes over Sydney Opera House
Blak and Deadly takes over Sydney Opera House
Jarred Cross – March 3, 2023
If it wasn’t Steven Oliver, it was Jess Mauboy. If it wasn’t Jess Mauboy, it was Casey Donovan. If It wasn’t Casey Donovan it was esteemed didgeridoo player William Barton. If it wasn’t any of the above it’s anyone’s guess as to who stole the show at the Sydney Opera House on Thursday night. World Pride’s Blak and Deadly First Nations Gala was everything it promised to be; a showcase of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and global First Nations excellence on stage. It encapsulated the celebration of culture, love and everything Blak and Queer in the two weeks leading up to the night. On a star studded red carpet some of the countries biggest names filed through into the party waiting for the iconic Concert Hall doors to open.
Jess Mauboy at World Pride’s Blak and Deadly Gala Red Carpet at the Opera House, March 2, 2023. image: Rob Hookey
Once the lights went down, the gravity of the night took hold.
MC Steven Oliver spoke poetically and at length, and every bit as funny as you would imagine, about the beauty of culture, talent
The rawness of his words dissecting Indigenous people’s place in a modern Australia, the intersection of identity and sexuality, beauty of expressing First Nations culture as one celebrated with achievement was palpable and sought impassioned response from the crowd.
The last time a coming together of mob to that size in the one of the country’s most recognisable landmarks and illustrious setting was the final Deadly Awards 10 years earlier.
“Mentioning Blak is not about exclusion, it’s about visibility” Mr Olver said.
Deborah Cheetham Fraillon, Electric Fields, Casey Donovan and so many others were joined on stage by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonia Choir.
Electric Fields at World Pride’s Blak and Deadly Gala Red Carpet at the Opera House, March 2, 2023. image: Rob Hookey
Tobique Indigenous Canadian classical pianist, tenor and composer Jemery Dutcher brought tears with his spine-tingling performance in-language in homage to his ancestors.
The brass and wind sections made way for drag, dance and seat-raising singalongs; summed up by Aussie-pop darling Jess Mauboy to close out the show.
World Pride concludes on Sunday with the Pride March across the Sydney Harbour Bridge.
MORE = https://nit.com.au/03-03-2023/5161/stars-on-show-blak-and-deadly-takes-over-sydney-opera-house