Parrtjima is back for 2020, and this year’s program is bursting with an incredible range of experiences for Alice Springs locals and visitors from 3 -12 April.
The festival will illuminate the Alice Springs Desert Park through to the Todd Mall, including two kilometres of the MacDonnell Ranges.
This year’s theme, Lifting Our Spirits, lifts the spirit from the work of the artists and transports it to the audience.
The free festival features an impressive array of Aboriginal artists and speakers, live music, storytelling, creative workshops, cabaret and film screenings.
Headlined by one of Australia’s most treasured performers, Archie Roach AM, the program features multi-award winner singer/songwriter Casey Donovan and Australian earth sound band OKA.
The artist line-up also includes award-winning Territory singer-songwriter Shellie Morris, Alice Springs musician Paul Ah Chee of AMUNDA fame, Arrernte performer and 2006 NAIDOC Artist of the Year Warren H Williams, the Southeast Desert Metal Band and hip hop duo Karnage n Darknis alongside DJ Jimblah.
The film program includes screenings of Maya Newell’s feature documentary In My Blood it Runs, which follows the experiences of a 10-year-old Arrernte boy in Alice Springs, and The Final Quarter, a confronting look at the experience of AFL footballer Adam Goodes after he called out racism.
Workshops include watercolour painting with artists from the acclaimed Namatjira School of Arts, spear making, dot painting and the Parrtjima Plate, where attendees will learn how to cook with bush foods.
New for this year, the Deep Listening program includes a fascinating line-up of speakers including Kriol Kitchen presenter Mitch Torres, AFL legend and local Arrernte man, Greg McAdam.
To view the full program visit
As noted by Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Culture, Eva Lawler:
“Events like Parrtjima add to the liveability of our communities and bring more people to the Territory, meaning more jobs and more money into local business – that’s why we’ve invested $40.78 million in Turbocharging funding into festivals and events.
“Last year interstate visitation to Parrtjima injected $1.8 million into the Red Centre economy, which directly benefited local businesses and providers.
“In 2019 the event attracted more than 25,000 attendances – a 24 per cent increase on 2018. With another incredible program this year, we hope to see those figures rise again.
“To make sure the event continues to evolve and appeal to a wide audience, a new addition this year is the Deep Listening program, and another exciting announcement about the program will be made in coming days.”
As noted by Member for Braitling, Dale Wakefield MLA:
“Parrtjima is a truly unique global event which is attracting more visitors each year to Alice Springs.
“Figures show the average interstate visitor spent 4.6 nights in Alice Springs over last year’s event, which means more money into the Alice Springs economy with direct flow-on benefits to local business.”
