NAIDOC Week celebrations

Wimmera indigenous artist Alice Skye will play a role in Ararat’s NAIDOC Week celebrations, taking to the stage in Ararat Hotel’s Red Room on July 4.

Not-for-profit music collective Ararat Live and Ararat Rural City Council have joined forces to present the show.

Ararat Live’s Rob Shea said the group was delighted to present a ‘new and exciting young performer’ during an important celebration.

NAIDOC Week involves Australia-wide celebrations of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and achievements.

“NAIDOC is celebrated not only in indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life,” Mr Shea said.

“There is no better way to celebrate than in sharing music.”

Mr Shea said Ararat Live leaders enjoyed being able to bring a mix of culture and genres to music lovers across the region.

“Alice is a 22-year-old Wergaia woman who grew up living near the majesty of the Grampians, just up the road in Horsham,” he said.

“She wasn’t short of inspiration and is inspired by her roots.”

Skye, who now lives in Melbourne, said she took great pride in her heritage.

“To combine both music and my background still brings me an unexplainable amount of pride and happiness,” she said.

Mr Shea said Skye’s name was set to soar in the Australian pop music scene.

“Her songs sparkle with a sensitivity and maturity well beyond her years,” he said.

In March this year, Skye was announced as the inaugural recipient of a new award, established to shine a light on and celebrate Australia’s emerging first people’s musicians.

Presented at the One of One International Women’s Day Breakfast, the award includes cash as well as invaluable services such as mentorship, musical instruments and performance to the recipient with the aim of helping emerging artists survive the challenging demands of ‘those early years’.

“Triple J has called Alice one of the ‘new indigenous artists you need to hear’, which resulted in the station featuring her as its emerging artist of the week,” Mr Shea said.

“This came on the back of her much-anticipated debut album, Friends With Feelings.”

Skye will take to the stage at 8pm and entry is $20 at the door.

People can call David Nicholson on 0409 848 960 or email araratlive@davidsmedia.com for more information.