THE AUDIENCE WORDS ON THE SHOW

 

 

Dave Arden Gunditjmara/Kokatha, Songman and Storyteller Showcase

 

Writer, performer and musician David Arden presented the premiere of his new show, titled Gunditjmara/Kokatha, Songman and Storyteller showcase on the 21/11/14 in the Performance Space at Footscray Community Arts Centre.

 

The showcase featured Dave’s songs, accompanied with stories and projected images of his family, community and the two worlds of his tribal background. It delved deeply into the real lives of Aboriginal people, exploring lore, spiritual culture, respect and ancestry.

 

Dave has a proud history of touring extensively internationally and nationally with esteemed Aboriginal artists and bands such as  Koori Youth Band, Bart Willoughby, Mixed Relations, Archie Roach and the late Ruby Hunter and in 2006 to 2010 Dave was co-music director and performer for Black Arm Band.

 

His show was a valuable and meaningful addition to the 2014 Program at Footscray Community Arts Centre. Dave played through a carefully thought out set of his most loved songs, accompanied by some of the highest calibre of musicians in Melbourne.

 

Dave strikes a balance between consummate technicality and exquisite story telling. It is a show not to be missed. 

 

Yours Sincerly

 

Lydia Fairhall

Creative Producer

 

 

 

 

Paulie Stewart ex-Herald Sun Music Journalist, Lead Singer Painters And Dockers

 

Dave Arden. 

`` Gunditjmara, Kokatha - Songman & Storyteller Showcase.'' It's Dave's turn.

 

After years spent supporting and playing with some of the local greats of the indigenous music scene including the  Koori Youth Band, Bart Willoughby, Ruby Hunter and Archie Roach as well as being Co-Musical Director of the legendary Black Arm Band, Dave Arden has emerged to tell his own story in the brand new showcase Gunditjmara, Kokatha - Songman..

 

Dave has spent most of his career writing, performing, touring, and producing with Indigenous and non-Indigenous musicians and this experience has paid off as his new show features countless original tunes in a moving tribute to family, friends and country.

 

Including in the show is Dave's song ``Freedom Called'' written in-conjunction with leading Australian singer/songwriter Paul Kelly, which acknowledges the often forgotten military service by indigenous personal over the past 100 years.

 

Such was the songs popularity, Dave was invited to perform it at the 2013 Indigenous Dawn Ceremony Service at the Australian War Memorial Canberra. 

 

Dave's  show comes fully recommended for those who want an entertaining, meaningful and emotional musical experience by a performer not afraid to wear his heart on his shelve.

This guy loves what he does and it shows in this great new production complete with original songs, moving stories and old photographs, Check it out

 

Kutcha Edwards  - Singer, Songman & Storyteller

 

I Am A Proud Mutti Mutti, Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung & Boonwurrung Man, Who Has Been Singing My Personal Song line For Over 25 Years Now.

 

I Think The More Indigenous Performers That Get The Opportunity The Better.

 

I Saw Dave's Showcase Last Year & I Think It's A Great Way To Tell Not Only Our Personal Song lines, But That Of Our Clans & Tribes.

 

I Hope That Many Other People Across Australia Will Get The Chance To See & Hear The Showcase As I Did And Will Go Away With More Of An Understanding Of What It Is We Are All Wanting.  RESPECT

 

Gunditjmara, Kokatha - Songman & Storyteller Showcase

 

I was one of many people who crowded into the Footscray Community Arts Centre on 21 November 2014 to see David Arden’s “Gunditjmara, Kokatha - Songman & Storyteller Showcase”. Like many others, I was a family member or friend who had played a small part in the early years of David’s emergence as teenage leader of the ‘Koori Youth’ band. I have been fortunate to witness some of David’s many performances over the following 3+ decades with Black Arm Band, Archie Roach, the late great Ruby Hunter, Mixed Relations and his many solo performances. Through David I have been privileged to see performances of many of Australia’s great indigenous musicians from Bart Willloughby, Bunna Lawrie, Robbie Bundle, the Pigram Brothers, Amie Saunders, Kutcha Edwards, Jimmy Little, Ruby Hunter, Archie Roach, George Burarrwanga to name but a few.

 

So I entered the Arts Centre knowing David would produce an excellent show but I was not prepared for the depth, power and the force of quality I was about to experience.  David’s personal journey is a powerful story. He has emerged from the death of his father and then loss of his mother at a very young age, the years in boys homes with his younger brother Wally, the nurturing he received from his beloved Aunties Annie, Isabelle and the late Francis, the struggles of raising his family with Violet, initially as teenage parents living in the High Rise inner city Commission flats (where I was lucky enough to meet him), to an incredible commitment and determination to be a an outstanding musician, song writer and contributor to the community. He has achieved his goal. He has travelled the world as a musician song-writer with performances in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the USA, the Pacific Islands and Asia. His songs have long spoken of struggle, racism, reconciliation and healing.

 

With this show David has reached further back to the stories of his ancestors, their courage as soldiers for their country, their struggles to maintain family, clan, culture, health and connection to land in face of the onslaught of European invasion. He has grappled with his personal journey to find his mother and the brothers and sisters he knew nothing of and has shared Violet’s quest to learn more about her father and her dual indigenous heritage. He celebrates his life with Violet and the lives of the lovely children they are raising together. With courage, dignity and music he shares these deeply personal moments. Whilst some of his stories reflect a darkness many of us are either ignorant of or unwilling to consider, this is a joyous rousing performance. It is a celebration of the value of struggle, of fighting for a better world, and of the healing family and friends can bring to each other. He is giving something of incredible value to those willing to share an evening of music, reflection and celebration.

 

Greg Connellan

Victorian Magistrate