The Spirit of Churaki
Catch an epic wave of celebration in this musical tribute to an Aboriginal surf lifesaving legend, featuring extraordinary First Nations, Australian and international performers, evocative visuals, and a joyous mix of rock, oceanic grooves and First Nations culture.
Find out more about First Nations at Sydney Opera House.
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“…a sense of generosity, of connection, that anyone who’s ever slipped into saltwater can feel. It was something truly outstanding.”
ABC Gold Coast
A musical celebration of a surf lifesaving hero
At the start of National Reconciliation Week and on the anniversary of the 1967 Australian Referendum, Sydney Opera House Head of First Nations programming, Rhoda Roberts, co-curates an evening of music, multimedia and dance titled The Spirit of Churaki during Vivid LIVE. Find out more about First Nations at Sydney Opera House.
An inspiring musical production that brings together a host of Australia’s most extraordinary performers, this vital cultural celebration takes the audience on a journey through the amazing life of Churaki, an Aboriginal hero heralded as one of the nation’s very first surf lifesavers in the early 1900s. Originally commissioned by Bleach* Festival in partnership with Banaam, this Helpmann Award nominated musical, enriched by a spirit of generosity and connection to the land and its people, comes to life at the Playhouse Theatre for one night only.
Under the musical direction of Brian Ritchie (Violent Femmes) and cultural collaborator Kyle Slabb (Banaam), experience the joy of this event as it brings together unique First Nations, Australian and international performers – including singer Leah Flanagan, bassist Sam Pankhurst, percussionist Greg Sheehan, classical virtuoso Veronique Serret and traditional Bundjalung dance by Darren Crompton from the Muggera Dancers. Share in a night of traditional Aboriginal dance, transcendent surf rock, and mellow Oceanic beats, set to a backdrop of richly evocative visuals that pay deep respect to our country’s First Nations pioneers.
This work was originally commissioned by Bleach* Festival in association with Banaam.
Photographs by Art Work Agency
The Spirit of Churaki ensemble...
Brian Ritchie - Acoustic bass, cajon, conch, shakuhachi Flute, ensemble percussion
Kyle Slabb - Lead guitar, vocals, ensemble percussion
Colin Usher - Vocals, ensemble percussion
Darren Compton - Dancer
Fred Leone - Percussion, didgeridoo, vocals
Greg Sheehan - Lead percussionist
Josh Slabb - Boomerangs, vocals, ukulele, dancer
Jarulah Slabb - Vocals, ensemble percussion, dancer
Kaleb Slabb - Electric bass
Leah Flanagan - Vocals, ukulele, ensemble percussion
Sam Pankhurst - Double bass
Veronique Serret - Electric violin
Make the most of your experience...
Add a drinks voucher or drinks with a cheese platter to your purchase and redeem it at any of the foyer bars inside the Opera House – perfect for a pre-show or interval refreshment.
Join us for a meal at Opera Bar before or after your guided Sydney Opera House Tour. We’ve picked our favourites - beer battered fish & chips, rump steak or a seasonal vegetarian meal option*. No reservations needed.
Sweep back the curtains and explore behind-the-scenes with an intimate small-group Vivid LIVE Backstage Tour. Dine in the exclusive domain of our performers, journey through rehearsal spaces not open to the public, and be tantalised with insider secrets from our expert guides.
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