Desert Divas has been running every year in Alice Springs since 2010 under the guidance of MusicNT. It provides mentoring and other industry connections for emerging Indigenous female singer/songwriters, promoting the creation of original music by female indigenous NT artists. For many the program leads to their first performance on stage, building confidence and capability from song writing through to performance and industry skills.
Bush Bands Bash is the premiere event for remote Indigenous music in Central Australia- and while the Desert Diva’s now open the event there is still an under representation of female artists performing and publishing music.
Kirra has released music both independently and through CAAMA Music and is now an experienced performer both Solo and accompanied. This year her daughter entered the Desert Diva’s program, following in her footsteps though with a new sound of a new generation.
Kirra has a strong voice as both an artist and a leader in her community, advocating for social justice and reform of policing of young indigenous people, reflected in the high proportion of incarceration within the NT prison System. At a time when ‘Tough On Crime’ rhetoric is dominant and negative perceptions of NT Youth dominate the headlines her voice provides a valuable perspective and advocacy for first nations youth.
Desert Divas will be performing a showcase featuring the graduates of this years program on Saturday 22nd November at Red Hot Arts, 67 Bath St. 5pm in Mparntwe/ Alice Springs.
Story by Benjamin Erin