Cultural Dance Performance with Ryka Ali

We are fortunate to have Ryka Ali, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander man, visiting St Patrick's on Tuesday 20 September at 1:30 pm to conduct a performance/workshop for our whole school. Parents are welcome to attend. Below is some information about Ryka.

Ryka Ali’s heritage stems from the Wuthathi tribe of Shellburne Bay, Cape York and from the Torres Strait Islands. A winner in the Young, Black and Deadly Talent Quest (2003) he is a very proud ambassador for Australia’s Indigenous youth. Ryka has performed at various festivals and cultural showcases around the world.

Beginning with the Torres Strait Islands, Ryka will perform an introductory dance then talk about the flag. The show includes participatory dances with the students and also presentations and explanations of various instruments, artifacts and costumes specific to the Islands. Ryka will then introduce ‘painting up’ with ochre (along with student volunteers) and explain its importance and the significance of the designs. Once again Ryka will perform and teach native dances for audience participation. The flag will be discussed along with instruments pertinent to Aboriginal culture, especially the didgeridoo, ending with a demonstration of the extraordinary versatility of the didgeridoo.