Kankawa Nagarra & Darren Hanlon at Bowraville Theatre

Darren Hanlon is playing at the Bowraville Theatre for the first time ever as part of his longtime xmas show tradition. It’s hard to believe but this is in fact the 19th year since it all started and so to celebrate Hanlon is embarking on the longest Xmas tour he’s ever done, playing 20 shows throughout Australia. It'll be business as usual though, an informal evening with Hanlon playing solo and dipping into his expansive and ever-growing catalog of narrative songs

This year is extra special though as he’s bringing with him his dear friend and musical collaborator Kankawa Nagarra.

Kankawa Nagarra is an 80 yr old Walmatjarri Elder, teacher and mentor, human rights advocate, and a passionate environmental activist, born in the traditional lands of the Gooniyandi and Walmatjarri peoples of north WA. She sings in the Aboriginal Australian blues, country, and gospel styles and writes songs filled with empathy about the great struggles she sees around her.

In July last year Darren Hanlon traveled to her home community of Wangkatjungka to record a collection of her songs on Country that became her first vinyl LP, which she titled ‘Wirlmarni.’ Kankawa chose specific locations between there and Fitzroy Crossing that held meaning to her and the songs she chose to sing. This will be the first time she visits the East Coast to sing songs from this new album which has already premiered to much acclaim in the US and UK.