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Torres Strait Dance team secures place at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Torres Strait Dance team at Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair

Torres Strait Dance Team Eip Karem Beizam has successfully secured a place in the performance line up for this year’s Darwin Aboriginal Art Fair (10-12 August) and Darwin Festival (9-26 August), including the opening of the acclaimed Telstra National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Art Awards.

Eip Karem Beizam was formed in 1985 with the aim of preserving, teaching, promoting and upholding the Meriam Culture and traditions.  The dance team consists of experienced and skilled dancers, weavers, linguists, artists, singers and songwriters.  Most recently the dance team performed at the 25thAnniversary of Mabo Day on Thursday Island and Melbourne.

The Thursday Island-based Mer dance team will travel to Darwin in August with the funding support of the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) Torres Strait Dance Strategy.

TSRA Chairperson, Mr Napau Pedro Stephen AM said the TSRA’s Culture, Art and Heritage Programme was working closely with event coordinators to present these opportunities.

“Since 2011, the Torres Strait Dance Strategyhas offered locally-based dance teams the opportunity to perform at major events both here in Australia and internationally,” Mr Stephen said.

“The initiative receives interest from dance teams from across the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area and this year we are proud to have also supported a second dance team, Seisia Kayin Thithuyil, who performed at the 2018 Cairns Indigenous Art Fair.

“These events are expected to attract thousands of visitors from across Australia and international visitors wanting to experience and learn more about our Torres Strait culture. I congratulate both dance teams on their successful bids to represent our region.”