Darebin’s streets, stages and screens will come alive this spring with a powerful program of First Nations-led events as part of the 2025 FUSE Festival.
Running from 31 August to 14 September, the City of Darebin and Darebin FUSE Festival have pulled together a rich mix of live music, cultural celebrations, exhibitions, workshops, film and immersive art – all designed to amplify Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander stories and artistry.
The FUSE Deadly Darebin Program is stacked with standouts. From 13–21 September, Bunjil & Paliyang reimagines a traditional Kulin Nation Songline, weaving ancient knowledge into orchestral music and dance. Led by acclaimed artist and Didjeridoo player Amos Roach and violist William Vyvyan Murray, and featuring choreography from Teena Moffat and Brent Watkins, the work invites audiences to “fly” with the Creation story’s iconic figures — Bunjil the Eagle, Paliyang the Bat, Koonawarra the Black Swan and Kururok the Brolga.
On 5–7 September, meet Tarutharu, the Kaurna Skink — a 27-metre luminous puppet created by Elizabeth Close and Jack Buckskin with Darebin-based A Blanck Canvas. “Relationships with Country are complex dualities that are reflected in nature itself,” says Close of the work’s striking design.
From 4–10 September, En Masse projects life-sized performances by the Rawcus Ensemble, in collaboration with Gamilaroi Yinarr choreographer Amelia J O’Leary, exploring the pull between individuality and community.
Other program highlights include the FUSE Festival Installation Opening Party at Northcote Town Hall (5 September), with a Welcome to Country and roving sets from First Nations drag icons Cerulean and Stone Motherless Cold. FUSE Films – First Nations Film Evening (2 September, Thornbury Picture House), featuring works by Jazz Money, Lady Lash and Isaac Winzer; and Ganbu Gulin (31 August), co-presented with the Wurundjeri Woi Wurrung Cultural Heritage Aboriginal Corporation, celebrating the theme “From Many to the Next” with Emma Donovan, Doe Eyes, Torres Green, the Djirri Djirri Dancers and MC 2joocee.
With free and ticketed events across Darebin, FUSE offers a rare chance to experience ancient and contemporary First Nations creativity side by side — in song, movement, image and story.
For more information visit arts.darebin.vic.gov.au/Whats-on/Festivals/Fuse
