Blak & Bright Festival commences this week and it’s not too late to snap up a ticket to something in this year’s stellar programme.

Blak & Bright is a First Nations Literary Festival based in Naarm (Melbourne). The four day showcase celebrates the diverse expressions of First Nations writers and covers all genres from oral stories to epic novels and plays to poetry. The 2022 Blak & Bright Festival is taking place from 17 – 20 March.

Browse the full programme here or read on for a sample of the upcoming events.

Masterclass: The Poet’s Imagination

Hosted by Jazz Money – the award-winning poet and author of the recent collection, How to Make a Basket. Across a 2 ½ hour online workshop they will share writing exercises and dish out great advice and insights.

When: Wednesday 16 March from 6.30pm—9.00pm, online, $60

The Wright Stuff

Author Alexis Wright (Tracker, Carpentaria) reads from her award winning oeuvre as well as an excerpt from a new work. Alexis Wright will be live-streaming in. This event will be moderated by Jane Harrison.

When: Saturday 19 March from 3.45pm—4.45pm, The Wheeler Centre and online, Free

William Cooper’s Legacy

Hear about this extraordinary man from direct descendant of William Cooper, Leonie Drummond, museum curator, Kimberley Moulton and moderated by ABC journalist Daniel James.

When: Sunday 20 March from 11.15am—12.15pm, The Wheeler Centre and online, Free

Blak & White & Read (& Heard) All Over

Unpacking the importance of Blak voices in the media with Daniel Browning, Declan Fry and Thomas Mayor. Moderated by Merinda Dutton.

When: Saturday 19 March from 10.00am—11.00am, The Wheeler Centre and online, Free

Gammon

Gammon is the Aboriginal slang word for ‘joking, kidding’. This is Blak comedy at its blakest. MC Kimmy Lovegrove curated this deadly funny line-up including Aunty Denise McGuinness, Ben Moodie, Kasey Johnson, and Tommy Pemberton.

When: Saturday 19 March from 7.00pm—8.00pm, Comedy Republic, $15–20