Labrish
A community program presented in partnership with The Malthouse Theatre, Pola Practice and the Jamaican Music and Food Festival. February - March 2024.
Labrish was an activation of workshops and musical spoken word events with the intention to elevate community, provide mental health resources and access discounted tickets to the Malthouse Theatre’s production of The Hate Race. A theatrical adaptation of Maxine Beneba Clarke’s best-selling memoir.
The community program was designed for people who identify as African diasporic, First Peoples, People of Colour and/or an underrepresented creative.
How do we Labrish?
We Listen by sitting in quiet reflection.
We Learn by growing our creative practice.
We Labrish by gathering to share stories.
We do it for healing and joy.
Images by TJ Garvie
The Program:
Creative Workshops
Two free in-person workshops were open to 18 to 30-year-old creatives identifying as Black, Indigenous or Person of Colour.
The first workshop Telling Your Story was facilitated by Maxine Beneba Clarke. Participants were encouraged to bring a nonfiction piece of writing and were guided by Maxine to how to tell, structure, edit and expand non-fiction stories about your own life.
The second workshop Lessgetit: The Craft of Performance was facilitated by Tariro Mavondo. Participants were guided to be heard effectively in performance spaces, how to shine as a performer, hold an audience, lead with authenticity and give their words breadth & dynamism
Spoken Word Events
Over two Saturday’s in between the matinee and night shows, the Malthouse forecourt was a place of celebration, food and spoken word. Performances by local spoken word artists included Denise Chapman, Guido Melo, Magan Magan, Thabani Tshuma, Faris Fakhreldin and Cainne. The line up was curated by Shyaire Ganglani.
Living readings of excerpts from the anthology Growing Up African in Australia were heard by the authors.
Music provided by the Jamaican Music and Food Festival. Jamaican Food on sale was provided by The Real Jerk Food Truck.
Discounted community tickets were available for these days.
Black Arts Notice Board
Black Creatives from the African Diaspora were invited to promote upcoming events, books, performances or artwork on the Black Arts Notice Board— located in the foyer of the Malthouse during the season of The Hate Race.
Peace Pod
Located on a separate floor, the Peace Pod was a quiet space for audience members to sit in before or after a performance of The Hate Race. Curated by mental health partner Pola Practice, the space was outfitted with meditations, reflective activities, soft furnishings and sensory toys. It was a safe space to be still and process whatever arose.
Commissioned artwork:
MAV commissioned Dreamscapes by Rukaya Springle to feature as the cover on a doodle pad for workshop participants, and as a colouring-in activity in the Peace Pod.
We were planted here, a review by Kalida Edwards
a review by Kalida Edwards
Through personal anecdotes, The Hate Race exposes the insidious nature of racism and vividly illustrates the impact of micro-aggressions – from insensitive comments about perceived lack of attractiveness, to the violation of personal space, such as unwarranted touching of hair. Writer Maxine Beneba-Clarke highlights the toll the experiences take on one’s sense of self. We begin to question ourselves. Why must I look different? Am I too sensitive? Am I permitted to have these feelings?
Produced by Amarantha Robinson, Labrish featured two creative workshops, two spoken word events, an on-site Black Arts notice board, a quiet space and wellbeing resources, discounted ticket offers and ticket giveaways. All program events were free to attend. Labrish was created in partnership with MAV, The Malthouse Theatre, Pola Practice, and the Jamaican Music and Food Festival.
labrish
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/ˈlæ.bɹɪʃ/
From Jamaican Patois
1. to share a story with dramatic flair.
verb