In 2021, Darlinghurst Theatre Company ‘Darlo’ has redefined what you can put in a theatre and who can come. Proudly breaking down barriers, the company has invited Australia’s finest live art makers through the doors in a unique line-up of new forms and new ideas.
Launching on Friday 26 February for 3 weeks, the company presents Darlo Sessions – a lush new way to experience the best of Australia’s live music scene.
Darlo stands for radical empowerment and inclusion. The artists have free reign to take up the space, to create joyful, challenging work that will leave audiences feeling revitalised and connected. Darlo Sessions presents the opportunity for emerging and established queer and gender-diverse artists to experiment in a wild theatrical space.
For three weekends over February – March, Darlo Sessions are centring FBi’s rising stars and triple j darlings with a program of intimate hour-long gigs decked out with 5-star production values.
Each night will showcase two artists across 7.00pm and 9.00pm, allowing patrons to treat themselves to specially aligned double bill.
The theatre will transform into a music-lover utopia with performances on the first weekend from queer rapper and saxophonist JamarzOnMarz, artist and rapper Jamaica Moana, new-age soul and electronica DVNA, indie-pop artist Essie Holt and violinist and contemporary dancer Eric Avery.
The second weekend will welcome accomplished singer and instrumentalist Erin Clare and the explosive 10-piece brass collective Hot Potato Band.
Closing the last weekend will be retro-futurist reverie Kyva, melodic rapper Imbi, the album launch of Huck Hastings and the union of two rivals on the one stage Brendan Maclean and Jack Colwell.
The final Saturday will see Okenyo, an artist known for exuberance and flair and Melbourne-based Banoffee, who has toured with Taylor Swift and Charlie XCX.
“This line-up is an eclectic array of music styles, centring its weight on the work of queer and genderdiverse artists,” says Curator of Darlo Sessions, Mason Browne. “Our space is dynamic and has always been a place for community. The energy that this little music festival is going to create will be simply electric.”
Darlo is an inclusive gala that is a gathering space for celebrating togetherness and community. The company offers Darlo Pay What You Can Tickets – with four reserved tickets for each session for those who face social barriers to attending theatre.
Especially those who identify as Indigenous and/ or black and/or People of Colour, those who identify as transgender and gender diverse, those experiencing disability or those experiencing economic hardship.
“Our Pay What You Can tickets will be available for every show on the Darlo main stage in 2021 and is part of our continued effort to develop new ways to ensure our space is accessible to all,” said Darlinghurst Theatre Company Co-Artistic Director, Amylia Harris.
Darlo Sessions encourage you to experiment, experience curiosity and to celebrate the electric and devise Australian live music scene. Tickets on sale starting from $35, with 15% off the total purchase if attending the double header. For more information, visit: www.darlinghursttheatre.com for details.
Image: Jamaica Moana (supplied)
2021 DARLO SESSIONS SCHEDULE:
Friday 26 February
7.00pm: JamarzOnMarz
9.00pm: Jamaica Moana
Saturday 27 February
7.00pm: DVNA
9.00pm: Essie Holt
Friday 5 March
7.00pm: Boy and Bucket
9.00pm: Erin Clare
Saturday 6 March
7.00pm / 9.00pm: Hot Potato Band
Thursday 11 March
7.00pm: KYVA
9.00pm: imbi
Friday 12 March
7.00pm: Huck Hastings Album Launch
9.00pm: Brendan Maclean + Jack Colwell
Saturday 13 March
7.00pm: Okenyo
9.00pm: Banoffee