Mitch King, Yaegl Bundjalung man, presents FLOW

Mitch King is a Yaegl Bundjalung man with a story to tell. Joined on stage by long term collaborator and musician Blake Rhodes, Mitch tells his story inspired by community, Country and the first native title claim on a body of water in Yamba.

Told through contemporary dance, poetry, visual imagery and rap, Flow is a new dreaming, strengthening respect for Eldership and engaging young people in the living traditions held in local ancestral stories.

Flow is a yarn about Yaegl country and neighbouring nations, within NSW. It’s a tale of searching and finding identity in music, urban culture and nature, an ancient story acknowledging how and why water flows through this region and its cultural significance.

“The mighty Clarence River, Biirrinba, is at the heart of Flow,” says Mitch King “It’s what we Yaegl people always return to – swimming, fishing, hanging out on the river and learning ancestor stories about its creation. It’s about me as an adult coming back and connecting with the river in my own way. When I see the river, I’m home.”

“Flow is about connecting back to culture and expressing ancient stories through contemporary styles. I’m not a knowledge holder, or a custodian, but I admire those who are, and I want to acknowledge them through this work. Our ancestors and our culture have beautiful stories and we have to keep telling them in different forms while keeping respect with cultural tradition.”

Yaegl Elders and emerging leaders generously share their knowledge in Flow, including acclaimed Yaegl artist Frances Belle Parker whose exquisite artwork is featured in the complex video and set design created by Mic Gruchy.

Directed and choreographed by Jade Dewi Tyas Tunggal, Flow brings together an extraordinary team of creatives including Rhoda Roberts as cultural and dramaturgy consultant, design by Mic Gruchy, and writing support from Kirk Page and Damion Hunter. Flow is written and performed by Mitch King with Blake Rhodes as composer and performer.

“Flow is enabling the continuance of our oral storytelling that has mapped our country and provided knowledge for eons,” says Rhoda Roberts. “Mitch King retells the creation story of the rivers with the Dirrangan story. It is a stark warning of the nature of greed and the how important water preservation is for a better tomorrow.”