Our Events
We facilitate a range of events that bring Aboriginal and the broader community together to connect and celebrate contemporary Aboriginal culture, identity and connection to Country through the medium of electronic dance music. Our events provide an opportunity to promote cross-cultural understanding and authentic reconciliation in a culturally appropriate, inclusive and supportive environment.
We have a strong focus on showcasing Aboriginal DJs, producers, visual artists and storytellers, though in the spirit of reconciliation and cultural exchange we often involve a broad range of artists. Tongberang’i Ngarrga Inc has developed a strong reputation for delivering events to a high production standard.
Merri Creek Day Gathering
Our award winning (Moreland Council - Best Event of the year) Merri Creek Day Gatherings are outdoor cultural dance music events held alongside Merri Creek in Coburg. The events are family friendly and supported by Moreland City Council.
The first Merri Creek Day Gathering commenced with a Welcome to Country by Aunty Joy Murphy in January 2018. Aunty Joy spoke of the cultural significance the local waterway holds for the Wurundjeri People; drawing on the many layers of history upon which we had gathered. Alongside the cultural performances and storytelling, a range of Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal producers and DJs got the dance-floor pumping. The Merri Creek Day Gatherings enjoy a hugely diverse representation of people from all ages and community groups. The positive community response during\ and after the events demonstrate a strong interest and need for more whole of community Aboriginal cultural dance gatherings for everyone to enjoy.
Deadly Discos
Our Deadly Disco youth events provide a safe space for young people to celebrate and connect to culture, whilst increasing their identity and connection to Country and community. Deadly Discos provide a platform for youth to connect with one another and culture in an appropriate, inclusive and supportive environment. In a safe space, young people have the opportunity to engage in both traditional and contemporary cultural practices through a variety of artistic mediums with a strong focus on music and dance.
Techno Tanderrum
The Techno Tanderrum’s are a contemporary celebration of Aboriginal culture and ceremony, fusing traditional elements with deep and driving percussive techno, all delivered through a deadly Funktion One sound system. Set in an intimate and uniquely decorated secret warehouse location, our most recent Techno Tanderrum commenced with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony before our DJs fired up the speaker stacks, with accompanying cultural performances throughout the night and light refreshments. Music was provided by a range of local Melbourne-based artists and headlined by internationally renowned heavyweight Sensient, who delivered a powerful techno set from his label, Zenon Records. Alongside the musical artists, a live VJ created a visual journey over the duration of the Techno Tanderrum on massive projection screens.
Six Seasons Gatherings
Did you know that the division of the year into 4 seasons comes from Northern Europe and doesn’t represent the seasonal cycles of Narrm (the original and indigenous name for Melbourne)?
In August 2018 we launched our Six Season Gatherings events, which are dance music events celebrating the six Kulin Nation seasons that have been understood and recognized for tens of thousands of years. Our first edition was in celebration of PRE-SPRING, which begins in mid-July when the Yellow Box and Muyan (Silver Wattle) starts to flower, birds began to nest and the yam daisy budded, all providing seasonal produce for Wurundjeri people. Each of the Six Season Gatherings events are curated to match the season and create an immersive and unique culturally inspired experience.