Eseli’s Story

To attend this event, book a free opening weekend general admission ticket. Please book the appropriate date and session time as listed in details (opens in new tab).

Badu Art Centre, in collaboration with two of Badu Island’s renowned dance troupes, whose members are connected through family lineages, come together to share the story of Badu artist statesman, James Eseli and his Badu World War II Plane Dance.

This ‘story dance’ commemorates his childhood memories of watching World War II fighter planes and bombers taking off from Ngurapai (Horn Island). For the first time outside of Zenadth Kes (Torres Strait Islands), this dance will be performed in its entirety featuring 44 male dancers with 8 singers and musicians.

Specifically carved headdresses shaped from wapadh (hibiscus wood) used in this unique performance will feature in the Task Eternal exhibition, continuing the ongoing legacy and celebration of Eseli’s Story.