Grab your champers and best shimmering frock for the celebration of BERTHA! A daughter of disco, BERTHA is the alter-ego of Harold Samu and will take us on a glittering journey across time using sound, image and 13 exquisitely dressed baby-BERTHA dolls by Yuki Kihara commissioned by the Powerhouse Museum and recently added to Yuki Kihara's Paradise Camp exhibition, curated by Natalie King.
BERTHA will reunite onstage with her lifelong collaborator Buckwheat, along with other performers from the queer community. This night also features a screening of the 90s cult TV cooking show Eaten Alive, a tour of Paradise Camp with Yuki Kihara and tunes all night long by DJ Alex Taylor.
Program
INTRODUCTION
5.45pm Acknowledgement of Country by Ebony Williams
PERFORMANCE
5.50pm Pese (song): O le Sau o Te’e (pre-Christian pese from Savai’i, Samoa) performed by Samu aiga (family)
5.55pm Lotu (prayer): Lealaitagomoa Muliagatele Tuisina Ymania Brown – Co-Secretary General of ILGA World (the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association)
6pm BERTHA
7pm Taualuga performance by BERTHA with pese (Faleula e & Falealili uma) by Samu aiga
8pm BERTHA and Buckwheat reunited
TALK
7.15pm Tuiloma Lina-Jodi Vaine Samu speaking about the Samu gafa (genealogy) plus elements of BERTHA’s Tuiga headdress and her finale B-B outfit
WARNING There will be photos of deceased ancestors shown in this presentation
TOUR
6.15pm Tour of Paradise Camp including BERTHA dolls with Yuki Kihara and BERTHA
SCREENING
5–9pm Eaten Alive (episode 31) featuring BERTHA and Buckwheat, courtesy of TVNZ Digital Production Library and Tagata Pasifika
VISUALS
5–9pm We Are Family – BERTHA’s private photo collection from over the years
5–9pm Diva • Doll • Costume Design by BERTHA
MUSIC
5–9pm DJ Alex Taylor
BAR
5–9pm Bar by Grifter, cocktails curated by BERTHA
Accessibility
We encourage visitors with accessibility requirements to contact us via book@powerhouse.com.au or (02) 9217 0222 for help in planning your visit. We accept Companion Cards.
