NGALAK NIDJA BILYA (We Are The River) 
Queer Fundraiser Ball

All First Nations Line Up 
$1000 Cash Prize for Best Dressed

💦 Summoning all water nymphs, sirens & other critters from the Bilya (Rivers) to join us in celebrating NAIDOC week and all our brotherboys and sistergirls who walk alongside us 💦

This is a not-for-profit event. All profit from ticketing will be donated to three local First Nations community organisations: 

Langford Aboriginal Association 
Nyoongar Outreach Services
Camp 4 Mob

This LGBTQIA+ NAIDOC Fundraising ball co-produced by The Rechabite and Tanesha Bennell (co-founder of Boorloo Justice) is an opportunity for learning, dancing and celebrating all flowing into one exciting and powerful event.

Come join us in the ancient wetlands of Boorloo, and dance and twirl on the same ancient boodja of those who came before us paying homage to First Nations trailblazers and LGBTQIA+ trailblazers alike.

The theme and title of this event represents the season of Makuru (the wet season on Noongar Boodja) and the deep connection Noongar/First Nations peoples have with the waterways - specifically on Noongar Boodja the Derbarl Yerrigan (swan river) as the resting place of the Noongar creation spirit the Waugal. It also acknowledges the wetlands that existed prior to colonisation - that the Perth (Boorloo) CBD now sits on top of.

We are the River also recognises the fluidity and ever-flowing nature of queerness and identity - and acknowledges the fact that queerness has existed long before us in many different shapes and forms.

Now we know that us queer folk love a theme, so instead of clutching those pearls drape yourself in them like Aphrodite rising from the sea-foam, and pull out that mermaid tail to seduce sailors like a siren. There will be a best-dressed competition with a grand prize of $1000 waiting to be caught 🎣

HELLO ROOFTOP (Level 2)
First Nations Market 6PM – 10PM | Curated Tunes + Smoking Area 10PM – 2AM
Double Rainbow Bar Menu available until 10PM

STARDUST BAR (Level 1)
Blue Carpet + Photos 6PM - 8PM

THE RECHABITE HALL (Level 1)
First Nations Performers + DJs 8PM – 2AM | Best Dressed Competition 12AM

GOODWILL BASEMENT CLUB (Level B)
Ambient & Lo-Fi Chillout Bar + Sensory Toys + Snacks Available 6PM – 2AM

FULL LINE UP ANNOUNCEMENT COMING SOON

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Dress Theme Notes: Makuru & Derbarl Yerrigan (Swan River)

• COLOURS: Blues, Purples, Greens
• NATIVE WILDLIFE: Mali (Black Swan), Wardong (Crow)
• NATIVE FLOWERS: Blueberry Lily, Purple Flag, Weeping Peppermint
• WEATHER: Rains, Cloudy Skies, Cool 
• CONCEPTS: River, Underwater, Flowing, Changing

Important note: sadly due to licensing restrictions outside of the venue's control, all attendees must have their chests and buttocks covered at all times when in the venue. This rule applies to people of all genders. 

Please note that dressing up is optional, and you're more than welcome to join us in whatever you're most comfortable in. 

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With a line up full of First Nations creatives, you’ll get to experience a night of abundance and variety, from incredible DJs and performers headlining the main stage in the Hall, market stalls full of local First Nations businesses on the rooftop from 6-10pm & a cosy lo-fi chill out zone covered in clouds in the basement - this full venue takeover event is definitely not one to miss!

We would like to acknowledge that this event takes place on the unceded lands of the Whadjuk Noongar People and we wish to acknowledge the Whadjuk Noongar peoples ongoing connections to the land, seas and skies. We acknowledge that we stand on the shoulders of giants and want to thank the Elders past and present for being our leaders and knowledge keepers and allowing us to share this boodja and space with our community. We also acknowledge the tenacity of all other First Nations community members from across this nation, and remind all that sovereignty was never ceded.

THE RECHABITE | 224 WILLIAM ST NORTHBRIDGE

Blue Carpet & Photo Wall Photos in Stardust Bar: 6PM - 8PM 
Rooftop Market: 6PM - 10PM 
Chillout Basement Bar Open: 6PM - 2AM 
Hall Doors: 8PM 
Welcome To Country in the Hall: 8:30PM 
Live DJs & Performances in the Hall: 8:45PM - 2AM
Best Dressed Competition: 12AM
Event Ends: 2AM

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TICKETS

Early Bird $25

First Release $30

Second Release $35

Final Release $40

Door Sales: $50 (subject to availability and capacity restrictions) 

MEGATIX (our ticketing platform) have kindly agreed to donate 100% of their ticketing fees for this event to aid with fundraising.

Complimentary tickets are available for folks, ticket accessibility is part of the cultural safety of this event. Please reach out for complimentary tickets if required.

This is a not-for-profit event. All profits from ticketing will be donated to local First Nations community organisations.

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LINEUP

Coming soon 👀

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🚩IMPORTANT STUFF🚩

This event first and foremost is a NAIDOC Fundraising event - the cultural safety of all First Nations patrons attending the event is paramount, we expect all patrons to be reflective of the fact that this event does take place on stolen land, and use this as an opportunity to give back. There will be volunteers on the night in hi-vis who are there to support any and all patrons and act as a buffer between patrons and our security staff for any incidents that occur.

We have a ZERO TOLERANCE Policy on harassment, hate speech, racism, non-consensual touching and any other behaviours that threaten the physical and emotional safety of other patrons. If at any time you feel unsafe please approach either our volunteers or a member of The Rechabite staff and let ehem know. Anyone behaving in an unsafe manner will be evicted from the event. 

Event Artwork by TapeMind