BY JUERGEN MULZER
DARWIN — It has long been known that Darwin's Longgrass community is home to some fantastic musical talent, so it is not surprising that the launch of the first Longgrass Live CD at the third annual Freedom to Sleep Festivities was a great night out.
On November 7, about 250 excited Longgrassers & friends came together at the Raintree Park in the heart of Darwin to celebrate their vibrant and colourful culture, which is beautifully showcased on this highly anticipated CD.
Whilst life as an "itinerant" in Darwin has its hassles, mainly in the form of council workers and police personnel on power trips, the people living in the long grass used the occasion to celebrate their pride.
One of the highlights of the evening was singer Ted Egan, the new administrator for the NT, who spoke and then performed a song about the injustices faced by Australia's traditional owners.
[The CD is titled Freedom to Sleep — Longgrass Live and is available through the Longgrass Association, C/- Post Office Darwin 0801, or by visiting <http://www.longgrass.tripod.com>.]
From Green Left Weekly, November 12, 2003.
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