Shinju Matsuri Opening Ceremony

Friday August 22, 2008 | 4pm - 6pm

The Opening Ceremony of the Shinju Matsuri Festival commemorates the history and foundations of Broome’s multicultural and Indigenous community whilst acknowledging the contribution of individuals in shaping Broome’s pearling past, present & future. This ceremony pays tribute to Broome’s pearling legends with the a few who remain playing an important role in this emotional opening. The Festival is officially launched with the waking of Sammy the Dragon after his year long sleep.

Pearl Luggers, Dampier Terrace

Rendezvous Santuary Resort | Pearl Luggers | Swan Brewery

Sumo Wrestling | SUMO returns to Oasis

Friday 22 August  | 8pm

Sumo is a highly disciplined art … but we just want to have a bit of fun!!!! Face each other in the ring, glare at your opponent to break their concentration, on the referees signal – go to battle.  Use all kinds of maneuvers to try and force your opponent out of the ring or onto the centre of the mat. It is forbidden for either opponent to bite, pull hair, choke, hit with a closed fist or at any times attach opponents crouch area.

Let’s Rumble, the Oasis Bar @ the Roey!!!!

Pluton Resources Filipina Fiesta

Friday August 22, 2008 | 8pm - 1am

A combination of traditional Filipino dance, song, music, culinary arts and martial arts will be presented amidst the backdrop of a traditional Filipino village at Sun Pictures in Broome. The indigenous families of Broome who embrace as part of their make up a Filipino heritage will jointly perform and present activities with the newer Filipino families who now call Broome home. This will be the first time that Broome’s Filipino community have been acknowledged for their contribution to the cultural fabric of the region and is an opportunity to experience first hand a piece of the town’s rich and diverse cultural heritage and history.

Sun Pictures, Carnarvon Street

Sun Pictures

Dragon Boat Races

Saturday August 23, 2008

The Chinese influence remains strong in Broome with generations of old Broome Chinese calling this exotic destination home. As the spring tides reach their peak, the Chinese community “dot the eyes” of the waiting dragon boats marking the beginning of this annual race at Broome’s historic Town Beach. Co-ordinated by the Rotary Club of Broome the Dragon Boat Races contribute to the connection of Shinju Matsuri to its traditional Asian roots.

Town Beach

Shinju Festival Ball   

Saturday August 23, 2008 | 7:30pm - Midnight

This night of decadence will see guests “Dancing in Paradise” for an evening of fun, laughter and glamour. A mix of the old and new, this evening will incorporate the Chinese, Japanese and Malay Festival origins whilst also featuring traditional Filipino dance and martial arts. Local cabaret performers will thrill and exhilarate and guests will be treated to a red carpet reception.

The Oasis, Roebuck Hotel

Cable Beach Club Resort | Hawaiian Group | Swan Brewery | Nexus Transport

Float Parade | Presented by SmokeFree WA

Sunday August 24, 2008 | 3pm - 4pm

An inclusive community event that stops the town in its tracks for the afternoon as this colourful and eclectic parade weaves through the people lined streets in the centre of Broome. This exciting event has been included in the Festival since 1970 and continues to showcase the town’s multicultural heritage through community floats. The parade finishes at Sam Male Oval where the exciting Mardi Gras takes place.

Chinatown

Printing Ideas | Totally Workwear

Mardi Gras

Sunday August 24, 2008 | 4pm - 8pm

Chinatown comes alive during this colourful celebration which will remain in people’s memories long after the lights go down. Traditional and contemporary music, dance, art, crafts and food will make for an exciting close to a great day of Shinju Matsuri activities.  

Sam Male Oval

Paspaley Plaza | Moby Dick Marine Mangrove Hotel

Shire of Broome Shinju Art Awards

Monday August 25, 2008 | 6pm - 8pm

The art community in Broome is exploding with talent and with a cultural and natural backdrop like Broome it is easy to see where the inspiration comes from. This is an opportunity to see a variety of interpretations of Broome’s identity and to acknowledge the gifted artists who call Broome home.

Newsat | Shell Developments | Horizon Power | Broome First National | Roebuck Bay Caravan Park

Theatre Kimberley's Sandfly Circus Presents Baba Yaga

Monday August 25, 2008 | 7:30pm

Swept into a fantastic land, three girls learn what it means to have heart. The ancient witch of faerie, the legendary Baba Yaga has her heart stolen by a brilliant Mad Scientist. Aerial feats, acro-balance, manipulations and comedy combine in a joyful take on the Old World – New World clash. Join the girls as they meet a panoply of faeries, snot gobblers, fleepies and floopies, discover the meaning of friendship and witness a spectacular show down between the Mad Scientist and the absolutely fabulous Baba Yaga. ONE SHOW ONLY – NOT TO BE MISSED. Tickets sold at Broome Visitors Centre, Chinatown Music and at the door. Adults $20, Concession $15, Kids $5, Family $45 (2 adults, 2 kids).

Broome PCYC

Pets in the Park

Tuesday August 26, 2008 | 2:30pm - 4pm

This relatively new addition to the Shinju Matsuri program has proved extremely popular amongst pets and owners alike attracting families and their colourful, and sometimes odd, assortment of family pets. This fun event is a hit with the entire community.

Shire of Broome

Roebuck Bay Caravan Park |

In Repose                            

 Tuesday August 26, 2008 |

In Repose is a multi disciplinary arts project comprising of contemporary dance, traditional live koto music, projective photographic and video installation, sound scape and story telling. The project is specific to and inspired by Japanese sections of cemeteries around Australia. In Repose honours the Japanese culture and history of Broome and acknowledges the lives of many Japanese people who lived and died here. In Repose consists of a dance and koto performance and video/photographic installation to be held at Gecko gallery, as well as a performance of dance and koto playing at the Japanese section of Broome cemetery.

Broome’s Japanese Cemetery

Pearl Meat Cook-Off            

Tuesday August 26, 2008

Tempt your taste buds with this exciting cook off between some of Broome’s best chefs where the predominant ingredient is Pearl Shell meat. Some will remember this delicious event from the old Shinju Matsuri days and in 2008 we are taking this event to the mangrove Hotel. After judging takes place the public will be invited to sample the mouth watering pearl meat dishes as the sun goes down over our town by the bay.

Mangrove Hotel

Carnival of Nations

Wednesday August 27, 2008 | 5pm - 9pm

Celebrating nearly 50 different nationalities represented within the community, the Carnival of Nations Showcases Broome’s traditional and contemporary culture whilst recognising the town’s diverse multicultural heritage. Activities will include a food fair and cooking traditional foods is for many Broome residents closely linked to their identity as old Broome residents will recall the heady days where the streets of Broome were filled with the aroma of freshly cooked food. The Carnival of Nations is not only a celebration for Broome’s strong sense of community but is also an opportunity to encourage tolerance and mutual respect.

Broome Courthouse

Office of Multicultural Interests | Core Fleet

Crossing Roper Bar

Thursday August 28, 2008

Paul Grabowsky & the Australian Art Orchestra Wagilak Gojurra / Nyilibigi Musicians from Ngukurr. Special Guests: Ruby Hunter  and Steve Pigram. Crossing Roper Bar is the amazing collaboration between the Australian Art Orchestra and the Wagilak Gojurra/Nyilibigi Musicians from Ngukurr in South East Arnhem Land. Crossing Roper Bar combines contemporary western musics with traditional Ngukurr songs to produce a ground-breaking musical hybrid hailed by audiences and critics alike for its haunting melodies, cultural sensitivity and sheer musical virtuosity. The collaboration started in 2004 and has continued both in Ngukurr and Melbourne. The collaboration was premiered at Garma 2006 to critical acclaim as a breakthrough process of a serious bridging of the cultural divide between Indigenous and non Indigenous musics. The Shinju concert will bring together a new combination of AAO and Ngukurr artists with special guests the renowned Indigenous singers Ruby Hunter  and Steve Pigram.

Moonlight Bay

Shinju Quiz Night

Friday August 29, 2008

A traditional Shinju Matsuri event this Quiz night focuses on the town of Broome and its history and culture since its modern establishment in the late 1800’s. Educational, entertaining and fun this event is popular with the entire community.

Broome Civic Centre

Bonner Landscaping & Designs | Broome Real Estate | Bulldog's Electrical & Maintence | Motorhouse | Shelly Archer

Merdeka Party              

Saturday August 30, 2008

Merdeka celebrations (Malaysian Independence Day) in conjunction with Chinese and Japanese traditional celebrations were the cornerstone in the development of Shinju Matsuri. 31st August 2007 marks the 50th anniversary of the independence of the Federation of Malaya from British colonial rule. In reintroducing this event to the Festival in 2007, the Merdeka Party will celebrate the contribution made by the Malay community to the unique culture of Broome. Malay decorations and costumes, food, music and dance will bring the town alive, evoking fond memories of balmy nights under tropical palms at the old Malay quarters.

Broome RSL Club

Family Fun Day

Saturday August 30, 2008

A great day of activities for the entire family with a fun schedule of entertainment, games, kids rides, music and food. The Family Fun Day is proudly brought to you by the Broome Advertiser.

Broome PCYC

Broome Triathlon

Sunday August 31, 2008

The triathlon in Broome is BACK on Sunday the 31st August and will form part of the Shinju Matsuri Festival.   There will be three courses to catering for the serious competitor, those who want to try a triathlon and one for the kids.  You can also put in a team for each leg, all you need is a good swimmer, runner and cyclist. The cost is $20.00 for both the long and short course, $30.00 for a team and $5.00 for the kids. Places will be limited so register now. Form more information call 9193 7677 or brac@broome.wa.gov.au

Broome Recreation and Aquatic Centre

Shinju Matsuri Closing Ceremony

Sunday August 31, 2008

The 2008 Shinju Matsuri Festival of the Pearl will close with Broome residents, visitors and guests entertained with traditional and contemporary performances featuring exciting local talent. A night market will be open throughout the evening showcasing local art and fun stuff for the kids. The natural beauty and magical presence of the ocean will no doubt play backdrop to this highly anticipated event which culminates in the Broome International Airport Shinju Skyshow.

Bedford Park

Broome International Airport Shinju Skyshow

Sunday August 31, 2008

Just after 8pm the sky over Broome will explode with a bang as the heavens lights up for a stunning fireworks display culminating in a giant chrysanthemum. This exciting show will officially celebrate the success of Shinju Matsuri 2008.

Bedford Park