NAIDOC Week at The Loco Markets
From 6 - 13 July, South Eveleigh proudly presents a bold and immersive week-long celebration of NAIDOC Week 2025.
In collaboration with Awesome Black and Trading Blak, we’re bringing a dynamic program to life - featuring live music, artist residencies, evocative soundscapes, interactive workshops, and a curated selection of vendors at The Loco Markets that honour the stories and creativity of First Nations peoples.
NAIDOC Week is a powerful, nationwide celebration recognising the rich history, culture, and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. It’s a time for all Australians to come together, listen, learn, and celebrate.
Discover what’s on below, and come celebrate with us at South Eveleigh:
Welcome to Country
Tuesday, 8 July at 11.30am
Location: Interchange Pavilion
Join Nathan Leslie, David Barnett, and Roy Newman as they kick off our NAIDOC Week celebrations with a powerful Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony.
Calling Soundscape
Sunday - Sunday, 6 - 13 July
Location: Throughout the precinct
Be immersed in the precinct-wide soundscape with compositions from Eric Avery, salllvage & Source Decay. Subtle, immersive, and ever-present - Calling is a curated soundscape of ambient compositions by Eric Avery, salllvage, and Source Decay, gently resonating throughout the South Eveleigh precinct during NAIDOC Week.
Played through discreetly placed speakers across key public areas, these layered sonic works invite listeners to pause and attune to the textures of Country. Blending field recordings, strings, voice, and electronic atmospheres, the soundscape creates a shifting, reflective presence - a quiet reminder of place, memory, and belonging.
First Nations Ambient Music Residency
Monday - Wednesday, 7 - 9 July: 10am - 4pm
Thursday, 10 July: 10am - 7pm
Location: Yoga Studio, 2 Davy Road
Step out of the noise and into the resonance. This NAIDOC week, we're transforming the yoga studio into an Ambient Listening Room. A sonic sanctuary curated by Eric Avery, DOBBY, salllvage, and Source Decay. Across three days, these groundbreaking First Nations artists will weave together live, immersive soundscapes that echo with the rhythms of Country and the pulse of memory. Inspired by works like Max Richter’s Sleep, this durational sound performance invites you to settle in, slow down, and surrender to deep listening.
Think: rich layers of violin, electronic textures, field recordings, and real-time improvisation - all unfolding across a space filled with bean bags, couches, and calm.
Come and go as you like. Stay for five minutes or forty. This is a moment of reflection, of presence, and of shared sonic dreaming. This is what Country sounds like - up close, alive, and evolving.
Lunchtime Dance Club
Thursday, 10 July at Yoga Studio,2 Davy Road | Free event - Book now
Saturday, 12 July at Village Green, opposite Yoho Loco Café | Free event - Book now
Time: 12.30pm - 1.40pm
Bring your comfy clothes and have a dance with renowned First Nations dance artist Aroha Pehi, joined by DJ Mali on the decks spinning smooth, high-vibe tracks. Step away from your desk, shake off the day, and move your body in a welcoming, low-pressure space designed to lift spirits and reconnect through rhythm. No experience needed - just good energy, great tunes, and a little lunchtime joy. Perfect for precinct workers, passers-by, and anyone keen to get loose and feel good.
Earthspeak Kids' Workshop
Thursday, 10 July, 10 - 11am
Saturday, 12 July, 10 - 11am & 1 - 2pm
Location: Village Green, opposite Yoho Loco Café
Join this special hands-on workshop for kids and families, led by illustrator Jade Goodwin! Jade will begin with a reading of her new picture book, Earthspeak: Boodjar Wangkiny, before guiding you through a drawing activity inspired by nature. Using gathered leaves, bark, and natural textures as inspiration, kids/families will create their own unique artworks that celebrate connection to Country and creativity. All ages welcome with parent/guardian supervision. Art materials provided - just bring your imagination! This is a free event & registrations are essential - book your spot here.
Weaving Workshop
Saturday, 12 July
Time: 10 - 11.30am, 1 - 2.30pm
Location: Village Green, opposite Yoho Loco Café
Join Ella Havelka, proud Wiradjuri artist, weaver, and founder of The ELLA Foundation, for a hands-on weaving workshop that invites you to slow down, connect, and create. In this guided session, Ella will share the rich cultural tradition of First Nations weaving, drawing from her deep knowledge as a member of the Hands on Weavers collective. Participants will learn foundational techniques while exploring the stories and practices that have been passed down through generations. More than a craft, this is an experience in cultural connection, storytelling, and mindful making.
Whether you’re a first-timer or someone looking to deepen your creative skills, this workshop offers a warm and reflective space to learn directly from a leading artist and cultural educator. Suitable for participants aged 12 and up. All materials provided. This is a free event & registrations are essential - book your spot here.
Dyagula Music Workshop for Kids & Families
Saturday, 12 July, 11 - 11.45am, 2 - 2.45pm
Location: Interchange Pavilion
Join Dyagula - a Wiradjuri, Gamilaraay, Ngunawal and Walgalu Songwoman - for a joyful, welcoming music workshop designed especially for kids and families. In this interactive session, Dyagula will guide participants through song, rhythm, and language, sharing her love of music and her grandmother’s native tongue in a way that’s playful, gentle and deeply inspiring.
Whether you're clapping along, learning a chorus, or just soaking it in, this is a chance to connect with First Nations culture through sound and story. All ages welcome. No musical experience needed - just a sense of wonder. This is a free event & registrations are essential - book your spot here.
Petroglyph - Live Podcast
Friday - Sunday, 11 - 13 July
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
Petroglyph is a podcast and video series created and hosted by Travis De Vries, designed to take audiences on a deep dive into the world of creativity, culture, and storytelling. Launched in 2024 by Awesome Black, Petroglyph amplifies the voices of First Nations musicians, artists, and cultural leaders, creating a space for slow, thoughtful conversations that reveal the layers behind creative expression.
The name Petroglyph reflects the show’s ethos - just like ancient rock carvings, these conversations are intended to leave a lasting imprint. Each episode invites listeners into the personal and creative journeys of the guests, exploring the challenges, triumphs, and cultural influences that shape their work. No booking is required - everyone is welcome to join and listen in.
Little Yarns - Live Podcast
Saturday, 12 July
Time: To be announced
Location: To be announced
Australia is full of diverse Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Nations. From the Yawuru to the Bundjalung, the clans of the Torres Strait to the Palawa people, every mob has its own language and unique culture. Join our Little Yarns Live Podcast sessions hosted by Rudi Bremer from ABC Kids. Each episode will take you on a journey to a different Nation; to listen to the sounds of Country, share some language and have a little yarn. No booking is required - everyone is welcome to join and listen in.
We’ll listen to the waves on saltwater Country and sing songs in Gumbaynggirr. We'll tell stories in the red and rocky ranges of Adnyamathanha Country. And play by the river on Yorta Yorta woka. There are hundreds of First languages to listen to and learn from!
Little Yarns is a co-listening, ABC Kids listen podcast series for pre-schoolers. Ideal for families listening together at home or as a listening resource in early learning centres, Little Yarns is all about the diverse languages, stories and Countries of Indigenous Australia.
The Loco Markets
Thursday – Saturday, 10 - 12 July: 10am – 7pm
Sunday, 13 July: 10am – 4pm
Market Lineup:
Ngurrbul Clothing - Premium clothing, bedding, and hats
Jarin Street - Stylish activewear and yoga mats
Indigiearth - Top-quality native foods, drinks, cooking supplies, and botanicals.
Balgarra Designs - Authentic hand painted and printed art by First Nations artists.
Heritage Walking Tour
Thursday 19 June: 12 - 1pm
Sunday, 22 June: 10 - 11am or 12 - 1pm
Uncover the legacy of South Eveleigh on a 60-minute guided tour, created in partnership with the Australian Railway Historical Society. Explore South Eveleigh's rich industrial past, discover personal stories of the workers who kept it running, and learn about the remarkable process of turning this 134 year old industrial space into a living museum and vibrant multi-use innovation precinct. Each ticket is $20+BF. Click here to book.
Roving Live Music
Soak up the sounds with free live music from a curated lineup of talented artists, serving up an eclectic mix of genres and melodies by talented First Nations artist including Lamonay, Tim Gray, Kyarna, John James, Elina, Barefoot DJs, and more.
Tuesday, 8 July, 12 - 3pm
Wednesday, 9 July, 12 - 3pm
Thursday, 10 July, 11am - 3pm
Friday, 11 July, 11am - 3pm, 4.30 - 6.30pm
Saturday, 12 July, 11am - 3pm
Sunday, 13 July, 11am - 3pm
There’s more to explore! Discover The Loco Markets event lineup for 17-20 July right here.
Free parking is available at 2 Central Avenue car park with validation at one of our retailers. We're also easily accessible from Redfern Station. Click here for more information on how to get to South Eveleigh.
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