The Jimmy Little Gathering, to be held at Bathurst Memorial Entertainment Centre, will begin at 3pm with an afternoon of public workshops in areas of Indigenous culture.

Arts Out West executive director Tracey Callinan said it is a day for everyone.

“It’s a day for the whole community to come and get a taste of traditional and contemporary local Indigenous culture,” she said.

“There’ll also be hands-on sessions in beading, fibre basket weaving and clap stick making.

“The basket and fibre weaving will be set up in the foyer so that people can come and sit and learn a few techniques throughout the afternoon.” 

This includes an introduction to Wiradyuri language, fibre weaving, beading, clap stick making and contemporary Indigenous dance.

From 6.30pm, the main theatre will host Radical Son, James Henry, Smith and Jones and the Orient Royal Mail Band.

Smaller stages, in the afternoon, will feature an open-mic session for local Indigenous musicians, storytelling and guest performances including Frances Peters-Little, Ashley Bland, the Sounds Live Choir and dancers Madhu Yinaa. 

There will also be an exhibition of work by Indigenous visual artists from across the Central West. 

Trained Wiradyuri language teacher Nyree Reynolds will run two half-hour workshops (3pm and 3.45pm), which are introductions to the Wiradyuri language.

For most workshops, the community can just turn up on the day after buying an event ticket.

Pre-bookings are needed for the dance workshop, which is hosted by acclaimed contemporary choreographer Jo Clancy.

This workshop is aimed at young performers with some dance experience.

A free barbecue, supported by Bathurst Indigenous Land Council and Veritas House, is available for ticket holders and will be provided from 5pm.

Entry is $5 and tickets are available through BMEC.