After the success of Roadshow NT 2025,  Artback NT is proud to announce Roadshow NT is coming to Nhulunbuy / Gove this year – bringing an audience singalong, spoken word, and live music to the Gove Arts Theatre on Friday, 8 May.

The line-up will feature award-winning MC and comedian, Shalom Kaa, spoken word artists Melanie Mununggurr and Laurie May, and fem rock trio TANG.

With only 60 tickets available, this will be an unmissable night celebrating NT talent. Find out more about the event and book tickets here.

Visiting artists will also host two community workshops, an Introduction to Poetry with Melanie Mununggurr and Laurie May on Wednesday, 6 May and Public Speaking and Stage Presence with Shalom Kaa on Saturday, 9 May.

Designed to connect communities with exceptional independent artists, Roadshow NT showcases the power and diversity of the Territory’s performing arts scene, bringing bold, funny, moving and unforgettable stories to regional and remote audiences.

“Roadshow NT is about shining a spotlight on the creative energy that defines the NT,” says Artback NT’s Performing Arts Manager. “We’re thrilled to take some of the Territory’s best performers on the road and strengthen the connections between artists and communities.”

With thanks to venue partner Gove Arts Theatre.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government through Creative Australia, its principal arts investment and advisory body.

Melanie Mununggurr is a Djapu mother, poet, and performer whose voice and poetry rose to prominence after winning the Australian Poetry Slam in 2018. With family connections to this region, Melanie has since travelled Australia and the world sharing their poetry, often alongside their children, strongly advocating for the children of artists belonging in artistic spaces. They have collaborated and performed with some of the country’s finest musicians such as Emily Wurramara and Jessica Mauboy.

Melanie’s connection to their land, language, and culture informs the way in which they meticulously weave Dhuwal language throughout their poetry and storytelling, as a way of decolonising the literary and performance space. Melanie and Laurie will spend time in nearby communities during their visit, working with school groups to create poetry and translate this into local languages.

Laurie May is an Mparntwe / Alice-Springs based poet, spoken word performer and poetry educator. Laurie is now the Artistic & Festival Director for the Red Dirt Poetry Festival and Red Dirt Poetry Inc.

Originally from the Gulf of Carpentaria, Laurie has made home in the desert, with Aboriginal ancestry from Central Queensland from their father and New Zealand heritage from their mother.

Don’t miss Melanie and Laurie’s poetry workshop on Wednesday 6 May.

Shalom Kaa is a Garramilla / Darwin-based actor, singer, comedian, MC, and producer known for creating powerful connections through story and song. His acclaimed solo shows have earned festival recognition and multiple award nominations across the NT.

Of Maori heritage and proudly carrying a Jewish name, his work explores identity and belonging with equal parts vulnerability and razor-sharp wit. His performances move seamlessly between comedy and catharsis, often using live music to unite audiences.

He is also the founder of the sell-out Harmony & Humour Bar Choir, a bi-monthly community singing phenomenon built on the simple belief that when people sing together, barriers fall away, an idea he’s now bringing to Nhulunbuy.

Don’t miss Shalom’s public speaking and stage presence workshop on Saturday 9 May.

TANG are a fem rock trio who have played all across the Darwin underground scene from car parks to actually licensed venues.

After their huge year in 2025 taking home Rock Song of The Year & People’s Choice at the NT Music Awards for Darwin Time, they launched their debut EP TASTE TANG in March.

Expect a fast-paced show, guaranteed to leave you sweaty and wanting more. Yell along with them as they detail the trials and tribulations of living in the tropics.