Rowdies stop culture show in town CBD

Photo from Paartjima Australia website: Parrtjima 2018

Organisers of the annual Paartjima festival in Alice Springs have pulled the show from the Todd Mall after it was disrupted by anti-social behaviour on Sunday night.

Organisers of the festival informed Mayor Damien Ryan they would be moving all the events of the  festival, which is billed as a celebration Aboriginal culture, to the Desert Park because of concerns for the safety of the staff.

Mr Ryan told the ABC’s Stewart Brash it was “very disappointing that this sort of performance by some people is taking over our community space.”

He said he understood the disruption had involved some vehicles that were not meant to be in the mall, but would not elaborate further.

“Council has been a big supporter of the Paartjima festival and had been a big mover in getting the festival into the CBD,” Mr Ryan said.

He said he and the Council CEO had been in talks with the Chief Minister’s department and would would continue to work with police and the department to reduce similar behaviour.