MARCH-MAY 2013
FOLIO 91 MAR- MAY 2014
multiculturalarts.com.au
RECONCILIATION Multicultural Arts Victoria embraces the principles of reconciliation and we have a strong commitment to respect Indigenous beliefs, values and customs as we learn from each other and build a future together. In pic: Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys
Minister for the Arts Hon Heidi Victoria, Mr Stefan Romaniw OAM, Jill Morgan AM & Meg Larkin with MASSIVE Fam on Australia Day
Victoria today is reflected through wide ranging forms of tangible and intangible cultural expression. This expression continues to have a huge impact on Victoria’s view of our own cultural values and its position and reputation in the world. In this context on March 3, Victoria’s new Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship policy was launched. The policy reaffirmed that Victoria has a proud and vibrant heritage and diversity is one of the States greatest strengths and underpins the States economic prosperity. The policy was developed within the broader framework of Australia being a party to the Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions which was signed on 23 September 2009. We must be continually proactive, not rest on our laurels of being a model of multiculturalism, even though we have been very successful compared to the much of the rest of the world, migration is changing and we are becoming more diverse and our community more complex. There is continuing growth in cultural diversity across Victoria and the arts sector plays a critical role.
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Multicultural Arts Victoria as a lead organisation continues to represent many artists and communities through our advocacy, programs and services who would not normally get the opportunity to participate in the arts. So it is with great sadness and disappointment as curent CEO of MAV and former CEO of Kulcha I read the news of our sister organisation in Western Australia, Kulcha Multicultural Arts of Western Australia closing its doors on February 13 after 30 years of operations. Kulcha Multicultural Arts of WA made a significant and strong contribution to high quality production and presentation of programs, projects and events that greatly enhanced WA’s great artistic and cultural life over the past 30 years. On the same day Kulcha closed, I was in Sydney speaking at the launch of Groundswell Arts NSW. After the defunding of the Multicultural Arts Alliance in NSW almost 15 years ago Groundswell is reforming to advocate and represent CALD artists and communities in NSW through the energy and passion of a group of committed volunteers. We need to ask what are the deliberate interventions to be undertaken in our Arts world to develop a place that is socially just, creative and intellectually honest a world where there is cultural democracy.
Black Harmony Gathering
EDITORIAL We will need to ask the hard questions. Whose stories are we hearing? Whose art is on our stages? Which communities do we not seem main stage? Do we really encourage respect for difference and diversity? Whose bums are on the seats in our theatres? How do we make change? We also need to think what will Australia/Victoria look like in 10 years time. I believe cultural diversity can be at the heart of new contemporary works and innovation. It can be a new voice, a creative and inspiring voice. Bringing different cultures together in cultural dialogue has a double pronged affect it creates new work but also cultural sharing and understanding, which leads to social inclusion and builds the capacity of community. A shared dynamic arts and cultural landscape with a diversity of engagement and inclusion for all needs to be futher developed, strongly supported and respected, that safeguards the cultural rights of all Victorians. We need further advocacy and strong discussion around resourcing multicultural arts sector plus the critical and vital role multicultural state arts organisations play in ensuring universal
access, new cultural content and how they build the capacity of the community. Multicultural Arts Victoria as an organisation plays a very unique leadership role in the arts in Victoria. MAV acts as an entrepreneur. It fosters and supports opportunities that best leverage the community’s cultural and social assets. We need to nurture MAV as an organisation. I therefore urge all artists, supporters and members of Multicultural Arts Victoria not to be complacent and show your support for Multicultural Arts Victoria at our AGM on May 26th in the South Melbourne Town Hall. We have a vibrant arts and cultural community in Victoria and we certainly want to guard against being in the same situation as WA and NSW, where there is no peak advocacy body for diversity and the arts. We need to remember what makes our community special and how we share and grow this. Upcoming Cultural Diversity Week March 15-23 is a way we can celebrate our diversity, share cultures and build a future together. Jill Morgan AM Chief Executive Officer 5
15-23 March
CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK
Dali Elephants
CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK
15 to 23 March 2014 Come together and celebrate culture, faith and language in Victoria! Premier’s Gala Dinner
Viva Victoria Festival
From the 15 to the 23 March Victorians from all backgrounds will unite for a week of exciting activities and events in celebration of Cultural Diversity Week. Multicultural Arts Victoria is proud to work closely with the Victorian Multicultural Commission to program the prestigious launch event, the Premier’s Gala Dinner. Talented and culturally diverse artists are set to fill the Crown Palladium with colour and music from around the world with participating communities including the South Sudanese, Croatians, Polynesians, Australian Indigenous, Italians, Indians and many others. Premier’s Gala Dinner Saturday 15 March Crown Palladium (Sold out)
Tens of thousands of people will gather at Federation Square for the sixth annual Viva Victoria Festival! Multicultural Arts Victoria works with the Victorian Multicultural Commission each year to fill four stages with a selection of traditional and contemporary performances, roving acts, children’s crafts and cultural activities. Main stage acts will include Yirrmal and the Yolngu Boys, Claymore, Cambodian Space Project, Abbie Cardwell and the Chicano Rockers and Bollywood sensation, The Bombay Royale! Also this year you can get involved and vote in one of the exciting “crowd judged” activities, a Rangoli Art Competition and Freestyle Academy’s, City Session a 2 VS 2 street dance battle. There really is something for everyone- it’s the ultimate celebration of Victoria’s amazing cultural diversity. Premier’s Gala Dinner and Viva Victoria Festival are presented by Victorian Multicultural Commission and programmed by Multicultural Arts Victoria
Viva Victoria Sunday 23 March, 12-6pm Federation Square, FREE 6
Lamine Sonko
Gnarnayarrahe Waitairie
Lamine Sonko Sounds of Polynesia
SAY NO TO RACISM
BLACK HARMONY GATHERING A day of First Nations, African and Hazara culture On 16 March 2014, from 1-5pm, Multicultural Arts Victoria and the Warrior Spirit Art Collective, supported by the City of Yarra, the Victorian Multicultural Commission and PBS 106.7FM present the annual Black Harmony Gathering - a vibrant celebration of local Koorie and emerging refugee cultures, on the banks of the Yarra River at Fairfield Amphitheatre, in the heart of Wurundjeri land. A beautiful afternoon of free music and dance, the Gathering will feature Indigenous, vegetarian and cultural delights, creative children’s activities and cultural ceremonies. Performing artists include Yirrmal & the Yolngu Boys, Kutcha Edwards, Taqi Khan, FLYBZ, Jackie Jackie & The Blackies, Koori Youth Will Shake Spears, Special Crew and The Deans with Illana Atkinson, with the message ‘Say no to racism!’
Black Harmony Forum This year the gathering will be accompanied by the Black Harmony Forum, held on Wednesday 19th March, from 6:30-8:30pm, in Fitzroy Town Hall’s Reading Room. The Forum is entitled ‘From Convicts to Boat People: Colonisation, Migration and Historical Hypocrisy’. Speakers include Robbie Thorpe, Indigenous activist from the Krautungalung people of the Gunai Nation, Jessie Taylor, human rights barrister, refugee advocate and filmmaker, Taqi Khan, celebrated Hazara (Afghan) musician and former asylum seeker and Peter Rotumah, Gunditjmara/ 8
Bunitj pioneer of the Aboriginal protest song. Catering will be supplied by Charcoal Lane, local social enterprise run by Mission Australia that trains Indigenous youth. The Forum will be facilitated by Calca Edwards, niece of iconic indigenous musician and Black Harmony Gathering founder, Kutcha Edwards. Calca previously completed a MAV traineeship in 2009 and 2010, 27 SEPTEMBER 2012, 7.30PM funded by CENTRE the Besen Family Foundation. This year ARTS MELBOURNE, HAMER she’s back in the office with the HALL Black Harmony team, helping to coordinate this year’s event. Held during Cultural Diversity Week (15-23 March 2014), the Black Harmony Gathering and Forum embrace the principles of reconciliation, diversity, social inclusion, respect and the breaking down of racism. With a strong commitment to respecting Indigenous beliefs, values and customs, people of all cultures are invited to come together, learn from each other and build a future together. Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria in association with Warrior Spirit Art Collective, supported by City of Yarra, Victorian Multicultural Commission and PBS 106.7FM, as part of Cultural Diversity Week March 15-23, an opportunity for all Victorians to come together to share friendship and culture.
Black Harmony Gathering Sunday March 16, 1-5pm FREE Fairfield Amphitheatre, Fairfield Park Black Harmony Forum Wednesday March 19, 6.30-8.30pm FREE Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall, 201 Napier Street
Robbie Thorpe
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Be the difference Successful integration of newly arrived people from diverse cultural communities is critical to ensuring harmony, tolerance and a mutually respectful cohesive society. Help create a sense of unity, belonging and tolerance within the wider Victorian community.
Donate now To make a fully tax deductible donation please visit www.givenow.com.au or contact us via email: kat.philanthropy@multiculturalarts. com.au or call us on 9188 3681 to discuss how you can make a difference.
Be the difference
Successful integration of newly arrived people from diverse cultural communities is critical to ensuring harmony, tolerance and a mutually respectful cohesive society. Help create a sense of unity, belonging and tolerance within the wider Victorian community.
Donate now
To make a fully tax deductible donation please visit www.givenow.com.au or contact us viaemail: kat.philanthropy@multiculturalarts.com.au or call us on 9188 3681 to discuss how you can make a difference. 10
La Chiva Gantiva
GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Brothahood ONE Tour and Asi Suena Colombia in partnership with Moomba Asi Suena Colombia – Colombia Sounds Like This @ Moomba From Saturday 8 to Monday 10 March 2014, Moomba will become the home of Colombian sounds as nationally touring roadshow ‘Asi Suena Colombia’ arrives to contribute to one of Melbourne’s biggest parties. Produced by Pura Vida Roadshow in partnership with Multicultural Arts Victoria, Bogota based Frente Cumbiero and Brussels based La Chiva Gantiva will perform alongside local acts Miss Colombia and Cumbia Cosmonauts to create a three-day cumbia party as part of Moomba’s 60 year anniversary celebrations. Presented by the Multicultural Arts Victoria, Moomba Festival and PuraVida Roadshow with the support of The Embassy of Colombia in Australia, City of Melbourne and Wallonie - Bruxelles International.
Sat 8- Mon 10 March Cumbia workshop 2:40-3:00pm everyday Concert: 3- 4:30pm everyday Main Arena, Alexandra Gardens See multiculturalarts.com.au for full program
IN REVIEW: Brothahood tour: ONE 2014 Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) in partnership with the Australia-Malaysia Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), ONE 2014 was a 10-day tour in which The Brothahood (Melbourne based Australian-Muslim hip-hop crew) launched their second album ‘Onus On Us’, featuring local Malaysian artists, Altimet and Seveneightsix. While on tour, the group performed and collaborated with local artists, hosted open mic sessions, engaged youth on topical issues, visited schools, orphanages and connected with the media. The group have performed in Kuala Lumpur in 2011 with Zain Bhikha and DEBU as well as headlining tours across Indonesia in 2010. As Australian born Muslims, The Brothahood breaks down negative stereotypes commonly seen in the media through their music and they provide insights on growing up as Muslims in the west. Supported by the Commonwealth through the AustralianMalaysian Institute of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
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The Fabric
MAV WORKING REGIONALLY & OUTER METRO
EMERGE CULTURAL NETWORK
Increasing participation and opportunities in the arts in regional and outer metro Victoria
Emerge in the West & Africa Day Celebrations Emerge in the West will see Footscray’s Nicholson St come alive with a massive street party celebrating local African cultures in the precinct. The main stage will feature an all local line up of music, dance and fashion from all corners of the African continent, while Africa Town Cafe will host a stage of more traditional styles. Local traders will open their doors to create a vibrant cultural marketplace packed with tasty authentic foods, exotic fashions, crafts and homewares, cooking classes and Ethiopian coffee ceremonies. And don’t miss the African Walking Bus Tour led by your local tour guide that will lead you to some of Footscray’s hidden gems and undiscovered delights! In 2014 the festival will launch a week of celebrations commemorating Africa Day in Melbourne organised by the Africa Day Australia Committee including Africa’s Got Talent and the African Gala Dinner - see africadaymelbourne.com for more info. Produced by: Multicultural Arts Victoria Sponsors, Partners, and supporters: Maribyrnong City Council, Australia Council for the Arts, Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Arts Victoria, Africa Day Australia Committee.
Emerge in the West Festival Saturday 17th May, 11am – 5pm, FREE Nicholson St between Irving and Paisley Sts 12
IN REVIEW: Emerge in Brimbank MAV has continued its important work in outer metro and regional Victoria in 2013 and 2014 with some highlights including: Emerge in Brimbank held November 10th 2013 saw a 300 strong crowd converge at Errington Community Centre to celebrate local emerging refugee cultures and talents with an afternoon of music, dance, food and art. MAV worked with Brimbank Youth Services and local young artist Fostin Nshimirimana to hold the first Westside Talent Quest which attracted about 20 young people from diverse backgrounds to take the stage and strut their stuff. The Talent Quest set the mood for the day – which rolled on like one long, good vibes party with performances from the Acholi Gospel Choir, Limbs2Riddims, Burundian Drummers and Women’s Group, Ras Jahknow and more. Produced and presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria and Brimbank City Council Supported by Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, Scanlon Foundation, Australia Council for the Arts and Arts Victoria.
Still from Culture Bowl
IN REVIEW: Emerge at Twilight Festival On Saturday 1st March The only festival of its kind, Emerge at Twilight unearthed the incredible talents of local newly arrived refugee and emerging multicultural communities, and provided an opportunity to share and celebrate rich and undiscovered cultures all the way from Africa to the Far East, from the traditional to the contemporary. The festival featured an exciting and interactive free program encompassing nonstop music and dance performances, authentic cultural foods from around the globe, and a wide variety of Indigenous and multicultural children’s arts and crafts activities, including a special interactive arts installation from Polyglot. Produced and presented by Greater Shepparton City Council in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria and Word and Mouth. Supported by Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, SheppARTon Arts Festival, UnitingCare Cutting Edge, Shepparton English Language Centre, The Bridge, FamilyCare and Relationships Australia.
IN REVIEW: The Fabric The Fabric is a unique new short film produced and directed by award winning Melbourne filmmaker Thomas Baricevic. The film follows on from the 2009 film Thomas made with MAV Step by Step - a documentary about two groups of Sudanese teens from opposite sides of Melbourne struggling to find their identity and deal with racial issues in their new country. MAV linked Thomas with a group of young Sudanese
people in Shepparton to develop the story for the film. It is a short drama that follows Katrina, a young Sudanese born teenager living in the country town of Shepparton, as she comes to grips with her new life and new challenges. The film has recently screened at ACMI and Goulburn Ovens Institute of TAFE. Link to trailer: vimeo. com/85477175 The Fabric is a short film that was developed with the assistance of Multicultural Arts Victoria, and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
CULTURE BOWL NOMINATION Destination: Shepparton film joins IPAF ATOM Awards tour Culture Bowl, a short film developed as part of Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Destination: Shepparton project was recently nominated as a finalist in the Australian Teachers of Media (ATOM) awards. It was included in the national screenings tour. The first was held on the 28th of February at Federation Square. In Culture Bowl, students from Shepparton English Language Centre worked alongside mentor Cath Murphy (Rural Animation Project) to create a short film that offers a young person’s perspective on what it feels like to be a newly arrived asylum seeker in Australia. See: atomawards.org/tertiary-industry-entry/culture-bowl The 2014 IPAF ATOM Awards National Screenings Tour is presented by ATOM and supported by The Intellectual Property Awareness Foundation (IPAF), Federation Square, RMIT University, Screen Tasmania and ScreenWest. 13
Mc MoMo
VISIBLE MUSIC Giving emerging musicians a voice Diafrix’s MC MoMo in Conversation From the streets of Footscray - where two young emcees struggled hard for their voices to be heard, to signed, internationally globetrotting, festival regulars, the Diafrix duo of Azmarino and MoMo certainly encompass the dream of overcoming hardship and obscurity to realize their own. As participants during the inception of the Visible Music Mentoring Program, Diafrix have now grown to become mentors and ambassadors, lending a hand to the next wave of emerging emcees, rhyming for their story to be heard. As part of the conversation MC MoMo will talk about Diafrix’s journey from mentees to mentors and will offer advice for those who likewise dream big. Visible Biz is an off shoot of the Visible Music Mentoring Program, providing music industry advice for emerging and diverse musicians. The program runs business skills workshops and keynote conversations throughout the year, offering veteran insight into the industry while creating networking opportunities with industry representatives and the wider music community. The conversation will be followed by a music sharing session and will be the official launch of the Visible Ambassadors program. For more information and to book contact projects@multiculturalarts.com.au or call 9188 3681 14
IN REVIEW: ReMastered Myths Stage @ St Kilda Festival Cultures, sounds and rhythms collided at St Kilda Festival 2014 as Multicultural Arts Victoria’s ReMastered Myths Stage brought together artists from Melbourne’s diverse communities with established contemporary musicians to form eclectic new musical genres representative of Melbourne’s unique demographic. The collaborations were staged as part of the main festival day on Sunday February 9th in the Catani Gardens from 6-9pm. The ReMastered Myths Stage celebrated a strengthening partnership with St Kilda Festival and the City of Port Phillip and provided an invaluable performance opportunity for diverse artists at the largest free street party in the Southern Hemisphere. ReMastered Myths was presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria in association with the St Kilda Festival. Supported by the City of Port Philip, St Kilda Festival and APRA
Diafrix’s MC MoMo in Conversation Saturday May 31st 2-4pm FREE South Melbourne Town Hall 208-220 Bank St South Melbourne (enter building via Daly Street)
Taqi Khan
SOCIAL ENTERPRISE Career progression & economic development for culturally diverse artists & communities Our Social Enterprise has been buzzing with artist Regional Victoria Living Expo opportunities for Cultural Diversity Week as many schools and city councils take the opportunity to contact MAV and highlight this significant week with a workshop, performance or event. City of Stonnington have booked MC extraordinaire Mikelangelo and the eclectic Sol Nation for their Flavours Festival in Prahran’s Grattan Gardens on Saturday 15th March. Afghan Hazara musician Taqi Khan and his band will be joining in the festivities at Swan Hill Harmony Day as headline act on Saturday 22nd March at Riverside Park. The event is presented by an active community Harmony Day committee with support from the Swan Hill Rural City Council, and their partnership with Regional Arts Victoria. For an artist booking or more information contact: programs@multiculturalarts.com.au
Music for the People Celebrate the closing of the annual Brunswick Music Festival with a spectacular line-up of culturally diverse acts ranging from zydeco to folk, and from hip-hop to gypsy at this year’s Music For The People. Programmed by Multicultural Arts Victoria and presented by the Moreland City Council this event draws on the talents of its locals including Glenroy resident and Melbourne music doyenne, Kylie Auldist, who will perform as the headline act with her seven-piece funk band the Glenroy Allstars.
MAV is again working with Arts Victoria and Regional Arts Victoria to present an Arts & Culture Program for the Regional Victoria Living Expo in April 2014. The entertainment program is designed to complement the informative elements of the expo and families can enjoy a variety of performances from arts, cultural, music and dance groups from across regional Victoria and see first-hand the exciting things that are happening across our great state. If you’ve been considering a tree-change or a sea-change come along to this free event and find the answers to all your questions. http://www.rdv.vic. gov.au/expo Music for the People Saturday 15 March, 4-8:30pm, FREE Shore Reserve, corner Melville Road and Reynard Street, Pascoe Vale South Regional Living Expo Friday 11th- Sunday 13th April, FREE Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre, 2 Clarendon Street, Southbank
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The Battle by Alaa Awad
VISUAL ARTS Art of the Urban Pharaohs
Palimpsest: Minela Krupic
Art of the Urban Pharaohs - Masterpieces Lost presented by the Independent Egyptian Alliance Victoria opens at Federation Square’s Yarra Gallery will open on Friday 21st March 2pm. The exhibition brings together a range of street art and includes portraits of martyrs, complex adaptations of ancient Egyptian art photographed by Ossama Boshra, and art by renowned Egyptian artist Lotfi Abou Sariya. See MAV website for more info.
Award winning artist Minela Krupic is bringing her poignant and thought-provoking first solo exhibition Palimpsest to Point Nepean National Park from 5– 30 April. The Palimpsest exhibition explores the stories of migrants quarantined at Point Nepean through collected images of them. A palimpsest is a manuscript from which the text has been scraped or washed off so that it can be used again. Using print-making techniques on various materials such as paper and silk, the exhibition explores the themes of memory and its fallibility through the manipulation of photographs and the degradation of the image.
Independent Egyptian Abroad Alliance Victoria presents this exhibition under the patronage of the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism with the support of Multicultural Arts Victoria and the Victorian Multicultural Commission.
Art of the Urban Pharaohs March 21- 31, 11am - 6pm Yarra Gallery, Federation Square Opening: March 21, 11am
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Palimpsest is presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria and supported by Parks Victoria.
Palimpsest April 5 - 30 Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park
Excerpt from Pioniri by Minela Krupic
Apology by Jorge Juliรกn Aristizรกbal
Voicing the Unspoken Vietnam/Australia
In Review: Ping Pong Colombia/Australia
Inspired by the perspectives of artists with links to Vietnam and Australia, this exhibition brings together five artists whose practices are informed by these connections. Through their emotionally charged artworks they canvas many issues: how refugees are perceived and treated, the freedom to speak your mind, and the ethical dimensions of power; they voice what is often left unspoken, bringing to light many contradictions, tensions and disparities within the social fabric.
An innovative pioneering project that creatively built connections and understanding between Australia and Colombia. MAV was honoured to work in partnership with the Colombian Foreign Ministry to realise this inspiring international visual arts project in association with RMIT University exhibiting unique drawings by Australian artist Greg Creek and Colombia-based artist Jorge Juliรกn Aristizรกbal and presenting a conference featuring speakers from Colombia and Australia. MAV looks forward to future collaborative partnerships and ongoing fruitful dialogue between the two countries.
Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria and Human Rights Arts & Film Festival
Voicing the Unspoken- Vietnam/Australia 8-22 May 2014 Yarra Gallery, Federation Square
Produced and presented by The Embassy of Colombia in Australia, Multicultural Arts Victoria and RMIT University
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Hon. Nicholas Kotsiras
Albanian Folkloric Dance Group
Cambur Pinton
Jimmy Bosch
MAV SUMMER IN REVIEW
AUSTRALIA DAY
The Piers Festival - A celebration of migration! Now in its third year, the Piers Festival attracted over 10000 people to Princes Pier in Port Melbourne to celebrate our state’s rich history of migration. Music groups, dance troupes, vocal ensembles, food and craft vendors, historical exhibits and forum speakers all contributed to one of the most culturally diverse events on the Australia Day calendar. The common thread of migration wove through all the activities at the festival and visitors as well as participants were moved by the many stories of displacement, adjustment and achievement as new Australians. Special guests included former Premier Ted Baillieu, life-long Australia Day Ambassador, Elizabeth Chong, Australia Day Ambassadors Vedran Drakulic and Nyadol Nyuon and head of the Australia Day Committee Victoria Stefan Romaniw. This year, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs & Citizenship, Nicholas Kotsiras, was especially acknowledged at the festival for his valuable and ongoing support of this important event.
“The atmosphere on the day was electric and the reaction and appreciation from the audience was terrific. The Piers Festival is truly a snapshot of the cultural diversity that exists in marvelous Melbourne!” Bernadette O’Neill / Saoirse “The Piers Festival gave us the opportunity to introduce our culture and heritage to other communities, and at the same time, bond and learn from them. It was a tremendous atmosphere, an enormous privilege and a great joy to be part of this unique experience” Anne Markic and Draga Gelt, Historical Archives of Slovenians in Australia The Piers Festival was proudly produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria and supported by the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, City of Port Philip, Arts Victoria, the Australia Day Committee (Vic), Major Projects Victoria, Yarra Trams, Commonwealth Bank and Beer 961
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MAV SUMMER IN REVIEW
Asanti Dance Theatre
AUSTRALIA DAY TIDAL RHYTHMS AT THE BOWL
Australia Day concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl This year’s Australia Day Concert at the Sidney Myer Music Bowl was a celebration of coastal and island cultures and featured a spectacular line up of local talent including two new collaborations and a heart stopping performance by Asanti Dance Theatre. Pans on Fire were on stage to welcome the audience as they poured through the gates, blue skies, sun shining and the Roulettes soaring overhead. This was a significant event for the community steel pan band as it was their first Australia Day performance outside of Marysville since they formed in 2009 and it was also the lead up to the 5th anniversary of the Black Saturday bushfires. Massive Fam proved their creative and professional prowess by leading underground street dance crews Jigsaw Sneakers, Nomadic Funk, Burn City Queenz and Nacaals in a hip hop mash up to the live sound track of their original tunes. Maracatu Estrela Do Mar and Fiesta Kreol, both fresh new groups, represented the music and dance of the coast of Brazil, Rodrigo, Seychelles and Mauritius with colour and flair. It can’t be denied however, that Nicky Bomba and his Melbourne Ska Orchestra 20
really got the party started when they took to the stage joined by guest artists Grace Barbé and Rebecca Ari. Minister for the Arts Hon. Heidi Victoria and Stefan Romaniw OAM both spoke on the importance of cultural diversity in Australia.
“It was such a refreshing sight to see the celebrations reflect our unique multicutural Australian identity. The talent on display was world class and we are so lucky that these inspiring artists are a part of Melbourne’s vibrant arts scene. My children and I had a lovely time and will absolutely be back for more next year!” Audience member Tidal Rhythms was the first of three concerts presented by Australia Day Victoria and produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria, exploring the landscapes of Australia and parallel landscapes around the world. Planning has already begun for the next exciting concert in 2015! Tidal Rhythms at the Bowl was presented by Australia Day Victoria and is produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria in association with Arts Centre Melbourne.
MAV SUMMER IN REVIEW
Melbourne Ska Orchestra
Maracatu Estrela MassiveDoFAM Mar
Fiesta FiestaCreole Kreol
MAV SUMMER IN REVIEW
Traces of Transformation
Tari Jalanan Warehouse Party
MAPPING MELBOURNE Independent Contemporary Asian Arts
In early December 2013 some of Melbourne’s most iconic institutions were taken over by Mapping Melbourne, a four day showcase of independent contemporary Asian arts celebrating the vibrant influence Asia continues to have on Melbourne’s cultural dynamism. Produced and presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria the events included established and emerging artists from across China, Indonesia, Australia, Malaysia, India, Japan, Thailand, Vietnam, Mongolia and New Zealand. Audiences were exposed to new and exciting contemporary Asian dance, design, fashion, art, music and spoken word. The quality and multiplicity of each event was a credit to all artists involved and although they were busy inspiring and impressing audiences they also benefited by being part of the Mapping Melbourne “community”. Collaborations across the program highlighted the importance of a platform for
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strengthening arts networks between contemporary independent artists across the Asian region, building connections and establishing collaborative ongoing relationships. “I came away having met a whole new cross section of artists, arts managers and arts organisations from Melbourne and Asia. Each new connection I made was an inspired and exciting one with definite promise for future collaboration and connection” Victoria Chiu, dancer and choreographer MAV would like to thank our sponsors City of Melbourne, Arts Victoria, Besen Family Foundation, Kabo Lawyers and Victorian Multicultural Commission, supporters and venue partners for sharing in this vision.
Darbotz
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MAV SUMMER IN REVIEW
Fairfield Summer Concert Series A laid back excursion into exotic sounds, amazing circus and cultural dance from around the globe, the Fairfield Summer Concert Series featured artists from the Horn of Africa, Chile & Argentina, Mauritius and the Celtic Isles. Held every Sunday at the Fairfield Amphitheatre, this series was produced by MAV and presented by the City of Yarra. Produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria and presented by City of Yarra, the Cultural Historical Association of Rodriguans & Mauritians and Westside Circus.
Poetry @ FedSquare A free program of poetry, music and performance at Federation Square was presented on the 15th of February. Each month different poets present their new works in a public setting to an everchanging audience. It is an opportunity to hear new words and voices. In 2013, Poetry @ Fed Square involved 35 artists from Australian, Greek, Italian, Pakistani, Indian, Iranian, Turkish and African backgrounds who shared their words with an audience of over 550. The 2014 February season brings you the wonderful words of Avril Bradley, Lyndon Walker and Gayelene Carbis. There is also an open mic session for those who want to share their lovely words for just 5 minutes each. Supported by Federation Square and Multicultural Arts Victoria.
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Waitangi Day- A celebration of New Zealand’s national day On the 8th of February at the Pines Scout Reserve Altona, Waitangi Day by Kiwi Waka Victoria celebrated and gave thanks specifically to those who have helped in some way or another with their Taonga (Treasure) the Te Karangatahi Waka, built in Perth, Australia. This Waka (a 40ft Maori canoe) has brought many Maori people together whilst it has been in Melbourne. The Waka was proudly exhibited on the day. As per Maori custom, the day began with the Powhiri (Maori Welcome). Traditional Maori Kapahaka (performing arts groups) brought their harmonious tones in song and dance and much more. Presented by Kiwi Waka Victoria and proudly supported by Multicultural Arts Victoria.
Night Market Celebrating its 16th year, the Summer Night Market is still growing every year and again extended its season until the end of March 2014. Working with MAV each year to program the live music element, the Queen Victoria Market provides an important platform for Melbourne’s performers to share their talents. Our artists always relish the opportunity to perform on one of the three stages and be immersed in the market buzz with delicious food stalls, specialty stalls and up to 40,000 people! Presented by Queen Victoria Market. Entertainment program produced and presented in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria
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Multicultural Arts Victoria Staff Chief Executive Officer: Jill Morgan AM Artistic Program Manager: Anita Larkin Finance, Office & ICT Manager: Hung Nguyen Admin, Publicity & Design: Deshani Wickremasinghe Marketing & Development: Claudia Escobar Project Officers: Jess Fairfax, Anne Harkin, Kate Hayes Philanthropy and Fundraising: Kat Vane Tempest Social Enterprise & Events: Meg Larkin Events & Operations: Andrea Makris Project Officer Visual Arts: Trinidad Estay Project Officer Youth: Rebecca March Arts & Cultural Development: Fablice Manirakiza Black Harmony Gathering Placement: Calca Edwards Marketing Interns: Lucy Hamilton, Emma Elsom Multimedia: Sebastian Avila Photos: DWV Photography, James Henry, Jorge de Araujo, Michelle Grace Hunder Photography, Anthony Rodriguez, Windu Kuntoro Address: South Melbourne Town Hall Level 1, 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne 3205 PO Box 5113 South Melbourne 3205, Australia T: +61 3 9188 3681 - F: +61 3 9686 6643 FOLLOW US Facebook: Multicultural Arts Victoria Inc. Twitter: multiartsvic Skype: multiculturalartsvic Vimeo: vimeo.com/multiculturalarts Youtube: youtube.com/multiculturalartsvic In Pic: Demi Sorono and Gerard Veltre Tari Jalanan Warehouse Party (Mapping Melbourne) Cover photo: Yirrmal Marika by Carlo Santone
multiculturalarts.com.au Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) is Victoria’s peak arts organisation promoting cultural diversity in the arts. MAV is not for profit and is the only organisation of its kind in the State of Victoria, Australia and provides significant leadership for the advancement of multicultural arts locally, nationally and internationally
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MAV LOOK OUT EVENT
VENUE
DATE/TIME
Asi Suena Colombia ‘Colombia Sounds Main Arena Like This’ Moomba Festival
Sat 8 March - Mon 10 March
Premier’s Gala Dinner
Crown Palladium
Sat 15 March
Music for the People
Shore Reserve Pascoe Vale
Sat 15, 4-8.30pm
Black Harmony Gathering
Fairfield Amphithteatre
Sun 16 March, 1-5pm
Black Harmony Forum
Reading Room, Fitzroy Town Hall
Wed 19 March, 6.308.30pm
Art of the Urban Pharaohs Exhibtion
Yarra Gallery Federation Square
Fri 21 - Mon 31 March
Viva Victoria Festival
Federation Square
Sun 23 March, 12-6pm
Turkish Pazar Festival
Queen Vic Market
Sun 23 March
Palimpsest: (Minela Krupic’s Exhibition)
Quarantine Station, Point Nepean National Park
Sat 5 April - Wed 30 April
Regional Living Expo
Melbourne Convention Centre
Fri 11 April- Sun 13 April
Hopak in the Park
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Sat 26 April, 12:30-6pm
Emerge in the West See www.africadayaustralia.org for more info on Africa Day Celebrations
Nicholson St between Irving & Sat May 17, 11am-5pm Paisley Sts Footscray
Vietnam/ Australia: Voicing the unspoken
Yarra Gallery, Federation Square
Thu 8 - Thu 22 May
MAV AGM
Theatrette South Melbourne Town hall Ground Floor
Mon 26 May, 6.30pm for a 7pm start
Visible Biz Mo in Conversation
MAV Back Room, Level 1 South Melbourne Town Hall
Sat 31 May, 2-4pm
multiculturalarts.com.au
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