EVENTS:

SING SING 2: Not Drowning Waving & The Moab Stringband @ the Arts Centre Hamer Hall Sun 28 May.

Programmed by David Bridie this concert brings together the Indigenous threads of music culture from the top end of Australia, Papua New Guinea & Torres Strait Islands. Celebrating the traditional & contemporary culture of these three areas, the stories, heritage & experience of the people & the land will be linked together through song, dance, film & projections.

Tix: $35-$55 - 1300136166

More information:

  • Brochure
  • www.theartscentre.net.au
  • Media Release

    SING SING 2 MARKET-PLACE

    Free activities 12-5pm 28th May in the foyers of Hamer Hall

    Free activities in the foyers of Hamer Hall as they are once again transformed into a market place with food, music, dance, story-telling, performances & more. Also, low cost workshops where you can experience the songs & dance from Indigenous Australia, Papua New Guinea & Torres Strait Islands.


    Jeanette Fablia

    Music, Performance, Dance & More
    Food stalls with tasty treats from Papua New Guinea, Torres Strait Islands. 12-5pm
    Browse the market stalls 12-5pm
    Have a unique Papua New Guinean tattoo created for you 12-5pm
    Jida Gulpilil - didgeridoo performance 12-12.10pm
    Performance by West Papuan Dance Group 12.25-12.45pm
    3.10-3.30pm
    Participate in making Papua New Guinean grass skirts 12.45-2.45pm
    Performance by Frank Yamma 1-1.30pm
    Contemporary dance with Niki Ashby and Gerard Veltre 1.45-2pm
    Performance by The Moab Stringband 2.20-2.50pm
    Participate in making Papua New Guinean bags 3-5pm
    Performance by Liz Cavanagh Quartet 3.45-4.45pm

    Workshops - music, singing and dance

    Experience the spirit of the music and the energy of the dance in a workshop. A great experience for families, kids, people with an interest in music and dance, and experienced and beginner musicians and dancers. Highly enjoyable for family groups with children 10 years and above.

    $5 per person, per workshop (inclusive of booking fees. GST exempt). Limited spaces, book early - complete the booking form below or Ph 03 9281 8754. Bookings are essential. Conditions apply.

    Compose and Record Music with Airi Ingram from Drum Drum

    Compose and record your own music combining samples of sounds and instruments from Melanesia and Polynesia using the latest in music technology software at the Arts Centre’s Alfred Brash SoundHouse. This 90 minute session will conclude with recording your work onto CD. One CD will be provided per workstation.

    Time 1 - 2.30pm
    Duration 90 minutes
    Location the Arts Centre, Alfred Brash SoundHouse
    Suitability A great experience for families, kids, people with an interest in music, and experienced and beginner musicians. Highly enjoyable for family groups with children 10 years and above.
    Capacity of workshop 30 people, 15 work stations (participants will work in pairs)

    Indigenous Contemporary Dance with Jeanette Fabila & Djakapurra Munyarryun

    Experience the extraordinary dance and stories of Australia’s Indigenous culture with two of the most respected and influential Indigenous performers, Jeanette Fabila and Djakapurra Munyarryun, in this hands-on workshop. Together with Jeanette you’ll experience the moves of Indigenous contemporary dance while learning about cultural differences beginning with the first people of this land. With Djakapurra you’ll learn more about traditional Indigenous dance, in particular animal movement from Yirrkala. Jeanette Fabila has over 25 years experience in both cultural and contemporary dance as a choreographer, consultant and performer specialising in Indigenous contemporary dance. She has performed and taught locally, nationally and internationally through numerous dance and education organisations including Bangarra Dance Theatre. Dancer, songman and cultural elder Djakapurra Munyarryun, from Yirrkala, North East of Arnhem Land, was raised with traditional dance and ceremony as an integral part of his life. He was a major figure in Bangarra Dance Company recreating his dance tradition with engrossing spirituality and led the opening ceremony of the Sydney Olympic Games.

    Time 1 - 2.30pm
    Duration 90 minutes
    Location the Arts Centre, BlackBox
    Suitability A great experience for families, kids, people with an interest in dance, and experienced and beginner dancers. Highly enjoyable for family groups with children 10 years and above.
    Capacity of workshop 30 people

    Experience Singing and Dancing with Tony Subam, Airi Ingram, Markham Galut, Jida Gulpilil and Dujon Niue

    Experience the vibrancy of Papua New Guinea traditional dance and what it is like to be in a real Sing Sing with traditional Kundu drums and chants. You will get a feel for the diverse cultures that exist in PNG with dances and instruments from different regions of PNG including the Morobe Province, Manus Province, Sepik Province and the Kivai region.

    Time 3 - 4pm
    Duration 60 minutes
    Location the Arts Centre, BlackBox
    Suitability A great experience for families, kids, people with an interest in music and dance, and experienced and beginner musicians and dancers. Highly enjoyable for family groups with children 10 years and above.
    Capacity of workshop 30 people

    More information:

  • www.theartscentre.net.au

    Grand Union Orchestra & Friends @ Malvern Town Hall, 12 & 13 May 2006

    Following the extraordinary success of last year’s spectacular Dancing in the Flames, the Grand Union Orchestra returns! UK composer Tony Haynes once again brings together some of Melbourne’s finest jazz & world musicians into a unique big band, powered by Grand Union’s London-based South African drummer Brian Abrahams. ‘Friends’ include Chinese musicians, a special choir, Stonnington Brass & the Western Thrace Turkish Classical Orchestra.

    Features musicians as diverse as Valanga Khoza, Ria Soemardjo, Dung Nguyen, Shobha Sekhar, Rosamel Burgos, Adrian Sherriff, Peter Knight and Tony Hicks. Rhythms, voices & instrumental textures of Africa, Asia & South America mingle with brilliant improvisation & stunning big band writing.

    Valanga Khosa (pic by Bill Poon) Height=

    Artists: Grand Union Orchestra
    When: Concert 8pm, Fri 12 & Sat 13 May 2006, 8pm
    Where: Malvern Town Hall - corner of High St. and Glenferrie Rd.
    More information: Read

  • flyer
  • press release
    Tix $25/15 or $22 for 10+
    Bookings: Chapel off Chapel ph 8290 7000 or see
    www.stonnington.vic.gov.au

    Grand Union Open Workshop @ Malvern Town Hall Sat 15 May 3-5pm.

    Hands-on session with Tony exploring African & Cuban styles of music you must bring an instrument & join in! Suitable for brass, wind percussion & voice. Bookings & info: office@multiculturalarts.com.au

    ARTS LAW WEEK VICTORIA, 15-19 May 2006

    The Arts Law Centre of Australia in conjunction with Victorian Arts Law Consortium will provide a week of FREE seminars, workshops and advice clinics on legal issues relevant to artists and art organisations in Melbourne.

    MAV is running two sessions:

    Creating & keeping a successful board

    @ Old Magistrates Court Melbourne Cnr Latrobe & Russell St. Thursday 18 May 6.00pm

    Panel

  • Qualities of a good board - Lydia Wilson CEO CITY OF YARRA
  • Getting the Board involved - Jill Morgan CEO MAV
  • Responsibilities of Board - Peter Seidel PARTNER AT ARNOLD BLOCH LIEBLER AND BOARD OF MELBOURNE WORKERS THEATRE
  • Relationship between CEO and Chair - Stefan Romaniw Chair MAV
  • Tips on good governance - Jennifer Fraser - BOM WESTSIDE CIRCUS

    plus special guest - Rod Quantock

    Arts Law session for emerging communities with the Horn of Africa Communities Network

    @ 576 Barkly St Footscray Wed 17 May 5.30

    Program schedule: program
    More information:
  • http://www.artslaw.com.au/Events/ArtsLawWeekVictoriaMay15to19.asp
  • media release

    Bookings: Please contact MAV on 9417 6777 or Email office@multiculturalarts.com.au.

    City of Melbourne Art Funding INFO Session

    @ The Reading Room, Fitroy Town Hall Thur 1 June 5.30pm.

    Don’t miss out on this year’s art funding!

    Multicultural Arts Victoria invites you to a special information session with grants officers from the Arts & Culture Department of the Melbourne City Council. Find out about their Arts Grants Program 2007.

  • Funding deadline 5pm Monday 26th June 2006
  • This is a great opportunity to find out which projects have been funded previously and why their applications were successful.
  • To prepare yourself for the session please view the Arts Program Guidelines at www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/grants.
  • There will be Q & A time allocated and please feel free to communicate your project ideas.
  • Light refreshments will be provided.

    RSVP Essential: Please register your interest by Tuesday 30 May, Email office@multiculturalarts.com.au or Ph 9417 6777.

    When: Thursday 1st June 2006, 5-30pm for 6-00pm start,
    Where: The Reading Room, FITZROY TOWN HALL, 201 Napier Street, Fitroy
    More information:

  • Brochure & program
  • www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/grants

    AFRICA! Featuring direct from Senegal West Africa DAARA J alongside Melbourne's rising stars DIAFRIX at the Arts Centre, Hamer Hall (23rd April 2006, 5pm)
    DAARA J will also be doing a free workshop will be at 1pm.

    On Sunday April 23rd, Mix It Up features music & culture from across Africa. International hip hop sensation Daara J, from Senegal, West Africa, make a welcome return to our shores since their explosive appearance at Womadelaide 2005. In their only Melbourne show, they are performing in a double bill with our own positive hip hop/RnB/dancehall maestros, Diafrix, who have created a unique collaboration with established local artists especially for this concert.

    Africa! resonates in a blur of colour, sound, rhythm, movement and global hip-hop, at the Arts Centre’s Hamer Hall, April 23, 2006 as part of the MIX IT UP program. Prepare to have your notions of African music seriously challenged with performances from Africa’s finest hip-hop outfit Daara J and Melbourne's own Diafrix with special guests. Daara J have enthralled audiences around the world and were without a doubt one of the high lights of Womadelaide 2005, where thousands of eager festival goers thronged to the stage swaying to Daara J’s unique blend of African infused hip-hop, Dancehall, Cuban Son and Reggae. This show at the Arts Centre programmed by Systa bb from Planetary Chaos of PBS FM will also feature roving entertainment, workshops and a free marketplace in the foyers of Hamer Hall, where you can taste, smell, hear and see the true essence of Africa.

    Read more about the show at the Arts Centre's What's on web site at
     http://www.theartscentre.net.au/whats-on_detail.aspx?view=377

    AFRICA! market-place at the Arts Centre, Foyers of Hamer Hall (23rd April 2006, 12noon-5pm)
    FREE music, dance, story-telling and performances and food for purchase

    Kuukua Acquah (pic by Gergia Metaxas)

    The free foyer program begins at 12pm and features hair braiding, henna painting, Ethiopian coffee ceremonies, exhibitions of photography, and performances by artists including Ethiopian Circus performers, Sudan Azza, Etienne Dinanga, Valanga Khoza and more. Workshops led by Aliou Sylla & King Marong cover Senegambian drumming; and African dance workshops are led by Kuukua Acquah, Lamine Sonko & King Bell.

    There will also be Senegalese food available.

    Read about the market-place event at the Arts Centre's What's on web site at
    http://www.theartscentre.net.au/whats-on_detail.aspx?view=394

    Artists: DAARA J and DIAFRIX
    When: 23 April 2006, 5pm (concert in Hamer Hall)
    When: 23 April 2006, 12noon-5pm (market-place in Foyers of Hamer Hall)
    Where: Hamer Hall, The Arts Centre
    More information:

  • Download media release.
  • Download poster.
    Ticketing: There are many ways to buy tickets to the performance at the Arts Centre, simply select the method that suits you best from the options below.

    At the box office The Box Office is located in Theatres Building, in the Smorgon Family Plaza. It is open from 9am to 9pm, Monday to Saturday. The Box Office sells tickets for all the Arts Centre and Ticketmaster7 events. There is also a Box Office at Hamer Hall Box Office which is open one hour prior to performances.

    By fax, the Arts Centre accepts bookings by fax on (03) 9645 7770

    By email, mailbook@theartscentre.net.au

    By mail, Send bookings to Mail Bookings PO Box 7153 Melbourne 8004

    Online, Search What's On to find the event you wish to book for, then book onpne from the More information page. Tickets can also be purchased onpne at http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

    Through Ticketmaster7 Tickets can be purchased by phoning Ticketmaster7 on 1300 136 166 or at http://www.ticketmaster.com.au/

    Special charges, Please note: phone, mail, email, onpne and fax bookings will incur a $7.15 transaction fee. (inclusive of GST)

    Ushanthini Sripathmanathan's Natyalayaa (Indian Dance) Rhythms of Games performance
    Rhythms of Gamesis a unique new dance work highlighting games and sports in the form of Indian Classical Dance. A refreshing new take on the sport and games extending the boundaries of classical Indian dance, is a dramatic and exciting display of dance, sport and popular culture. Experience the elegance and dynamism of Bharathanatyam dance and the evocative classical music of India. It is an abstract choreography to explore the pride and independence of dance, which rejoice the artistic freedom to a climax of extravaganza bringing together the games/sport in to performing art.

    In conjunction with the 2006 Commonwealth Games, it is a celebration on games in the form of Indian dance. Daring and dynamic work that draws upon the highly effective and powerful rhythmic qualities of Indian dance to venture into fresh ways of addressing relevant games/sports. The piece will display sharp rigid movements, vivid expressions and graceful lyrics mixed with refinements and enchantment to the Festivals which occur in City of Monash, City of Knox, City of Darebin, City of Boroondara, City of Moreland and City of Whittlesea. It will also develop all culturally and linguistically diverse artists to willing perform or participate in an artistic activity in future festivals. This widens to a unique and exciting opportunity to actively participate in the Festival(s) in Victoria.

    Artists: Ushanthini Sripathmanathan's Natyalayaa Indian Classical dance school
    When: Friday 24th March 2006, 2pm
    Where:National Gallery
    More information:

  • Download poster.

    The Light in the Shadow - supported by MAV, Arts Victoria & City of Yarra.

    Multicultural Arts Victoria is proud to support the Australian premiere of The Light in the Shadow, a collaboration between RiverGrass Dance Theatre, Malaysia & Tony Yap and company, Australia. The program premiered at the Malaysian International Dance Festival, Kuala Lumpur, 2005.

    Inspired by the signs of decay of the angel, as described in Buddhist text. The dance is drawn from Butoh, Asian shamanistic practise & contemporary western styles, a collaboration that challenges the boundaries of present dance/theatre practice. ...intense ...provocative ...mesmerising (The Star, Malaysia).
    For more information     Download press release.

    Artists: Tony Yap, Tim Humphrey, Madeleine Flynn, Ben Rogan, Simon Ellis, Mew Chang Tsing, Lu Wit Chin, Steve Goh Berg Lee
    Where: Dancehouse, 150 Princes St, Nth Carlton
    When: Preview Thursday 16 March @ 8pm ; Fri-Sat 17-18 March @ 8pm; Sunday 19 March @ 5pm
    Tickets: $15/$25 preview $10
    Bookings: 9347 2860

    Multicultural Arts Law Week: 6-10 February 2006
    Venue: The Reading Room Fitzroy Town Hall Cnr Napier and Moore Streets, Fitzroy.     The Arts Law Centre of Australia will provide a week of FREE seminars, workshops and advice clinics on legal issues relevant to the multicultural communities in Melbourne in partnership with Multicultural Arts Victoria, Victorian Multicultural Commission and City of Yarra.     Download description (PDF) or Download colour brochure (PDF) for more information (bookings essential: please contact MAV).

    SUMMER TWILIGHT JAZZ & VOICE
    FREE Concert Series @ Federation Square
    Saturdays 7th, 14th & 21st January 2006 6-8pm
    Fridays 3rd, 10th & 24th February 2006 6-8pm

    Multicultural Arts Victoria will kick off the New Year with a unique summer world jazz and voice free concert series profiling Melbourne’s finest jazz sounds from around the globe. Enjoy traditional, improvised and contemporary world jazz and voice spanning a multicultural mix of genres and styles.

    Download February 2006 Brochure (page 1)
    Download February 2006 Brochure (page 2)

    Saturday 7th January: 6pm Fiona Burnett Trio - Acclaimed soprano saxophonist Fiona Burnett is a remarkable and unique musical voice widely recognised for her striking original sound and her dynamic, expressive and virtuosic improvisations. 7pm Liz Cavanagh - Australia’s leading indigenous jazz vocalist, Liz is fast earning a reputation not only for her captivating vocal ability and imaginative musical journey, but the ambiance she creates when she steps on stage.

    Saturday 14th January: 6pm Way Out West Led by Melbourne composer/ trumpeter Peter Knight, Way Out West is a beguiling combination of sounds blending jazz with Vietnamese and African influences. 7pm Zebra Crossing With Ray Pereira on West African percussion, Leo Dale’s European jazz sax and flute and the expressive and dynamic vocals, guitar and kalimba of Valanga Khoza, Zebra Crossing’s sound is as exciting as it is beautiful.

    Saturday 21st January: 6pm Doug de Vries & Diana Clark Experience the mellifluous beauty of Diana Clark's voice with the rich harmonic pallette of Doug de Vries's guitar as the two team up to perform a repertoire of new originals & classics from the bounty of musica brasileira. 7pm Ileana Posas El Salvadoran singer of renown, Ileana Posas will dazzle the audience with her rich warm voice and appealingly exuberant personality as she teams up with some of Melbourne’s hottest jazz musicians to perform her own originals as well as songs from her homeland.

    Friday 3rd February 6pm Sudanese Catholic Choir Singing in many different languages including English, Swahili and other Sudanese languages the Sudanese Catholic Choir celebrates the unique and inspirational power of African gospel music. 7pm King Marong & Afro Mandinko King Marong has earned a reputation Australia wide and internationally for his high voltage performances with both traditional and contemporary West African ensembles. His new ensemble Afro Mandinko is an unforgettable musical experience where high energy afro beats and tunes combine with smooth reggae and jazz influences.

    Friday 10th February 6pm Maori Choir Let your spirit be uplifted as the Maori Choir sing traditional songs of love and joy describing the beauty of their island home. This group who recently performed at the Festival New Zealand, captures a strong sense of traditional Maori culture through their songs. 7pm Mandaela Featuring piano legend Bob Sedergreen, Mandaela are a sensational blend of smooth jazz, West African guitar melodies, traditional Senegalese songs, jazz style tap dance improvisations, impassioned saxophone incarnations and the funkiest keyboard sounds on this side of the planet.

    Friday 24th February 6pm Sokoly The Sokil is a falcon of the mountainous Western regions of Western Ukraine known for inspiring in men an indomitable spirit and love of their homeland. The ensemble specialises in traditional Ukrainian folk songs from the nation’s many and diverse cultural groups to create a moving and vibrant choral experience. 7pm Unified Gecko Led by Turkish born singer/ songwriter/guitarist Murat Yucel, Unified Gecko features an impressive lineup of talent from Melbourne’s world, jazz, reggae and hip hop scenes. With irrepressible drum grooves, funky phat basslines, electro harp, a growling horn section and driving darabuka rhythms, the group is well known for its energetic and soulful blend of gypsy, reggae, jazz, funk and dancehall.