With more than half its residents speaking a language other than English, it’s only logical that Brimbank should be hosting the Emerge festival on November 16.
Emerge, now in its third year, will bring an eclectic mix of emerging and established cultural talent in dance, live music and fashion to the Errington Community Centre at
St Albans.
“This event is important as it allows local culturally and linguistically diverse [CALD] and refugee communities to connect and engage through art and performance,” Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) spokeswoman Tamara Bouzo said.
“It also gives artists from those communities the chance to share their talent and culture with the wider community.”
More than 43 per cent of Brimbank residents were born overseas, and 53.7 per cent speak a language other than English, which led to MAV teaming up with Brimbank council to stage the free event. The festival features singer-songwriter Tina Gee, local hip-hop crew The Movement and a showcase of musicians coming through Brimbank youth services.
The Burundian youth dancers, West African hip-hop artist T-Bone and a Pacific-inspired dance performance by Fipe will keep the crowd dancing.
Emerging fashion designers and
St Albans Secondary College students Maima Massaquoi and Adhieu Kui will also showcase their sartorial brilliance. The girls’ designs were showcased at this year’s L’Oreal Melbourne Fashion Show.
The family-friendly festival runs from 1-6pm, with the Westside Talent Quest starting at 3pm.
More details are at bit.ly/1wWdwUg.
Priscilla Moca
