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Global Fiesta
Saturday 17 March, 11am-5pm
Box Hill Gardens, Station Street, Box Hill (Mel ref: 47 D8)
Whitehorse’s popular festival season continues in March as the city celebrates Cultural Diversity Week. Box Hill Gardens will come alive from 11am to 5pm with Council’s newest annual celebration Global Fiesta, showcasing the vibrant and growing cultural diversity in Whitehorse.
The event will feature world music performances, food from around the world, activities for all ages and an information exchange to learn about local services and opportunities.
World Music Stage
Geamala
– Contemporary Folk/Dance Fusion
Geamala is a world music band like no other. Combining elements of many genres ranging from atmospheric, eastern, Arabic, tribal, electro-acoustic and trance while maintaining a profoundly spiritual focus. The audience will be uplifted and enjoy powerful hypnotic rhythms during this moving musical experience.
Geamala, formed in Melbourne in 2008, consists of Anthony Connelly (sitar, acoustic guitar, synth), Luke Wood (vocals, shakuhachi), Julie Williams (vocals, dance, percussion), Rowan Richardson (drums, percussion) and Marina Sabljo (belly dancer).
The group’s strongest influences come from Dead Can Dance, The Tea Party, Secret Chiefs 3, Bjork, Rodruigo y Gabriella, Taikoz and Riley Lee.
Geamela will be joined by talented local and guest artists who will share their traditional dances, ballads, opera singing, costuming and folk instruments on the day.
Geamala will perform at 4.15pm.
Tabura – West Papuan Contemporary Folk
Playing roots and island vibes, Melbourne-based West Papuan band Tabura blend traditional and contemporary genres with the songs of their forefathers.
With a name that literally translates as ‘drum’ and ‘conch’, Tabura evokes Melanesian and Oceanic cultures with the Rumwaropen sisters on vocals, a thumping rhythm section and the wicked moves of cassowary dancers. 
The band pays tribute to the musical legacy of Papuan songman and musicologist Arnold Ap and the legendary Black Brothers while gently raising awareness of West Papua’s struggle for independence.
Tabura will perform at 3.30pm.
Radhey Shyam Gupta – Classical Indian Musician
Enjoy the traditional sounds of Indian music as Radhey Shyman Gupta plays the sitar, accompanied by Glen Kniebeiss on the table. Radhey has played the sitar for 40 years and performed at numerous concerts in India and Australia.
Radhey Gupta will perform at 2.50pm.
Mullum Mullum Cultural Dance Group – Indigenous Dance
The Mullum Mullum Cultural Dance Group is a collection of Indigenous men, women and young people who showcase their strong and powerful culture through language and dance ceremonies. The group was formed in early 2011 and has grown from eight to 20 plus members. It was established initially through the formation of a young males’ dance group and progressed from there. It was through the cultural pride and courage of the eight young Indigenous men that the dance group grew to encompass the whole community.
The group now comprises dancers from five years old through to elders. The cultural dance group empowers members through cultural connections to language and traditional dance. Many members of the group have grown in their confidence and self esteem and have developed a stronger bond with each other due to their involvement. The group meets regularly to practice and is always open to new Indigenous members.
Mullum Mullum Cultural Dance group will perform at 11.20am.
Community Group Performances
Enjoy colourful dance and choir performances by local community social and arts groups such as the Breathing Space Choir, Philippine SiLayan Dance Academy, Victoria Hua Xin Chinese Women's Association, Whitehorse Primary School, Children’s Performing Company of Australia, Jasmine Chinese Dance Group, U3A Traditional Greek Dance group and Seniors Choir, Bellique Bellydance and the Box Hill Community Arts Centre Choir.
These performances run throughout the day from 11am-5pm.
Games, Workshops and Storytelling
Play games from around the world in the ‘Table Lands Games Tent’. Games aficiandos will teach you Mahjong (China), Yut Nori (Korea), Mancala (Africa and Asia) and Scopa (Italy). Find out more about games called Buroinjin, Pulyugge, Koolchee and Gorri played by Indigenous people from around Australia.
Children and the young at heart can dress up and learn about traditional costumes in the Children’s Performing Company of Australia’s ‘Walk In My Shoes’ marquee. Dance with the belly dancers or plant yourself on a piece of grass to listen to stories of recent and old times. Wonder at the images of far-away lands that some of our friends and families have come from. Sample and learn about the beautiful wedding and ceremonial tradition of henna tattooing, or take up a place at the activities table where the Box Hill Community Arts Centre will provide free art activities for all the family.
Dine in the Food Forest
Enjoy food from around the world prepared by various local community groups. The Perwira Indonesian Society will cook up satays and vegetarian delights; the Migrant Information Centre returns with its delicious sweets; the Chinese Cancer Society of Victoria will bring deliciously fresh homemade Vietnamese rolls; the Society for Empowerment, Service, Training and Awareness Australia will cook up Indian banquet dishes and local Lions Club and scouts groups will offer a sausage sizzle and kebabs.
These organisations and social groups rely on fundraising activities to ensure that they can continue to deliver community services, helping to support residents, preserve cultural traditions and assisting with welcoming newcomers in Whitehorse. Support these worthwhile organisations by enjoying the delicious fare on offer.
Global Fiesta 2012 Stage Program
11am-11.15am Official Welcome Ceremony
11.15am-11.30am Mullum Mullum Indigenous Dance Group
11.35am-11.50am Breathing Space Choir
11.50am-11.55am U3A Box Hill Seniors Choir
12.00pm-12.20pm Philippine SiLayan Dance Academy
12.25pm-12.40pm Victoria Hua Xin Chinese Women's Association
12.45pm-12.55pm Whitehorse Primary School – Children’s Dance
1pm-1.20pm CPCA Children’s Broadway Chorus
1.25pm-1.40pm Jasmine Chinese Dance Group
1.45pm-1.55pm Greek Orthadox Community Children’s Dance Group
1.55pm-2.25pm U3A Nunawading Traditional Greek Dance Group
2.25pm-2.45pm Bellique Bellydance
2.50pm-3.10pm Radhey Gupta classical Indian music
3.10pm-3.25pm Box Hill Community Arts Centre Choir
3.30pm-4.10pm Tabura – West Papuan contemporary musicians
4.15pm-5pm Geamala – contemporary folk-dance fusion musicians
Activities and Attractions Program
11am-5pm Jamison’s Run Petting Zoo
11am-5pm Free art activities (Chinese lantern making, boomerang decorating and felt flowers)
11am-5pm Market stalls and community information stalls
11am-5pm Free amusements
11am-5pm Henna temporary tattooing and storytelling
11am-3pm CPCA ‘Walk in My Shoes’ dress-ups tent (with free printed photos)
11am-3pm Learn to play ‘table games’ from around the world in the ‘Table Lands Games Tent’
Including: Mahjong (China), Yut Nori (Korea), Mancala (Africa and Asia) and Scopa (Italy)
12pm-1pm Learn traditional indigenous cultural games
2pm-4pm Learn Scottish country dancing
For more information, please contact Council’s Festival Coordinator on 9262 6429.
SEEKING MORE MARKET STALL HOLDERS: please call Tina on 0412 324 249.