mix it up! - multicultural arts · learnings from these new approaches can inﬂ uence the future...

MIX IT UP!

the Arts Centre in association with Multicultural Arts Victoria presents

CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

MIX IT UP 2009 ACQUITTALSupported by Arts Victoria, Australia Council for the Arts and City of Melbourne

MIX IT UP

Mix It Up celebrates Victoria’s cultural diversity with amazing local national and overseas artists at the Arts Centre. The partnership between Multicultural Arts

Victoria & the Arts Centre on the program of culturally diverse presentations has been an extraordinary success. All staff involved in the program have been very

committed to the program and its success.

THE AIMS of the MIX IT UP Program

‘Enhance the programming capacity of the Trust and its leadership role within Victoria’s performing arts sector’

‘Engage with, and refl ect in appropriate ways, the cultural diversity of Victoria’

Mix It Up holds the ethos that the arts play an important role in con-necting communities and bringing people together. The project demon-strates the importance of partnerships that ensure access and participa-tion in the arts for all communities. These partnerships develop new ways of reaching audiences from a varied cultural background.

EXECUTIVE OFFICER’S REPORTJill Morgan

MIX IT UP 2009 ACQUITTAL PRESENTED BY MULTICULTURAL ARTS VICTORIA


INTRODUCTION

MIX IT UP is a joint project of Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) and the Arts Centre designed to engage with and refl ect the cultural diversity of Victoria. It aims to increase individual and community access and participation in the vibrant artistic and cultural life of Victoria.

Multicultural Arts Victoria and the Arts Centre developed a unique partnership during 2006 to create and deliver the inaugural MIX IT UP program which has continued to develop to become one of the core program streams at the Arts Centre.

During 2007, MAV and the Arts Centre undertook strategic planning to position Mix It Up as one of Aus-tralia’s preeminent multicultural performing arts program. As part of the Victorian Government budget process, triennial funding was also secured through the Arts Centre Programming Futures submission, which demonstrates the Arts Centre’s commitment to the program and strategic partnership.

In August 2007, a successful application was made to the Australia Council Community Partnerships- Key Partnerships Projects for funding for three years from 2008. The primary aim of the program is to build access for communities and new pathways for artists from CALD backgrounds. The new initiative for small stage -The Visible Sessions- was supported by the City of Melbourne which encouraged the professional development of our artists.

VISION

Engage with and refl ect the cultural diversity of Victoria and provide greater representation, participation and visibility for culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) artists and communities in the arts.

OBJECTIVES

Explore contemporary interpretations of the performing arts from a range of traditions and cultural infl u-ences. Mix It Up aims to engage Victorian artists and communities with key national and international artists in creating vibrant and culturally rich events through the year.

Build community access, connection and engagement

Build new pathways for artists from diverse cultural backgrounds to engage with the main stream

Enable the development of productive and innovative partnerships with leading community and cultural agencies, presenters and touring networks

Introduce new audiences to contemporary interpretations of the performing arts performed by leading local, national and international artists

MIX IT UP highlights the Arts Centre’s leadership role in community access and engagement, program presentation, audience development, professional development for artists, creative development and ad-vocacy and MAV’s leadership role in developing strategies to engage with diverse communities, artists and ethnic organisations.



STRATEGIES FOR MIX IT UP 2009

Focus for 2009 was on the following strategies:

Continue to deliver Mix It Up as a high quality, innovative, creative cultural program that refl ects the diversity and cultural richness of our community

Build community access, connection and engagement:

Strengthen community relationships leading to greater engagement of target communities through building long term relationships with stakeholders including representatives from community ethnic organisations, community cultural organisations, artists and diplomatic organisations

Involvement of relevant stakeholders in the development of mainstage and public programs

Participation by community cultural organisations and local artists in mainstage and public programs

Encouragement of development of intercultural relationships between different ethnic communities and artists through providing opportunities for dialogue, exchange and the creation of new work

Build new pathways for artists from diverse cultural backgrounds to engage with the mainstream:

Provide opportunities for culturally diverse artists to perform as part of Mix It Up leading to greater opportunities on a local, regional, national and international stage

Undertake professional development workshops for culturally diverse artists to enhance their artistic, business and marketing skills

Provide advice and mentoring to individual artists involved in Mix It Up

Provide targeted creative development opportunities to culturally diverse artists

Enable the development of productive and innovative partnerships with leading community and cultural agencies, presenters and touring networks:

Advocate the importance of diversity in cultural and artistic practice throughout the arts community in Australia and overseas

Undertake further research into the long term impact of Mix It Up with the fi ndings shared with the wider arts community

Identify and develop new collaborative partnerships in Victoria and interstate

Introduce new audiences to contemporary interpretations of the performing arts performed by leading local, national and international artists:

Initiate strategies to develop and engage with younger and more culturally diverse audiences at the Arts Centre

WHY DO WE WANT TO DO IT?

The arts play an important role in connecting communities and bringing people together. They provide us with a universal language that enables us to understand and empathise with each other in a time when there is much confl ict and divide between cultures and people.



The success of Mix It Up shows the importance of partnerships that ensure access and participation in the arts for all communities. To work in partnership with CALD communities requires commitment to foster-ing long term relationships to reinforce the pathways for both artists and audience engagement with the mainstream arts community. Multicultural arts development requires arts organisations to change the way they meet and invite CALD artists and communities to participate and needs to add new program content and new program delivery formats to meet the needs and interests of non English speaking communities and youth. Learnings from these new approaches can infl uence the future development of the arts indus-try and promote a more socially cohesive society.

GROWTH OF MIX IT UP

Confi rmed funding from the Victorian Government and continued contribution from the Arts Centre and other resources will allow growth of the core main stage program for Mix It Up over the next two years.

2008 2009 2010Music Program 7 projects

(7 performances)7 projects (7 performances)

7 projects (7 performances)

Theatre Program 1 project (16 performances)

2 projects (20 performances)

EVENT PROGRAM 2009

The program focus for 2009 included a mix of emerging and established communities. An important as-pect was continuing to build connections within and between communities, including community cultural groups, high profi le artists, consulates and the arts community. This assists in the development of com-munity and cultural leaders who will then in turn contribute to the cultural development of their own community and other communities.

The content was an evolutionary build on the 2008 Mix It Up program that offered a dramatic and long over due departure from the regular or mainstay offer at the Arts Centre.

Mix It Up in 2009 enabled the Arts Centre and MAV to continue to develop productive and innovative partnerships with leading artists, community and cultural agencies, national and international presenter and touring networks and new corporate and philanthropic supporters. The program engaged Victorian artists and communities with key national and international artists in creating a vibrant and culturally rich series of events over the next two years

Pathways and Skills Development for Artists

Involvement of local culturally diverse artists in mainstage and foyer programming

Delivery of a program of workshops for the development of artistic, business and marketing skills for culturally diverse artists

Introduction of “small stage” Visible sessions at the Black Box



Date Event Mainstage Artistic & Community

engagement

Public Programs Artistic & Community

Engagement

Professional Development of Artists

Audience Development

Strategies

January 18

Gypsy Kings and Queens featur-ing Fanfare Ciocârlia

International: Fanfare Ciocârlia, Esma Redzepova , Jony Iliev , Andodrom, Florentina Sandu, Aurelia Sandu And Tantzica Ionita

Engagement through foyer programs with the local Balkan community including tapan player Fuat Sazimanoski, Jasmin and Jasna Dolic, Gypsy Crims guitarist Orlando, cajon player Michael Konta-christos, Melbourne’s only Ottoman Turkish Mehter Band, painter and poet Mi-los, Fuat Sazimanoski joins Legends band, Systa BB, Underbelly Dancers and The Barons of Tang.

Artist such as community Turkish Mehter Band per-formed at the Arts Centre for fi rst time which lead to performance at Viva Vic-toria, Federation Square. Barons of Tang performed to Balkan audience.

Individual promotional material deliv-ered for each community. Meetings with key leaders in the Balkan communities. Younger audi-ence targeted/Barons of Tang.

April 8 Tinariwen Music is Freedom

International:Tinari-wenLocal: King Marong and Afro Mandinko with Jeff Lang

Engagement through foyer programs including performers John Norton, Maxine Clark, George Kamikawa and Ajak Kwai and a display of rare and vintage guitars presented by Just Guitars.

John Norton and Maxine Clarke collaborated to cre-ate new work. As a result poet Maxine was inspired to create new collabora-tive piece with musicians.

New link to lo-cal community group Austral-ian Western Saharan As-sociation

April 22 / May 9

Cafe Rebetika Local: Directed by Stephen Helper, Featuring Tony Nikolakopoulos, Kat-erina Kotsonis, Laura Lattuada and Thomas Papathanassiou. plus the internationally ac-claimed band Rebetiki.

Working with Melbourne based Greeg artists and musicians.

Local artists given op-portunity to present original work. Successful submission to kultour for national touring of the work in 2011.

Bilingual mar-keting material Greek language mediaGreek online and virtual mar-keting.Meeting Greek Consul General.

May 24 Eleftheria Arvanitaki

International: Elefth-eria ArvanitakiLocal: The Habibis

Engagement through foyer programs with local Greek, Cretan and Australian communities including performances by Kundalila, Pancretan Dance Group, Glendi, Etienne and Rene folk music, Greek-Austral-ian Anthea Sidiropoulos, photographic and digital exhibitions from the work by Costas Athanassiou and Dara Kretschmer. Stall displays with Greek cakes and olive oils.

Showcasing Kundalila cross cultural Greek/Afri-can group. Links to VMC Galadinner with Pan Cretan/Pallaconian dance groups.

Bilingual mar-keting material Greek language mediaGreek online and virtual mar-keting.Meeting Greek Consul Gen-eral and Greek agencies.

July 26 Visible Emerg-ing Sounds of Melbourne

Local: LO2’s Fleet, 4DS Project, FRESH artists: Alter Egoz and The Firste verse Crew

Engagement through foyer programs with the wide community with perform-ances from local musicians including Kundalila, Landid Sound and the Burundian Drumming Group, Afro-funk dance classes, Ethio-pian coffee ceremony and Senegalese tea ceremony, photographic exhibition and Senegalese cuisine.

Artist Professional Devel-opment workshops for Visible participants

Further pathways : Number of Visible artists performing in opening of Melbourne International Arts Festival

Utilising MAV and VMC net-works, Refugee Week activities & the Emerge Festival to pro-mote VisibleABC Radio Na-tional concert




engagement


Engagement



Strategies

Octo-ber 4

Sounds of Co-lombia featuring Aterciopelados

International: Ater-ciopeladosLocal: Kimbaya

Engagement through foyer programs with local Latin American community including the Colombian Community of Victoria. The Hamer Hall hosted a vibrant mix of artforms including Son Corners and The Cumbia Cosmonauts bands, Latin percussion demonstration; photographic and visual art exhibitions by Patrick Rodriguez, Maria Pena and Claudia Escobar and storytelling by Fern-ando Garcia-Vasquez. Stall displays with Colombian arts and crafts. Authentic Colombian chocolate, food and deserts.

Aterciopelados from Colombia keen to link with MAV and local artists

Further pathways: Inter-est in the community for developing a Sounds of Colombia II

Link to MAV for Claudia Escobar. Professional development for Kimbaya – Colombian band fi rst performance generated signifi cant interest.

Bilingual marketing materials Spanish lan-guage press and radio Spanish online and virtual mar-ketingDirect market-ing with Span-ish language schools

Novem-ber 22

Djan Djan & Dya Singh

International, National and Local: Djan DjanLocal: Dya Singh

Engagement through foyer programs with local Indian communities including performances by Afro Dizzi Act, Richi Madan, Flamenco Kathak Fusion and The Legless Lizards. Impressive costume and backdrop exhibitions like “Celebrat-ing the work of Geoffrey Goldie” and painting and photography in Highlights from an Eye for an Eye. Live experience of Rangoli creation by Amanda King.

Artists performing for international delegates.

New work - Kathak/Fla-menco fusion performance which lead to Melbourne Recital Centre ABC Concert 2010.

Amanda King(rangoli) and Richi Madan(DJ) link to Australia day concert at Sidney Myer Music Bowl.

Afro Dizzi Act main stage lead to performance at Gobe to Globe Festival.

Link to World Music Expo – marketing opportunity




engagement


Engagement



Strategies

#1 June 28 #2 July 12#3 Au-gust 16#4 Septem-ber 6#5 No-vember 15

Visible sessions #1 Black Jesus Experi-ence, blend of tradi-tional Ethiopian song with jazz, funk and hip-hop Culture Connect a progressive 7 piece live hip hop act featuring artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.#2 MC Elf Tranzporter, and LO2’s FleetDJ Kuya and Nomadic Funk Fresh artists Hip Hop and RnB a- upcoming MC’s, Vocalists, and Beatmakers#3 Kutcha Edwards Ajak Kwai band Afro-Dinka blues style. #4 Jess Harlen Band soul, roots and urban music Brown Roots Collective original contemporary and traditional Pacifi c inspired music.First Verse Pacifc urban hip hop & r’n’b#5 Blak Roots soulful African Reggae tunes.Vox Congo New Generation Congolese with a blend of hip hop and urban sounds.Kundalila

Engagement through foyer programs with the wide community with perform-ances from local musicians

Opportunity for unknown artists to perform small stage.

Led to main stage for Alter Egoz, First Verse and LO2’S Fleet.

New networks formed between artists.

First sessions promoted through Emerge Fes-tival.

Link to Visible CD Launch

Artists encour-aged to bring their networks – Polynesian and Congolese community.

PARTNERSHIPS/LINKS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS

Mix It Up has created many strong partnerships and links including between the Arts Centre and Multi-cultural Arts Victoria. Central to Mix It Up has been the concept of an ‘Arts Centre for all Victorians’. The fi rst important decision made was that the Arts Centre did not have the depth and breadth of community connection to truly ‘engage with the cultural diversity of Victoria’. The Arts Centre needed a partner who could bring strength in that area. A very valued partnership was created with a strong grass roots organi-sation in Multicultural Arts Victoria with whom the Arts Centre had worked successfully in the past.

This partnership between one of Melbourne’s major cultural institutions and a small organisation strongly connected to the local community is unusual and has offered new opportunities for Victoria’s CALD art-ists and communities. The partnership is taking both organisations out of their comfort zones and has signifi cant impact on organisational and individual learning. Staff from both organisations, have devel-oped new ways of working together and new connections within communities, government and other stakeholders.




Additional linkages and partners for the program have included Victorian Multicultural Commission, The Push, RRR, Terrasphere Productions, BHP Billiton, Wontok Musik Foundation, Turkish 40 year Celebration Committee, The Turkish Cultural Platform, Deakin University, OZIP, PBS, Apra, RMIT University, Arts Vic-toria, City of Melbourne, Globe to Globe Festival, Perry and Associates, Diwali organising groups, Nose To Tail, Australian Western Saharan Association, Neos Kosmos, Fonda La Clinica and individual consulates.

LONG TERM VIABILITY

The Arts Centre, in partnership with MAV, is committed to better refl ecting Victoria’s cultural diversity in its programming and audiences. This long term commitment has seen Mix It Up entrenched in the Arts Centre’s long term corporate plan. This will enhance the communities’ long term ability to engage with the Arts Centre, to be connected in a real sense to the development and delivery of these programs and to have community pride in their culture.

High quality, multi-layered programs such as Mix It Up will always require funding support. The invest-ment by the Australia Council over the two years of the key Partnership program, will allow:

the securing of funding from other government partners (Victorian Government funding secured at an increased level for next 3 years already)

higher profi le of the program and greater stakeholder connection increasing opportunities for sponsorship or philanthropic support

growth in audiences reducing the proportion of subsidy required for the program

EVALUATION

Ongoing evaluation through anecdotal feedback from the community, quantitative measures of audi-ence and artist participation and through the Arts Centre Brand Performance Monitor. It is desirable that more longitudinal audience research be undertaken into the impact of Mix It Up be undertaken.

The outcomes from Mix It Up will lead to systemic change and improvement in reducing the real and/or perceived barriers for culturally diverse artists, communities and audiences locally and nationally.

COMMUNITY FEEDBACK FROM MIX IT UP

‘Hi Meg, just wanted to thank yourself and MAV for the opportunity to play as part of the ‘Mix it up’ program. Our collaboration with Jeff Lang supporting Tinariwen at Hamer Hall provided King Marong and Afro Mandinko with such a valuable performance opportunity. Further to the performance this project has lead to a recording project for a member of the band. As a band and as individuals we hope to continue to grow and develop our musical careers further through such collaborations and perform-ances of a similarly high profi le. Again, thank you to the people of MAV for their ongoing support as this has helped facilitate many of the performance opportunities that we have had thus far.’

Rebecca Matthews, King Marong and Afro Mandinke

‘I felt quite honoured to support such prominent artists like the Habibis and Eleftheria. It’s really fantas-tic to know that young, diverse and emerging artists like us can fi nd encouragement and unique oppor-tunities in a program like Mix It Up. All the artists and organisers involved with the program on Sunday did a great job of creating a positive and celebratory atmosphere - I don’t think anyone could’ve walked away not feeling uplifted!’

Rue Beverly Stewart, Kundalila



‘Hola amigos,

I want to return Linda’s beautiful words to all of you. Thanks for giving us, Colombians in Melbourne and Aterciopelados, all the energy and support to make Sounds of Colombia possible. It was very touch-ing to witness how empowered we all became by having the Hamer Hall to ourselves, full of our colors, fl avors, dances and sounds and having the chance to share our culture with all of you.

It was a big pleasure to work with you, I hope we get other chances in the future, it would be exciting to Mix It Up again!’

Claudia Escobar


MIX IT UP!CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

THE GIPSY QUEENS AND KINGS JANUARY 18

TINARIWEN MUSIC IS FREEDOM APRIL 8

CAFE REBETIKA APRIL 22 - MAY 9

ELEFTHERIA ARVANITAKI MAY 24

VISIBLE SESSIONS 2009

VISIBLE EMERGING SOUNDS OF MELBOURNE JULY 26

SOUNDS OF COLOMBIA OCTOBER 4

AN EYE FOR AN EYE NOVEMBER 4 - 29

DJAN DJAN & DYA SINGH NOVEMBER 22

PHOTOSTHE GIPSY QUEENS AND KINGS JANUARY 18Ottoman Turkish Mehter Band, Barons of Tang, The Gypsy Queens and Kings


PHOTOSTHE GIPSY QUEENS AND KINGS JANUARY 18The Gypsy Queens and Kings


PHOTOSTINARIWEN MUSIC IS FREEDOM APRIL 8The Senegalese Mint Tea Ceremony, Maxine Clark, King Marong and Afro Mandinka


PHOTOSTINARIWEN MUSIC IS FREEDOM APRIL 8Tinariwen


PHOTOSCAFE REBETIKA APRIL 22 - MAY 9


PHOTOSELEFTHERIA ARVANITAKI MAY 24Anthea Sidiropoulos, Pallaconian Dancers, Souvlaki, The Habibis


PHOTOSVISIBLE SESSIONS 2009Culture Connect, FRESH Artists, ELF Tranzporter, Nomadic Funk


PHOTOSVISIBLE SESSIONS 2009Ajak Kwai, Kutcha Edwards, Brown Roots Collective,Jess Har-len and First Verse


PHOTOSVISIBLE EMERGING SOUNDS OF MELBOURNE JULY 26

Burundian Drumming Community, KIMBAYA, William Kadima, First Verse


PHOTOSVISIBLE EMERGING SOUNDS OF MELBOURNE JULY 26

LO2’S FLEET, 1/6, MIchelle Chan


PHOTOSSOUNDS OF COLOMBIA OCTOBER 4

Maria Pena, Fernando Garcia Vasquez, Percussion workshop, La Cumbiamba y La Cumbiambita


PHOTOSSOUNDS OF COLOMBIA OCTOBER 4Son Corners, Kimbaya, Aterciopelados, Audience


PHOTOSAN EYE FOR AN EYE NOVEMBER 4 - 29

Maitreyi Ray, Vinod Prasanna, Anita Nayar- Consul General of India


PHOTOSDJAN DJAN & DYA SINGH NOVEMBER 22Dya Singh, Rangoli, Singh Sisters, Afro Dizzi Act


FEEDBACKTHE GIPSY QUEENS AND KINGS JANUARY 18


Dear MAV,

I hope you are well. The festival went really well- couldn’t help wishing we could be in two places at once though! Our friends keep texting us how great it was yesterday.We’d love to play at a Mix It Up event another time- any ideas?all the best,Sofi aVARDOS--Thankyou MAV, It was a pleasure working with you , i had a really great time and the concert was defi nately the best show i’ve seen in hamer hall. I want to thank you again for the opportunity you gave me to play in the Arts Centre. Sally told me the Arts centre crew was very impressed by us... :)

All the best,Orlando--Dear Jill , Meg and other team of MAV

Jasmin and myself wish to Thank You for the fantastic performance opportunity at the Hamer Hall during the Gypsy Queens & Kings. I had fantastic time during the performance and concert. I saw many people whom I sent SMS and emailed elec-tronic Invitation and they loved it.

I was quite happy with my performance and the fact that the “show went on”. Unfortunately I lost you in the crowed after-wards but I asked the stage door assistant to pass my CD onto Esma Redzepova.

I look forward to working with you again.

Thanks againJasna Dolic Bosnian & Herzegovinian Community Artist and Manager, Yassna’s Pitteria Catering16 Timberglade Drive,Noble Park North 3174Mob: 0401 988 984Email: [email protected] MAV,

As the spokesperson for the Ottoman Mehter Band of Australia (OMBA), I thank you for your email sent to our President Mr Haci Akgol and wish to convey a special thank you for the kind words and praises you’ve mentioned in your email about the Ottoman Mehter Band.

On behalf of the Ottoman Mehter Band, I would like to say that it is always a great pleasure to be playing in the Mehter Band and it was an absolute honour to be part of the Gypsy Queens and Kings Concert. Thank you for your invitation and for including the Band in this wonderful successful concert.

We look forward to being involved and partaking in your future programs.

Yours sincerely,

Mr. Kadir EmniyetDeputy Principal ISIKCOLLEGE | Upfi eld Campus

FEEDBACKTINARIWEN MUSIC IS FREEDOM APRIL 8


The Hamer Hall was fi lled with music that was plaintive, up-beat and bluesy the night that the Tinariwen group played and the joy of the audience was palpable. From top to bottom the Hall was buzzing with different and very talented performers and delectable refreshments. It was a night to remember and savour.Marianne--As for Tinariwen, my feedback is that it as an excellent performance and combination of activities before hand. A great way of introducing people to different cultures/experiences. It should be more broadly advertised.Georgia--Tinariwen NightThe smells of delicious curries greeted us as we arrived outside Hamer Hall for the Tinariwen night. Like hundred of others we lined up outside for a selection of spicy foods. We were so glad we had arrived early. Inside there were photos and books on Western Sahara, tea ceremonies and live performances.Hamer Hall came alive when the musicians entered. They enthralled the audience with their vibrant presentation and haunt-ing melodies. Their exuberance soon had the audience dancing in the aisles. The group already had a steady following of world music followers but the audience was also full of new converts who swayed to the pulsating beat. It was hard not to be moved and we were momentarily transported to a desert landscape since the music calls out to our deepest emotions and can be appreciated across all cultures. The crowds queuing to buy their CDs were eager to keep a lasting reminder of the evening.Barbara--Thanks for the opportunity to give feedback. I thought the concert was excellent in every respect. Tinariwen has long been one of my favourite African bands and I certainly wasn’t expecting to be able to see them in Melbourne, so I was overjoyed that they could tour with the support of MAV and the Arts Centre. It was also great to see a local band supporting on the main stage - I hadn’t heard King Marong and Afro Mandinko before, and as a result of the concert I will certainly be looking them up!

Having pre-show and interval entertainment from other local acts, as well as traditional mint tea and the west african food

It Up is showcasing local musical talent and local small business.

Finally, I appreciated the opportunity to visit the AWSA stand and get some information on their activities. I thought it was appropriate for the AWSA group to have a stall at the concert, as they are directly concerned with people & events in the region from which Tinariwen come (or at least close!). I would probably not want to see organisations such as Oxfam and Planopportunity and detracting from the cultural focus of the evening.

On a side note - I was glad to see that the Arts Centre did not discourage people from dancing in the aisles!Asha---the whole night was great, so diverse and interesting and it was great to be able to dance in the foyer to the band with the lady out front and her backing singers, that was a fantastic band! sorry forgotten the name of them.tinariwen were brilliant and so joyous, it was very important to have room to dance once again, for me anyway.loved the exhibition of guitars also the info on the western sahara support group. didn’t have any food but heard it was great. loved the band playing at the front doors, what a great concert and thanx so much for the variety and excellent qual-ity.cheers, jacquie coupe---Everything especially Tinariwen FANTASTIC.. loved it as did friends I “dragged” to it. Helen ---The whole experience was wonderful.I was delighted by Vibrant music and food at the entrance before the show. Displays that told the story of the Saharawis, ability to buy cds and crafts and make contact.The three part tea ceremony, [from bitter to sweet from stranger to friend. More great music and dance in the foyerThe unique mix of Jeff Lang and King Marong. Tinariwens stirring, exciting music.

Well done Glenda ---The Tinariwen concert was absolutely beautiful and mystical for me.Desert blues, Ethiojazz or Afro beat, I cant wait for more...Thank You for ThatGreetings Rafal

FEEDBACKCAFE REBETIKA APRIL 22 - MAY 9


Hello Anthea,

I am glad you’re warning people of the last few days of the Cafe Rebetika live show. Have seen it, very enjoyable, I am impressed. Professionalism in acting. I was at the fi st seat and I was observing every detail; the emotional movements of the face and body.

Very informative about our culture, history, Greekness, music, rembetes and magges!!

Is not easy being Greek!!! That was a period of Greek history still many people don’t forget. But, we dont learn, we went through the same experiences and even worst towards the end of the 20th century with my home land CYPRUS. They din’t burn their houses like Smyrna, but, they raped, killed and forced out of their houses. And whom to blame? Our own people bring responsibility for all these.

However the show has a great message to the Greeks and for the none Greeks to learn the Greek history and the history of our music.

And, what about our little Achilleas Yiangoulis ... I am telling you he is a LITTLE GIANT OF A MUSICIAN. If you see him give him this message from me. He is my friend but never had the chance to talk to him that night as my company were in a rush to get out of the theatre.

Anthea thank you for informative literature you do sent from time to time. All my love and keep in touch

Angeliki Puckey --

Hi Anthea

A huge huge thank you for last night, it was awesome, truly awesome, not over the top....great balance of acting and mu-sic....fantastic...thanks once again.con

Con KalamarasSenior Writer Services RepresentativeAPRA|AMCOS

FEEDBACKELEFTHERIA ARVANITAKI MAY 24


We would like to thank you for the opportunity to cater with our Traditional Souvlaki as part of the celebration of Greek cul-ture followed by the concert. The response and atmosphere was amazing, well done. It was a pleasure working together and we hope we can offer our services again in the near future. Looking forward to hearing from you. RegardsMandy and Savas AhiliasSouvlaki Catering--Thanks for including us in the set up for Mix it Up. Was fantastic to include local businesses in this way. You never know what can come of it. In fact the fi rst call I answered today. Was someone saying “ ARE YOU GREEK?” and enquired about buying large tin of oil. Well done on a great day.Angela SpanosDirectorThe Blackwood Lane P/L--Many thanks for the wonderful and very well organised event.

Kind regardsCostas Athanassiou--We had a great time on Sunday, enjoyed your session and singalong songs, the lovely coffee & biscuits, the company, and the concert was sensational. Hadn’t been to a Greek musical event like that for a long time, thoroughly enjoyed it.

Best regardsPhyllis MenosRemedial, Energy Medicine Practitioner--I thought it was fi ne but a lot of people I have spoken to were not happy. They found that it was too short.Regards Helen--The mood outside the concert hall was certainly vibrant-the sights, the sounds, the smells transported me back to “The Moth-erland”!

The standard of the entertainment was such that I and everyone around me left the performance on a high-and most remarked on how proud they were to be both Australian AND Greek on a night like that! It certainly felt special to hear a Greek singer performing Spanish music on a balmy autumn evening in our very own Melbourne...

I thus have nothing but praise for the organizers of this event: and hope it becomes a pleasant habit!--It would of been appropriate if the mini glendi was given a bigger profi le in the proceeding publicity for the sake of the art-ists involved. We went there “blind” not knowing who was to be performing. It was good as mini gledis go, the turn out was great, a little diffi cult to get more in that space. I would of liked to have seen the great band outside performing on stage and maybe the lesser (musically I mean) band outside. fi lakia Dora Kitinas-Gogos --Just thought I would let you know the pre-entertainment before the Arvanitaki concert was fabulous. It not only showcased local talent and music genres, but created a platform for concert goers to interact and appreciate the cultural melting pot of Melbourne.

Anthea Sideropoulos’ story telling of music and song was a stand-out, with audience members commenting on her captivat-ing performance. Thanks for the role you played, I think events like this are vital!Kind regardsMarianthi KypurosGreek Community Board member and a passionate South African Greek--

FEEDBACKVISIBLE SESSIONS 2009 and VISIBLE EMERGING SOUNDS OF MELBOURNE JULY 26


I couldn’t believe I could bump into such an amazing show for free at the Arts Centre. The concert was very diverse, every-thing was related to HIP HOP but every artist seemed to have their own approach to their performance and lyrics. I also loved the dance performances. The Black Box is the perfect space due to its size which makes it very coasy, the sound is very power-ful and the lights make the show vibrant.

I was impressed by the different audience members I managed to see: Children, adults, young adults and people from differ-ent cultures, Please keep me informed of new Visible Sessions, I woul love to come back.

Sincerely,Claudia Escobar--

FEEDBACKSOUNDS OF COLOMBIA OCTOBER 4


From the artists:

-They felt empowered by having the chance of performing/exhibiting in such “an important place as the Arts Centre” (Ma-rina Barrentos, La Cumbiamba y La Cumbiambita)

-Feel it was a privilege due to the positioning of the venue and the chance to expand their artwork to a wider audience. “It was a pleasure being able to share with the Australian people some of the wonderful things that the Colombian community in Australia has to offer” (Frank Torres)

-Feel inspired and enthusiast to keep developing new work

-Grateful for the artistic and cultural projection of the event “thanks for trying to stand away from the exoticism of the concept of Latin festival where only Latin people end up coming, only to party with salsa… Many thanks, it has been a big plus for the image of our country” (Maria Pena) “It is great to be able to show the happy and friendly face of Colombia and Colombians for a change” (La Cumbiamba y La Cumbimabita) “By being there we were able to show a different side of our country away from the stereotype way people think about Colombia, and see beyond the bad things that we hear and see in the media” (Frank Torres)

-Would have liked to have the chance to experience the public program. “My experience in the event was very positive. Unfortunately I was busy all the time and I couldn’t see any of the performances and installations. The crew from the Arts Centre and Multicultural Arts was very helpful” (Mauricio Rivera)

-The artists consider the program was diverse and representative of the Colombian culture in Melbourne (Colombian-Austral-ian families, International Students, Skilled Migrants, Colombians residents in Australia, Artists from other cultural back-grounds inspired in Colombian culture)

-Grateful for having access and a voice in public media channels such as TV and Radio--Some of technical observations from the artists:

-People commented that the food stall was too crowded and moved rather slowly such that the artists and friends missed out on seeing things if they were lining up for food; some performers missed out on being able to eat due to this

-Signage was not always clear as to where events were occurring

-It appears that there was no checking of tickets after 7 pm and so we heard comments as to why they had to purchase a ticket in the fi rst place.

From some audience members:

-People mentioned having friends who thought that the line for the food was the line to go into the free event, and decided to walk away, since it was so long

-Aterciopelados’ concert was very ‘intimate’, very focused on the Colombian people

-The whole program was very diverse and managed an aesthetic language accessible by people from cultural backgrounds different than Latin American

-We didn’t know the bar was open--

FEEDBACKSOUNDS OF COLOMBIA OCTOBER 4


Hi Meg/Linda

Just wanted to say congratulations on the success of the Indian Mix it up! show on Sunday and thanks for giving me the op-portunity to perform during the interval.

My family and I - including my sister in law who was visiting from Delhi - really enjoyed the program, especially Dya Singh’s set and the get together afterwards.

I also found people taking a lot of interest during my set, coming up and talking to me, asking questions about the music I was playing etc.. which was very nice and unexpected as I thought they’d all be busy drinking their coffee!

Keep up the great work!

Regards-Richi MadanGeneral ManagerRhythm & SpiceW: 1300885710M: 0411287568--Dear Rob, I like to thank you for giving us the opportunity to perform at the Arts Centre in a joint concert with Djan Djan at the World Music EXPO a few Sundays ago. The exposure has been very benefi cial as offers to perform at festivals worldwide are coming in. The group is also on the bokks of ‘Cultural Infusion’ - a creative arts company based in Melbourne headed by Mr. Peter Muse-fi aridis. Through them we played a signifi cant part at the Parliament of World’s Religions held at the Entertainment Centre from 3-9 December. Since its conclusion we have also been approached with a view of our group doing pre-Parliament events in vari-ous countries as promotion for the next Parliament which is scheduled for 2014. I have only now been able to catch up with correspondence and fi rstly and foremost I wanted to thank you for that wonder-ful opportunity. That programme has unleashed wonderful opportunities for the future. My heartfelt thank you to your staff and the staff at MAV for all their assistance. It was a pleasure and a pleasant surprise to have the after-concert party after the event. It will be a pleasure to be of use to you whenever you need us. A Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you and your staff,

Dya Singh5 James StreetNoble Park, Victoria 3174Australia Tel: +613 95478958Exploring the Spirit Thru Music

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MIX IT UP!CELEBRATING CULTURAL DIVERSITY

mix it up! - multicultural arts · learnings from these new approaches can inﬂ uence the future...

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