Over the last few months, Multicultural Arts Victoria and Riverlinks have been developing a significant new arts and culture initiative with a group of six local artists from First Nations and diverse communities living on Yorta Yorta country in and around Shepparton. This is a way in supporting the extended family of Pasifika and African diaspora community and the Kaieltheban country.
Multicultural Arts Victoria CEO, Veronica Pardo says, “MAV is excited to see Riverlinks take the lead in the diversity space, setting an example for what can be achieved when working with local artists and communities.
We are a diverse nation and Shepparton is one of the most diverse regional cities, but it isn’t always reflected in the products that are offered and consumed. We hope this project will help redress some of the imbalance and believe this is the start of an exciting relationship with Riverlinks.”
The All Pasts Lead to Now concerts will draw on the curating artists’ diverse cultural backgrounds, perspectives and connections to country and will feature an inspiring program of music, dance, visuals and spoken word.
Locally based MAV Creative Producer, Anita Larkin says, “The artists who have been engaged to curate this concert series connect us to a wealth of cultural practices, experiences and a vast amount of untapped talent in our community.
We want to see these incredibly talented practitioners being offered more opportunities to demonstrate their skills and competencies, and to see them lead more of this kind of work in programming our local stages.”
The concerts will be held outdoors under the early evening skies and the line up will feature artists from Shepparton, Echuca and Melbourne including: Neil Morris, Lillie Walker, Allara Pattison Briggs, Madi Colville Walker, 1/6, Let’s Vibe Choir, Ree Peric, Heard Instinct Collective, Vince the Kid, Titan Debirioun, Silao, Bricky B, Fipe & Peti and SUGA.
Local curator and traditional custodian, Kaieltheban man, Neil Morris says, “All Pasts Lead to Now is a collaboration with custodians of the land, leading the way in supporting our extended family of Pasifika and African diaspora community and the Kaieltheban country.
“Through art, song and cultural practice, the program will honour our people’s past connection to the land and provide an exchange with Pasifika and African communities. Ultimately, it’s about supporting communities who have shared similar experiences in finding a home and a safe space on our custodial lands by sharing our song and culture and supporting their expression of art and culture within an exchange context.”
Details:
21 Feb, 6 March & 20 March 2020
Fridays, 6pm – 9pm
Riverlinks Eastbank
70 Welsford St, Shepparton VIC 3630
Tickets: Free event, no bookings required.
Riverlinks Box Office: 03 5832 9511
www.riverlinksvenues.com.au
The concerts are family friendly open to people of all ages and alcohol free.
This project is supported by Creative Victoria’s Regional Partnership program.
