SUN MARCH 20 12–8PM | FED SQUARE VICTORIA’S MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL Victoria’s Multicultural Festival is the highlight of Cultural Diversity Week to celebrate and showcase our state’s rich and vibrant cultural traditions. This FREE family friendly festival, formerly known as Viva Victoria, unites more than 45,000 people each year to celebrate living in our multicultural state of Victoria throughout a whole day of entertainment. Starting at 12 noon, more than 30 live dance and music acts will perform across four stages, encompassing the theme of Together we stand in harmony. Organised by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, the festival brings together a wide range of international cuisine, free children’s activities, a market with arts and crafts from around the world, roving performers and exhibitions. This amazing family day concludes Cultural Diversity Week and is an exciting opportunity to embrace Victoria’s multicultural community. ABOUT CULTURAL DIVERSITY WEEK Following its success over the last 13 years, Cultural Diversity Week is returning bigger and better than ever. As Victoria’s leading multicultural celebration, Cultural Diversity Week runs from March 12 — 20, 2016 to coincide with the United Nations Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination on March 21. Coordinated by the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Cultural Diversity Week invites Victorians to embrace and celebrate our cultural diversity. Victoria’s community is made up of more than 260 languages and 135 religions, almost half of Victorian residents have either been born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. This year’s theme, Together we stand in harmony, draws on the power of music to unify people and break down cultural barriers. We invite Victorians from all walks of life to unite and celebrate the wonderful diversity of our state during the festivities of Cultural Diversity Week. ABOUT THE VICTORIAN MULTICULTURAL COMMISSION The Victorian Multicultural Commission is the voice of Victoria’s culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and is the main link between them and the government. Our unique multicultural society remains one of our state’s greatest assets and strengths. Operating under the Multicultural Victoria Act 2011 the VMC consists of 12 commissioners: a Chairperson, Deputy Chairperson, a Youth Commissioner, a representative of a community organisation and eight other members. BERTOCCHI RIVERSIDE TERRACE STAGE Hear these beautiful traditional and contemporary multicultural sounds while you relax by the banks of the Yarra. MC Malia Walsh 12:30 Vinod Prasanna and Jay Dabgar Award-winning Indian flute virtuoso and Indian classical percussionist. 1:30 Bashka feat Smadj Fusion of traditional and electro-acoustic Turkish music. 2:30 Iaki Fusion of traditional Colombian rhythms. 3:30 Zourouna Blend of Middle Eastern and Eastern European music. 4:30 The Furbelow Singers Close harmony singing group inspired by the 1930s. 5:30 Dawn Faith Soulful South African combining elements of Jazz and gospel. 6:30 Sol Nation East Timorese vocalist mixing music with English, Portuguese and Tetum (Timor) influences. UBUNTU YOUTH STAGE See a showcase of some of the best young acts of multicultural Victoria. MC Abe Nouk 3:00 Lillie Walker and the Dhungala Children’s Choir Inspiring Indigenous choral performance. 3:20 Interview with MMYN 3:25 Young Masters Dynamic, young break dancers from Melbourne’s West. 3:35 Ranjit Gatka Akhara Northern Indian martial arts display. 3:55 Tamu Samaj Unique Tamu (Gurung) Samaj culture from central Nepal. 4:05 BYS Crew Fresh Korean Pop from BackYard Studio. 4:10 Saharnaz Kia Persian folk singer brings the voices and songs of asylum seekers. 4:15 Morava Serbian Dance Ensemble One of the oldest Serbian folk dance groups in Australia. 4:30 Benchmark Performers from African cultural outreach program. DEAKIN EDGE DANCE STAGE Get involved in interactive dance workshops with a collection of mesmerising dance traditions from around the globe. MC Sam Gaskin 12:30 Peruvian Folkloric Dance Group of Victoria Authentic and innovative Peruvian cultural performance. 12:45 Tamu Samaj Unique Tamu (Gurung) Samaj culture from central Nepal. 12:55 Naatya Bhava Academy Classical Indian dance. 1:05 Morava Serbian Dance Ensemble One of the oldest Serbian folk dance groups in Australia. 1:20 MC Sam Gaskin dance workshop with audience Move to the beat of Cultural Diversity Week. 1:35 BYS Crew Fresh Korean Pop from BackYard Studio. 1:40 SILP Productions Contemporary Thai-Australian artistic collaboration. 1:55 Nuholani Polynesian Entertainment Captivating, internationally renowned Polynesian dance group. ROVING PERFORMERS / ST PAUL’S COURT 1.00 — 4.00 Pink Flamingos Stilt dancers that move with a bird-like grace. 1.00— 5.00 El Peregrino Miniature theatre playpresented from a hand-crafted set. CULTURALDIVERSITYWEEK.COM.AU #VicMultiFest PLATINUM PARTNER GOLD PARTNER MEDIA PARTNERS OFFICIAL TRANSPORT PARTNER SILVER PARTNERS BRONZE PARTNERS SUPPORT PARTNERS OFFICIALPARTNERS COMMONWEALTH BANK MAIN STAGE Your chance to dance away the day with some of Victoria’s freshest culturally diverse music. 12:00 SILP Productions Contemporary Thai-Australian artistic collaboration. 12:10 Lillie Walker and the Dhungala Children’s Choir Inspiring Indigenous choral performance. 12:30 CFA Captain Koala Kid friendly, fire safety mascot. 1:00 Marabou Project Pulsing blend of African, Latin, jazz, soul and funk. 2:15 VIP speeches 2:45 Cookin’ on 3 Burners feat the Wolfgramm Sisters Kick back to the nostalgic sounds of the Hammond organ and one of Australia’s favourite female trios. 3:45 La Descarga Folkloric mix of Afro-Columbian rhythms. 4:45 The Lalibelas feat Nhatty Man Ethiopian jazz and funk compositions featuring international sensation, Nhatty Man. 6:00 Quarter Street Classic salsa inspired by 1970s New York. 7:00 Jakubi A laid back vibe and infectiously upbeat sound mixing hip hop and reggae.