For the sixth year in a row, Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) present Piers Festival; celebrating the contribution of migrants to the Australian cultural makeup.
MAV will play host to the festival indoors for the first time due to high winds and thunderstorms predicted tomorrow, Sunday 9 April. The festival committee deemed it paramount to move the festival to the South Melbourne Town Hall.
The program will proceed as planned, and will reflect the collective historical and contemporary migration stories of the Princes Pier site.
MAV has brought together a vibrant mix of artists and cultures, iconic sounds, new collaborations, music, dance, and activities for all ages that will bring to life the Pier’s pivotal role in Victoria’s growth from 1915 to 1969 as a gateway to the diversity of cultures that now enrich the wider community.
With 12,000 attendees in 2015, Piers Festival has grown to become an annual highlight in Victoria’s cultural calendar and a significant occasion to acknowledge and bring to light our Indigenous and multicultural talent.
This year, headline acts Joe Camilleri & the Black Sorrows, the Core-tet, Oi Dipnoi, the haBiBis, Mojo Juju & the Samoan Choir as well as the Manasis Dance group will guide us through the sounds of Greek, Italian, Indigenous, Spanish, and Middle Eastern cultures.
MC Anna Go-Go will get the crowd go-go-ing, and DJ PAZ will throw some carnival beats to the mix, while Ismail Metin from the Yunus Emre Centre will perform onstage accompanied by martial arts displays.
Meanwhile, a Greek cultural stall will be presented by The Fronditha Aged Care, and George Lekakis AO, chair of Multicultural Arts Victoria, will officially welcome everyone to the festival, especially those Greek migrants who first arrived at Princes Pier and have contributed so much to the Victorian community.
The International Teahouse will also be there to offer samples of tea and coffee from across the world in a friendly, relaxed corner.
Traditional beverage samples and food from around the globe will be available too, from vendors such as Simply Indonesian, Spanish Gourmet, Mutter Krause sausages, GrumbleTumms indigenous, Filipino Street Food, Matrix Gelato & Ice-cream, Traditional Turkish Gozleme, Vietnamese rolls, Babou Juice Bar, and Miss Molly’s Coffee.
Moreover, the festive interactive atmosphere of the Landing includes art displays, performances and activities curated by active cultural groups from across Victoria: Latin Stories Australia & Casa Cultura; the Ukrainian Association of Geelong; the African Australian Small Business Association; the Shepparton Sikhs Association; and the Moreland Turkish Association to name a few.
Sharing stories of migrants, Astrid Mend will present The Pilgrim Puppet Show, and the What Happened At The Pier forum will be open to the public.
Guests can also attend Storytelling with Howard Goldenberg, enjoy the fabulous Red Mo the Pirate, a poetry workshop with Myron Lysenko and The Melbourne Poets Union, or secure a spot for the film screenings of Reading the Wind and Joe Camilleri: Australia’s Maltese Falcon.
On the long list of activities open to families we recommend getting crafty at Pysanka Easter egg decorating or giving face painting a go.
To find out more go to multiculturalarts.com.au
Where: South Melbourne Town Hall, 208-220 Bank Street, South Melbourne,
When: Sunday 9 April 11.00 am – 5.00 pm