Be Bold Festival - Artists and Performers

(Food)

Avalokiteshvara Yuan Tong Monastery (AYTM) - Malaysian
Fifi Noa - Cameroon
Shane Delia - Middle Eastern
Di Tran - Vietnamese
Poonam Singh - Indian
MC - Food writer Richard Cornish

Meet our presenters

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Cultural Kitchen, Errington Reserve Oval, 11.30am - 4.30pm

Our Cultural Kitchen will take you on a journey across the globe, join our local community chefs as they share with you their traditional dishes, guest chef Shane Delia will pop in to share one of his favourite dishes and Richard Cornish is our guest MC who will bring all their food stories to life. Recipes will be available to take away.

(Music)

The singers in the Brimbank Multicultural Community Choir led by Veronica Gauci are excited to be celebrating their 20th anniversary at the Be Bold Festival. In 2003, Council supported a wonderful theatre project. Belonging, involving a huge, diverse cast and local musicians with a feast of music and stories. The choir from Belonging loved the experience so much they didn’t want to go home and have been singing songs from around the world ever since. Singing in so many languages is no small task but this little choir has a big heart and are inviting everyone into their musical family, old and new members are joining in. You are welcome, any time.

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Be Bold Main Stage, 12.30-1pm

Celebrate 20 years of the Brimbank Multicultural Community Choir with a very special performance featuring a traditional Sephardic song, as well as a new song written to support the Voice to Parliament. Their performance will feature old and new songs, including offerings from Nela Trifkovic and a call to heal the world with love by Lyle Makepeace. The choir’s original music director, Jennie Swain, has composed a song with the singers especially for the occasion, it’s a tribute to the choir and its longest-term member, Sue O’Neill. It’s about connecting and belonging, in harmony.

See what creative treasures you will find at the festival this year.

Meet our stall holders

Errington Oval Reserve, all day

(Dance / Children / Youth)

L2R Dance is a not-for-profit organisation based in Footscray dedicated to harnessing the power of hip-hop to strengthen our community through belonging, wellbeing and leadership in the Arts.

Our mission is to inspire positive vibes through one language, Dance!

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Be Bold Main Stage, 11.30am - 12pm

L2R’s youth crew Little Legends/Panda Squad + Girl Gang will perform a killer show and deliver a hip hop dance workshop that will get you grooving!

l2r.org.au

(Music / Youth)

The Resonate Youth Music Showcase is a curated performance of young musicians, performers and artists (aged 12-25) who live, work or play in the City of Brimbank.

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Be Bold Main Stage, 1.30 - 2.30pm

We excited to share our 2023 Resonate Youth Music Showcase artists:

• Yen
• D KUIR
• Elwyn Lain
• Grace Terpstra
• Zen Butler

Learn more about our artists

(Music)

The Burundian Drumming group (URUMURI CLUB) started in 2007, two years after the arrival of the first Burundian refugees in Melbourne.

The group aimed at teaching the young Burundian generation to uphold the culture of their country of origin, especially this unique tool which is INGOMA.

INGOMA was and is still playing an important role in the life of Burundians. In Ancient Burundi, the INGOMA was a symbol of power. Once a King's INGOMA was taken by the enemy he had to surrender because he would have lost all his power. INGOMA was played to announce that the King got up, marking the beginning of daily activities. It was also played to inform the population that the King was going to bed, it was also played to announce the arrival of the King in a region / locality.

In modern Burundi, the INGOMA / Drum is played at all national events, to welcome a guest of honour from outside the country.

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Be Bold Main Stage, 4 - 4.30pm

Don't miss their exciting performance that will get you moving and dancing.

facebook.com/burunndivic

(Music)

2Fiddle.Strings is an exciting duet of violinist Xuhi and cellist Karol that specialises in performing a wide range of musical styles from classical, pop, rock, and jazz. Their performances are characterised by their fun and energetic sound. Through their exciting performances, they will create an atmosphere of fun and sound that will leave audiences mesmerised.

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Be Bold Main Stage, 4.30 - 5pm

With our impressive range of musical styles, 2Fiddle.Strings will make Be Bold Festival one to remember!

instagram.com/2fiddle.strings

(Music)

Sin Fontera Band is a group that promotes Mexican culture with unique traditional Mexican instruments in tradition attire. the band specilise in Mexican rhythms blending different genres as well. You may hear them play La Cucaracha or You Shook Me All Night Long.

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Roving, 12.45 - 1.30pm

Be Bold Main Stage, 3 - 3.45pm

Sin Frontera Band will take to the stage as well as roam the festival to bring us their vibrant sounds.

facebook.com/sinfronteraband

(Theatre)

UB Lee

UB is a visual artist who works in many different forms, printmaking, installation, video, puppetry, performance, and community engagement. She leant these skills at Chugye University of Arts, Korea. Since moving to Melbourne, she has been initiating and facilitating collaborative arts projects.

Ewen (Yee Wen Soo)

Ewen is a dancer, school teacher and an arts educator. She has a dance background in Odissi, whereby she performs, assist in teaching and creates short dance pieces.

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Bowery Theatre, various sessions - online sales close 10am on the day, walk up bookings welcome (pending availability)
Book now

Obang is a performative installation space designed for babies aged 6 to 16 months along with their care-givers and siblings, and is inspired by the traditional Korean concept of Obang.

In this work, Obang refers to five primary colours and explores the spatial meaning of home.

You are invited to a Korean grandmother’s home for a meal. Together you will experience her daily life, including cooking, singing, washing and story-telling. Obang is a joyful and interactive experience featuring puppetry, story and free-play in an immersive environment.

Obang will be presented as a 50-minute installation performance.

Recommended age: For babies aged 6 to 16 months along with their care-givers and young siblings.

No charge, bookings required

ubtopia.net

(Dance)

The Filipino-Australian Association of Ballarat, Inc. (FAABI) is a community not-for-profit cultural association. They dance in community events to entertain, promote Filipino Culture and to help raise funds for FAABI.

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Be Bold Ground Stage, 1 - 1.30pm

Tinikling is a traditional folk dance in the Philippines. The performance involves two people tapping and sliding bamboo poles against each other on the ground with coordinated movement of dancers over and between the bamboo poles. The name tinikling is a reference to a long-legged bird locally known as tikling. Just like the tikling birds’ graceful movement over grass and skilful motion to avoid the bamboo traps set up by rice farmer, the dancers imitate with grace and skill, in the rhythm of the bamboo poles. Female dancers wear colourful dress with puff sleeve called Balintawak and checker loose skirt while the male wear a light long sleeved shirt called Barong Tagalog and pants.

facebook.com/FAABI.Ballarat

(Dance)

Traditional Bosnian Folk Dance

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Be Bold Ground Stage, 1.30 - 2pm

facebook.com/KudDukatmelbournefolklor

(Performing Arts)

Snuff Puppets create giant puppet spectacles and have been entertaining Melbourne since 1992. Enjoy a collision of visual art, sculpture, music, and physical theatre.

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Roving, 12 - 12.30pm and 1.30 - 2pm

Giant Seagulls descend in a noisy quarrelsome pack. These unruly scavengers devour everything in their path. You might lose your hat as they fight each other for the finest spoils. Grab your children before they do!

snuffpuppets.com

(Artist)

Jennifer Tran is a performance designer and community arts engagement worker of Chinese and Vietnamese cultural heritage who lives, works and socialises in the western suburbs of Melbourne. She uses conversations around cooking, food and recipes to create bonds between women seniors, their families and communities.

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Errington Reserve Oval, all day

A giant inflatable dragon lantern called Lạc Long Quân has decided to lay on the oval at STACC, to celebrate Tết Trung Thu, the Mid Autumn Festival. A symbol of strength, prosperity and good fortune, Lạc Long Quân will light up the night and bring good fortune to those who come nearby.

A collaboration by community artist Jennifer Tran and Daniele Poidomani from Memetica.

designerjentran.com

(Workshop Facilitator)

Uncle Ian Hunter is a traditional elder of the Wurundjeri Wilam people and has been involved in presenting his culture to all greater Melbourne area to all communities. His involvement in performing art projects such as the Kingfisher Festival at CERES environment centre and instigating and creating their indigenous program began around 25 years ago. Uncle Ian has also been involved in many cross cultural awareness programs in corporate settings and local council for the last 30 years.

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Errington Reserve Oval, 11.30am-12.30pm

Learn about First Nations culture and the art of throwing a boomerang with Uncle Ian Hunter.

(Performing Arts)

Kooky Karnival is an ‘old school’ adventure racecourse featuring traditional games like the ‘egg and spoon race’ and ‘knock ‘em down’ tin cans. Everyone can enjoy the sack race, along with tossing the hoop over the giant milkshake straws. Most challenging is ‘peg the clothes on the washing line’ which always raises a laugh when all sorts of clothing appear in the washing basket. As well as plenty of fun, Kooky Karnival promotes physical exercise and hand eye co- ordination skills, teamwork and healthy competition.

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Errington Reserve Oval, various times

Kooky Karnival will challenge and delight young and old at Be Bold Festival. Toss the hoops, knock ‘em down and try your hand at balancing a potato on a spoon as you charge through the silliest sideshow of all!

facebook.com/PublicMischiefAustralia

(Artist)

Callum Watson's artistic practice is centred around the therapeutic effects of artistic creation and the exploration of the subconscious. As a multidisciplinary artist, Watson engages with various mediums to manifest his ideas. His works serve as a catalyst for personal growth as he delves into the realm of the subconscious, seeking to resolve abstract thoughts and ideas. Through this process, his art takes on new meanings, offering insights and revelations not only for himself but also for the viewers who engage with his creations. Watson's art becomes a transformative experience, as it encourages introspection and invites viewers to tap into their own subconscious realms, fostering personal connections and opening up new avenues of understanding.

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Bowery Gallery, all day

Abstract Archetypes is a dynamic exhibition of painting and drawing by two local artists runs in conjunction with Mental Health Week. Liam San Jose explores mythical creatures and psychosis, while Callum Watson's abstract artwork harnesses the therapeutic effects of making and the creative development of the subconscious.

(Artist)

Liam San Jose's artistic journey is rooted in personal experience and a profound exploration of the mind. As a self-taught artist, he discovered his creative passion after experiencing his first episode of psychosis. His artwork serves as a testament to the extraordinary world he witnessed during these episodes, where hallucinations brought forth captivating visions of people, animals, and mythical creatures. Drawing inspiration from his experiences, San Jose's style combines elements of Japanese, Indigenous, and folk art, imbuing his creations with a primitive allure and a touch of psychedelic design. Through his art, he invites viewers into a realm of fantasy, where the boundaries between reality and imagination blur, urging us to contemplate the power of the mind and the beauty that lies within the depths of our own psyches.

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Bowery Gallery, all day

Abstract Archetypes is a dynamic exhibition of painting and drawing by two local artists runs in conjunction with Mental Health Week. Liam San Jose explores mythical creatures and psychosis, while Callum Watson's abstract artwork harnesses the therapeutic effects of making and the creative development of the subconscious.

(Artist)

Lee Agius is Artful Warrior. Lee is a qualified Creative Arts Therapist, Visual Artist, Mental Health and Disability Practitioner who has worked professionally in clinical and community settings with individuals and facilitates group workshops.

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Bowery Gallery, all day

Artist and Creative arts therapist Lee Agius has created an exhibition to engage the community with well-being. Through creating an oversized deck of Strength and Recovery cards, Agius encourages us to reflect on the ongoing challenges, feelings and emotions that can hinder or support our mental health.

serviceartfulwarrior.com

(Arts)

Dya Australia believes in the power of creative thinking and artistic expression to inspire and transform. Through their carefully curated workshops, they invite both children and adults to unleash their imagination, discover new talents, and explore the limitless possibilities of art. From painting and sculpture to mixed media and digital art, our workshops and activations offer a diverse range of mediums and techniques to suit every artistic inclination.

Dya The Art Of Creative Thinking Model™ (1999) This unique model challenges automatic thinking patterns to encourage authentic personal and social expression. Practicing the Art of Creative Thinking in daily life opens the door to original creation, promotes personal empowerment and inspires participants to take an idea from thought to reality. Dya Australia have a number of programs, education, corporate, individuals and community.

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Paint in the Dark - Flexi Room 1, 11am-3pm (drop-in sessions), 3.30 - 4.45pm (scheduled workshop)
Book now for scheduled workshop

Need a glow up? Brighten up your day with this art experience at Be Bold Festival. Pick up a paintbrush, get your boogie on and unleash your neon spirit at a hyper-fluoro disco! At this paint session with a twist, you'll be able to unleash your inner artist with some of your nearest and dearest. Use fluoro paints under UV lights to make your canvas POP. Give your face a cheeky glow up too.

dyaaustralia.com.au