Emerge in the North 2017

Melbourne's North will be celebrating at a brand new event sharing local talent, vibrant colours and infectious sounds from its diverse cultures on Saturday 1^st July from 12pm to 4:30pm at Plenty Ranges Arts & Convention Centre, South Morang, with FREE entry for all.

Emerge in the North, presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria in partnership with the City of Whittlesea and the Brotherhood of St Laurence, Whittlesea Community Connections and AMES Australia, is a new community-based event, profiling local musicians, dancers and performers who will proudly share their cultural identity in the heart of the North. 

Festival organiser Miriam Abud from Multicultural Arts Victoria is excited about new talent coming through the program, and building a bright future for diverse arts in the region:

'Emerge in the North has been developed alongside artists and organisations who want to grow a strong, vibrant and inclusive cultural life for the Whittlesea region."

'The most exciting thing about creating this festival has been meeting and working with local artists, like Niruththa, who runs a successful Indian dance company in Mill Park. Her dance group lights up the stage with colour and grace, and this is a great opportunity to share their culture with wider local audiences."

Building on Multicultural Arts Victoria's successful Emerge programs from various locations around Victoria, Emerge in the North is the first of its kind in the Whittlesea region.

The program boasts a number of fresh local acts, including Sudanese Dance, the Syrian Youth Marching band, and the popular Cook Island dancers. There will also be a range of community cultural stalls and services.

'We're absolutely thrilled to be able to include the important Indigenous singer/songwriter Kutcha Edwards in the program; people can be inspired by such a well-known Melbourne artist, as well as the high-energy Brazilian percussion group Tumbarumba, and the big sounds of African Intelligence, an eight-piece who will close the day with exhilarating afrobeats, reggae and salsa," said Abud.