Stage set for emerging artists

VISITORS will be able to celebrate the various cultures and talents in Dandenong at the Emerge Festival on Saturday.
Following the success of last year’s inaugural festival, the Drum Theatre, the City of Greater Dandenong and Multicultural Arts Victoria have joined forces to bring the festival to life again.
It is part of Multicultural Arts Victoria’s Emerge Cultural Hubs project and Drum Theatre director Greg Hordacre said it will allow a platform to promote emerging Dandenong artists.
“The inaugural Emerge at the Drum shows the huge potential of the Hubs program in creating a platform and opportunities for our emerging artists and talent in the arts in Victoria,” Mr Hordacre said.
The day will include traditional and contemporary music and dance performances from African and Asian Pacific countries.
Main stage artists include Maori dance troupe Te Hononga O Nga Iwi, Afghan performer Saltan Maizoi, a Sudanese dance group, Paulo Almeida Trio Mystic from East Timor and Burundian Drum and Dance Group.
There will also be an outdoor Youth stage, showcasing the talents of young Dandenong artists, musicians and DJs.
Youth artists include Fly Bz, Grey Bull and Paper Dreams and Black Skies.
The free festival will also host a mini marketplace, cultural workshops, children’s activities and visual arts and crafts exhibitions.
The Emerge Festival will be held at the Drum Theatre, corner of Walker and Lonsdale streets, Dandenong, on Saturday 16 July from 11am to 4.30pm.