WORLD-CLASS musicians, dancers and athletes will descend on Greater Dandenong this National Youth Week to share their skills.
In a coup for the region, 360 Allstars will not only hit the Drum Theatre stage for two performances but will deliver workshops, master classes and street shows from 8 to 13 April.
It’s the first time the group’s branched out from the stage and local young people can sign up for free classes in breakdancing, live looping and junk drumming, basketball tricks, beat-boxing, body percussion and BMX flatlanding.
The group includes Australian national drumming champion Gene Peterson, world breakdance champions B-Boy Physicx from Korea and B-Boy Leerok from New Zealand, two-time world champion BMX flatlander Peter Sore from Hungary and basketball freestyler Rashaun Daniels from the US.
Australia’s roué cyr king Rhys Miller and beat-boxer, rapper and live looper Sam Perry round out the troupe.
The Drum director Greg Hordacre met Gene Peterson, the brains behind 360 Allstars, at a performing arts forum back in 2011.
“This idea is almost two years in the planning,” he said.
“Dandenong is the cradle of street arts.
“It’s not often Australian and world champions are in Dandenong for a week.”
In Dandenong there’ll be activities at The Castle and Hemmings Park, Walker Street Gallery, Palm Plaza, Dandenong Library, Pop Up Park and Drum Theatre.
Noble Park’s Paddy O’Donoghue and Noble Park Community Centre and Springvale Multicultural Place and the Springvale Council Offices and Town Hall will also host events.
City of Greater Dandenong youth services’ Mark Carter said a street team was using chalk stencil art on footpaths to spread the word and encourage participation.
“The best way to get the young people through the door is to get them involved,” he said.
The 360 Allstars stage show is at the Drum Theatre on Friday 12 and Saturday 13 April at 7.30pm. Tickets are $10 for under-25s and can be booked via www.drumtheatre.com.au or 9771 6666.
Visit www.facebook.com/cgdyouthservices or call YStop on 9793 2155 for details on all the activities and to sign up.
