MAV folioDecember 2005 – January 2006

m u s i c d a n c e t h e a t r e v i s u a l a r t s f i l m n e w m e d i a

Unified Gecko Pic: Bonnie Savage – Page 3

Inside:P.2 Editorial

P.3 Music – Unified Gecko - UNIDOS(unity) International Human Rights DayConcert - What’s on

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m u l t i c u l t u r a l a r t s v i c t o r i a g u i d e t o t h e a r t s

P. 4&5 Dance & Theatre – Golden Chains– Rosalind Crisp Residency – ProdigalDaughter – DasSHOKU Hora! – kultour

P.6 &7 Retrospective

P.8 What Else

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Remember Me

Multicultural Arts Victoria will launch“The Way Forward - arts in amulticultural Victoria”, a report on thefindings of the needs analysis inmulticultural arts, conducted byMulticultural Arts Victoria in partnershipwith the Victorian MulticulturalCommission. The report will belaunched by Ministers Delahunty andPandazopoulos at the Art Centre at

9.30 am in the Fairfax Lounge on December 13th. All members andsupporters of MAV are invited to attend this launch. The analysis is animportant document that fits snugly within the context of the StateGovernments current policy framework “A Fairer Victoria - creatingopportunity and addressing disadvantage”.

The single most important finding of the research was that culturaldiversity and Arts for all Victorians is now widely accepted and endorsed.The challenge now is how to translate this into real strategies that willeliminate the current existing barriers and increase CALD and NESBartists and communities' participation in the arts.

The report highlights the importance of looking at real partnerships andconcrete ways to support the development of multicultural arts practice inthe State.

It is critical that we develop multicultural artists and it is vitally importantthat we support skills development in the arts for culturally andlinguistically diverse (CALD) artists particularly artists from new andemerging communities. The launching of the report is a very significantway to end a year for MAV, as the organisation has worked tirelessly aswell as strategically to present, promote and support multicultural artistsand communities in 2005.

In the next months MAV has a very high quality and diverse culturalprogram. We start with a funky EP launch with the very talented crosscultural Turkish band Unified Gecko. They will launch their new EPZomma at the Hi Fi bar in the city at 7-30pm, Sunday November 27th.On November 30th at 7-30pm we then have a Deli Merry Xmas concertat the ABC. Choirs from four different parts of the world will bring theirbeautiful harmonies to the Iwaki auditorium, a concert not to be missed.

Another event to mark in the calendar is Unidos the Human Rights dayconcert and event December 10, to be held symbolically at the Old

Melbourne Gaol on Human Rights day. This is a exciting new partnershipwith the National Trust of Victoria. The Gaol will be transformed into amarketplace with information and stalls on human rights set up in thecells of the gaol from 9.30am. At 2.00 pm the Goal will ring to thesounds of music, poetry and traditional dance from artists and culturesthat have suffered human rights abuse. As a mark of respect as to whatis happening close to home, we will start with the Indigenous group KooriYouth Will Shake Spears followed by an Indonesian gamelan orchestraand end up in Ethiopia having travelled with the cultures of Somalia,South Africa, Tonga and Sudan. The Gaol will open its doors and entry willbe by donation for the day and proceeds will be donated to the RefugeeAsylum Resource Centre and refugee artists by donation only. We thankthe National Trust for their generosity in supporting this event and wavingthe normal entry fee for the day.

In January and February, when the evenings are balmy and warm,Multicultural Arts Victoria will program a Twilight Jazz and Voice series atFederation Square. You will hear whilst the sun is setting a range ofquality music ranging from smooth Brazilian jazz to the sublime vocals ofa Polynesian Maori choir, outdoors in Federation Square. Melbourne is agreat place to experience the world.

Finally, on a more personal note, Multicultural Arts Victoria is very proudto announce we have two new MAV babies. Miriam Abud has just givenbirth to Mouahmed and Jane Carew-Reid has given birth to Sonny.Mouahmed and Sonny are now MAV's youngest members! Wecongratulate both Miriam and Jane who will be on maternity leave for ashort time. Also Elda Koro, who returned to Bosnia, fell in love and willnot be returning to MAV in the near future as expected, as she is nowmarried and living in Calgary. We still keep in touch with Elda and wishher all the best. So we welcome Meg Larkin and Janette Hoe to the MAVoffice. So as you can see we are finishing a productive the year on a verypositive note.

Congratulations to the Remember Me team who toured with Kultour toBrisbane and Lismore. It was a great success.

The MAV Board and Staff wish everyone a Happy New Year and greatfestive season. I would like to personally thank every artist, communityand audience member that participated in the MAV 2005 program. Wehope to see you all at the Special General Meeting on Monday 28thNovember at the Richmond Town Hall.

Jill Morgan Executive Officer

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editorial

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Unified Gecko 'Zomma' EP Release One of the most unique sounds to come out of Melbourne is Unified Gecko - thesound of hotted up traditional Turkish tunes colliding with reggae vibes and rootsygypsy rhythms. Led by Turkish born singer/ songwriter/guitarist Murat Yucel, UnifiedGecko features an impressive lineup of talent from Melbourne's world, jazz, reggaeand hip hop scenes including irrepressible master of groove Nicky Bomba on drums,funky basslines by Alex Savage (Fizard), Natalia Mann on electro harp, a growling hornsection (Alisha Brooks, Labjacd's Tristan Ludowyk, Morph's Dan Richardson) and AnitaLarkin on darabuka. Born out of a rich diversity of cultures, the group is well known forits energetic and soulful blend of gypsy, reggae, jazz, funk and dancehall and for thepositively intoxicating performances of belly dancer, Tanleea.

Unified Gecko released their first album Gecko Kebab in 2003, and shortly after wonthe Melbourne Fringe Festival Best Music Act Award 2003. In their most recentexploits they returned to their musical roots in Turkey, performing to capacityaudiences all over Istanbul and down the south west Mediterranean & Aegean coast.The tour was funded by the Australia Council for the Arts and was the beginning of theband's launch into the Turkish music scene.

Now fresh back from Istanbul, Unified Gecko are set to release their long anticipatedsingle 'Zomma' with funding received from Melbourne City Council. The unique 9 beatreggae sound co written by Yucel and award winning songwriter Nicky Bomba, will beunearthed in one awesome show alongside the extraordinary Underbelly Dancers,Fingers of Fury and some rarely scene traditional Turkish musicians. This is a show notto be missed!

Sun27 Nov 7.30 - 11pmHiFi Bar & Ballroom 125 Swanston St Melbourne (Opp Melbourne Town Hall)Tickets : Door $12/ Presale $10 + bf visit www.thehifi.com.au orwww.underbellydance.com or ph 9419 6620.For more info visit www.unifiedgecko.com

What’s OnDecemberVardos Fortyfivedownstairs, 45 Flinders Ln, Melb Thur 1 Dec 8.30pm

The Iyer Brothers + Sridar Chary Boite World Music Cafe 1 Mark St, Nrth Fitz Fri2 Dec 8.15pm

Umanee Boite World Music Cafe 1 Mark St, North Fitzroy Sat 3 Dec 8.15 pm

Bahia Powerhouse Cnr Queens Rd & Lakeside Drv, Albert Park Sat 3 & 10 Dec

Kachazca The Wedding Sausage 86 Lygon St, East Brunswick Sun 4 Dec 7pm

Bahia Latinlover 2005 Christmas Ball, San Remo Ballroom, Carlton Sun 4 Dec

Canto Coro + Inka Marka Ablaze - The Right to Live in Peace NorthcoteUniting Church, 251 High St Fri 9 & 10 Dec 8.00pm

Melbourne Singers of Gospel Boite World Music Cafe 1 Mark St, Nth Fitz Fri 9Dec 8.15pm

Tzigani Czech House 497 Queensberry St, North Melbourne 8.30pm

Unidos Human Rights Day Concert Old Melbourne Gaol, Russell St, City Sat 10Dec 2pm

End of Year Celebration Boite World Music Cafe, 1 Mark St Nth Fitz Sat 10 Dec6.30pm

Austrian Choir + Austrian Stubenmusik Ensemble Box Hill Town Hall, 1022Whitehorse Rd Sat 10 Dec 8pm

Klezmania Czech House, 497 Queensberry St, Nth Melb Sat 10 Dec 8.30pm

Zulya Northcote Social Club Sun 18 Dec

Stiletto Sisters Borsch, Vodka and Tears, 173 Chapel St, Windsor Wed 7,14,21& 28 Dec 8pm

Del Barrio Alumbra, Southwharf, City Wed 7,14,21 & 28 Dec

January16th Boite Singers Festival Daylesford begins Fri 13 Jan

Twilight Jazz Concert Series Federation Square 7, 14, 21 Jan 6pm FREE

MusicUnified Gecko Pic: Bonnie Savage

Jo Malatji

ETAGS, Human Rights

ETAGS

UNIDOS (unity) International Human Rights Day Concert– Presented by Multicultural Arts Victoria in partnership with theNational Trust.

Human Rights Day marks the anniversary of the United Nations GeneralAssembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948.'…the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is thefoundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world,'The United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights

On Human Rights Day this year, Saturday 10th December, extraordinary Australianmulticultural performers will transform one of Melbourne's most infamoushistorical places, the Old Melbourne Gaol, with a showcase of traditional andcontemporary music and dance from Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, South Africa,Indonesia and the Pacific Islands. This unique event, UNIDOS, celebrating unitybetween people in freedom and adversity all over the world, will kick off at9.30am with a Human Rights Day Marketplace inside the Gaol.

At 2pm an indigenous smoking ceremony and performance by Koori Youth WillShake Spears will set the stage for speaker Dr. Helen Szoke (Equal OpportunityCommission) and other special guests. From 2.30pm onwards the Gaol will comealive with stunning performances by:Dereb Desalegn and Lion of Judah - new wave Azmari music and dance fromEthiopia, Thula Sana - South African township jazz led by Joe Malatji, ETAGS Choir- angelic voices from the Pacific Islands, Tonga, Yusuf Omar - unique voice ofone of Australia's only Somali poets, Sudanese Women's Dance Group -traditional song and dance from women of the South Sudanese Dinka tribe andthe Indonesian Gamelan Orchestra - the haunting and sacred sounds of traditionalIndonesian orchestra.

"Human rights are our common heritage and their realization dependson the contributions that each and every one of us is willing to make,individually and collectively, now and in the future."Louise Arbour – United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights

So come along and support our Human Rights event - all proceeds of the day willbe donated to Asylum Seekers Resource Centre and refugee artists.

Sat 10 Dec 9.30am - 5.00pmOld Melbourne Gaol, Russell Street (between LaTrobe & Victoria Sts)Tix: Entry at door by Australian bank note or gold coin donation.

For further information phone 9417 6777 or emailprojects@multiculturalarts.com.au

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Golden ChainsCreated by Elissa Goodrich - director music(percussion) with Kath Papas- performer, Alycia Hevey - lighting.Narrators - Susan Bamford Caleo, Karen Berger, The Voice

Golden Chains is a physical theatre work with live percussion, inspired byAlexander Pushkins' 1828 Folktales. Cat - half-human, half-ghostlike,revisits the old tales. yet something is changing. A radio crackles in andout with news reporters' stories. Cat finds herself reliving memories of abirth and a death. But whose are they? Are these events in the presentof from the past?

This work is an exploratory physical piece with live percussion, andcontinues a collaboration between Elissa Goodrich, Kath Papas and AlyciaHevey that began in 2003 with the original work Binded Flight(Dancehouse 2003).

La Mama Theatre, 205 Faraday St, CarltonWed 7 Dec - Sun 18 Dec Wednesdays and Sundays @ 6.30pm Thursdays to Saturdays @ 8pm Tickets $12 full, $9 conc.Bookings: (03) 9347 6142

Rosalind Crisp ResidencyRosalind Crisp returns to Dancehouse in December after a successfulyear of international touring and development. During her one weekresidency, Ros will teach an intensive block of masterclasses andpresenta new work, dance.Ros will also be engaged in professional exchange while she is here withLizzie Thomson and local artists (TBA)."My inquiry into dance is addressed through the body, through mybodyand through the bodies of the dancers who collaborate with me. Weare engaged in a corporeal practice of using multiple sourcesinterchangeably to propose an unstable body, one that is continuouslyreforming and deforming, without resolution". Rosalind Crisp

Masterclasses: Mon 5 – Fri 9 DecemberPerformances: Thur 8 – Sat 10 December

Class and performance prices and booking information will be availableon the Dancehouse website soon.dance project 2005/2006 is an Omeo Dance Inc. initiative in partnershipwiththe Centre national de la danse, Paris, Atelier de Paris-CarolynCarlson,Festival Parcours de danse Chamarande France, and TanzfabrikBerlin, in association with Dancehouse Melbourne, Performance Spaceand Critical Path Sydney.

Info: Dancehouse 9347 2860Da

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Prodigal Daughterpresented by Women of Asia Company

Thought-provoking US writer/director Asa Palomera, renowned forstrong sexual imagery in her work, takes a global stance on childabuse with her new play Prodigal Daughter opening at Trades Hall on24 November.

Prodigal Daughter follows the journey of Mina - a Korean American -who as a child was sent away from Korea to live in the US. In hermiddle age, Mina returns to Korea for her father's funeral and finds outshe was a victim of sexual abuse as a child and sent away to hide thefamily shame. Through dialogue, reconstruction of the past, strongsexual imagery and comic relief, the play shows how Mina's troubledrelationship with her mother (who wants to sweep everything under acarpet of secrecy) breaks down.

The cast comprises eight Australian actors of multiple culturalbackgrounds and bases. It includes: Amanda Sebastio-Ong, FelicitySteele, Kaori Hamamoto, David Dawkins and Cindy Elliott, ElizabethSemmel and Vejay Shanmugam. Sonya Kerr and Lucy Campbellundertsudy for the main roles.

24 Nov – 4 Dec @ Old Council Chambers, Trades Hall.

Tix: $20/$15 Bookings: 9685 5111

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DasSHOKU Hora!This November audiences at the Malthouse Theatre were treated to athird show in the DasSHOKU series, created and performed by YumiUmiumare in collaboration with, Matt Crosby and Ben Rogan.

The story is of Yamamba(Yumi), an ancient mountain hag whocannibalises those who stray too close, giving birth to twins(Matt &Ben) - the scientist and the businessman. Together they exploit ashallow world hooked on instant gratification and collective denial ofthe dark within.

Yamamba mutates into Ganguro girl,the blonde, tanned Japaneseicon of Shibuya subculture. At dawn she arises from her nocturnaltrance dance to become Muijina, the kimono girl with no face. Then,pretty in pink as “Hello Kitty!” girl in the enjokosai - 'rescuerelationship' lounge - she sells her panties to wrinkled lovers.

“Wild extremes in fearless performance shock, fascinate” – The Age

"Watching Umiumare dance butoh is like watching a stainless steelmannequin ram a knife into a toaster. " – Vibewire on line

We look forward to more stimulating shocking performances in theDasSHOKU series in the new year from the DasSHOKU team!

kultourkultour is a national touring network dedicated to touring Australianmulticultural arts. kultour's program of events is a microcosm ofcontemporary artistic practice in Australia. With the aim of creating newaudiences for some of our most talented artists, it crosses genres, stylesand cultures. There are currently 11 members in the kultour network whotogether cover every State and Territory. Every year the members of kultourmeet to select a program of events. The next selection meeting isscheduled for March 2006 to select a touring program for 2007.As one ofthe 11 network members, Multicultural Arts Victoria is seeking expressionsof interest from multicultural artists and producers to apply for the fundingfor touring in 2007 kultour program.

The deadline for all submissions is January 18 2006.

For further info visit www.kultour.com.au or contact Anita Larkin emailkultour@multiculturalarts.com.au or phone 03 9417 6777.

kultour is an iniative of the Australia Council for the Arts.

Mark Elliott, Wang Zheng Ting and Ajak Kwai (pictured) will be touring inthe 2006 kultour program produced by Multicultural Arts Victoria.

Pic:Jeff Busby

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1. Afrobeats Workshops2. Belonging3. Silent Voices4. Black Harmony5. Musica del Mundo6. Black Harmony7. Deli Divas8. Musica del Mundo9. Grand Union Orchestra10. Seniors Concert

11. Cultural Diversity Week12. Silent Voices13. Celebremos14. Visible15. Cows & Bayonets16. Cultural Diversity Week17. Cultural Diversity Week18. Opposite My House Is aFuneral Parlour19. El Amel

20. Prayer Bells21. Cultural Diversity Week22. Refugee Festival23. Remember Me24. New Zealand Festival25. Refugee Festival 26. Cultural Diversity Week27. World Poetry28. Leading Voices

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El Horea

Group/Organisation Name

Address Postcode

Phone (bh) (ah) Mobile

Fax email www

Culture Profession

Artform (please tick)Visual Arts Theatre Craft Literature Music DanceMultimedia Film/Video Design Other (please specify) _________________________

Membership Type GST Inclusive (Please tick)

Concession $22 Individual $33 Group/Organisation $66 Corporate $176(pensioner/unemployed/student)

New Renewing Please tick if a tax invoice is required (for memberships of over $50)

Credit Card payment (You can pay by credit card OR by cheque)

Name on Card: Card Type:

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Folio Editorial TeamEditor-in-Chief Jill MorganSub-EditorsMusic Anita LarkinDance Tony YapVisual Arts Naomi OtaWord & Theatre Meg Larkin

Multicultural Arts Victoria StaffExecutive Officer Jill MorganFinance Officer Anna LuzzaAdmin Officer Miriam Abud / Janette Hoe

/ Meg LarkinProject Officer Anita Larkinkultour SW/C Jane Carew-Reid

Graphic Design Tony Yap

Multicultural Arts VictoriaFitzroy Town Hall201 Napier St FitzroyPO Box 2179 Fitzroy DC 3065P 9417 6777F 9416 3342E office@multiculturalarts.com.auW www.multiculturalarts.com.au

What else

DanceHarem Nights Christmas Party presented by Hip toHip Belly Dance Sun 11 Dec @ Central Cafe.Dress to bellydance & impress & dance the night away with live drummers& DJ Audi. Finger food buffet & 2 floor shows Tix presale: $25Info: 9421 4962 or 0402 886 646

OpportunitiesTrocadero Arts Space Applications for their 2006exhibition calendar. Closing date: For 1st half of 2006 - 30Nov. Info: 9687 6110 or trocadero@myartsmail.com/www.trocadero.cjb.net

Call For Performers: from all cultural, language &religious backgrounds: theatre, dance, music, singing, opera,puppetry & anything else .A Melbourne based theatre directoris establishing a performance collective to work towards alarge theatrical performance in 2006Performances will be paid. Contact:0415 768 996 orgorkem_a@hotmail.com

Theatre Alive is a promotional campaign & websitededicated to promoting Victoria's small-to-medium performingarts sector, developed through Arts Victoria's marketingprogram. www.theatrealive.com.au for year-round,info onshows, venues, discount offers & companies.

2006 Community Cultural DevelopmentGrants - Australia Council for the Arts. The '06 AustraliaCouncil Handbook & forms will be available in Jan. Info:m.martin@ozco.gov.au

Other EventsArtAbility 2005 is an art show designed to showcase theart of people from ethnic backgrounds who have a disability.12-19th December 2005 9.30-4.30pm @ Gasworks Arts Park,21 Graham Street, Albert Park. Melways Reference: 2J G7.Entry by donation. For more information: 94801666 orlucy@adec.org.au

The El Horea Cultural Group were funded recently byAustralia Council to run a series of cultural workshops insinging, music, dance and visual arts in Flemington withchildren from Horn of Africa background.The program will culminate in an event for the communities atKingston Community Centre featuring performances by thechildren and Sudanese singers Ajak Kwai (Tasmania) andYasmin (Sydney) This is a FREE event - all welcome. Sat 3 Dec8pm For further information call ph 9417 6777.

NOTICEMulticultural Arts Victoria

SPECIAL GENERAL MEETINGDate: Monday 28 November 2005

Time: 6.30pm for a 7pm startVenue: Richmond Town Hall

Address: 333 Bridge Rd, RichmondALL MEMBERS WELCOME

Light refreshments availableRSVP office@multiculturalarts.com.au

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