Contortionists, choirs and couture will take centre stage at the Wyndham Cultural Centre next month as part of an annual festival to celebrate Wyndham’s cultural diversity.
Among the performers at the Emerge festival will be Hoppers Crossing resident and contortionist Teame Ersie, who will take part in an Ethiopian circus show.
Fellow Hoppers Crossing resident Vissolela Ndenzako will host an Afro-Australian fashion show; the Skin Choir will sing about cultural identity; and festival veteran Atakilty Woreita will perform an Ethiopian coffee ceremony.
The festival will also feature outdoor performances by Karen, Samoan, Tongan and indigenous singers and dancers, and an art exhibition by Karen tapestry weavers Mu Naw Poe and Shuklay Tahpo and Eritrean painter Michael Adonai.
Karen musician Hsar Pweh says the festival is a good opportunity for people to learn more about the different cultures in Wyndham.
“Emerge is a great event because we get to see so many different cultures, their costumes, their food and their traditional dance and songs,” he said.
Wyndham mayor Bob Fairclough said Wyndham was fortunate to be home to so many talented artists and performers.
“The city embraces the opportunity to highlight their works as an expression of our cultural and linguistic diversity,” he said.
The Emerge art exhibition is at Wyndham Art Gallery from Wednesday, October 1, until Sunday, November 2.
And the Emerge Festival will be held at Wyndham Cultural Centre on Saturday, October 4, starting at noon.
For details call 8734 6000.
