Yarra Valley ECOSS’ fan-favourite cultural event Rhythms of the World was held on Saturday 19 October, as attendees and musicians braved the weather for a multicultural musical extravaganza.
The free entry event provided attendees the opportunity to take part in interactive music and dance workshops, watch captivating multicultural performances and taste culinary delights from around the globe.
After a Welcome To Country by Wurundjeri Elder Aunty Kim Wandin, the lineup was packed from 12.30pm to 6.15pm, featuring:
Djirri Djirri Dancers (Traditional Indigenous Dance)
Szara Fox Trio (Folk/World Music)
Kids African Drum Workshop with Kofi Kunkpe Music
Sarita Mcharg (World Music/Storytelling)
Tenzin Choegyal (Tibetan Music/Performance)
Afromoses Baidoo (Afrobeat/World Music)
ROTW All-Star JAM (Multicultural Music Collaboration)
Kofi Kunkpe Yarra Valley Drummers (African Drumming)
AmaruTribe (Latin/World Music)
Some of the flavourful food at the event included:
Mexican Tacos at Tonantzin Chocolate
The Juicy Momo (Tibetan Delights)
Indian Curry & Spices
Angry Mum Dishes with Dumplings and more.
The event was proudly sponsored by Yarra Ranges Council and the Victorian Government’s Multicultural Victoria and Children’s Week grants programs.
After receiving $10,000 from Yarra Ranges Council for the event in January this year, Yarra Valley ECOSS’ Executive Officer Chelsea McNab said the event wouldn’t have been able to go ahead without the funding support.
“Rhythms of the World is one of the only multicultural festivals occurring in the Upper Yarra Valley. It offers vibrant performances and multicultural food tastings, as well as cultural education and immersive experiences in learning to play multicultural instruments,” she said.
Ms McNab also told the Star Mail in August that the drying up of other avenues of grant funding had brought about some trying times for the organisation but their programs and events were being prioritised.
Yarra Valley ECOSS aimed to improve its financial stability in the future (once planning permissions are granted) by:
Renting the blue site shed near the office, the bottle room, the Studios next to UpCycles once built and other spaces at ECOSS
Tendering for Native Tubestock Supply on a large scale
Growing its Corporate Volunteer Program
Introducing User Pays systems for some programs
Growing the Market and Shop.
Yarra Valley ECOSS’ next major event will be the Christmas Twilight Market on Friday 20 December.
