For a full list of Multicultural events in March-April 2012 in Victoria, visit:
http://www.visitvictoria.com/Events/Multicultural.aspx
1. Morwell Multicultural Festival, 15-17 March 2012
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2. ECHUCA MOAMA CELTIC FESTIVAL
Dates: 16-18 March 2012
Address: Echuca Moama Celtic Festival, 127 Hare St. Echuca, VICTORIA 3564
Phone: 03 5482 3817 Mobile: 0400 563 399
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: www.celticfestival.com.au
The Echuca Moama Celtic Festival has been designed to provide an opportunity for locals and visitors to enjoy a feast of Celtic music and dance in a variety of venues.
The event will have a strong Irish flavour incorporating St. Patrick's Day as well other traditional Celtic themes. The activities will include a 'Gathering of the Clans' Dinner on Friday evening, music and cultural workshops, as well as a Twilight Concert with a feature band. A street parade which will include build on the previous parade with theme floats bands. There will be an open air Celtic Worship Service on Sunday morning.
Local directions: From Melbourne, Echuca can be accessed via the Calder Highway through Bendigo or the Northern Highway via Heathcote,Elmore, and Rochester. Train and Buses run regularly throughout the day Melbourne - Echuca
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3. Ventanas Festival (Frankston) - This is a free event.
Date: 17 March 2012
Address: Wells Street Plaza, Wells Street, Frankston Vic 3199
Phone: 03 9784 1060
Vedanta is a celebration of Latin American, Portuguese and Spanish culture through art, literature, film and a spectacular fiesta.
You don't need to leave the country to take a peep into the vibrant world of Latin America, Portugal and Spain with the cultural experience that is Ventana!
Commencing with a beach ceremony at Wells Street Beach at noon (bring a flower to offer) and parading to Wells Street Plaza festivities at 12.45pm
Bring family and friends to the Fiesta and enjoy:
- Cooking Demo and Tasting for Kids
- Traditional craft activities
- Face painting
- Soccer skills
- Zumba for kids workshop
- Music workshop with Alejandro Aldana
- Storytelling in Spanish and Portuguese
- Modern Latin Dance workshop
For the family the "Pilgrimage Passport Game" with lots of prizes to be won and find the Elegant Post Lady, the Stilt Walkers and more!
With an abundance of food, dancing and entertainment available for everyone, why wouldn't you be a part of Ventana Fiesta 2012!
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4. Geelong Highland Gathering
Date: 17-18 March 2012
Address: Geelong Showgrounds, Breakwater Rd, Breakwater, Victoria 3219
Phone: 03 5221 7224 Mobile: 0438 217 227
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.geelonghighlandgathering.org.au/
See website for prices and bookings:
The 55th Geelong Gathering, Victoria's, biggest and most diverse annual celebration of Scottish culture will be held at Geelong Showgrounds on Sunday March 18.
A day prior, Saturday March 17, a mini pipe band competition and solo piping and drumming competitions will beheld and entry that day will be free.
A major expansion of children's activities has been planned for this year, with Wee Heavy Games, including light-weight caber tossing, a Highland passport and Commando Rope Bridge as well as the usual jumping castle, petting zoo and face-painting.
Pipe band competitions, massed bands, Australian South Pacific Highland Games, Highland dancing, Scottish country dancing, military re-enactment groups, martial arts swordsmanship displays, Scottish dog breeds show, clan and genealogy tents, fair and market. .
The event is also one of the oldest of its type in Australia, with the first Geelong gathering in 1857, going in to recession during the Great Depression in 1933 and being resurrected in 1957 and being held continuously ever since.
It attracts thousands of people from throughout Victoria, with between 800 and 1000 performing in pipe bands, dancing and other attractions on the Sunday.
More information can be found at the website.
STGP Press: The Gathering will be officially opened on the Sunday by His Excellency the Governor of Victoria, the Honourable Alex Chernov AC, QC.
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5. Thai Culture and Food Festival
Date: 18 March 2012
Address: Federation Square Melbourne, Corner Swanston and Flinders St, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Mobile: 0407 335 861
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.thaifestvic.com/
Join the Thai community as they celebrate and showcase their rich and historical culture.
The 9th Annual Festival will begin with a traditional blessing by Buddhist monks, and an opening ceremony. Federation Square will be transformed into a haven of Thai culture with booths showcasing Thai arts and crafts, Thai tourism and Thai kick boxing. On offer there will also be Thai massage and information about Thailand and its people.
There will be continuous entertainment on stage with performances of Thai dance, Thai kickboxing, a Miss Thailand beauty contest and a fashion parade. The fashion parade will be featuring the best in Thai designs including famous Thai silk. Thai Product stalls will sell Thai produce.
Enjoy 30 performers direct from Thailand plus local talent. The riverbank side of Fed Square will be bedecked with food tents featuring 20 of Melbourne's premier Thai restaurants serving Thai delicacies and highlighting regional food and drink specialities as well as the famous Singha Beer gardens and music stage and live performances and more in the BMW Edge theatre.
The Festival attracted 65,000 people to Federation Square last year - it is a fun-filled family event and it is free!
Visit the website for further details.
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6. The Mystic of India revealed in Cultural Diversity Week Celebration
Date: 19-25 March 2012
Address: Woodend Community Centre, Corner Forest and High Sreets, Woodend, Victoria 3442
Phone: 03 5422 0394 Free Call: 1300 888 802 Fax: 03 5422 3623
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.mrsc.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?Page_Id=2753
The mystique of India will be revealed in a colourful program of cultural activities and performances to celebrate cultural diversity week in the Macedon Ranges from 19 to 25 March.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is supporting the state wide celebration of cultural diversity through a program of creative and performing arts including Rangoli, Henna, Yoga and Meditation, a concert of traditional music and film and various exhibitions, culminating in a performance of traditional 'Odissi' Dance .
If Bollywood and curry are the only things you know about India, then come along to discover the richness of the Indian culture through dress, music, dance, film, yoga and meditation.
Cultural Diversity Week is a state-wide celebration aimed at promoting harmony, understanding and acceptance of the many cultures in our community. It is an opportunity to come together as a community and share a love of culture and the arts.
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7. Viva Victoria 2012 - this is a free event.
Date: 25 March 2012, 12pm - 6pm
Address: Federation Square, Corner Flinders & Swanston Streets, Melbourne, Victoria 3000
Phone: 03 9651 1101 Fax: 03 9651 0612
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.multicultural.vic.gov.au/projects-and-initiatives/cultural-diversity-week/viva-victoria
along and celebrate Victoria's 10th Cultural Diversity Week at the Viva Victoria festival! Each year Cultural Diversity Week brings together Victorians from all backgrounds to celebrate and recognise the State's wonderful cultural diversity.
Viva Victoria is a free one-day festival of spectacular musical and dance performances across three stages at Federation Square. You can sample delicious food from around the world, explore the cultural arts and crafts market, and there's plenty of free kids activities and cultural workshops to entertain and inspire.
Don't miss out on the vibrant sights, sounds and tastes on offer, as Victoria celebrate it's multiculturalism. There is something for everyone at Viva Victoria!
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8. Wyndham Multicultural Fiesta at Werribee Park - this is a free event.
Date: 25 March 2012
Address: Werribee Park, 320 K Rd, Werribee, Victoria 3030
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Phone: 03 8734 5100 Free Call: 131 963
Web: http://www.experiencewyndham.com.au/whatson/wyndham_multicultural_fiesta_at_werribee_park
Come celebrate Cultural Diversity Week with free music, dancing, and activities.
Wyndham's rich cultural diversity will be on display at the Wyndham Multicultural Fiesta at Werribee Park.
This massive day will include dance and musical performances from all around the globe, and from the many cultures that are proud to call Wyndham home.
See acts from India, Africa, New Zealand, China and many other exciting destinations. There will be multicultural demonstrations and workshops, food stalls and celebrations!
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9. Viva Grampians Pyrenees Multicultural Festival
Date: 8 April 2012
Address: Ararat, Barkly St, Ararat, Victoria 3377
Phone: 03 5355 0270
Ararat Rural City will be holding the third Grampians Pyrenees Multicultural Festival.
The festival is a celebration of the diverse mix of cultures living in this beautiful part of Victoria. The festival will feature a diverse range of food stalls, many which will be staffed by migrants who have settled in the region. Possible food stalls for this year include: India, Indonesia, Argentina, Peru, China, Kuwait, Pakistan, Croatia, England, South Africa, Mauritius, Nigeria, The Philippines, and Thailand.
This years festival will hopefully attract not only the many that attended last year but more from around the region and the local community, it is a celebration of cultural diversity with a mixture of multicultural food stalls hosted by members of our community and region. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day.
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10. Kiroit Irish Festival
Date: 26-29 April 2012
Address: Various venues around town, Commercial Rd, Koroit, Victoria 3282
Phone: 03 5565 9355
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Web: http://www.koroitirishfestival.com.au/
The Koroit Irish Festival is a three day festival that celebrates Irish heritage through music, dancing, singing and even spud picking! The event is held annually in the historic village of Koroit, located between Warrnambool and Port Fairy and nestled on the northern slopes of the extinct volcano Tower Hill.
Live music by nationally acclaimed performers are featured at locations throughout the town (indoor and outdoor) whilst a hive of market activity and more music emanates from street stalls and the six stages set up along the main street and on the village green. Be entertained by the many street performers or browse the arts and crafts. Kids are catered for with a variety of children's activities and entertainment.
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