The streets of Footscray will come alive with sound and colour as Emerge in the West returns on June 4.
From 1-6pm, Nicholson Street will showcase some of the west’s top emerging talent in music, art, fashion, dance and spoken word across three stages and other locations.
The main stage will feature the voice of Ajak Kwai with Abyei Sudanese Band, the Majestic Vietnamese band and dance group, afro beats by Alariiya and the Eritrean Snit Band, along with reggae and roots by Rasta Unity and percussion and dance by Asanti Dance Theatre.
The free Multicultural Arts Victoria event closes out with Ethio-jazz maestros JAzmaris alongside Nhatty Man and his new band Gara, featuring Seble Girma and Bitsat Seyoum.
Seyoum said she was delighted to be returning to the stage after sharing her singing with previous Emerge in the West audiences.
“It’s my fifth or sixth time,” she said. “You meet so many people from different cultures and hear so much different music.”
There will also be a craft market and special offers from local traders and art and craft demonstrations will take place inside Victoria University’s MetroWest venue from 1-5pm.
Guided Cultural Walking Tours will take in local traders spanning rare textiles, original African hair art, popular Eritrean and Ethiopian restaurants and more.
Further details: multiculturalarts.com.au
