PAPE MBAYE

The beaming smile of Pape Mbaye is as well loved as his wide musical talents. It’s an infectious smile that seems to go hand-in-hand with the West African rhythms that lie at the root of his music. Pape was born into the special Griot cast, creative leaders and pioneers who are also the guardians of their culture’s oral history and artistic traditions. Pape plays sabar, tama, djembe, bougarabou, saorouba, congas, and timbales. He’s also a dancer, choreographer, teacher and Griot. Check him out on his website

AFRO PERU PROJECT

The Afro Peru Project is a group of musicians who present a taste of the different styles of music, long ago born on the coastline of a Peru.  The powerful African cultural heritage in Peru is explored as the band performs traditional instruments such as cajon, cajita, reco reco, and the quijadas, which when combined with the European guitar draw what contemporary is known as Afro Peruvian music.

CAPOEIRA ANGOLA ECOMAR

Capoeira Angola Ecamar works for the promotion and preservation of Capoeira Angola, an Afro-Brazilian art form. In all it’s ritualistic and traditional elements in particular we work with young people of non English speaking background to help them settle in Australia. for more info visit their website

BUENA VISTA DANCE ACADEMY

Buena Vista Dance Cuban Academy brings the best of Cuban style – Afro-Cuban Son, Cuban Salsa, Mambo, Cha Cha Cha, Rumba, Pilon and much more. Established by Airagdin Pavon More, “El Moro” is the only school in Sydney owned by a Cuban. Moro has performed at international shows and currently teaches regularly in Sydney. For more info visit their website

INSPIRERS MULTICULTURAL DANCE GROUP

The INSPIRERS Multicultural Dance Group is made up of male and female dancers from a number of ethnic background including Africa and the Pacific Islands. The group wears various tribal outfits while they provide a modern spin on traditional, modern, cultural music and dance.

LONJA

Lonja is a vibrant fusion of Jazz, Candombe and Afro rhythms displaying dance and drumming.

BRISAS DEL PERU

Brisas Del Peru originated in 2007 with 8 dancers.  Their successful participation locally and interstate has given Brisas Del Peru a good reputation and to date now has 23 dancers.  Brisas Del Peru is well known within the Latin American and Australian communities having participated in many community and social events.  Brisas Del Peru has also participated at the; Hispanoamerica Live Event winning second place, Canberra Multicultural Folk Festival and Melbourne with the Peruvian community.

SIERRA LEONE CULTURAL PERFORMANCE GROUP

The Sierra Leone Cultural Performance Group was formed by Sierra Leonean families living in Marrickville. The aim is to assist newly arrived families with their resettlement process, for community development and cultural awareness and exchange between the younger people and their elders. The group is supported by Metro Migrant Resource Centre, Shop Front Contemporary Art and Marrickville Council.

UPENDO CHOIR

The Upendo choir is a group of youth who are spreading the worth of faith to other youth and adults alike to interact with each other, communities and also to learn from one another. The group began in 2009 and has performed at the Villawood and Burundian national conference, attended by more than 250 delegates from all over Australia. The group is made of Burundian youths who sing with some movement in their mother tongue but also in English.