South West Multicultural Festival night under the stars 2016

Last Saturday a huge crowd were treated to the South West Multicultural Festival - a free night of entertainment under the stars at the Bunbury Music Shell.  Many different nationalities came together to celebrate and showcase their cultures through music and dance. 

This event has been a highlight of the region’s calendar since 2005 and again this year we enjoyed a vibrant evening of entertainment which included guest artists from Perth as well as local groups.  A barmy summer night, the weather couldn't have been more perfect.

Events were held during the day included tai-chi, cooking demonstrations, craft displays, fashion parade, sport, talks, and stalls. People were also treated to fabulous tastes through the Food Truck Safari. 

I was again dancing this year with Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company. We performed one of our dances from our 25^th anniversary show last year, Espana.  As I was performing I didn’t get photos from all the performances, and when I did I wasn't in the best place to take photos, but here are a few.  

Let’s dance! 

"Rio" from  Top Jazz Ballet 

Invited group - the Polynesian Hula Magic Entertainers treated to the pulsing beats of the Pacific. Also dancing while I was backstage were Parkfield Primary School's Irish dance troupe and Boys in Gum Boots tap group, belly dancing from Phoenix Dance Collective and Salsa from the Bunbury Dance Studio.

Sol y Sombra Spanish Dance Company who have performed at every Multicultural Festival since its inception. We were thrilled to win the prize for most popular local group. That's me in the pink spots on the far left. 

 Invited group - the Chinese Kung Fu and Tai Chi Academy performed the Lion Dance and a display of martial arts. It must have been so hot inside the lion costume. 

 African performance by Sankofa. Don't you just love that smile! 

 The Te Kuraroa Maori Cultural Haka Group who are encouraging their youngsters to be involved in Maori cultural through song and dance. 

The South West Irish Dancers

 The fun of Bollywood from invited Perth group DESI with a colourful and vibrant mix of traditional Indian folk dances and Bollywood. 

 Kardz Crew from Bunbury with a brilliant display of Hip-Hop

 Scottish Piper Lachlan Reid

Also performing was HazBeans -  a Gaelic musical duo on banjo and mandolin, and 4Tunes - a local Capella group who sang Waltzing Matida and I Still Call Australia Home. 
 

And the grand finale - invited guests - the fabulous Roztiazhka Ukrainian Cossack Dancers showing skill and indurance with their traditional cossack dancing. 

Do you have a cultural dance festival in your area?
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