WORKSHOPS

With One Voice Community Choir: Creativity Australia's With One Voice choirs welcome everyone. No matter what age you are or what language you speak, singing offers opportunities to learn, grow and express who you are. Led by professional conductors, the With One Voice choirs help you connect with your community and discover your potential. No singing experience is necessary; simply come along and join in! To find out more visit www.creativityaustralia.org.au.

African Drumming with Kofi Kunkpe: African Drumming is a proven, fun filled activity designed to bring people together. By creating a relaxed environment, which inspires group participation and synergy, African Drumming breaks down social barriers and allows individuals from all walks of life to harmoniously work together. Drumming also helps individuals to disengage from mental activity and brings relief from mental stress, creating better focus and clarity.  Workshop will be conducted by Kofi Kunkpe.

African Dancing with Ekow: Ekow Crenstil is a vibrant and talented performer hailing from Ghana, West Africa. Ekow began dancing at an early age and has trained in Ghanaian traditional, contemporary and freestyle dance, as well as acrobatics, clowning, traditional drumming, fire eating and twirling. He has performed with the National Theatre (Accra), the Centre for National Culture, Cape Coast and at festivals and events throughout West Africa & Australia, where he is now living and teaching. Ekow has worked with large and small groups of all age groups and levels of ability. You will be up dancing and singing in no time - his enthusiasm is contagious.  

Laughter Yoga with Carolyn Nicholson: Carolyn Nicholson has always loved to laugh, so when she met Dr Madan Kataria the founder of Laughter Yoga she knew it was ‘meant to be’. Carolyn trained with Madan to become a Laughter leader and teacher, and for the last four years Laughter has been the main focus in her life, beginning each day with a meditation and 10 minutes laughter.  Carolyn’s husband Des has healed himself of cancer with the same daily practise. Over the past 15 to 20 years Carolyn has worked as a Masseuse, Reflexologist, Counsellor, Pranic Healer, Reconnective Healer, Reiki , Vibrational Healing and also travelled to Austin Texas to train as a Trance Dance presenter.  Carolyn says 'I love to laugh, love and heal myself and others'.

 ART & FILM

Nola Lauch: Nola Lauch is a proud Gundijitmara Kirrae Wurrung woman. Her mother was part of the stolen generation and lived on the streets at an early age. Nola, her sister and brother were fostered out to a non-Indigenous family but were fortunate enough to remain together. Growing up on the Mornington Peninsula was a struggle for all three siblings, being the only dark skinned kids at school. As Nola got older, learning and embracing her culture gave her a better understanding of who she was and where she came from. Being on the Mornington Peninsula (Boonwurrung land) and having the support of the community and friends Nola has been able to express her culture through her art and music.  

Carla Lauch: Carla Lauch (Nola Lauch's daughter) is an upcoming Indigenous artist and proud Gundijitmara Kirrae Wurrung woman. Carla likes to express her passion through song, dance and art. Carla plans to continue learning more about her culture and to gain the knowledge to share it with her children and future generations.

Indigenous Jewellery Making with Nola and Carla Lauch: Nola and Carla Lauch will also present a workshop on Indigenous Jewellery Making. Join in and learn to make your own piece of contemporary jewellery made from natural materials to take home with you!

KIDS ACTIVITIES

Boomerang Painting with Uncle Lionel Lauch: Come and paint your own boomerang with Aboriginal artist Lionel Lauch. Learn about symbols used in Aboriginal paintings, reflect on the natural environment of the Mornington Peninsula and explore your creative side. This workshop is a unique and perfect opportunity to learn about the rich Indigenous culture and to create something to take home or give as a gift.

Face Painting with Dianne Williamson (The Face Painting Lady): When painting, I look for that special quality that each child has ..is he mischievious.. or quiet and shy? Is she a demure, little sweetie or is she more confidant!? I paint 100's of designs, and often customise to match the child's clothing. I like to COMPLETELY CONCENTRATE when painting someone....this is OUR experience.....and a mutual time of stillness.....at this moment I am inspired by this person....their preconception of themselves is momentarily freed as they look in the mirror and see themselves as someone else interprets them. For more information see www.facepaintinglady.com

 MUSIC & DANCE

Nga Taonga o Wikitoria (Maori): Nga Taonga o Wikitoria means the ‘Treasures of Victoria’. The commencement of this group was encouraged by Maori Elders to cater for the many New Zealand Maori born here in Australia, and to help the Maori youth preserve and maintain their cultural heritage, as well as gain an understanding of their identity. The group consists of approximately 35 performers ranging from teenagers to adults, predominantly Maori, and is quite ethnically diverse consisting of Rarotongan, Samoan and many other Pacific Island Polynesian backgrounds. The Treasures of Victoria will be performing both traditional and contemporary Maori Folk song and dance.

Frankston Cook Islands Youth Group (Cook Islands): The Cook Islands is a net of 15 islands from the heart of the South Pacific. There are 40,000 Cook Islanders spread across Victoria. These unique and friendly Polynesians enjoy a vigorous and diverse culture with significant differences between each island.  The Cook Islanders bring charm, colour and charisma to any event because of their untouched charm and beauty - they are warm, welcoming people with the widest white smiles that capture the spirit and heart of life, unsurpassed for peace. The Cook Islands is Paradise and Victoria for Cook Islanders is Heaven on Earth. 

Kofi and Ekhow (Ghanese): Kofi Kunkpe is an Ewe master drummer from the Volta Region of Ghana. He is passionate about traditional culture and helping to improve the lives of the people of Ghana. After early studies in Nigeria he travelled throughout Ghana and Burkina Faso, promoting, performing and teaching Ghana’s traditional dance and drumming forms. Since then, Kofi has performed and taught with a wide variety of local and international companies in New York, Africa & Australia. His teaching extends to working with disadvantaged children and he regularly teaches drumming, dance and flute in local schools in the Cape Coast region. He is now based in the Yarra Valley in Warburton. Kofi will be accompanied by Ekhow, a vibrant and talented Ghanese dancer.

Probuskers and Seaside Singers (Community Choir):  The Probuskers are the musical talents of Rye Probus group. Young in heart and mind, these talented performers play at various clubs and aged cared facilities all over the Mornington Peninsula and South Eastern suburbs. Joined by the Seaside Singers from Sorrento, these two groups will perform old time classics such as 'She was only sixteen', 'Singing the Blues', 'Walking my Baby Back Home', 'White Sportscoat' and 'Hey Good Lookin'.