Explore a Tapestry of Cultures at the National Museum of Australia next weekend

Posted on 3 May, 2023

A festival of colour, music, dance and culture. Welcome to the National Museum of Australia’s festival—Tapestry of Cultures.

Taking place on Saturday 13 May from 10 am – 4 pm, this new event puts Australia’s multicultural heritage centre stage—literally—with a line-up of cultural performances that will surprise and delight audiences of all ages. And the best part? Tapestry of Cultures Family Festival is completely free and includes free entry to the Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre.

Across the day, visitors will have the chance to browse market stalls and buy food and drink from a delicious array of cultural organisations, with Greek, Indian, African, Mexican, Egyptian and Indonesian cuisines all represented and with music and dance performances across the day from the likes of local Ngunnawal singer-songwriter Alinta Barlow, Punjabi Australian singer and dancer Parvyn Kaur Singh and Brazilian Rio Samba Shows (feature image).

“Tapestry of Cultures will be a beautiful day out for visitors of all ages and a feast for the senses!” says Jessi England, the National Museum’s Manager of Contemporary Programs.

“We are excited to be bringing local and interstate performers, artists and diverse cultural communities together for this vibrant multi-cultural celebration. Visitors are invited to bring friends and family to the stunning location of the National Museum of Australia for a fun, entertaining and inspiring day.”

Alinta Barlow © Alinta Barlow.

“Enjoy music and performances across multiple stages and delicious food from around the world, join creative drop-in activities, dance and music workshops, and browse market stalls across the Museum grounds. We are hugely appreciative of the ongoing support of the Hellenic Club who, following the great success of the Museum’s Agora Greek Festival, are supporting the festival performance program.”

In addition to the music and dance performances, you’ll get to experience art made before your eyes. Artist Emma Rani Hodges, whose work explores their mixed heritage through textiles and found materials, will be creating a collaborative artwork on the day which visitors are encouraged to join in on, while Kalkadoon Pitta Pitta woman Ronnie Jordan, a skilled professional weaver and artist, will be leading a drop-in weaving session on the day.

Parvyn © Parvyn Kaur Singh. Photo by Michelle Grace Hunder.

For smaller visitors, don’t miss Biripi man Adam Duncan’s Story Telling session in the Discovery Centre where he will be reading his new children’s book, The Bunyip and the Stars, first in a series of picture books associated with the Museum’s Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre. His story, which is part Sky Country creation story and part exciting adventure tale, draws on First Nations oral storytelling traditions.

In addition, the Museum’s Discovery Centre, an immersive play and learn space for children of all abilities from birth to 6 years, will be free for the day and offering Storytimes and activities for young children.

As the day is a special event in association with the National Museum of Australia’s exhibition Feared and Revered: Feminine Power through the Ages, why not explore the exhibition if you haven’t already (ticket fees apply).  ‘Pop-up’ talks in the exhibition will be featuring throughout the day bringing to life cultural objects spanning six continents and 5,000 years.

Canberra Hellenic Dancers © Canberra Hellenic Dancers. Photo by National Museum of Australia.

Here’s a full list of who is performing on the day so you can start planning!

Alinta Barlow is a local Ngunnawal singer/song writer and will open the festival performance program.

Parvyn Kaur Singh is a Punjabi Australian singer and dancer. Parvyn is influenced by electronica and jazz and has a background in Sikh devotional music and Indian classical music and dance. She is a member of the hit funk band The Bombay Royale.

Sydney Choro Club brings authentic Brazilian music and culture to Australian audiences. Choro, also called chorinho, is the first original Brazilian music genre dating back to the late 1800s and combines classical European instrumentation with African rhythms.

Rio Samba Shows brings the infectious flavour and energy of Latin America through lively dance shows and Latin street classes. Their spectacular show features dancers in luxury Brazilian costumes, inspired by the captivating Rio Samba Queen competition. You’ll then have your own chance to get involved, with a mini Latin dance class and audience interaction.

ForAll Band was born as an idea in Madrid to spread Brazilian folk music and the Forró culture to broader audiences. They have been performing in Australia since 2014.

Canberra Dragon Dance combines self-defence displays with wushu, lion dance, dragon dance and Chinese percussion as part of an interactive show. The lions and dragons each have a name and personality that pays tribute to the many cultures which make up the experienced Yut Hung Kung Fu Academy.

Canberra Dragon Dance. Credit: City Renewal Authority.

Sekar Langit Balinese Gamelan Ensemble was founded in 2014 by Gede Riadi and has performed extensively across the ACT and NSW. The ensemble frequently holds workshops with schools and community groups, encouraging cultural exchange and preserving this ancient art from Bali and Java.

Sekar Langit Balinese Gamelan Ensemble © Sekar Langit Balinese Gamelan Ensemble.

Canberra Hellenic Dancers is Canberra’s only organisation offering modern and traditional Greek dancing classes for children and adults encouraging everyone to actively engage in Greek culture and heritage.

Set in Their Ways are Irish Set dancers. They dance for fun, perform dance demonstrations and conduct workshops at various festivals and community events. Part of the Monaro Folk Society they have been dancing since 2008 with a mixed repertoire of traditional and contemporary Irish Set dances.

Canberra School of Bollywood Dancing is Canberra’s biggest, oldest, and most iconic Bollywood dancing school. Their mission is to provide students of all levels with more than just dance classes, but a unique experience in which the student can grow both mentally and physically as a dancer.

Feature image: Rio Samba Shows © Rio Samba Shows