Photo opportunity:

Who:City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities John Philips with some of the performers featuring at Harmony Fest this Friday

What:Pre-promotion of ‘Harmony Fest’

When:Today, Tuesday 7 February at 4pm

Where:Alfred Deakin Place, Camp Street

Music, dancing, craft market, Koorie market, activities and international food are set to create a street party atmosphere this Friday, 10 February for Council’s second annual Harmony Fest celebration.

The 2012 event will be held in Alfred Deakin Place, Camp Street from 4.30 to 8.30pm.

The Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship, the Hon Nick Kotsiras, and the Mayor of Ballarat, Cr Mark Harris will officially launch this year’s Festival.

City of Ballarat Portfolio Councillor for People and Communities John Philips said the theme for Harmony Fest is ‘all of us’, with the event aiming to bring the entire community together to celebrate Ballarat’s wonderful diversity.

“A diverse line up performers will share the rhythms, vocals and harmonies from around the globe, from the Asia Pacific to Africa and beyond.

“It is a huge coup for us to have such a wide range of high calibre music acts right here in Ballarat to perform. I encourage the community to come along, enjoy some international cuisine, sit back and enjoy what will be a vibrant event.”

Headline acts include Asanti Dance Theatre, Massive Hip Hop Choir and Tumbarumba.

Local entertainment will include Sweet Monas Choir, Ballarat African Association Youth Dance Group, Chinese Australian Cultural Society: Ballarat Lion Dance team, Just noise Drumming, Earl Leonard, Ballarat Ska Orchestra, Thursday Night Choir, HanzOn Drum Group, Indigenous dancers, Selena Buckingham – Belly Dancing

In addition to the live concert there will be a wide range of international food available including African, Spanish, Indian, Italian and Thai cuisine as well as Dutch pancakes, pretzels, coffee and desserts.

Festival-goers can participate in activities for both adults and children including: face painting, balloon-making, football and soccer activities, art demonstrations and henna temporary tattoos.

The Koorie Night Market will include two live music shows in the Art Gallery of Ballarat ‘Annexe’ featuring Tony Lovett and Band and rappers ‘Big Will and Pikey’. There will also be hip hop dancers, market stalls, information, giveaways, art workshops and demonstrations, mini-massages and much more.

Background on performers:

Headline acts: 

• Asanti Dance Theatre – internationally recognised African drum and dance performance company.
• Massive Hip Hop Choir – a group of young urban artists from a range of cultural backgrounds.
• Tumbarumba – a group combines the wealth of Brazilian music material with the inevitable influences of the Australian multicultural experience.

Local performers:

• Sweet Monas Choir – a renowned gospel and world music ensemble.
• Ballarat African Association Youth Dance Group – groups has gathered youths from different cultural backgrounds and equipped them with tremendous skills.
• Chinese Australian Cultural Society: Ballarat Lion Dance team – featuring southern style lions and music.
• Just Noise Drumming – This group of 9 – 21 year olds perform using African percussion primarily Djembes and Dun Duns, presenting traditional African rhythms and songs.
• Earl Leonard – Earl performs for children, with his performances promoting maximum participation and interaction through word-play, games and improvisation.
• Ballarat Ska Orchestra – features some of Ballarat’s finest musicians. Ska music originated in Jamaica in the early 60s. The Ballarat Ska Orchestra performed at Summer Sundays in January.
• Thursday Night Choir – a community choir that has been running in Ballarat for around eight years. The majority of their music is from around the world, including songs from Africa, Ghana and Samoa.
• HanzOn Drum Group – a community percussion group, focussing on rhythms from Africa and South America.
• Indigenous dancers
• Selena Buckingham – Belly Dancing

For more information on Harmony Fest visit www.ballarat.vic.gov.au or follow the event on facebook www.facebook.com/harmonyfest2012COB