Asia TOPA OPENING GATHERING AT BUNJIL PLACE

Important Update: Weather Alert!

Due to a combination of wind and high heat, the Opening Gathering will be moved into our beautiful, air-conditioned foyer space.

Bunjil Place is excited to partner with our friends at Asia TOPA, with a line-up of exquisite performers to craft an unmissable event to open the festival program.

Gather in our air conditioned venue for an afternoon of deep and meaningful cultural connection, an epic performance experience, delicious food, and engaging activities.

We have your day sorted!

Wander through the Pacific Sisters’ captivating exhibition FROCK A WHANAUNGATANGA (open 10am - 7pm).

From 2.00 pm - We open the gathering with an artist-led response ceremony to the Welcome To Country.

From 3.00 pm - the space comes to life with music and performances as well as delicious food and beverages. Join in and experience music and dance workshops as well as a performance with visiting artists from Suara Indonesian Dance (performing later in Bunyi Bunyi Bumi).

From 4.00 pm - Enjoy a performance crafted by local legends from Sangam which includes a Carnatic Choir conducted by composer and director Uthra Vijay and a violin quintet and solo performance conducted by composer and director Murali Kumar.

You can also drop-into the Hei Fluffy Workshop with the Pacific Sisters where you can create your own fluffies made with milled muka textile fibres.

From 4:30 pm Stylin' and Sign-ups: FreeStyle FrockAction session with the Pacific Sisters. Get ready to strut your stuff in the FreeStyle Frock Off.

From 5:00 pm - Te Hononga o Ngā Iwi, or T’HONI (tee-honey), will perform a powerful and empowering Kapa Haka.

From 5:30 pm - Show off your Frock during the Pacific Sisters’ legendary Freestyle Frock Action catwalk.

From 6:30 pm - Djirri Djirri, Wurundjeri female dance group, showcase traditional dance, music, and stories.

At 7:30 pm - The evening culminates with the opening of a major new performance commission Bunyi Bunyi Bumi co directed by raymond d. Blanco and Priya Srinivasan with Waangenga Blanco, Alfira O'Sullivan, Murtala and Tyrel Dulvarie. Please note that the Saturday night performance is SOLD OUT.

The space will stay open with music, and food and beverage service until 8:30 pm.

Dress Code: Island party, fruity or florals, rock your Culture in Frockage or join the workshop to create adornments, sign up to be styled-up by the Sisters! 

Come dressed to impress, wearing your confidence and bring your strut! Celebrate with First Nations, Indonesian, Indian and Pasifika performers and indulge in tasty cuisine!

Asia TOPA is a joint initiative of Arts Centre Melbourne and the Sidney Myer Fund, supported by the Victorian Government through Creative Victoria, Playking Foundation and the Australian Government Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts. Every three years, Asia TOPA brings the best of Asia-Pacific arts, culture and ideas to Melbourne for a three-week-long celebration that spotlights our diverse and dynamic region. 

_{Image: Pacific Sisters’ N da Fale Auckland PRIDE, Freestyle Frock Action. Photo: Raymond Sagapolutele}