Asia TOPA OPENING GATHERING AT BUNJIL PLACE

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.

Gathering in our open-air outdoor venue, 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).

Opening the gathering with an artist-led response ceremony to the Welcome To Country from 2pm.

The venue comes to life with music and performances as well as delicious food and beverages, with program highlights including:

Join in and experience music and dance workshops with visiting artists from Sangam and  Suara Indonesian Dance (performing later in Bunyi Bunyi Bumi).

Drop-In Hei Fluffy Workshop with the Pacific Sisters where you can create your own fluffies made with milled muka textile fibres. 

Stylin and Signups: FreeStyle FrockAction session with the Pacific Sisters. Get ready to strut your stuff in the FreeStyle Frock Off.

Show off your Frock during the Pacific Sisters’ legendary Freestyle Frock Action catwalk.

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.

The program is evolving, so check back for updates and times. 

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 from the Asia-Pacific!

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}