Converge on the Goulburn returns this month as a multicultural festival in the Victoria Park Lake district taking place over two evenings. It's an opportunity to connect with the local community, move your body to the sounds of local music, eat authentic food made from recipes passed down through generations, and shop for unique items in the marketplace.
Community food stalls are an important part of the festival: expect stalls selling Sri Lankan, Nepalese, Congolese, Afghani, Filipino, Indonesian and Dutch eats. Seeds for bee-friendly plants will be provided – kids can decorate their seed bag and take home and plant the seeds. There will be a free workshop for Chinese Calligraphy, an artform with 3,000 years of history. See Indonesian art, henna and hair braiding, African wood carvings, a Malayalee artist doing live portraits and caricatures, and a ‘Women's Makers’ Bizarre’.
The festival is on Friday March 17, 6-9pm, and Saturday March 18, 4pm-10pm. Here are some more highlights:
Photograph: Supplied
Take part in a a free Turkish Ebru painting workshop
Create your own custom piece of art at this workshop revealing the secrets of traditional Turkish Ebru painting. This craft creates beautiful patterns, images and words in water that are then transferred onto surfaces. Originating in China before spreading to Iran and Turkey, Ebru is a unique way to make one-of-a-kind pieces using water and paint. Workshops are free and presented by Greater Shepparton’s proud Turkish community; Turkish coffee will be available for tasting for participants.
Photograph: Prue Peters Commercial
Eat Filipino street food from the Nanna Marce food truck
Among the street food highlights available at Converge is Nanna Marce. Nanna Marce is inspired by childhood memories of the owner, Thess, who recalls spending time with her Mama Marcelina who made a living cooking hawker-style street food in front of their humble abode. Thess’s loaded fries, sliders, spring rolls, waffles and Filipino fried chicken are on sale and it’s just one of a dozen food trucks including truchs serving paella, donuts, coffee, and Sri Lankan food.
Photograph: Supplied/Amaru Tribe
Catch a set by Amaru Tribe
Folktronic act Amaru Tribe consists of producer and singer/songwriter Oscar Jimenez, muralist and singer/songwriter Katherine Gailer and percussionist Cristian Saavedra. The band members have Colombian and Chilean heritage, and their music brings together Latin American, urban flow and electronica. Nominated for the 2020 Music Victoria Awards as Best Multicultural Act, they are a major festival favourite, and performing on Friday March 17.