A Personal Latin American Journey by Dr. Phil West. An interactive presentation using music, photographs, personal anecdotes and historical narrative to describe a fascinating personal journey of study, travel, love and being a witness to war, poverty, struggle and hope over 25 years in Central and South America.
Two master classes led by Juan Andrés and Nicolás Ospina, two world-class Colombian musicians visiting Melbourne to perform at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival. The workshops focused on Harmonic Chanting and Arrangement.
A member meeting during which the community was updated on the progress of the various activities of the organization to date. Attendees were also engaged in the development of new projects including the Monthly Encounters, Workshops to be delivered in the Coburg Community Houses and the upcoming “That Inspires Respect” Read more…
A collective songwriting experiment, with Spanish band Los Chicos, while on tour in Australia. Developed in conjunction with the General Consulate of Spain in Australia.
A commemorative concert for International Women’s Day, produced in partnership with JERA International and The Boite. The event brought together a group of women singers to pay homage to the cultural heritage of Latin America. Interweaving traditional and original music, the show told a tale of love, lament and liberation Read more…
A rhythm workshop for children, during which participants learned and played the Afro-Colombian rhythm known as Cumbia. Its fundamental rudiments were broken down into simple interlocking parts that, together, form a contagious driving groove. Participants used instruments made from recycled materials.
When Spanish duo Za! visited Melbourne, Casa Cultura was approached to co-produce a conducted improvisation workshop. It attracted 13 musicians of 8 nationalities. The activity was held at 4DVerse Studios, a community creative space in St. Kilda and produced in cooperation with the General Consulate of Spain in Australia.
A two-part activity, which brought together 22 Casa Cultura members and attracted 10 new members. The first part was a member meeting in which the first steps toward three collective projects were taken. The second was the organisation’s End of Year party, during which Terra Sur – a band comprised Read more…
A forum developed in collaboration with the Victorian College of the Arts, United Spanish and Latin American Welfare Centre and Refuge of Hope to explore the concepts of identity and the sense of belonging in minority and displaced communities and the role of the arts and culture in their development. Read more…
Casa Cultura’s first Festival collaboration. The Multicultural Express was a 4-weekend initiative that inserted live talent into trains and platforms along the Frankston line. Casa Cultura coordinated and supplied 8 distinct live acts, representing a range of genres from the musical heritage of Latin America.