MAV’s Block Partee

We’re throwing a block party! A celebration of our multicultural communities, creative expression, art and a retrospection of over 50 years of MAV.

Artist Credit: Illustration element by TextaQueen

You’re invited to our BLOCK PARTEE!

FREE EVENT

Saturday, 22 February 2025
3PM - 8PM
Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
Preston VIC 3070

Celebrate yourself at MAV's BLOCK PARTEE! We’re throwing a fabulous, free block party honouring multicultural culture, art and creatives. Ushering in a new era at our headquarters, BLOCK PARTEE is in celebration of you.

Featuring PUBLIC OPINION AFRO ORCHESTRA and other-yet-to-be-announced live performances, BLOCK PARTEE gathers world-class and respected creators, collectives, artists and artisans for talks, open mic poetry slam, creative speed dating, spoken word, visual art, film screenings, family-friendly movement workshops and so much more. Full line up coming soon.

We’re celebrating legacies of stories, creative expression, cultures and art

Through our program RETROSPECTION, we’ve been reflecting on the last 50 years of MAV and the rich archive of stories told by multicultural communities across the continent through the decades. To mark this milestone and MAV’s new headquarters at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston, we've taken over a drab carpark to decorate it with a BLOCK PARTEE— our joyful celebration of connection and expression.

See below for the early program and check back for updates!

LIVE PERFORMANCES with Public Opinion Afro Orchestra, Vida Sunshyne & The 11 and more.  

MAV proudly presents an unforgettable afternoon of live music showcasing dynamic voices of local talent. The legendary Public Opinion Afro Orchestra brings their signature blend of pan-African and Australian influences to the stage, delivering infectious Afrobeat rhythms, hypnotic extended songs, conscious lyricism, and dynamic collaborations that honour the genre’s roots while keeping it vibrant and relevant today. 

Also taking the stage, ARIA-nominated artist Vida Sunshyne and The 11 ignite the audience with explosive energy, unmatched vocal flow, and innovative performances that seamlessly weave hip hop, reggae, performance art, and circus.  

Stay tuned for the full line-up! 

OPEN MIC, POETRY SLAM and CONSCIOUS RAP

Immerse yourself in an evening where the power of words meets the rhythm of change. This transformative event invites community to share their truths through spoken word and conscious rap, fostering inclusivity, connection, and authentic self-expression.

Featuring a dynamic lineup of artists, the program explores themes of resilience, justice, and unity through raw, thought-provoking performances. Every word, rhythm, and idea becomes a step toward liberation, collective growth, and the celebration of our shared humanity. Hosted by Queen V of Kriyaness.

RETROSPECTION: AN EXHIBITION  

An exhibition showcasing the artworks commissioned through MAV programs of the past five years. The curation of works captures how artists and creatives on these lands responded to the profound social shifts between 2019 and 2024. Featuring a vibrant array of visual art, music, and screen-based works, the exhibition invites audiences to reflect on the resilience, creativity, and collective experiences that have defined this transformative era. 

A program of featured artists will be announced soon.  

RETROSPECTION: FILM SHOWCASE

Discover the compelling narratives crafted by some of the most dynamic local filmmakers and storytellers in this region. These are stories that move beyond conventional perspectives, offering unfiltered truths and diverse viewpoints. Now, more than ever, it is essential for Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour to share their stories authentically and on their own terms.  

Full program of the 60-minute block to be announced soon.

CREATIVE SPEED DATING

Three dynamic networking sessions are designed to connect creatives and spark the exchange of ideas, fostering collaboration and the birth of new works. These 45-minute sessions, facilitated by an engaging host, are open to all creatives who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse, Indigenous, Blak, Black, or a Person of Colour. 

MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY

  • Culturally diverse artisan stallholders and food vendors 

  • Roundtable artist discussions and live podcast 

  • Program schedule  

About the artwork:

The original illustration featured in the BLOCK PARTEE Visual ID is by TextaQueen, a multi-genre artist of Goan descent living on unceded Wurundjeri land.

“The long-memoried elephant recalls legacies that live on this unceded land. Their trunk spurts its message drawn from the muddy waters where colonial crowns inevitably sink. As the sun rises, the sky fills with plants indigenous to Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung country melded with those significant to cultures across Asia and beyond.”
- TextaQueen

TextaQueen
Legacies Meld Here
Coloured pencil and digital drawing
280 x 380 mm
2025

MAV’s BLOCK PARTEE is supported by City of Darebin, Creative Victoria, Creative Australia, Melbourne Polytechnic, Victoria Government and VicHealth’s Future Reset Program.

About Retrospection:

We’re celebrating 50 incredible years of supporting tens of thousands of diverse artists across local, national, and international landscapes. RETROSPECTION is a program that reflects on MAV’s place in the history and context of this land—dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of the creative community here and now. Unbound by time or rigid expectations, MAV is committed to fostering genuine connections and transparent relationships as a community-driven organisation. Together, we move at the speed of trust, imagining and building bold new futures for creatives everywhere.

See also: