5 - 15 December 2024
fortyfive downstairs

An original story inspired by the life of Jamaica’s Nanny of the Maroons.

Down in the dark dank cellars, Black women are milked commodities. But when a mystical encounter unhinges a docile slave, divine danger rises.

8 December
Mamma Chen’s

Join us for or an unforgettable evening of poetry, creativity, and heartfelt connection.

Enjoy inspiring guest speakers and iconic Bla(c)k women of Naarm’s writers community— Brownsugarbabe and Tariro; and a captivating soul-stirring performance showcase by Queen V.

6 -7 December
Arts Centre Melbourne

Art Souk is a multi-arts celebration, curated by MzRizk and presented by MAV. This vibrant two-day event in Naarm includes a free public exhibition and ticketed evening performances featuring incredible music artists, filmmakers, photographers and more!

5 December
Arts Centre Melbourne

Get ready for the power-packed kick off for NEWPRINT 3 (NP3), featuring exhilarating live performances by TEBIR and SRIRACHI, showcasing the vibrant talent lighting up Naarm’s music landscape.

This program launch promises a night of industry connections, creative energy, and unforgettable music.

27 November - 1 December
APHIDS

Exploring the intersections of popular culture, border control and queerness, EDGING is a new collaboration between APHIDS’ Lara Thoms and artists Sammaneh Pourshafighi and Eden Falk. 

Are Virgos really bossy? What’s the best Bette Midler movie? How do you get into the Berghain? 

12 - 24 November
La Mama

La Mama’s Festival of Mother Tongue is a multilingual theatre festival celebrating the diversity of languages spoken in Naarm.

11.11.24
MAV Headquarters

Artists need money to make art. Where can you get it? Grants are one thing, but for many the grant process does not get any, or enough, money for the activities they want. 

The Money Workshop will be an introduction to other ways to get the resources you need.

7.11.24
Melbourne Recital Centre

A mesmerising kaleidoscope of multi-lingual poetry, folk songs, movement, and ritual.

The Resonant Heart is a multi-disciplinary ensemble of international women and female-identifying artists who have united to share and create from their collective cultural and artistic knowledge. 

13.10.24
Bargoonga Nganjin Fitzroy North Library

Presented as part of the Ideas and Exchange stream of the Alter State 2024 program, The BIPoC Creative Access Collective bring to you this innovative initiative.

12.8.24
MAV Headquarters

Hosted by MAV is this artist development workshop, dedicated to the art of the EPK. An Electronic Press Kit is a digital package of marketing materials to promote artists, projects, events and so on.

8.6.24
MAV Headquarters

Come along for information on how to apply for a HEY Grant. There wil be information provided by the team at HEY and the opportunity for a Q&A.

28.5.24
MAV Headquarters

The purpose of the AGM is to give members a report on the organisation's activities and finances for the previous year, to allow time for members to ask questions, and to elect new directors to a governing board.

20.5.24
MAV Headquarters

MAV is hosting an information session with staff from the grant program. Come along to hear from them what is required and what they are looking for in applications.

2.03.24
The Malthouse

Facilitated by Tariro Mavondo, co-director of The Hate Race, this free in-person creative workshop is designed for young BIPOC artists, creatives, poets, spoken word artists, actors, performers, content creators, comedians, storytellers, singers, entertainers, public speakers, MCs, and podcast hosts.

24.2.24
The Malthouse

Led by Maxine Beneba Clarke, acclaimed author of The Hate Race memoir and production, this free in-person writing workshop is designed for BIPOC individuals aged 18 to 30.

02.03.24
West Space Gallery

In this work, wani responds to artist Jean Depara's documentation of Kinshasa's nightlife through film installation blending past and present in a form of temporal collapse.

02.03.24
Preston Town Hall

¡AQUÍ SUENA! In an explosion of colour, music, art, and Caribbean culture, VERBENA CARNAVAL returns to Melbourne on Saturday 2 March 2024 at Preston City Hall.

8.2.24
Online

This workshop is tailored for artists who are either new to grant applications or seeking to brush up on their skills, and it will be specifically centred around the Creative Australia projects grant round closing Tuesday 5 March.

4.12.23
Abbotsford Convent

Get ready to embark on an exhilarating journey through the heart of African culture, music, food, and dance at the spectacular Abbotsford Convent.

29.10.23
Abbotsford Convent

The Boite and MAV are proud to present a wonderful Sunday afternoon of Balkan, Mediterranean and Sephardic music as Queensland trio East of West and Melbourne’s Saray Iluminado Femme join in a double bill of contemporary music informed by deep traditions.

18.10.23 - 12.11.23
City Library Gallery

Yarn for Hands is a textile exhibition by six Latin American diaspora artists as a bold response to the impact of fast fashion vs. a slow-time approach.

14.10.23
Dandenong Memorial Hall

M.A.D Fest is back for another year with Connection Arts Space. A festival of Music, Arts and Dance will be held at Memorial Hall, Dandenong.

7.10.23 - 8.10.23
Bunjil Place Studio

Inspired by contemporary, classical Indian postmodern aesthetics, this rich work uses music, dance and stunning visuals, along with an exquisite, moving Carnatic choir of 12 women, to create a spectacular, immersive storytelling experience that is both harrowing and moving.

23.9.23
Dancehouse Studios

KWABO Fest Showcase returns for 2023. This year the program includes live performances from workshop participants, local artists, DJs and a free Afrodance workshop.

16.9.23
Northcote Social Club

NIASHA invites you to immerse yourself in an enthralling presentation of "What is Your Legacy?" with her live band. This isn't just a show; it's a celebration of NIASHA's evolving craftsmanship through live performance along with special guests.

9.9.23
River Gum Performing Arts Centre

‘Our Family' is a play written by the local residents of Hampton Park using the real-life experiences and stories of different families and cultures. As part of the Future Reset program, May and Fionna from Tasi Taa have connected with the diverse communities in Hampton Park.

12.8.23 - 20.8.23
Various locations

KWABO EVENTS invites you for 6 weeks of cultural exchange and self-expression from the 12th of August. Choose your work of art to reflect, explore and express your cultural identity.

4.8.23 - 13.8.23
National Tour

Presented by MAV in conjunction with Jay Dabgar, "PaaNi: Where the Rivers Meet" is a musical collaboration between some of Melbourne's finest musicians, uniting with the amazing sitar exponent Pandit Purbayan Chatterjee from India.

27.7.23
Melbourne Recital Centre

A harmonious fusion of emotion and melody, witness a collaboration like no other as Iaki Vallejo’s soulful voice intertwines with Martin Pang’s virtuosic piano playing.

22.7.23
Melbourne Museum

Gathering around shared rhythm, values, and purpose, 6 Naarm-based interdisciplinary and intergenerational artists of the diaspora, weave together their creative and cultural practices for the crafting of story and ceremony.

15.7.23 - 29.7.23
Coburg Uniting Church

MAV is excited to partner with Community Coalition Victoria to offer the Leadership for Community Organising workshops.

14.7.23
Howler Theatre

Crescendo is a carefully curated event series that aims to elevate local artists while tastefully adding to the collective noise. Our setlist features some of the most exciting acts in Melbourne, including Mammoth, J Verse, Soli Tesema and Deng Tebir.

30.7.23
The Gasometer

After countless sold-out parties, BELLAQUEO is beyond excited to announce THE EXPERIENCE OF SOUND, their second live act and party this 2023.

29.7.23
Stay Gold

Heard n Seen is a platform made for the people, by the people. A showcase of up and coming artists and creators in the city of Melbourne celebrating artists across music, fashion and creative sectors.

23.7.23
Golden Monkey Bar

Melbourne-based Vietnamese rapper SRIRACHI is destined to shake up Australia’s music scene with newest single ‘YAPPA YAPPA.’

16.7.23
Footscray Community Arts Centre

Join ACFA and their member organisations for speeches, cake and performances at Footscray Community Arts from 9am to 10:30am as part of Australian Performing Arts Market.

11.6.23
The Gasometer

Wish U Were Here… is a tribute. A story of loss & celebration, misdirection & reconnecting to roots. "Wish U Were Here…" is Mike Wang’s debut headline show to be held on the 11th of June at the iconic Gasometer Hotel in Collingwood.

10.6.23
Howler Theatre

Let's listen to the natural rhythms. Let's prepare for the longest night of the year. Come join us to celebrate another cycle of the Sun, the NEW YEAR celebration of the natives of Abya Yala (aka Latin America) and beyond.

10.6.23
St. Paul’s African House

Join us for a delicious feast and dive into the worlds of Ying, Rose, Dilly, Shaza, Sibel, and Muzhgan.

10.6.23
St. Paul’s African House

Join us for a day of eating, cooking, and storytelling. Learn to make borek, bulani, ashak and Kubba and dive into the worlds of Ying, Rose, Dilly, Shaza, Sibel, and Muzhgan.

29.5.23
Edinburgh Gardens Community Room

The Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV) Annual General Meeting (AGM) will be held on Monday, 29 May 2023 at the Edinburgh Gardens Community Room, 5.30pm for 6pm start.

28.5.23
Arts Centre Melbourne

Celebrate Africa Day with music, dance and good vibes.

Kwabo Africa Day Party is a jam-packed afternoon of live music featuring DJs, free Afrodance workshops led by hyper Gracieuse Amah.

18.5.23
Melbourne Recital Centre

In this lively performance fusing kora, bass guitar and drums, Jali Buba Kuyateh and Afro Diyaa take audiences on a journey, from when Jali was a stranger to Australia through to how this country became his home, and the important events and people in his life that have shaped him on the way.

13.5.23
Footscray Arts Centre

This free event is open to ALL ages, but we encourage creatives of all skillsets to show up and meet fellow creators in your scene! Whether you’re an established artist or just starting out, this is an opportunity to network, converse and step out of your comfort zone, enjoy performances from homegrown professionals and gain perspective from their experiences.

7.5.23
Northcote Social Club

With Afro-Caribbean roots and spread (and evolved) across Latin American and beyond, Cumbia is more than a music genre but a massive movement that conquered the world with its joy. Considered even a lifestyle for thousands.

29.4.23
Baby Snakes Bar

Curated by Titan Debirioun, Crescendo is a showcase of Melbourne’s emerging talent of musicians, MC’s, spoken word poets and rappers.

22.4.23
The Brunswick Nursery

Introducing the first installation of a magical night in the jungle presented by local Naarm rap artist Srirachi.

Featuring an all Asian artist lineup and drawing inspirations from the tropics of South and South-East Asia, Srirachi Safari welcomes you to unexplored territory.

2.4.23
The Jewish Museum

Join us at the Jewish Museum for an afternoon of enthralling storytelling and musical performance as we lead up to Pesach.

Straddling borders of music and theatre, SARAY Iluminado, creatively reimagines Bosnian Sevdah and Sephardic Jewish music in contemporary Australia.

1.4.23
Section 8

Bellaqueo kicks off their first ever live session edition at the iconic Section 8 on April 1st. Live shows from the talented Dani Padron, Meza & SKR. Pure Latino power performing their music at the disco!

We will also have local music selectors Julia Towers and Gabs making their debut at Bellaqueo’s parties, plus our residents Slim Shady and Mad Rhythm. 100% Colombian talent.

30.3.23
Bass Lounge

Heard n Seen is a platform made for the people, by the people. We aim to platform up and coming artists and creators in the city of Melbourne– not just in the music scene, but other creatives and fashion sectors.

26.3.23 - 20.8.23
The Ian Potter Centre

Melbourne Now’s Community Hall will come alive as MAV and Yo CiTY present Intersect, a series of free audio experiences showcasing some of Melbourne’s best musicians, DJs, and spoken word artists.

Every Sunday afternoon, a line-up of performers as diverse as Naarm/Melbourne itself will entertain, challenge and delight.

12.3.23
Counterweight Vinyl & Espresso

We Move Productions present Red Door: Block Party!

You've seen their online performance sessions taking over the scene on YouTube and Instagram. Now, you're invited to an incredible in-person evening of live music performances featuring a variety of dope acts in genres like R&B, Hip-Hop, Reggae, and more.

12.3.23
Edwardes Lake Park

Revive with an afternoon of musical royalty at Out of the Park Picnic, a free celebration at Reservoir's most celebrated lake.

MAV and FUSE presents Out of the Park Picnic to launch the FUSE AUTUMN festival, a family-friendly and free event delivering on a culture-blast of live music and performance crafted locally.

11.3.23
Howler Theatre

MAV and Brunswick Music Festival presents CARIBE CARNVAL. An explosion of colour, music and Caribbean Culture.

17.2.23
The Bowery Theatre

In 2023, we present the Legends of Common Ground, a showcase by the legends who have participated in Common Ground’s history. Local poetry enthusiasts are invited to participate via an open mic slot.

16.2.23
Primrose Potter Salon

A kinetic succession of dance beats and abstract compositions.

嶋田会希–Elle Shimada is a violinist, producer, curator, DJ and multi-instrumentalist from Tokyo based in Melbourne. Fluidly fusing Tokyo’s futuristic underground scene, Melbourne mellow-jazz and influences from house and traditional music from around the globe, Shimada’s production and live sets are a kinetic succession of dance beats and abstract compositions.

18.1.23
Gertrude Glasshouse

Life performance by Diego Ramírez featuring a devil breaking a black piñata. Every time the devil hits the piñata, it responds with a noise that resembles a grunt, to make it seem like the object is suffering. Indeed, Ramírez corrupts his childhood memories breaking piñatas to resemble a sadistic scene, amplifying the darker connotations of this festive ritual.