Location Drum Theatre Foyer
226 Lonsdale St,
Dandenong, VIC 3175
Cost Free
Type
Performance
Drum Theatre is fully accessible, with a wheelchair-friendly foyer, accessible toilets, and access to a five-minute drop-off zone next to the theatre in Walker Street.
Our Beat is a monthly open stage night that brings together musicians, artists, actors, comedians, dancers, and the community. This is more than a gig – it’s a chance to connect with like-minded people, meet local talent, and even take the stage yourself. Free event for all people and all art forms.
March 2022’s, Our Beat – Spoken Word takeover is a collaboration between The Drum and MAV as part of the In Situ program of events and activations. It brings together storytellers across different forms, diverse cultures, genders, and faiths to share in a powerful evening of story and knowledge transmission through spoken word poetry, music, dance, and weaving.
We warmly welcome you to sit with us and our featured storytellers – 2020 Australian Slam Poet Ren Alessandra, Pasifika Trans activist Amao Leota Lu, Mr. Congo, Chichi Nwokocha, DJ Naru, Tane Te Manu McRoberts (weaver), Anne, and Carlo (music duo). Special guest appearances by Grace Vanilau, Larra Juab, and more. Set design by Kush and crew.
As we gather to weave strands of personal stories, rhythms, words, and natural fibres through transcendental conversations. Elevating a collective narrative of hope, resilience, and true reciprocity.
The event is funded through the City of Greater Dandenong as part of the state government’s Outdoor Economy Package.
International Speaker, Performing Artist, Writer, Activist and Storyteller
Amao Leota Lu is a proud Samoan fa’afafine and trans woman of color. She is an international speaker, performing artist, writer, activist and storyteller who infuses the intersectionality of gender, culture and life experiences in her performance works and talks.
Director and Producer
Chichi Nwokocha (aka Cheech) is a Nigerian British director and producer.
DJ
Melbourne-based DJ Narumi Asada offers a knowledgeable approach to music through her 15 years of experience DJ’ing and supporting the local dance scene.
Interdisciplinary Artist and Community Arts Cultural Development practitioner (CACD)
Grace Vanilau is a Naarm based Interdisciplinary artist and Community Arts Cultural Development practitioner (CACD) of Aotearoa Samoa heritage.
Multidisciplinary Artist
TAGA BARRIO (Larra Juab) is a queer Filipino immigrant, multidisciplinary artist that has been residing and creating work in the land of the Kulin Nation for 11 years. As an immigrant, they have found solace and a feeling of belonging here in the SE Suburbs of Naarm (Melbourne) and is continually working hard to create, and discuss topics such as; Identity, Belonging, Post-colonialism and Community through the use of arts through different forms and mediums. Taga Barrio shares their experiences and point of views through storytelling by the use of painting, sculpture, mixed media, photography, printing and spoken word poetry. They make sure to always incorporate their heritage and language through these works.
Poet, Artist and DJ
Mr. Congo is a poet/artist and DJ, his eclectic style of music and art fuses history and culture.
Poet and Educator
Ren Alessandra is an Italo-Australian poet and educator based in Naarm.
Weaver and Designer
Director of Arawa Designs, Tāne Te Manu McRoberts, is a Māori weaver and designer of fine and intricate Polynesian attire.