MAD Festival
🎶 Presenting MAD Festival: Celebrating Music, Arts, and Dance in Dandenong 🎨
Meet Lara Juab, the passionate Director of Connection Artspace (CAS), a non-profit multicultural and youth-led arts organization based in the southeastern suburbs of Nant. CAS is the driving force behind MAD Festival, which stands for Music, Arts, and Dance Festival—a vibrant celebration of creativity and cultural diversity.
MAD Festival, held in October 2023, brings together leading creative collectives and multicultural youth in the South East to showcase their talents and artistic expressions. CAS, alongside Multicultural Arts Victoria and VicHealth, is dedicated to delivering a weekend of immersive experiences for the community.
The festival featured a dynamic lineup including a two-hour exhibition, a stellar DJ lineup, live performances ranging from singing to rapping, spoken word poetry, and captivating dance routines.
Attendees also enjoyed art market stalls, participate in arts and dance workshops, engaged in dance jam sessions, and savoured delicious local cuisine.
2021’s success is a testament to MAD Festival's impact within the community—it's an event made by and for the community. From artists to non-artists, everyone feels the festival provides an accessible, safe, and inclusive space to express, collaborate, and connect. MAD Festival not only nurtures creativity but also fosters professional development in community engagement, event management, social skills, and leadership abilities.
