2021 African Music and Cultural Festival

FOR THE FIRST TIME THE UNMISSABLE AFRICAN MUSIC & CULTURAL FESTIVAL RETURNS TO FED SQUARE FOR THREE DAYS ON FRIDAY 19 SUNDAY 21 NOVEMBER 2021. This three day celebration of African culture is a spring highlight and the only place where you will you see over 35 African countries and community organisations represented through music, food, fashion, film, dance, art and culture - right in the heart of Melbourne. In its eighth year, AMCF is a firm fixture on the Melbourne events calendar. Due to overwhelming demand this years festival will showcase a three day program. DAY ONE: Friday 19 November 2021 5pm 10pm The AMCF is excited to broadcast African Australian short films on the main screen in the Federation Square Plaza. Between the short films spoken word performances and live jazz music will occur. Friday night at the AMCF will be the ideal opportunity for city workers to pop by with friends and colleagues, enjoy a delicious African Street Food dinner and drinks whilst watching unique African short films in the main plaza. The perfect way to start the weekend. DAY TWO: Saturday 20 November 2021 10am 10pm The main festival day will return with a multi-layered program delivering 12 hours of non-stop live entertainment (from 10am 10pm)! Entertainment will showcase dance, fashion, free drumming lessons, arts, incredible raffle prizes, and spoken word; along with authentic mouth-watering African street food - there is plenty of opportunity to learn about the diverse African continent. Plus, theres a swag of market stalls on hand selling traditional wares, so visitors can take a piece of Africa home. DAY THREE: Sunday 21 November 2021 10am-8pm The final day of the festival will be a continuation of day two featuring 10 hours of non-stop entertainment. A fantastic opportunity to return for a second day to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy even more traditional flavours of Africa. For families, there is kids entertainment including African drumming classes, face painting, jumping castles, Santas grotto, mascots, balloonist and more! Attracting over 40,000 Victorians and interstate visitors including senior representatives from government and corporate organisations, it is the must do event of the spring. Time Out Melbourne, which is Melbournes most respected arts, entertainment and food guide magazine rated the AMCF as one of the top 5 events to do in summer for 2018 and 2019. With the rhythms, sounds and tastes of Africa spread throughout Federation Square and the River Terrace, the atmosphere is electric and guaranteed to make you feel good. With so much happening throughout the three day festival, it can be hard to know where to start! We recommend grabbing lunch on the River Terrace at one of our African street foods stalls and then immersing yourself in the incredible main stage live performances. At the heart of AMCF is the promotion of Celebrating Diversity and Harmony through cross cultural awareness, mutual respect, education, understanding and unity, whilst providing locals and visitors with a unique opportunity to experience and celebrate Africas diversity. The festival also pays respect to our traditional elders the Wurundjeri people of the Kulin Nation with a traditional ceremony to officially open the event. To have a three day festival at Federation Square, right at the heart of the city after the challenges of 2020 is massive. Bringing Africa to Victoria, and to Australia is incredible. The vibrancy of the African culture comes alive through the sounds, sights, rhythms and tastes that are on show at the festival. We are edging ever closer to one day being in the position that when the festival happens, we will bring the Melbourne CBD to a halt, because millions of people are attending the AMCF Fred Alale, AMCF Chair Australia is the most successful multicultural nation on Earth and the AMCF is a celebration and reflection of our rich, vibrant Australian story drawn from all corners of the earth. The Festival showcases the cultural riches of the vast African continent and the extraordinary gifts the African-Australian community have given our nation The Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister of Australia This event has already become one of our major multicultural festivals, embraced by Victorians from all walks of life, who come together to enjoy a spectacular display of music, dancing, art and performance The Hon Daniel Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria We loved it! For my son, who is half African American in a largely white neighbourhood, it was a game changer to be amongst so many people of African heritage and to see the cultural gifts of African people. As we left, he said to me beaming, Now you are the odd one out, Mum!. And he didnt take off his African necklace and hat unless he was bathing or sleeping. Cant wait for next year! Festival Goer This FREE festival is an incredible all ages family day out. It truly is a festival like no other! Due to the Victorian Department of Health COVID-19 restrictions, a free-of-cost ticketed system will be in place. Over 35 countries and organisations represented include: African Australian Communities Leadership Form (AACLF), African Think Tank, Africa Day Australia, Celebrate African Australians, Afro-Australian Student Organisation (AASO), A Look Into African Society (ALIAS) at La Trobe University, Pan African Community, Australia Africa Business Council, African Communities Foundation Australia (ACFA), Australian Oromo Community Association in Victoria, Eastern and Central African Communities of Victoria, Incubate Foundation, Pan African Community, Botswana, Burundian, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Congolese, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopian, Gambian, Ghanaian, Guinea, Kenya, Liberian, Libyan, Malawian, Mauritian, Moroccan, Nigerian, Rwanda, Senegalese, Seychelles, Sierra Leonean, Somalian, South Africa, South Sudanese, Sudanese, Ugandan, Zambian and Zimbabwean communities. AMCF is possible thanks to the generous support of the following sponsors and partners: Platinum sponsors and partners: City of Melbourne, Victoria State Government, Department of Families, Fairness and Housing (DFFH), Department of Education and Training (DET), North Melbourne Football Club (NMFC), The Huddle, Victoria Police, Slater and Gordon Lawyers and Fed Square. Gold sponsors and partners: Swinburne University, WorldRemit, AMES Australia, Jesuit Social Services, Centre for Multicultural Youth (CMY), Cricket Australia, Australian Multicultural Foundation and Orange Monkey Media. Silver sponsors and partners: Brimbank City Council, Commonwealth Bank, Morris Cohen Glen & Co Chartered Accountants, City West Water, Youth Activating Youth (YAY) and Tasty Suya African BBQ. Join the celebration: If youre interested in sponsoring or partnering the 2021 AMCF, contact media@amcf.org.au. Find out more: www.amcf.org.au www.facebook.com/AMCFOZ www.twitter.com/AMCFOZ www.instagram.com/AMCFOZ www.snapchat.com/add/AMCFOZ Video snapshot from last years festival: https://bit.ly/2IPmJfk [https://bit.ly/2IPmJfk] Photos from previous years festivals: https://bit.ly/3x793E1 [https://bit.ly/3x793E1] Media Contact Claire | Orange Monkey Media Phone: 0457 933 085 | Email Claire@orangemonkey.com.au -Ends-