Highlights
- The Darwin Festival is one of the most anticipated multicultural events in Northern Territory
- Local artists and talents in Darwin takes centre stage in the upcoming festival
- The Filipino community's participation in the festival includes a 2-hour presentation on-stage
“We feel very lucky to even be having a festival amid the pandemic and also to be part of celebrating our contemporary Filipino culture here in Darwin is an added bonus.”
“We have some local acts and some talents from down south and some internationals. But this year it’s pretty much a 100% local,” shares James Mangohig, one of the event organisers.
“Every year, I get to be involved in the festival, but this is the first time that I’ve been able to do something like this,” he says.
Joining him onstage are mostly local artists and performers. Given that this year with the lockdowns and travel restrictions, they are unable to invite artist from interstate or overseas.
Nevertheless, the thriving community spirit in Darwin is expected to support local initiatives. And for those who know and understand how Filipinos love to party and share their culture, they will surely be in for a treat.
Local talents to showcase their talent at the upcoming street party
Local talents performing in the event include: dance group PHL THE BEAT, BRIAN MANNING, TAKE IT EC, POINT OF PRESENCE (Unplugged), CHERRY and up and coming Tagalog-Visayan rap artist EMCILLE.
"Writing poems with Kuya James makes me miss the small fishing village in Escalante, Negros Oriental," shares Emcille.
For Tagalog-Visayan rap artist Emcille, music is her platform to spread a positive message. Source: Supplied by Emcille
"Telling him my story makes me remember the little things about my childhood and I think that’s really nice. I’m proud to be Negrosanon and Cebuano, spent a bit of time in Cebu when I was young. Bisdak ba!"
In early June this year, we are happy to have been given the opportunity to collaborate with the artist and producer, Kuya James, to help create a fun, lively and exciting event brought by young, talented and motivated artists uplifting the Filipino culture," says Iselle Grosskopf of PhlTheBeat.
PHLtheBeat, a Filipino dance crew united by each members' passion for dance. Source: Supplied by PHLTheBeat
"We believe there will be many more opportunities in the future for us to showcase our passion, teamwork, creativity and hard work through dance."
"We will be singing remixed Filipino classic songs and heaps more. Will be singing songs like 'Magsayawan' and many more," says Edward Ocampo of Take It EC.
Meet Edward Ocampo also known as Take It EC – chef by day, vlogger at noon and performer at night. Source: Supplied by Take It EC
James hopes that this event will be much bigger than a cultural event since he is keen to party and celebrate with other communities around Darwin.
He wants to create a vibrant new atmosphere and he feels pretty excited about it.
“I think anyone who knows a little bit about Filipino culture is that…we know how to party. So we’re going to try to create that vibe on that night.”
ALSO READ/LISTEN TO
