Ventana Stage   

A window into a mosaic of cultures, Ventana will host a vibrant celebration of intercultural entertainment from many nations. Come and experience the vivacity through live music, dance, workshops, creators, makers and amazing food. Full of energy, colour and movement, make sure you don’t miss the Ventana experience located within the Yacht Club Precinct.

Full of energy, colour and movement, make sure you don’t miss the Ventana experience. 

Stage Program  

On Saturday and Sunday, join Jess Reid and Kristy Wizz from PARC for some fun body movement exercises.

Saturday 5.30pm - Jess Reid and Kristy Wizz will be leading a low impact dance session that everyone can take part in. The best festival mover will be awarded a PARC prize pack. 

Sunday 2pm - Jess and Kristy will be returning to the stage to get your heart rate up for a Family Boxing Class. This is your chance to get moving like a ninja - with kicks, punches, breathing and balance to round it out. The best boxer will be awarded a PARC prize pack. 

Artist Bios 

(A - Z) 

Amaru Tribe   

Electrifying folktronic ensemble based in Naarm/Melbourne with members from Colombia, Chile and Australia. Blending their heritage with electronic sounds and traditional folkloric instruments (Charango, Gaitas, Tambora, Alegre), Amaru Tribe forge a sonic path that transcends boundaries and captivates listeners worldwide.

Three times Nominated for the Music Victoria Awards (Best Intercultural Act) Amaru Tribe's live performances are a deep and immersive experience, with songs that resonate on a universal level, fostering a connection with audiences worldwide.

Appiah & Asanti Beats

Appiah & Asanti Beats is a Melbourne-based band led by renowned dancer and musician Appiah Annan.The band takes you on a captivating journey of Afro-funk, jazz and percussion, inspired by ancient rituals and honouring ancestral values. Combining traditional rhythms with a contemporary twist, blending the melodic sounds of the kora with the raw, rhythmic beat of the drums, the music tells stories of love, wisdom and peace, invoking the spirit of connection and celebrating who we are as a rich and diverse global community.

Bashka

Melbourne based group, Bashka, have travelled many miles to get to where they aretoday. Over time they have absorbed their collective musical experiences in Turkishtraditional music, jazz and hiphop. Today they are an exciting live act which draws audiences from all around the globe. Their performances are renowned as infectiously danceable with conscious lyrics from their MC’s. Deeply danceable grooves with horns, guitar and frequent special guests from around the globe, they deliver a fresh sound that is on the move.

Bollydazzlers

Dressed in dazzling Bollywood costumes, Bollydazzlers set the stage alight and create an ambiance that enchants guests with an energetic display of glamour, beauty and spectacular entertainment, transporting the audience to India in dance form. Please enjoy the show, participate in the workshop, and take pictures with performers after the show.

Capoeira ACDP Australia

Capoeira ACDP Australia aims to teach and promote Capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian cultural practice, and art form that involves sport, body expression, music, and tradition. Capoeira promotes respect and social integration betweenheterogeneous individuals and communities. ACDP was founded in 1973 in Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) by Mestre Pantera. Since 2015, Contramestre Camaleão has been teaching Capoeira in the southern suburbs of Melbourne. Classes are currently held at the Elwood Bowls Club (Brighton).

Cook Island Dance team

Nationally recognised, the Cook Island Dance team formed in 2021 showcasing live drumming and dynamic hula performances. Entertaining audiences throughout Melbourne, prepare to be delighted by the team and their Polynesian entertainment.

George & Noriko 

George & Noriko break all the rules, delivering a show that’s unique and unexpected.Known as the Japanese Blues Cowboy and the Tsugaru shamisen player, they have been kicking up a storm wherever they play. George’s lightning-fast blues licks & growling harmonica enhanced by Noriko’s percussive sounds of the traditional shamisen (Japanese banjo) has morphed into a kind of bluegrass hard country blues with a Japanese twist.

NV Dance Studio

This fun and supportive dance studio is located in the heart of Melbourne CBD and is a unique space to create and share. Teaching everything from Street Jazz, Choreography, K-pop, Hip-hop and Heels their experienced instructors show us that learning to move your body can be easy and interactive.

Pal Mar

Pal Mar expertly weaves together a diverse mix of stories and cultural influences, creating a vibrant tapestry of rhythms and genres. Drawing on their Colombian roots, Pal Mar’s original compositions and musical arrangements range from pop to Latin, bossa nova to tropical, showcasing the versatility of their language skills and cultural background. Pal Mar’s music is contemporary and exciting, offering a fresh take on a rich musical tradition.

Perolas

Perolas transports the harp into the contemporary realm by pairing the sonorous instrument with the futuristic sounds of electronic instruments, forming an all-encompassing sensory musical experience. Perolas’ artistic vision comes to life as they showcase the full musical potential of their eclectic quartet, featuring Liana Perillo on electroacoustic harp and vocals, Fabian Aravalés’ on trumpet, electric guitar and synthesizer, Louis Spencely on drums and Rob Hamilton on electric and double bass. Their performance will showcase new original works whilst delving into transcriptions from remarkable female international jazz harp composers, exploring experimental jazz, and lush electronic harp, soulful lyrics and quirky rhythms. 

Pirritu

PIRRITU’s music is a gentle, honest, and melodic personal journey that entices you into the depths of sadness, love, and shimmering hope.With two album releases under his belt, The songman’s work honours a cultural journey to connect back to land, language, and family with a continual thirst for deeper understanding of his people and country.Pirritu’s music features folk instrumentation weaving amongst his unique vocals like the gentle wind and waters that the Ngiyampaa man sings of.

Sokeiprim

Sokeiprim is a DJ and artist from the Mornington Peninsula. His selections bridge sounds from across the realms of jazz, folk and dance music. He curates Gentle Thoughts on Area3000 Radio, a program featuring music for easy listening and exploring sonic curiosities.

Solomon Sisay Ethio Jazz Band Bio

Solomon Sisay is a world-class musician who shot to fame after being the chosen saxophone player for Axumite Band, a legendary outfit in Ethiopia. Solomon has since continued his legacy, playing alongside the greats such as Mahmoud Ahmed, Aleymehu Eshete, Ali Bira, Tsegaye Eshetu and with many of the young, up and coming Ethiopian music stars. Now living in Australia, he has his own Ethio Jazz Band and toured Europe, Middle East, Japan and New Zealand and performed at major festivals such as WOMADelaide, Port Fairy Folk Festival and MONA FOMA.

Southern Cross Salsa

This latin dance school teaches Cuban salsa and Bachata within the Frankston area, offering classes throughout the week. Learn something new in a great friendly environment!

Wadaiko RINDO 

Wadaiko Rindo, Japanese drum ensemble based in Melbourne Australia, is renowned for energetic and dynamic drumming performances. Wadaiko Rindo has performed in many places around Victoria as well as across all States, and internationally in New Caledonia, Tonga, China, Fiji, Samoa and Japan. The performances of Wadaiko Rindo are spectacular visual displays of stamina, strength and humour, with the vibrations produced on stage energising the whole audience. 

Yusupha Ngum & The Affia Band

One of Gambia’s favourite sons, Yusupha Ngum, leads an all-star line up to deliver an Afro odyssey of jazz, blues and funk fusion that leaves audiences elevated and captivated.

As the son of highly acclaimed musician, and griot, Musa Affia Ngum, Yusupha carries the torch of tradition, embodying the griot legacy and spirit of the ancestors, in a contemporary style of music. With soaring vocals, Yusupha is able to freely express and convey the messages of his songs in all languages he speaks. Introduced to Melbourne with his band Jaaleekaayy Music Group, with fellow Gambain instrumentalist, Amadou Suso (kora) and local guitar legend Steve Berry (Kev Carmody, Shane Howard, Robyn Archer), the group went on to play at Woodford Folk Festival, Port Fairy Folk Festival, Birds Basement, Fairbridge and National Folk Festival, Blue Mountains Music Festival and to standing ovations at Mullum Music Festival.