The Bundaberg Region will come alive with traditional Indian dance, food, colour and fun when the Confluence Festival is held on 9-10 November 2019.
The annual event is described as a festival of India in Australia, celebrating two vibrant cultures, their people and their common love for tradition and the arts.
This year a range of activities will be held in the Bundaberg Region for Confluence Festival, including dance workshops, yoga sessions, performances and more.
Bundaberg Regional Council Community and Cultural Services portfolio spokesperson Cr Judy Peters said due to the popularity of the festival, more time had been added to the event’s calendar.
“This year we’re operating over two days instead of one because of the growing interest shown by the community,” Cr Peters said.
“Saturday events will be held in Bargara while Sunday events will be held in the Bundaberg CBD.
“This means residents will have more chances to get involved on all of the festival fun!”
Cr Peters said everyone was invited to attend the free activities and enjoy a day out.
“The Festival of India in Australia is symbolic of our strong inter-cultural relations, with the festival embodying the spirit of this togetherness,” Cr Peters said.
“This event is a fantastic way to learn a little bit more about another culture, to enjoy each other’s company and to have fun in our community.
“Get the whole family together for our Bollywood Dance Workshop, which is always very popular, or come along to a relaxing yoga session or performance.”
The festival will be co-presented by CQUniversity, which has signed on as an official partner.
CQUniversity’s Associate Vice-Chancellor for the Bundaberg and Wide Bay region Luke Sinclair agreed the event would offer locals with a chance to explore Indian cultures and take part in world-class free cultural activities.
“CQUniversity is proud to sponsor the activities being held in Bundaberg as part of the festival,” he said.
“We have very strong ties to India through our many international study and research programs and we also have a number of key partnerships with industry and community organisations in India.”
Confluence Festival events:
Bollywood Dance Workshop
In this workshop presented to a spontaneous audience of all ages, choreographer Gilles Chuyen will teach choreography based on popular Hindi songs, weaving in powerful and sensuous movements.
A runaway success at previous Confluence editions, the 2019 chapter will be even more pulsating with the sheer joy and electric energy of Bollywood dances inspiring participants and onlookers to take a leap out of their comfort zones!
Bargara session
Date: Saturday, 9 November
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Cost: Free
Location: Bargara Foreshore Boardwalk
Bundaberg session
Date: Sunday, 10 November
Time: 5pm to 6pm
Cost: Free
Location: Buss Park, corner Bourbong and Maryborough Street
Sunrise Yoga
Gilles Chuyen has been practising yoga and meditation for more than 20 years and has been associated closely with the Art of Living Foundation.
His main training has been under Gurudev of the Karmic Research Centre, New Delhi, under whose guidance he started conducting regular group meditations and healing sessions through movement.
Date: Saturday, 9 November
Time: 6am to 7am
Cost: Free
Location: Bargara Foreshore Boardwalk
Advaita
New Delhi-based band Advaita, formed in 2004, has already performed 300 concerts in India and abroad, cut two successful albums, and won several awards and accolades.
Advaita is one of India’s leading musical acts.
The band is credited with creating a new contemporary Indian sound, hailed by music-lovers as well as critics as truly original and progressive.
The intricacy and spirituality of Indian classical music has been interwoven by them with the energy and youthfulness of rock, pop and electronica to create what is at once traditional and modern.
Date: Sunday, 10 November
Time: 7pm to 9pm
Cost: Free event
Location: Moncrieff Entertainment Centre, 177 Bourbong Street
- Other news: Bollywood Dance Workshop takes Bargara by storm
