Camden Council’s first ever Youth Multicultural Festival is all set to go on Saturday, July 6 in the Camden Civic Centre.
It will run from 2pm to 7pm and it’s for local residents aged between 12 to 25 years.
But we also know what the festival will have to offer those young people who take the time to check it out.
Council says the inaugural youth multicultural festival will provide young people with the opportunity to “come together in a safe, supported and inclusive environment, where they can access information, meet peers, celebrate diversity and, most importantly, have fun’’.
Fun includes an exciting line-up of local performers, all from diverse cultural backgrounds. They are:
- Curtis Kennedy, who performs as KUREN, is a descendent of the Wiradjuri people and an emerging electronic producer;
- Milan Ring, a Chinese-Indian-Australian artist who fuses 90s, soul, jazz, electro and R‘n’B to produce music that has already landed in the top 200 on Triple J’s Hottest 100;
- Rebecca Hatch, an 18-year-old R‘n’B artist best known for being crowned the Triple J Indigenous Unearthed High winner at the National Indigenous Music Awards in 2017;
- YIBBY, a 20-year-old Ethiopian-Australian hip-hop artist who tells personal stories through old school music; and
- The Lemonades, a hard-hitting indie, alternative rock band from Mount Annan who were formed earlier this year.
The headlining performer, KUREN, pictured, said his music varies in moods, sounds and moments.
“Diversity is what makes a great artist, in music and beyond,” he said.
“I’m in the process of changing my sound and incorporating different sounds. I take pride in constantly keeping an open mind to learn and observe new ideas.
“I’m excited to celebrate this amazing initiative. Everybody has the right to be who they are and be proud of it. I believe that’s where true happiness lies.”
The festival will also include food, as well as a number of activities and local community organisations showcasing their services, including, Henna tattooing, Aboriginal basket weaving, Bocce (Italian bowls) and A board game chill-out zone, including diverse games.
Mayor of Camden, Cr Theresa Fedeli, said the festival forms part of Council’s Youth Empowerment Project, in partnership with YMCA NSW.
“The youth-led community engagement project is all about getting young people involved in new opportunities – which is exactly what this exciting event does,” Cr Fedeli said.
“I’m so proud to say there will be lots of great stuff coming up for our young people, thanks to the 20 young leaders from our Youth Council and the YMCA NSW Camden Youth Action Team working on the project.
“We have more than 16,000 residents aged between 12 and 25 years old in Camden – more than 20 per cent of the population. It’s important they all feel included in, and stimulated by, the opportunities around them.
“I’d like to say a big thank you to local music promoter and producer, Isaac Lewis, from Waratah Records who has been instrumental in building the profile of music and performance in the community. His help with this event has been invaluable.”
