Salsa into Queen Street Mall on Saturday, September 11, for Oxfam UQ’s 2010 Dance for Your World festival.
Oxfam is putting on the event to celebrate diversity, and raise awareness about the extreme poverty in India’s mines and quarries.
Festivities begin with a free event on the mall’s central stage at 12pm for the public to enjoy. It will feature dances highlighting every corner of the world, from Bollywood to Latin American as well as African, contemporary, Aboriginal and Tongan-inspired performances.
“Our festival goal is to be able to celebrate global diversity, accomplishing this through the language of dance, combing both education and entertainment,” festival coordinator Priya Fernandes said.
Attendees can register for $10 “Come-N-Try” classes to be held on Saturday, 18 September at the QUT Kelvin Grove Dance School of Excellence. There will be 10 different dance styles to choose from, with one-hour classes taking place from 10am to 4pm.
“This is an all-inclusive event which encourages the community to be active, and makes it possible for the average person to be involved in something positive,” Ms Fernandes said.
All funds raised at the three Dance for Your World Festival 2010 events will support Oxfam Australia’s Human Rights project in India. This project helps bring education, healthcare and access to clean water to impoverished communities in Northern India’s mining areas.
“The most exciting thing about the festival is that it facilitates a forum built using dance entertainment where local and global issues can be recognised,” Ms Fernandes said.
The final event, the Dance Celebration cocktail party, will be held at the Bleeding Heart Café and Gallery from 7-10pm.
The celebration will close with pieces by Bollyfunk Dance and the contemporary Zeta Dance Group.
“Every individual will feel the benefits emotionally, no matter how big or small their participation will be,” Oxfam UQ representative Zin Bui said.
Pre-registration for dance classes can be made at www.oxfamUQ.org, however at-the-door registration will also be available.
For more information about the festival or to donate to Oxfam Australia visit www.oxfamUQ.org or contact Priya Fernandes at pfernandes03@gmail.com.
Media: Allison Rock at UQ Office of Communications (Allison.rock@uqconnect.edu.au or at 07 3365 2619)
