Sangam at the Convent

A showcase of South Asian performing arts.

Now in its 3rd year, Sangam is a platform for emerging and established South Asian-Australian artists to learn, create and showcase art alongside globally renowned artists from the South Asian Diaspora. 

Over four jam-packed weekends, and across four venues, this year’s festival features 100+ artists bringing an eclectic array of music, dance, spoken word, comedy, classical and experimental performances to the stage.

Sangam will take over Abbotsford Convent on Saturday 20 February with Sangam at the Convent, presenting a range of interdisciplinary artists and exciting activities across two jam-packed sessions; in the afternoon and in the evening.

Sangam at the Convent will also feature an insightful Panel Discussion curated in partnership with Multicultural Arts Victoria.

Afternoon session

In the afternoon, Sangam at the Convent will entertain the whole family with free activities including energetic  Punjabi Folk dance and music storytelling workshops; Bollywood dance workshops led by Jhoom Bollywood Dance Company; Mehendi (henna painting) for kids; South Indian filter coffee by OzKaapi; chaat by Sri Ananda Bhavan; delicious Masala Chai; and a whole lot of fun!

You’ll also be able to participate in the creation of a beautiful, large-scale Rangoli (floor mural) using an assortment of bright rice, lentils, and more!

So don your most colourful garb, put your comfy dancing shoes on, pack a picnic blanket, and we’ll see you there!

Participating artists include Parvyn Singh and Joshinder Chaggar.

Suitable for all ages.

When
Saturday 20 February, 3pm – 5pm

3.15pm Punjabi Folk dance and music storytelling workshop
3.35pm Bollywood workshop
4.15pm Punjabi Folk dance and music storytelling workshop
4.35pm Bollywood Workshop

Where
Mercator Lawn
North Magdalen Laundry (workshops)

Bookings
All workshops, performances and activities in the afternoon session are free.
We would love to know if you plan to attend, please register in advance here.
There is a capacity for the workshops (maximum 50). Register for these on the day, first in, best dressed.

Panel Discussion

Self-determination, cultural agency and power: the changing dynamics of art made with community.

These are not new concepts, but across the arts, are these ideas being enacted in ways that deliver tangible outcomes for diverse creatives? Join our panel of experts to explore how we move from rhetoric to practice, what needs to change in order to demonstrate impact, and where we find ourselves on this journey. The panel will explore these issues from a number of perspectives; from cultural leadership, the international evidence for change, the role of allies and organisations, and importantly, how we evolve models of resourcing that underpin our collective ambition for change.

Panelists Priya Srinivasan, Liss Gabb, Chris Sohn, Geskeva Komba, Jamie Lewis, Sonya Suares.
Facilitator Veronica Pardo

When
Saturday 20 February, 6pm – 7.15pm

Where
North Magdalen Laundry

Bookings
Free, pre-book your seat for this discussion here

Evening session

In the evening, Sangam at the Convent will culminate with Dada Desi, an eclectic evening of spoken word, experimental music and dance, and on-screen performances by nine South Asian artists and collectives including Sunanda Sachatrakul, Bhairavi Raman, and Naavikaran.

When
Saturday 20 February, 7.30pm – 10pm

7.30pm Welcome to Country
8pm Dada Desi

Where
Mercator Lawn (Welcome to Country)
North Magdalen Laundry

Cost
$20 Full / $12.50 Concession
Pre-bookings for the evening session are essential here

Full festival program

For the full festival program, including events outside the Convent, head to the Sangam website.

Acknowledgement of Country

Based in Naarm/Melbourne on unceded land, Sangam acknowledges the traditional custodians—the Wurundjeri and Bunurong people.

Creative team

Inspired, curated & directed by Dr Priya Srinivasan, Hari Sivanesan and Uthra Vijay.

Important information

• Performances will be cancelled in the event of extreme weather, ticket holders will be notified as soon as reasonably possible by text message/email.
• Performances may be cancelled at short notice if sudden extreme weather occurs.

Your safety is our priority

We take your safety seriously and have put in place the following COVID safety measures to ensure you are able to feel free and have fun whilst participating:

• All seats in the North Magdalen Laundry will be single seats and positioned 1.5m apart. Audiences will gain staggered entry to the venue.
• The capacity of the Mercator Lawn for the afternoon session is capped at 225 people.
• The capacity of the North Magdalen Laundry for the panel discussion and for the evening session is capped at 95 people.
• Wearing a mask inside is mandatory, and outside when you cannot maintain physical distancing.
• You are encouraged to bring your own water bottle.

Please note: we will continue to adhere to government restrictions, and will notify you directly if this affects this program. 

Learn more about the Convent’s COVID Safe Plan and how we are protecting our community here.

Respecting the Convent’s past

This event takes place in the North Magdalen Laundry. The Convent was inscribed on the National Heritage List in August 2017, with the Magdalen Laundry and asylum buildings recognised as an important physical record for those Australians and their families known as the Forgotten Australians. We recognise and honour the thousands of girls and women placed in care at the Convent, including those who laboured in the onsite Magdalen Laundry. The harm of institutionalisation and the trauma experienced by many residents is acknowledged as part of the Convent’s heritage. The Magdalen Laundry provides a space for artists, audiences and communities to experience new practices, narratives and histories, while respecting the heritage and social history of these spaces.

Thank you

Sangam Festival is guided by BlakDance, in partnership with Multicultural Arts Victoria (MAV).

Venue Partners include Abbotsford Convent, Dancehouse, Bunjil Place, Drum Theatre, Ausdance.

The festival is proudly funded by Creative Victoria, MAV, Australia Council for the Arts, City of Melbourne, Dandenong Arts Grants, Yarra City Council, City of Greater Dandenong, City of Casey.