We’re so excited for our first collaboration with Afro Hub, bringing a host of African Australian talent to the Convent across two special events. We sat down with Saba Alemayoh, Founder of Afro Hub, to chat about our upcoming events, culture from the continent, and how Afro Hub reduces barriers to access for Melbourne’s African Australian artistic community.
Can you tell us a bit about Afro Hub and the work you do.
Afro Hub is an arts organisation that curates and produces Afrocentric events. We showcase African Australian creatives around Melbourne independently and in partnership with other organisations.
What propelled you to start the organisation?
I felt that there was a community need within the Melbourne arts scene for Afrocentric spaces. There was a hunger from folks residing in Melbourne to have opportunities to explore culture from the continent and desire by the diaspora to create holistically.
How does Afro Hub support opportunities for members of Melbourne’s African Australian artistic community?
We provide spaces for community members to share their artistic talent, through cultivating safe spaces to explore conversations around identity and their surroundings. We do this by reducing barriers to access and advocating for equal access.
Tell us about what you have in store for audiences at the Convent on 6 and 13 July 2019?
We are absolutely excited to do a takeover of Convent Live. We are hosting two very different events.
This Saturday 6 July, Consciously Kyah will be bringing AFTERPARTY to the Convent. The event is about bringing together the soulful pulse of Melbourne hip hop with the diaspora community. Treat your ears to up-and-coming hip hop artists calling Melbourne home. It features artists such as Pookie, Rara Zulu, Ijale, Daniel Elia and DJ Abyss. This is definitely a dope party vibe.
The following Saturday, we are going to take you back to the continent with the Melbourne African Traditional Ensemble. This quartet, compromised of Valanga, Ambess, Haftu and Kofi, weaves together more than 80 years of musical experience and more than seven traditional instruments played across the African continent. They will be accompanied by much-loved RRR presenter Eva Lubulwa playing beats from across the continent. This event is your cheapest international fare to Africa.
As always, Afro Hub events don’t only feed your soul, but your stomach too. We have Curry Up Now food truck and a unique African-inspired bar with African beer, wine, spirits and non alcoholic beverages.
What’s in the future for Afro Hub?
We are constantly curating pop-ups and have a special pop-up organised to take over The Wheeler Centre on the 31 August as a part of Melbourne Writers Festival, so keep an eye out for the program! Long term, we are in the process of looking for a venue to call home.