Cantonese Karaoke Opera Performance

Here the Friendly Cantonese Karaoke Opera group perform at the Louise MCC Mask Festival.  For many Australian born and people from other non-Asian cultures, this was their first experience of the Cantonese Opera singing style.  The stories are very similar to the tales we know and love in opera such as Don Giovanni, Rigoletto, La Traviata etc. and reminds us of tragedies such Romeo and Juliet written by William Shakespeare. 


For Ivy and her team it was their first performance for the Louise MCC and very much enjoyed by everyone.  We look forward to many more performances in the future.

  
Photo:  Ming, Deng and Ivy sing Cantonese Opera.  


Story:   The stories from this traditional cultural art form is dramatic and often sad.  In one of their two songs the marriage between two lovers turns into a suicide pact.  

Wheelchairs - Taking a Spin at the Mask Festival

Square Dancing for Wheelchairs.

     The Silver Spinners is a group of square dancing enthusiasts.  The name "Silver Spinners" relates to the wheels of the chairs turning around.  Above are some photos of the group (young and young at heart) all enjoying the spins and turns of the square dance at the Mask Festival.
     You may be wondering about the connection between people with a disability and a mask festival.  Well, as we all know, having a disability is sometimes like wearing a mask.  Some people only see the disability, not the person behind the disability.  The purpose of having the Silver Spinners attend the Mask Festival was to raise awareness about the need to engage with  each person no matter the disability.  We all have feelings, needs and desires we should treat every person as an individual no matter what their cultural diversity or their disability.

     I met the Silver Spinners group about 3 months ago at their Sunday meeting venue in Burwood.  I was immediately taken with their commitment to each other and the group's square dancing activities that bring so much enjoyment to the group and provide such a great inclusive activity. Members come from as far away as Frankston and Werribee to dance.   
     Unfortunately their numbers have fallen over time and I was informed that if they are unable to increase their membership soon the group will need to fold.  This would be very sad as square dancing is obviously important to them all, whether they are pushers, people in wheelchairs or dance partners.  

Photo: Square Dance Caller:  Ralph with  Cynthia the Louise MCC Manager

You CAN help.  If you know of any person with a disability who would like to join a wheelchair square dance group please invite them to come along for a free try. If you would like to contact  the group please send an e.mail to louisemcc@aanet.com.au attention Cynthia.  Remember you could change someone's life!

Jasmine Dance Group Perform

Photo from the Louise Multicultural Community Centre Mask Festival on the 26th October 2011.  The Jasmine Dance Group pictured above are performing the Japanese Mask Dance.  This dance is about Geisha Japanese entertainers. The Geisha are famous for  performing various Japanese arts such as classical music and dance.