MEDIA RELEASE: Champeta AfroFest Melbourne 2025 brings the beat of Afro-Caribbean culture to North Melbourne

-

MEDIA RELEASE

11 November, 2025

Champeta AfroFest Melbourne 2025 brings the beat of Afro-Caribbean culture to North Melbourne


The vibrant sounds, rhythms, and colours of Colombia come alive this weekend as Champeta AfroFest Melbourne 2025 transforms the Meat Market in North Melbourne into a celebration of Afro-Caribbean culture, dance, and community connection.

The festival invites Melburnians to experience the infectious joy of champeta — a dance and music style rooted in the Afro-Colombian communities of Cartagena — alongside a full day of performances, workshops, talks, and family activities.

From 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, 15 November, the festival will feature live music, dance classes, cultural discussions, traditional food stalls, and a bustling minimarket showcasing local and Latinx creatives. Special guests Kaiman Jiménez and Kobra 3000 will headline the evening program, bringing authentic Afro-Colombian sounds and energy to the stage.

“Champeta AfroFest is about more than music and dance — it’s a space to celebrate the diversity, resilience, and creativity of Afro-descendant cultures in Colombia and across the Caribbean,” says curator Heidy Montes Garces. “We want people to dance, connect, and feel the spirit of community that this culture represents.”

The festival welcomes all ages, with activities designed for families and children throughout the day. Attendees can join an introductory champeta dance class, explore traditional Afro-Colombian cuisine, and discover handmade crafts and artworks that reflect the region's cultural richness.

Event Details:
Saturday 15 November 2025
1:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Meat Market, 3 Blackwood St, North Melbourne VIC 3051

🎟 Tickets: Eventbrite – Champeta AfroFest Melbourne 2025

Champeta AfroFest Melbourne 2025 is presented by Latam Bridge, with the support of the Meat Market, CulturaS, and Lemar House, celebrating the shared rhythm, heritage, and creativity of Afro-Caribbean communities.

Media Contact: Samuel Cairnduff
RESONATE Communications
samuel.j.cairnduff@gmail.com | 0401 396 755

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

MEDIA RELEASE: A statement from Jayson Gillham on resolution with Sophie Galaise and ongoing case against MSO

-
Image
MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 31 March 2025 A statement from Jayson Gillham on resolution with Sophie Galaise and ongoing case against MSO I acknowledge the statement made by Sophie Galaise regarding the events surrounding the cancellation of my performance with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra on 15 August 2024 . I appreciate that Ms Galaise has expressed regret for the circumstances that led to the cancellation and that she has accepted that I believe I was entitled to speak as I did during my recital on 11 August 2024. I am pleased to report that the former dispute between me and Sophie Galaise has now been resolved My case against the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra , however, remains ongoing. A hearing took place in the Federal Court on 17 March 2025 , following the MSO’s attempt to have the case thrown out on the basis that freelance artists are not protected under workplace discrimination laws. I am challenging that claim. This case is about more than one performance. It r...
Read more

Jayson Gillham | Melbourne Town Hall Concert, 11 August, 2024

-
Image
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Jayson Gillham | Melbourne Town Hall Concert, 11 August, 2024 Melbourne, August 13, 2024 For clarity, we are releasing Jayson Gillham's comments during his performance on Sunday, 11 August, at Melbourne Town Hall, presented by the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. During the concert, Mr Gillham introduced each work, including the world premiere of "Witness" by composer Conor D'Netto. With Mr D'Netto's express permission, Mr Gillham provided context for the piece, referencing the tragic deaths of journalists in Gaza—a topic of significant personal importance to him. A full transcript of his comments is below: Over the last 10 months, Israel has killed more than one hundred Palestinian journalists. A number of these have been targeted assassinations of prominent journalists as they were travelling in marked press vehicles or wearing their press jackets. The killing of journalists is a war crime in international law, and it is done in an effort ...
Read more

MEDIA RELEASE: Melbourne Symphony Orchestra attempts to silence political discrimination case on legal technicality

-
Image
  MEDIA RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 10 March 2025 Melbourne Symphony Orchestra attempts to silence political discrimination case on legal technicality International concert pianist Jayson Gillham has called out the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra (MSO) for attempting to have his discrimination case thrown out on a legal technicality, rather than addressing the facts surrounding his cancellation. The case returns to the Federal Court of Australia on 17 March 2025 , where the MSO will argue that Jayson’s claim should be struck out without a hearing on the substance of the allegations — a move that could have far-reaching consequences for all freelance artists and contracted workers in Australia. “The MSO are trying to avoid facing the facts in court,” said Jayson Gillham. “They are arguing that because I was engaged under a particular type of contract, I shouldn’t be protected by Australia’s workplace discrimination laws. If they succeed, this would create a dangerous loophole that...
Read more