FUSE Autumn Opening Party

Join us as we launch FUSE Autumn, with an Opening Night celebration showcasing an electric lineup of Darebin's best and brightest First Nations artists, featuring sets from Kee'ahn, Soju Gang, DJ KYAANZ and SOVBLKPSSY.

FUSE Autumn Opening Night rings in the start of the festival with a musical celebration and coming together underneath the stars in the Darebin Arts Centre Courtyard.

Come together to be welcomed onto beautiful Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung Country. Listen, learn, dance and celebrate to the sounds of Darebin's finest Indigenous artists, featuring a live performance by rising soul star Kee'ahn, and electric DJs set by renowned creative presence Soju Gang, multi-talent ex-Willow Beats creative DJ KYAANZ and Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri and Walkandi-Woni woman SOVBLKPSSY.

Visuals on the night will be provided by Yorta-Yorta multidisciplinary artist Moorina Bonini.

The event, held in the Courtyard of Darebin Arts Centre, will run from 5:30pm - 10pm and is a free all ages event (persons under 18 must attend with a Parent or Guardian). Seating is available, and the venue is wheelchair accessible. COVID safety measures will be in place for the event, and pre-registration is required for capacity reasons and contact tracing.

 

KEE'AHN - PERFORMER

Image credit: Michael Jalaru Torres

2020 was a huge debut year for rising music star Kee'ahn. Releasing her debut single in the middle of the Covid lockdown in late May 2020 was always going to be a challenge but this songstress from the tropics of Far North QLD rose to the occasion and surpassed all expectations with her soulful track Better Things. The single almost immediately thrust her into the Australian music psyche with its message becoming a mantra for many struggling through the challenges of lock down and a changed world.


Effortlessly blending the sounds of soul, R&B and pop throughout her music, Kee'ahn weaves lush melodies and words reminiscent of heartbreak and healing. Her rich vocals and hopeful lyrics champion the idea that finding strength in our struggles, encourages us to reflect, reinvent, and rejoice in all of our own individual healing journeys.

Kee'ahn is a proud Kuku Yalanji, Jirrbal, Zenadth Kes song woman who has recently ventured from her home town in Far North QLD, to pursue her dream in the Kulin Nation (Melbourne, Australia). With a name coming from the Wik people, meaning to dance, to sing, to play - Kee’ahn aims to honour her name and Ancestors through her soulful music “As a First Nations woman, my connection to music is strong because of my connection to my culture. I come from a long line of disruptors. My matriarchs were told to quieten their voices, but our stories were always shared and heard. My voice and my music allows me to connect to my Ancestors and to my purpose"

SOJU GANG - DJ PERFORMER

Soju Gang is a dj and multi-disciplinary creative from Naarm (Melbourne) who who’s name has become notorious in its nightlife and arts scene. Picking up headphones in 2017 - Soju’s somewhat short career on the decks is packed full of big names, events and artists. She’s graced the stages of Groovin the Moo, Listen Out, Spilt Milk, Strawberry fields, supported artists like Leikeili47, Charlie XCX and JoyRyde, along with being a familiar face at some of the city’s favourite venues. Playing a diverse mix of sounds ranging from hip hop to jersey house, Soju Gang aims to please with her high energy, party mixes.

DJ KYAANZ

Image credit: Kate Ten Buuran, 2020

DJ KYAANZ is the DJ guise of multi-talent Trawlwoolway creative Kalyani Mumtaz. Kalyani’s work as an songwriter (Willow Beats, Kalyani & Isha), composer, arts producer (Arts House), curator and organiser (thismob) has been recognised locally and globally, having performed at Dark Mofo, ACMI, Melbourne Museum, ACMI, WOMAD, Splendour in the Grass, Melbourne Fashion Week, Clockenflap (Hong Kong), and Melbourne International Jazz Festival.

IG: @kalyanimumtaz

SOVBLKPSSY

Image credit: Arika Waulu: Creative Director

SOVBLKPSSY is a sovereign Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri and Walkandi-Woni woman from the Riverland in so-called south australia, currently based in Naarm. Her Dj sets include 90s-now R&B and HipHop, underground club, footwork, and music from her favourite mob artists. 

instagram: @sovblkpssy

 

 

MOORINA BONINI

Image credit: Lucy Forster, 2020

Moorina Bonini is a proud descendant of the Yorta Yorta Dhulunyagen family clan of Ulupna  and the Yorta Yorta and Wurundjeri-Woiwurrung Briggs/McCrae family. Moorina is an artist whose works are informed by her experiences as an Aboriginal and Italian woman. Her practice is driven by a self-reflexive methodology that enables the reexamination of lived experiences that have influenced the construction of her cultural identity. By unsettling the narrative placed upon Aboriginal people as a result of colonisation of Aboriginal Australia, Bonini’s practice is based within Indigenous Knowledge systems and brings this to the fore. 

Moorina holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from RMIT University and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) from the Victorian College of the Arts. Moorina is currently a candidate at Monash University where she is undertaking a Masters of Fine Art within the Wominjeka Djeembana Research Lab. Her work has been exhibited in various shows and galleries such as Ballarat International Foto Biennale, Sydney Festival, Blak Dot Gallery, c3 Contemporary Art Space, Centre for Contemporary Photography, KINGS, SEVENTH Gallery, Bus Projects, Koorie Heritage Trust and Brunswick Street Gallery. Moorina has produced and co-curated art and cultural programs across RMIT University and the University of Melbourne.

Social Media/ Website

IG: https://www.instagram.com/yortayorta_warrior_principessa/

Website: https://www.moorinabonini.com/

 

Event & ticketing details

Accessibility

Wheelchair Access
Gender Neutral Toilets
Auslan Interpreted
Closed Caption

Dates & Times

FUSE Opening Party Friday 12 March - 5.30-10.00pm

Location

Darebin Arts Centre

401 Bell Street, Preston VIC 3072

Get directions

Train

Mernda Line, Bell Station (check for Level Crossing Removal works disruptions)

Tram

Route 11 (stop 40, a further 10 minute walk) / Route 86 (stop 45, a further 10 minute walk)

Bus

Route 513 (Alight at corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road, a further 2 minute walk) Route 903 (Alight at corner of Bell Street and St Georges Road, a further 2 minute walk)

Event notes

Event Notes

In the case of inclement weather, an alternative venue will be announced.

Darebin Art Centre's front entrance and carpark will be available for use. (The COVID testing facility will not be in operation on the night of this event.)

Presented By