MAV’s Block Partee
We’re throwing a block party! A celebration of our multicultural communities, creative expression, art and a retrospection of over 50 years of MAV.
Artist Credit: Illustration element by TextaQueen
Celebrate YOU at MAV’s Block Partee!
FREE EVENT
Saturday, 22 February 2025
3PM - 8PM
Melbourne Polytechnic Preston
Student Car Park / Building F
Preston VIC 3070
We’re throwing a vibrant, free celebration of multicultural creativity—honouring the artists, communities, and culture-shapers who make our city thrive. BLOCK PARTEE marks an exciting new chapter at our new headquarters, and you’re at the heart of it.
With PUBLIC OPINION AFRO ORCHESTRA leading the charge, BLOCK PARTEE brings together world-class artists, collectives, and creators for an unforgettable day of music, art, and connection. Expect thought-provoking talks, an open mic poetry slam, creative speed dating, spoken word, visual art, film screenings, family-friendly movement workshops, and so much more.
Full line-up of the program is emerging, see below for more details!
We’re celebrating legacies of stories, creative expression, cultures and art
Through our program RETROSPECTION, we’ve been reflecting on the last 50 years of MAV and the rich archive of stories told by multicultural communities across the continent through the decades. To mark this milestone and MAV’s new headquarters at Melbourne Polytechnic Preston, we've taken over a drab carpark to decorate it with a BLOCK PARTEE— our joyful celebration of connection and expression.
LIVE PERFORMANCES
MAV proudly presents an unforgettable afternoon of live music, showcasing the dynamic voices shaping the future of sound.
The legendary Public Opinion Afro Orchestra delivers their signature blend of pan-African and Australian influences, infusing infectious Afrobeat rhythms, hypnotic extended songs, and conscious lyricism. Their dynamic collaborations honour the genre’s roots while keeping it fresh, urgent, and alive.
ARIA-nominated artist Vida Sunshyne and Solidarity Sound System bring explosive energy with powerful vocals and seamless genre-blending. Their performances fuse hip hop, reggae, and performance art, creating an electrifying experience that captivates every crowd.
Rising star J Verse effortlessly blends hip hop, R&B, and Afrobeats, crafting smooth melodies and infectious rhythms. From busking in Melbourne to landing a coveted Spotify front cover feature, his meteoric rise is turning heads across the industry.
A force in Naarm’s nightlife, Soju Gang commands the decks with a high-energy, genre-defying sound. Her boundary-pushing DJ sets weave together an eclectic mix of beats, drawing every crowd into an unforgettable sonic experience.
Renowned for her genre-fluid style, MzRizk is a Lebanese Australian DJ, radio presenter, and event curator with an unmatched ear for blending cultures through music. A staple in Melbourne’s music scene, she’s played alongside MF Doom, Fatboy Slim, and Sampa The Great—bringing deep storytelling and vibrant energy to every set. At BLOCK PARTEE, she’ll be joined by a special guest for an exclusive performance.
Join us for an electrifying celebration of rhythm, culture, and creative expression—where every beat tells a story and every artist brings their own unique fire to the stage.
RHYMES ‘N’ ROOTS: Celebrating our wordsmiths
Witness the power of words and rhythm when 3x Spoken Word Artists and 3x Rappers battle it out in the showdown of wordsmiths. This is not just a competition, it’s a co-creative space for healing, empowerment and authentic self-expression. A dynamic line-up of local spoken word artists and conscious rappers to be announced shortly!
Hosted by Queen V of Kriyaness, there will also be the chance for people to join the stage in an Open Mic session. Hear voices of community share their truths, fostering inclusivity and connection.
RETROSPECTION: AN EXHIBITION
An exhibition showcasing the artworks commissioned through MAV programs of the past five years. The curation of works captures how artists and creatives on these lands responded to the profound social shifts between 2019 and 2024. Featuring a vibrant array of visual art, music, and screen-based works, the exhibition invites audiences to reflect on the resilience, creativity, and collective experiences that have defined this transformative era.
A program of featured artists will be announced soon.
RETROSPECTION: FILM SHOWCASE
Discover the compelling narratives crafted by some of the most dynamic local filmmakers and storytellers in this region. These are stories that move beyond conventional perspectives, offering unfiltered truths and diverse viewpoints. Now, more than ever, it is essential for Indigenous, Black, and People of Colour to share their stories authentically and on their own terms.
Full program of the 60-minute block to be announced soon.
CREATIVE SPEED DATING
Networking with a twist! These high-energy sessions are designed to spark new collaborations and ideas, connecting culturally diverse creatives to start projects that push the envelope. If you’re a Blak, Black, Indigenous, or person of colour, this is your space to shine. Session 1 is closed to QTBIPOC-identifying folx only.
Spaces are limited! Please click the button below for more details.
MORE TO BE ANNOUNCED SHORTLY
Culturally diverse artisan stallholders and food vendors
Roundtable artist discussions and live podcast
Program schedule
CALLING ALL COMMUNITY BUILDERS AND VOLUNTEERS!
Volunteers play a vital role in bringing this event to life, helping to create a welcoming, inclusive, and joyful atmosphere for the community.
Volunteers will assist in various roles across indoor and outdoor event spaces, traffic management, and pre-event setup. In addition to being part of a dynamic cultural experience, you’ll gain hands-on event management experience, connect with a diverse community, and enjoy perks like training, support, and meals during your shift.
About the artwork:
The original illustration featured in the BLOCK PARTEE Visual ID is by TextaQueen, a multi-genre artist of Goan descent living on unceded Wurundjeri land.
“The long-memoried elephant recalls legacies that live on this unceded land. Their trunk spurts its message drawn from the muddy waters where colonial crowns inevitably sink. As the sun rises, the sky fills with plants indigenous to Wurundjeri and Boon Wurrung country melded with those significant to cultures across Asia and beyond.”
- TextaQueen
TextaQueen
Legacies Meld Here
Coloured pencil and digital drawing
280 x 380 mm
2025
MAV’s BLOCK PARTEE is supported by City of Darebin, Creative Victoria, Creative Australia, Melbourne Polytechnic, Victoria Government and VicHealth’s Future Reset Program.
About Retrospection:
We’re celebrating 50 incredible years of supporting tens of thousands of diverse artists across local, national, and international landscapes. RETROSPECTION is a program that reflects on MAV’s place in the history and context of this land—dedicated to meeting the evolving needs of the creative community here and now. Unbound by time or rigid expectations, MAV is committed to fostering genuine connections and transparent relationships as a community-driven organisation. Together, we move at the speed of trust, imagining and building bold new futures for creatives everywhere.
