Eclectic line up announced for Fusion 15 multicultural festival

31 August 2015

For immediate release

Eclectic line up announced for Fusion15 multicultural festival

Hip hop from Western Sydney via India and a businessman who likes to boogie?

It can only be Wagga Wagga’s multicultural street festival, Fusion15.

The Civic Centre Precinct will burst to life on Saturday 17 October with a diverse line up of performers ready to entertain the Wagga community and visitors alike.

Headlining Fusion15 are Sikh-inspired rapper L-FRESH The LION, the eclectic Mojo Juju, world music collective Reflejos Musique and one-man flash mob The Dancing Accountant.

Fusion15 will form part of national tours for both Mojo Juju and L-FRESH The LION, who will be kicking off his 11-show tour at the Wagga festival.

“I’m excited to be performing at Fusion15 this year,” L-FRESH said.

“It’s my first time playing in Wagga and will be a great way to kick off my national tour and play some new music live for the very first time.”

Having grown up in regional NSW, Mojo Juju knows the value of bringing national acts to country areas.

“For me there is something particularly special about being able to stop and play music in smaller cities and towns, instead of just passing through,” Mojo said.

“I get really excited about reconnecting with those parts of the country.”

The Dancing Accountant first appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Australia in 2009 and despite being told to stick to accountancy, has been bringing his contagious moves to festivals around the country.

“I will be looking over Wagga Wagga City Council's accounts for them in October and I’m looking forward to getting out of the office and getting down to the sounds of L-FRESH The LION, Mojo Juju and Reflejos Musique at Fusion15 - it will be the perfect fusion of awesome (their music) and awkward (my dancing),” he said.

More than 10,000 people from across the region attended last year’s Fusion festival and Council’s Director Environmental and Community Services Janice Summerhayes said the 2015 event is shaping up to be the biggest yet.

“Fusion is about celebrating the food, music, art and cultures that mix together to make our community unique and liveable,” she said.

“Along with this impressive line-up of acts from around the country, Fusion15 will again showcase our local talent.”

Expressions of interest for community performers and food stalls closed on 24 August, with a broad range of residents and businesses making submissions.

This year’s festival will again feature eclectic performances, mouth-watering food and pop-up shops. There will also be roving performers and free interactive creative art activities for the young and young at heart.

Fusion15 will be held on Saturday, 17 October from 4pm to 9pm in the Civic Centre Precinct. For more information about this year’s festival, visit wagga.nsw.gov/fusion.

Fusion15 is proudly funded and presented by Wagga Wagga City Council and Multicultural NSW in partnership with Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga, Riverina Community College and St Vincent de Paul Society NSW.

Performers

L-FRESH The Lion: l-fresh.com

L-FRESH The LION is renowned for his powerful presence, inspiring live shows and thought-provoking hip hop lyrics.

In a short space of time, this Western Sydney artist has gone from underground community events and ciphers to national tours and major festivals.

Inspired by the soulful movement in US hip hop of the late 1990s/early 2000s, and the love and respect for his own cultural and ancestral roots of the Sikhs from Panjab, India, L-FRESH is an artist like no other.

Having signed to legendary Australian hip-hop label Elefant Traks in 2015, L-FRESH The LION has big plans for the year ahead.

Contact: Big Tree Artists – admin@bigtreeartists.com, 9572 6322

Mojo Juju: mojojuju.net

Mojo Juju is 5'3" of wisecracking, sass-mouthing, jump-jiving attitude wrapped up in a zoot suit and propped up on a Cuban heel.

A dynamic vocalist, entertainer and songwriter who is difficult to pigeonhole, Mojo is versatile and unafraid to challenge the boundaries of genre and style.

In 2012, she released her eponymous debut solo album, gaining four and five-star reviews.

A seasoned touring act and a natural showman, Mojo has been selling out national headline tours as well as opening for acts such as Tony Joe White (USA), Reverend

Horton Heat (USA), Kitty, Daisy & Lewis (UK) and Imelda May (UK).

Contact: 123agency – info@123agency.com.au, 1300 590 787

Reflejos Musique: reflejosmusique.com

Melbourne-based outfit Reflejos Musique take audiences on a captivating journey through South America and central and eastern Europe.

Their sound beats with a Latin heart, but is peppered with gypsy and European folk influences that will stir the soul and leave you wanting more.

They are a collective of Melbourne's finest musicians, led by singer and composer, Bonnie Smith, Chilean percussionist Luis Escudero and flautist Michael OConnor. Joining the trio are a varying ensemble of virtuosic musicians on guitar, double bass, drums, and an interchanging line-up that includes trumpet, violin, percussion, charango, and more.

Reflejos have travelled extensively through South America, Turkey, Bulgaria, France, Spain, Croatia and Serbia.

Contact: Claudine Edwards – claudineedwards@yahoo.com.au, 0431 218 298

The Dancing Accountant: dancingaccountant.net

Accountant. Dancer. One-man flash mob.

He's a mild-mannered accountant who bursts spontaneously into dance at the drop of a briefcase.

The Dancing Accountant first appeared on So You Think You Can Dance Australia in 2009, but since then he's been taking requests on his YouTube channel and popping up all over the place.

He has danced up a storm at Groovin the Moo, Big Day Out, Splendour in the Grass and he’s looking forward to cutting a rug with you at Fusion15.

The Dancing Accountant: Bringing awkward dancing to festivals everywhere.

Contact: badatmaths@gmail.com, 0423 283 281

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Contact Josh Lang 6926 9190/0437 385 892 or media@wagga.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Twitter - @WaggaCouncil