Live music, food and culture to combine at Fusion18 on Saturday 20 October

Wagga Wagga’s premier springtime celebration of live music, food and culture is almost here.

The Victory Memorial Gardens and Civic Centre Precinct will come to life on Saturday 20 October for Fusion18, with a crowd of more than 10,000 visitors and locals expected.

Wagga Wagga City Council’s annual multicultural street festival will be headlined by Mama Kin Spender, Oh Mercy, Henry Wagons and Woodes, who will bring an eclectic mix of sounds and styles to a crowd of more than 10,000 people.

“We’ve curated an exciting line-up with some of the country’s most creative and talented performers,” Council’s Director Community Janice Summerhayes said.

“Along with our headliners, there is an exciting program of traditional and contemporary performances by community performers as well as back-to-back DJ sets by perennial festival favourites the Dancing Accountant and Cumbia Massive.”

“Roving performers are always a hit and this year there will be everything from bubbleblowing unicorns to New Orleans-style street music.

“There is a real mix of entertainment and activities for everyone, including fun activities, giant games and more for families, plus a unique drawing table that amplifies your scratches and scribbles.”

The world on a plate

Food lovers will be able to devour authentic and modern street-style bites from 31 countries, making it one of the biggest and most diverse menus on offer at the festival.

Due to the growth and popularity of the World Food Village, it has now moved to Morrow Street along the Victory Memorial Gardens and on Baylis Street across from the Civic Centre.

“From Afghani to Zimbabwean, this year there is a wonderland of international food options on offer in the World Food Village,” Ms Summerhayes said.

“We’ve changed the set up this year following the increase in cuisines on offer and I encourage everyone to grab their picnic rug and chairs, get outside, and have fun with family and friends this weekend.”

Working together to reduce waste

With a crowd of more than 10,000 people, Wagga Wagga City Council and major sponsor Riverina Water County Council (RWCC) are working together to help reduce waste at Fusion18.

‘Riverina Water is excited to be part of Fusion. We’ll be helping our community stay hydrated during the event with fresh and healthy local water at our refill stations,” RWCC General Manager Andrew Crakanthorp said.

“By drinking tap water at Fusion, you’ll help reduce the need for single-use plastic bottles, which can clog up landfill and end up as litter.”

In addition, Council is working towards making Fusion19 free from single-use plastics such as bags, containers and cutlery.

“Fusion has grown to become one of the city’s premier events attracting thousands of people each year,” Ms Summerhayes said. “Large events also generate a large amount of waste and we are working to reduce that through introducing biodegradable or compostable cutlery and containers in 2019 as well having green-lid food organics bins at the festival.”

Wagga Wagga-based artist Tricia Harrison’s large-scale installation Ocean of Waste will also be on display at Fusion18 this Saturday. The artwork was created almost entirely out of everyday household waste and draws attention to how litter and rubbish ends up in our waterways.

Full festival program now available

Fusion18 will be held in the Victory Memorial Gardens and Civic Centre Precinct from 4pm to 9.30pm on Saturday 20 October. The full program and festival map are now available online at wagga.nsw.gov.au/fusion.

Fusion18 is presented by Wagga Wagga City Council and made possible by major sponsor Riverina Water County Council, media sponsor The Daily Advertiser, supporting partner Origin Energy and cultural partners the Multicultural Council of Wagga Wagga and Riverina Community College.

FUSION18

When: Saturday 20 October, 4pm to 9.30pm
Where: Civic Precinct (corner of Baylis and Morrow streets)
What: Free multicultural street festival with performances by Mama Kin Spender, Oh Mercy, Henry Wagons and Woodes, plus roving entertainers, DJ sets, kids’ activities, street food and more.
More information: wagga.nsw.gov.au/fusion

HEADLINERS

Mama Kin Spender
Mama Kin Spender is a lightning bolt moment between friends and co-writers, ARIA-nominated Mama Kin, and producer Tommy Spender. It’s a stripped back duo of songs that rattle, roll and tremble, with brooding guitars, primal drums and howling harmonies.

Oh Mercy
Alexander Gow, the Melbournian behind the ARIA Award-winning Oh Mercy, has established himself as an iconic Australian act. At 29, he’s regarded as one of Australia’s most-acclaimed singer/songwriters with a breadth of literary influences and a love of pop hooks.

Henry Wagons
Henry Wagons is the mad professor of song. His fierce intellect was once hurtling toward a career as a philosopher, but was derailed by a record deal. Timeout NYC summed him up as Nick Cave singing the Johnny Cash songbook.

Woodes
Woodes is the moniker for Melbourne-based producer, singer and songwriter, Elle Graham, whose quick ascension into the limelight has caused many a head to turn. She’s on high rotation on triple j and FBi Radio, as well as being a favourite of US actress Emma Roberts.

WHAT’S ON

Entertainment

• Roving performers Stiltuesque, Low Down Riders and Bubble-blowing Unicorns will weave their way through the mountain of picnic blankets and chairs. You will be dancing on the streets to perennial festival favourites The Dancing Account and Cumbia Massive DJ Collective (+ DIY Hi Fi solar-powered rig) as they drop back-to-back DJ sets.

World Food Village

• Devour a menu of authentic and modern street style bites from 31 countries: Afghanistan, Argentina, China, France, Germany, Greece, India, Iraq, Italy, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Myanmar, Netherlands, Nigeria, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Thailand, Turkey, United Kingdom, United States of America, Vietnam & Zimbabwe.

Playspace

• Hone your hand-eye coordination skills with totem tennis, play a round of quoits or tie yourself up in knots in a game of Twister. If it is a battle of the mind you are seeking, challenge friends and family to a game of giant tower blocks or giant Connect Four.

Sound of Drawing

• Polyglot Theatre’s Sound of Drawing brings together textures and technology in soundscape of kids’ own making. On the long, broad drawing table, children wear headphones and hear their scratches, swirls, tapping and scribbles.

Ocean of Waste

• Be sure to check out Wagga Wagga-based artist, Tricia Harrison’s large-scale installation, created almost entirely out of everyday household waste.

Get social

• Use #fusionwagga and #visitwagga on social media, or try out the Fusion18 geofilter on Snapchat

FESTIVAL PROGRAM

Victory Memorial Gardens stage
4pm: Wagga Sinhala Language School
4.10pm: Shim Jang Taekwondo Riverina Inc.
4.20pm: Filipino Cultural Dance Troupe
4.30pm: Acholi Cultural Dancers
4.40pm: Alex Iraqi
4.50pm: Shinwa-Kai Karate Club Australia Inc.
5pm: Kooringal High School Dancers
5.10pm: Official welcome
5.20pm: Woodes
6.15pm: Henry Wagons
7.15pm: Oh Mercy
8.30pm: Mama Kin Spender

Civic Forecourt Stage
4.00pm Wagga Filo Band
4.10pm La Chorale Francaise de Wagga Wagga
4.20pm K-Pop Dancers
4.30pm Dinara Piyasiri
4.40pm Burundi Dancers
4.50pm Wagga Sinhala Language School
5.00pm Coota Bollywood All Stars