The Koorie Night Market is held at the Peninsula Community Theatre and is more of an event than just a market. It runs on the occasional Saturday
(see website for dates) and starts at 4pm and goes until 8pm.
The Koorie Night Market, with indigenous stall holders, digderidoo lessons, dance and craft workshops, childrens activities and great stalls, has been successfully running for now since 2008.
Its a market that is unique in its style and is uniquely Koorie. The word
Koorie means people in some indigenous languages of the Eastern part of Australia. Not all indigenous people in Australia use the word Koorie to describe their people, yet many indigenous groups have chosen to use this as a word when refering to their people.
This travelling market is on at different locations over 2011 and is a celebration of indigenous arts and culture. As each stall is run by an artisan, you are meeting the people who create the art. Having a "one on one experience with the artisans," is part of the objective says Sharon David, Operations Manager for the KNM inc. "They are all Koorie and are there to share with you a touch of their rich culture and heritage."
Try out a music or dance workshop, have a taste of traditional foods or you might like to learn the digeridoo. All age groups are encouraged to take part. There are free childrens activities and it is an alcohol and drug free event. Meet some of the artisans, have a bite to eat and immerse yourself in the
Koorie Night Market.
The creation of a Darebin indigenous working party, the markets now work as a "powerful vehicle to increase indigenous partcipation in the local economy, enhance cultural identity and raise the profile of indigenous people within the city of Darebin and beyond."
The KNMs not only provides a business incubator for Koorie artisans, but are a great social and community event that may introduce you to some aspects of indigenous culture that you havent experienced before. Surprisingly, Sharon says, this has been for some Anglo Australians, the 'first time they have interacted personally with indigenous people.'
Upcoming markets include -
Sat 02 Apr - KNM - Mornington
Sat 23 Apr - KNM - Mildura
Sat 07 May - KNM - Broadmeadows
For more details, go to the
Koorie Night Market website.
