Cultural dance group seeks new members

YOU may have seen the Bendigo Filipino Cultural Dancers make appearances at the Easter parade and other events around town.

Now the group is seeking to add members to its ranks, and president of the Bendigo Filipino Foundation Maria Gillies is inviting people who might be interested in joining to get in contact.

“What we’re doing is starting to get people to reconnect with our culture,” she said.

“Second-generation [Filipino] Australians and also Australians who might want to experience our culture through dance. It’s open for everybody.

“Sometimes the misconception is that we only want Filipinos, but no, we would like to invite others that would want to experience our dance also.

“The core dancers usually perform at White Night, Harmony Day, and Bendigo Easter Festival.

“They don’t need to perform in public if they are too shy, they can just all come in and enjoy it with us.”

In celebration of the upcoming 125th Anniversary of Philippine Independence, the group will perform as part of celebrations at Springvale Town Hall in suburban Melbourne on 18 June.

The Bendigo dance group will join others from around the state for the event.

“There’ll be some from Geelong, Ballarat; some would be coming in from Shepparton, Swan Hill, and also from all over the Melbourne area so it’s going to be a big event,” said Ms Gillies.

Along with the main performers, the Bendigo Filipino Foundation has groups for children and seniors, and for more information visit bffi.org.au.