Culture

The Joan's Q Theatre has recently built a table, a long table, and over the next three months, three artists are curating a month's worth of activities around the Long Table for the public to enjoy.

Kicking off this autumn, Long Table is curated by leaders from local CALD, LGBTQI+ and First Nations, communities with the view of to creating a space for discussion, celebration and reflection on their diasporic culture and relationship to Western Sydney.

Each month will feature panels, parties, workshops, catch ups, cups of tea and will culminate in a final night-time gathering filled with art, food and drink. The doors are open, the tickets are free, RSVP online at www.qtheatre.com.au for details.

"The Long Table welcomes new audiences and regular attendees to take their seat at the table and connect with community, friends, food, performance and Q Theatre," said Nick Atkins, Project Director.

The curator of April's events is Writer, Director, Producer and Actor Vonne Patiag. Titled HOMELAND, Vonne's month of activities will focus on culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities and features:

• Podcast Workshop: An audio podcast workshop with Sheila Pham (ABC Radio), who will share her skills to provide artists/public an opportunity to work on audio/verbals cultural and inter-generational memoirs. Thursday 4th of April 10.30 - 12.30pm.
  
• Play Reading: A play-reading of Miranda Aguilar's play Let Me Know When You Get Home, a new play about a queer/ethnic intersectional coming-out story set in Western Sydney. Wednesday 10th of April 7pm - 9pm.
  
• Cultural Dinner: A host of CALD artists from Western Sydney will come together to discuss their artistic and business practices, and envisage the burgeoning cultural landscape of Western Sydney. Monday 15th of April 7pm - 9pm.
  
• Party: Join Q Theatre to celebrate all things CALD, with performances, music, and most importantly, food! Wednesday 24th of April 6.30pm - 9pm

Of the program, Vonne Patiag said "I see The Long Table as an opportunity for CALD artists and community to gather in a space not often seen as public-facing. Western Sydney is a particular region where diverse cultural groups seemingly exists side by side, and it's important to activate communal spaces where there can be a cross-pollination of ideas and experiences."

May's Long Table program will be curated by LGBTQI+ artist Bhenji Ra while June's program will be curated by Dharug,Dharawal-Muringal-Baragal artist Vanessa Possum. Check out www.qtheatre.com.au for updates to their program of events in the coming weeks.

The Long Table project is made possible thanks to the support of Create NSW and the Western Sydney Strategic Opportunities Fund.