African Music & Cultural Festival 2023

This past weekend, The Huddle and North Melbourne Football Club were honoured to sponsor a 10th straight African Music and Cultural Festival. As in previous years, we enthusiastically brought the sport, and over 35 African countries and communities generously contributed music, food, fashion, film, dance, and art to the spring event. It was lively, full of feel-good moments, and particularly memorable in 2023.

Many of our friendly staff were on-hand at Federation Square over these three days, facilitating an AFL skills-themed inflatable for young and old as well as a ‘Roo Squad Spin to Win,’ where participants had the chance to win a slew of great Kangaroos prizes. While all were enjoying the sun and fun, it was Kanga, the much-loved club mascot, who put the biggest smiles on faces in our area.

The African Music and Cultural Festival also presented an opportunity for us to further cement and build on several of The Huddle’s key tenets – proudly learning, growing, and belonging in a city that privileges understanding, unity, respect, education, and cross-cultural awareness. Locals and visitors alike were treated to live performances on the main stage, in addition to African street food and market stalls along the Yarra, all with these values in mind.

Both The Huddle and North Melbourne Football Club were equally humbled to receive a Service Award at the weekend, acknowledging our ongoing support of this inclusive and spirited annual event. We would like to extend a big thank you to Fred Alale AM, Gary Lee OAM, and the whole team at the African Music and Cultural Festival for having us along for the ride for the past 10 years. It continues to be both a joy and huge privilege.