Arts & Cultural Exchange to Celebrate 40th Anniversary with Landmark Event

Arts & Cultural Exchange (ACE) is set to mark its 40th anniversary with Cosmic Connections, a major showcase event presented by Gili Gatherings on Saturday 22 November, 4:00–10:00 PM at ACE Parramatta. The evening brings together artists, performers, and community to celebrate four decades of creativity, collaboration, and cultural leadership in Western Sydney.

“For 40 years, ACE has been a constellation of creativity, culture and the arts.  A place where cultures meet, stories intertwine, and luminous transformations flourish.” said Anne Loxley, Executive Director at ACE. 

“Cosmic Connections honours this legacy with a stellar program that features 29 brilliant artists. All five of ACE’s program pillars – First Nations, Multicultural Women’s Hub, Youth Engagement, Artists with Disability and Screen Cultures – will combine for an unforgettable gala event, promising a kaleidoscope of music, dance, fashion and storytelling.”

Proud to put First Nations first, the Jannawi Dance Clan & Uncle Chris Tobin will lead a Welcome to Country, setting the stage for performers including Elina Roberts-Turner, Mason Browne, and singer-songwriter Akala Newman (also ACE’s First Nations program advisor) joined by Amy Flannery and the Lost All Sorts Collective for a special premiere song. The new Yapa Mali Fashion collection, a contemporary take on Ngiyampaa traditions, will also be unveiled in a spectacular fashion runway featuring youth models from ACE’s First Nations Still Growingprogram.

The celestial theme of the night will take shape with a hands-on botanical workshop led by artists and storytellers from ACE’s Multicultural Women’s Hub and Youth Engagement programs. A unique journey for all ages, participants will be guided across the night sky through collaborative art-making and sustainable upcycling by the GUL Collective, Paula do Prado and Joyce HX Tang. 

In the Cosmic Cave, guests will experience family-friendly shadow puppetry from Bria McCarthy, and encounter a new exhibition by Natalie Snedden. Meanwhile, the sounds of Samoan hip-hop word warriors Toah & Bluetongue will blaze with stellar energy. 

ACE’s neurodiverse music program Club Weld Attitude will showcase solo pianist Patrick Li and the bluesy tunes of Tua Hunt. 

Finally, select works by local filmmakers will delight and inspire, highlighting ACE’s Screen Cultures pillar.

Audiences can look forward to a night of captivating performances, bold visuals, and heartfelt storytelling, celebrating one of Sydney’s biggest independent arts organisations.

Tickets are $25, with free entry for First Nations. Book now

ACE Cosmic Creations Hero Image, Image credit ACE