Czech and Slovak Newsletter - December 2013

Dear friend,

We hope you are having a great week so far and getting ready for the festive season. Santa is coming soon to town and VodaFest Committee would like to wish you all a joyful and peaceful Christmas and a Happy New Year 2014.

This month VodaFest participated at the Polish Festival at Federation Square. Our team, who picked up the nick name "Blue Team", was introducing to the broader Australian public the Czech and Slovak food specialties such as BBQ cikanska, veal patties, beef goulash and traditional cakes. The menu received a favorable feedback and our team had a great time talking to all the nice people and spreading the word about VodaFest - Czech and Slovak Festival. Thank you to all those who came to support us on the day and to the 15 volunteers who helped at our stall.

Listen to the interview with Katarina Tomka, the president of VodaFest - Czech and Slovak Association about the Polish Festival at SBS Slovak radio.

Sumava Children Playground Opening

On 23 November, VodaFest celebrated the official opening of the Children Playground at Sumava Peksa Park. The playground has been funded from profits of the past VodaFest activities and the cubby house was kindly donated by Masters Home Improvement. It would not become reality without the help of many volunteers who kindly dedicated their time and skills to building an enjoyable piece at Sumava for our youngest generation. We would like to namely thank to Lucka and Paul, Julie and Marty, Misha and Dan, Lucka and Miro, Paula and Blair, Ada and Stevo, Sandra, Anne and all other fantastic people who put their hands on this fantastic project.

Have a look at the photos from the Project Manager - Lucka Skaife about how it all came together.

VodaFest would also like to congratulate to the amateur theater group KUK on their performance of "Pernikova chalupka" which was a great success and enjoyment for children.

Preparations for VodaFest 2014

Date: Saturday, 22. March 2014 from 1pm
Location: Austrian Club Melbourne, 76-90 Sheehan Road, Heidelberg West VIC

As you may already know VodaFest 2014 festival will be held on Saturday, 22. March 2014. The new flyer for the festival has been created thanks to the marketing guru Tereza Hejretova. Check out the VodaFest 2014 flyer and let us know what you think.

The program director Paula Bulakova is putting together a program for VodaFest 2014 and she would love to hear your opinions and thoughts on what you would like to see in the program. You might know a great band or a singer who you would love to see at the festival. Please take this 2 minute survey to help Paula prepare the best program for VodaFest 2014.

    Start the survey

VodaFest is always looking for volunteers for our events so if you are interested to be a part of a great cause just email us and let us know how can you help.

Find out more about:

• VodaFest Committee
• VodaFest Mission
• VodaFest Membership

Here are some other events organised by the Czech or Slovak associations and clubs in Melbourne:

St Nicholas Dinner Dance at Sokol

Date: Saturday, 7. December 2013 from 7pm
Location: National House, 497 Queensberry St, Melbourne VIC

With music for listening and dancing by Studio 4. Entry: $10. Dinner choice of two courses at $20. Reservations at (03) 9551 0279, or 0408 088 167.

ASAV St Nicholas Picnic

Date: Sunday, 8. December 2013 from 11am
Location: Ruffey Lake Park, Doncaster VIC. Entry from The Boulevard.

Australian Slovaks‘ Association in Victoria would like to invite you to St Nicholas picnic... with "special" guests.

Traditional Christmas Lunch at Sokol

Date: Tuesday, 17. December 2013 from 1pm
Location: National House, 497 Queensberry St, Melbourne VIC

Traditional Christmas lunch with turkey, ham, cookies and coffee. Price: $25

New Year's Eve Dinner Dance at Sokol

Date: Tuesday, 31. December 2013 from 8pm
Location: National House, 497 Queensberry St, North Melbourne VIC

Sokol invites you to the traditional New Year's Eve Dinner Dance with live music. Price is $60 including dinner. Make sure to purchase tickets before 5. December. For more info contact Vera Zlaty.

New Year's Ball 2013/14 at the Slovak House

Date: Tuesday, 31. December 2013 from 7:30pm
Location: Slovak House, 105 Triholm Ave, Laverton VIC

Slovak Social & Cultural Association "Ludovit Stur", together for the first time with Cultural Club Novi Sad - Neoplanta, invite you to say goodbye to 2013 and welcome in the new year 2014 with family and friends this New Year's Eve.

Entry: $55, which includes Appetisers, a delicious Main Meal, and a bottle of Champagne per table. "Pera & Pera" are coming down all the way from Sydney, as well as Melbourne-based "Sima Band", will be playing all your favourite tunes from Vojvodina. Local young Slovak musicians will also be performing for your pleasure. Radio Television of Serbia will be filming the event for broadcast!

For bookings contact Tom Peska: 0400 977 729, Kosta Pavlovic: 0402 921 147, Stevan Ivanovic: 0414 953 066.