Czech and Slovak Newsletter - March 2012

Dear friend,

Welcome to the March issue of your newsletter, which is just one of the activities of the VodaFest-Czech and Slovak Association, the main one being the Czech and Slovak Festival that took place a few weeks ago.

In this issue:

• VodaFest 2012
• Easter Craft Workshop at Sumava
• Easter Dinner Dance at Laverton
• Pork Festival "Zabijacka" at Koliba
• Ander z Kosic in Australia

VodaFest 2012

With more luck weather-wise this time, in whopping 38°C,  people were enjoying themselves with a glass of cold Czech beer in one hand and a delicious meal or dessert in the other. The streamlined program full of amazing performers on one stage, extended beer selection, covered beer garden area and outsourced parking management all contributed to the true festival atmosphere. A huge Thank You goes out to over 300 paying visitors, 60 performers, 50 volunteers, countless children, festival partners and countrymen associations that made the event possible and successful once again!

For updates, pictures, a video and feedback, like us at http://www.facebook.com/VodaFest First batch of pictures is also available at our website at http://vodafest.org/gallery-list

Easter Craft Workshop at Sumava

Date: Saturday 24. March from 2pm
Location: Sumava Peksa Park, 46 Locks Way, Belgrave South VIC

The Australian Slovaks' Association in Victoria invite you to the Easter craft workshop with Morena offering parade. Come along and try one of the traditional techniques of egg decorating, Easter whip weaving or try to make a figure of the Slavic goddess and join the Morena offering parade . An egg and spoon race of family teams is also on program.

Entry fee is $5 per person, $10 per family. Bring eggs or egg shells to decorate and an Easter themed food platter to share. Tea, coffee and cordial will be provided.

Easter Dinner Dance at Laverton

Date: Sunday 8. March from 7pm
Location: Slovak House, 105 Triholm Ave, Laverton VIC

The Slovak Social and Cultural Club "Ludovit Stur" Inc. are having their traditional Easter dinner dance in the Slovak House on Easter Sunday night.

Pork Festival "Zabijacka" at Koliba

Date: from Friday 13. April 5pm to Sunday 15. April 10pm
Location: Koliba Czech and Slovak Restaurant, 11 Johnston St, Collingwood VIC

After the second instance of the now traditional European Beer Fest, which took place just last weekend, Koliba is heading your way with another event, the Pork Festival "Zabijacka"! Czech beer at $6 a pint, pork specials on offer throughout the weekend and live music each night.

Most importantly, though -- on Saturday, 14. April, Koliba opens at noon to start a whole pig on a spit going for you for later that night! You know you don't want to miss that!

Ander z Kosic in Australia

Date: Friday 27. April - Satuday 5. May
Location: Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney

After the visit of two Slovak folk dance groups from Vojvodina earlier this year, just a few weeks after the Slovak band IMT Smile's East coast mini-tour, and a number of successful concerts of the Czech singer Lenka Filipova, get ready for yet another performer to tour Australia!

Great fun in a unique Slovak show with the legendary folk cabaret star, anecdote-teller and humorist Ander z Kosic, accompanied by the singers duo Sarm. To find the performance closest to you, here's the full tour itinerary:

• Melbourne: Friday 27. April from 8pm at the National House, North Melbourne VIC
• Melbourne: Saturday 28. April from 7pm at the Slovenian Church Hall, Kew VIC
• Adelaide: Sunday 29. April from 6:30pm at St. John Bosco Church Hall, Brooklyn Park SA
• Brisbane: Tuesday 1. May from 8pm at Polonia Club, Milton QLD
• Sydney: Friday 4. May from 7pm at the Slovak Church Hall, Lidcombe NSW
• Sydney: Saturday 5. May from 7pm at the RSL Club, North Ryde NSW