West Express 2010

The fourth successful instalment, Timothy Ly's brainchild has finished for 2010.
Last night at the Jesus Family Centre in Cabramatta, West Express showed the diverse international talents that Cabramatta and Fairfield can muster. Although no clear political patronage, Dail Le and Thomas Dang were excited audience members. It is good that the Liberal Party has persons interested in these cultural events. It shows they are connected with our suburbs in ways the dysfunctional ALP are not. In many ways, the ALP are a powerful force in these neighborhoods, and the demographics are changing but they won't change to reject the ALP, so much as include a plurality. A vote for the Libs is not a rejection of ALP peoples, but an affirmation of the best parts of the neighborhood. In many ways, the leadership of the ALP has rejected the neighborhood. Or maybe the reason why Lalich wasn't there was because he wasn't giving a speech.
The outside of the performance space was decorated with art from many people including Timothy Ly (Good work Tim!!) and Marie Setiawan. There was an in house refreshment area with home cooked (looking professional and tasting better) cupcakes and cookies.
The entertainment began with the Cabramatta Crew, a substantial number of dancers from Cabramatta HS's junior years. Then Joshua (a student from an international music school) brilliantly performed two numbers from Sondheim. Another two from the international music school did some spanish flamenco which might have been sung in Basque. Jack compered a bit, and didn't do his moonwalking but showed a few of his humorous clips (after all, Timothy Ly did found Rumble too, and they make such movies). A short intermission and the show continued with Shadale, a 16 yo who sang two original pieces, quite touching and brilliant. She didn't stretch her vocals because she was sick, but she has a lovely voice and she has inherited her dad's fine compositional sense (Dominic being a notable song writer and singer). Another duo performed two piece and gave an encore, but the show stopper was Roxie's movie about her auntie from Cambodia.
The venue can seat comfortably more than 300, and will probably do that next year. It was THAT good.