The community is invited to a special afternoon of music, memories and connection when La Seconda Gioventù (The Second Youth) Choir presents a special free concert at Fremantle Town Hall on Friday 6 November, from 1pm to 3pm (doors open 12.30pm).
Presented as part of Seniors Week, this heartwarming event will celebrate the stories, talents and cultural heritage of older Italian migrants through music, connection and community. The iconic Town Hall will be transformed into a welcoming concert venue, offering an inclusive and enjoyable experience for all attendees.
Based at InCasa Aged Care and Community Services and led by ECU researcher Dr Simone Marino, the choir brings together up to 50 members, many of whom migrated to Australia in the 1950s and 1960s. Singing in Italian and regional dialects, choir members will share songs that reflect their heritage, life journeys and enduring connection to their places of origin. The program also supports family carers by fostering connection and shared experiences.
The choir forms part of Dr Marino’s broader work exploring how music, storytelling and culturally meaningful engagement can support wellbeing, identity, dignity and social connection among older migrants, including people living with dementia.
More than a performance, the concert highlights the power of community in promoting wellbeing, reducing social isolation and fostering a sense of belonging. For many members, singing together provides an opportunity to reconnect with language, cultural identity, memories and relationships.
La Seconda Gioventù is more than a choir: it is a space where culture, memory and community come together. Through singing together, members become active participants rather than passive recipients of aged care, creating moments of connection, recognition and shared joy.
Today, second and third-generation Italian Australians sing alongside their parents, while members living with dementia continue to benefit from the joy and familiarity of music.
Family, friends, carers and community members are invited to attend and celebrate the vibrant voices of this remarkable choir. Through the universal language of song, the event will create opportunities for generations and cultures to connect, building understanding, appreciation and community spirit.
Guests are welcome to bring a sharing platter for afternoon tea.
Friday 6 November | 1-3pm | Fremantle Town Hall
Doors open 12.30pm
Free event | Bookings essential
