BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//National Multicultural Festival - ECPv6.17.4.1//NONSGML v1.0//EN CALSCALE:GREGORIAN METHOD:PUBLISH X-WR-CALNAME:National Multicultural Festival X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au X-WR-CALDESC:Events for National Multicultural Festival REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H X-Robots-Tag:noindex X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:Australia/Sydney BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20250405T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20251004T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20260404T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20261003T160000 END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD TZOFFSETFROM:+1100 TZOFFSETTO:+1000 TZNAME:AEST DTSTART:20270403T160000 END:STANDARD BEGIN:DAYLIGHT TZOFFSETFROM:+1000 TZOFFSETTO:+1100 TZNAME:AEDT DTSTART:20271002T160000 END:DAYLIGHT END:VTIMEZONE BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T193000 DTSTAMP:20260129T042117Z CREATED:20260129T033611Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T042117Z UID:10000150-1770397200-1770406200@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:Music in Exile Showcase DESCRIPTION:Get ready for a musical journey with Music in Exile\, where artists from Brazil to Eritrea\, Zambia and beyond share their stories through sound. Each performer is deeply connected to their community and celebrates their cultural lineage with heart and energy. With an ethos centred on respect\, agency and artist-led creativity\, Music in Exile supports every performance to a celebration of identity and connection. Audiences can expect soulful melodies\, irresistible beats and a warm\, uplifting atmosphere. \nPROGRAM\n5PM – Shewita\n6PM – Sakaal\n7PM – Alcides Neto \nShewita\nHailing from Eritrea but bred in nipaluna/Hobart\, Shewita is a singer-songwriter defying the expectations of what it means to be a musician today.\nRaised on R&B and soul\, her music pays homage to the genre’s greats from the early 2000s\, while reflecting the gospel\, funk and electronic influences she was exposed to in her formative years. Shewita is set to release her debut EP Canvas in the coming months\, produced by one of Australia’s most sought-after musicians Jake Amy. At the festival\, she will be performing with the incredible Ebs Daramola on drums. \nSakaal\nBorn in Kabwe\, Zambia and based in Canberra\, Australia\, SAKAAL is an R&B and soul artist whose music bridges worlds — blending emotion\, melody\, and truth. Rooted in her Southern African heritage\, she weaves stories of love\, growth\, and self-discovery through smooth vocals and raw vulnerability.\nFrom winning Pass the Mic Canberra and performing at the Sydney grand finale\, to headlining her first show City Soul and curating a show where listeners come into a space and feel at home with an artists sound a show called Lounge room Sessions was birthed\, SAKAAL continues to carve her lane with authenticity and heart. Her sound is where soul meets modern R&B — music that isn’t just heard\, but deeply felt. \nShewita\nHailing from Eritrea but bred in nipaluna/Hobart\, Shewita is a singer-songwriter defying the expectations of what it means to be a musician today.\nRaised on R&B and soul\, her music pays homage to the genre’s greats from the early 2000s\, while reflecting the gospel\, funk and electronic influences she was exposed to in her formative years. Shewita is set to release her debut EP Canvas in the coming months\, produced by one of Australia’s most sought-after musicians Jake Amy. At the festival\, she will be performing with the incredible Ebs Daramola on drums. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/music-in-exile-showcase/ CATEGORIES:Contemporary Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Music-In-Exile-1.png END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T190000 DTSTAMP:20260129T034730Z CREATED:20260129T034730Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T034730Z UID:10000202-1770397200-1770404400@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:Bellydance Showcase DESCRIPTION:A long‑loved favourite of the National Multicultural Festival\, the Bellydance Showcase brings colour\, energy and cultural pride to the stage. With stunning costumes\, lively music and performers from a diverse\, inclusive community\, the showcase celebrates the many styles of bellydance from across the MENAHT region. For community members who cannot dance publicly due to cultural or religious reasons\, this performance offers meaningful representation and connection. Radiant\, rhythmic and always a crowd‑pleaser\, the Bellydance Showcase invites audiences into a world of tradition\, artistry and joyful celebration. \nPROGRAM \n5:00PM – Opening formalities\n5:03PM – Sapphire Bellydance\n5:13PM – Ghawazee Moon Folk Dancers\n5:24PM – Bellyup Bellydancers\n5:36PM – Bellyup Tribal\n5:47PM – Ghawazee Moon Dancers\n5:57PM – Shakshuka\n6:01PM – Harika\n6:04PM – Shakshuka\n6:13PM – Quake\n6:25PM – Talasim of Canberra Dance Theatre\n6:29PM – Bellyup Toupe\n6:41PM – Talasim of Canberra Dance Theatre\n6:45PM – Thankyou and closing remarks\n6:47PM – Bana Amar URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/bellydance-showcase/ CATEGORIES:Dance & Movement ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Bellydance-Showcase-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T180000 DTSTAMP:20260129T034448Z CREATED:20260129T034448Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T034448Z UID:10000185-1770397200-1770400800@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:Sicilian Sydney Folk Ensemble DESCRIPTION:Scupriri means “to discover” — and this performance invites audiences to uncover a Sicily far beyond the clichés. The Sicilian Sydney Folk Ensemble brings the island’s rich cultural tapestry to life through the driving rhythms of tarantella and pizzica\, soulful serenatas and stories shaped by centuries of Greek\, Arab\, North African\, Norman and Spanish influence. With traditional instruments\, live demonstrations and expressive performances\, the ensemble celebrates a living heritage full of colour\, passion and poetry. Expect electrifying music\, heartfelt storytelling and a journey deep into the soul of the Siciliano language. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/sicilian-sydney-folk-ensemble/ CATEGORIES:Cultural Showcases ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Sicilian-Sydney-Folk-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T174500 DTSTAMP:20260129T034545Z CREATED:20260129T034545Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T034545Z UID:10000193-1770397200-1770399900@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:Fifth of Nisan DESCRIPTION:Fifth of Nisan is a seven-piece powerhouse blending Eastern European klezmer with jazz\, pop\, and world music for an electrifying sound. Hypnotic trumpet lines\, virtuosic clarinet solos\, and haunting violin melodies weave through infectious dance grooves\, driven by a dynamic rhythm section. Their repertoire spans traditional tunes\, original compositions\, and bold reinventions—each performance bursting with energy\, creativity\, and chutzpah. Get ready to clap\, dance\, and celebrate as Fifth of Nisan transforms the stage into a vibrant\, multicultural party! URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/fifth-of-nisan/ CATEGORIES:Contemporary Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Fifth-of-Nisan-1.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T174500 DTSTAMP:20260201T093356Z CREATED:20260129T034531Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260201T093356Z UID:10000190-1770397200-1770399900@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association: Unique Chinese Traditional Instrumental Music DESCRIPTION:The ACT Chinese Women Cultural Association presents a captivating showcase of traditional Chinese instrumental music\, led by renowned Xiao flute player Mr Ronal Wang. Joined by a talented ensemble\, the group will demonstrate a range of iconic instruments—including the Xiao\, bamboo flute\, Gourd Sheng and Guzheng—each bringing its own rich sound and cultural story. Audiences will be treated to a serene and expressive performance that highlights the elegance\, history and artistry of Chinese music. It’s a rare opportunity to experience these beautiful instruments live and immerse yourself in centuries‑old musical tradition. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/act-chinese-women-cultural-association/ CATEGORIES:Activities & Workshops ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/ACT-Chinese-Women-Cultura-Association-Workshop-1.jpeg-scaled.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T173000 DTSTAMP:20260129T034049Z CREATED:20260129T034049Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T034049Z UID:10000176-1770397200-1770399000@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:National Multicultural Festival Opening Ceremony DESCRIPTION:The National Multicultural Festival Opening Ceremony brings together performance\, poetry and community reflection to celebrate the strength and diversity of Canberra’s multicultural community. Audiences are invited to take part in the Multicultural Ribbon Tree\, adding messages of hope\, unity and cultural pride to create a living artwork. The ceremony also features an address from the Minister for Multicultural Affairs\, reflecting on the importance of diversity\, social cohesion and our shared future — setting the tone for a meaningful and uplifting festival weekend. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/national-multicultural-festival-opening-ceremony/ CATEGORIES:Headliners & Special Events ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Holding-Image.jpg.jpg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T173000 DTSTAMP:20260131T091249Z CREATED:20260129T034046Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260131T091249Z UID:10000172-1770397200-1770399000@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:Glow & Tell DESCRIPTION:Placing children at the centre of this engaginginteractive experience\,Glow & Tell blends the magic oflight and the simplicity of storytelling.Using UV light in a custom-built tent\, the classroom istransformed into a magical performance space wherestories and imagined worlds come alive as glowingdrawings appear on the walls and floor.Following the performance\, students are invited to createand illustrate their own stories in glowing UV light.EachGlow & Tellstory is created by one of our artists whoshare unique stories exploring themes of family and culture. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/glow-tell/ CATEGORIES:Activities & Workshops,Kids & Families ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Glow-Tell-1-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT DTSTART;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T170000 DTEND;TZID=Australia/Sydney:20260206T173000 DTSTAMP:20260129T033618Z CREATED:20260129T033618Z LAST-MODIFIED:20260129T033618Z UID:10000156-1770397200-1770399000@www.multiculturalfestival.com.au SUMMARY:String to String DESCRIPTION:String to String is a unique musical collaboration that bridges cultures through the universal language of music. Featuring Iris\, an accomplished Chinese guzheng performer\, and Dan\, a professional Vietnamese musician specialising in traditional instruments like the bamboo xylophone and harp\, the duo creates a rich tapestry of sound. Their performances blend East and West\, tradition and innovation—combining classical Chinese melodies with Vietnamese folk tones and modern arrangements. From soulful solos to intricate ensemble pieces\, String to String celebrates cultural heritage while exploring new musical horizons. Audiences are invited to experience a vibrant dialogue that transcends borders and generations. URL:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/performer/string-to-string/ CATEGORIES:Contemporary Music ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.multiculturalfestival.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/String-to-String-1-scaled.jpeg END:VEVENT END:VCALENDAR