Arabic music, dance and culture take over Melbourne's Fed Square for Mousiqa Bil Madina
Presented by Fed Square and Habibi Hafla, Mousiqa Bil Madina (Music in the City) transforms the city centre into a vibrant gathering place for Southwest Asian and North African (SWANA) arts and culture. Expect live music, dance performances, regional food and hands-on workshops, all in one big, free day out.
Curated by Lebanese Australian DJ and producer MzRizk, the program weaves together traditional and contemporary influences from across the region.
Local and interstate artists with musical roots spanning Lebanon, Syria, Egypt and beyond make up the lineup, spotlighting the depth and diversity of SWANA diaspora voices and inviting all Melburnians to connect with stories and creative practices that are very much alive and evolving.
Mousiqa Bil Madina at Fed Square
- Where: Fed Square, Melbourne/Naarm
- When: Saturday, 9 May
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On the music side, Abou Saleh from Bayt Saleh brings emotive oud and tarab, while Melbourne/Naarm-based ensemble Kazaband blend Arabic musical forms with jazz, funk and global sounds.
Melbourne-based Sawa Music Band, fronted by vocalist Georges El Mir, reimagine classic Arabic songs through groove-driven arrangements, and a Zaffe will be performed live with audience participation featuring traditional Arabic drums and flute.
MzRizk closes the festival out with her signature Arabic rhythms alongside Lebanese-Egyptian Australian singer-songwriter Jacinta Elarmaly, a fitting end from someone who has performed everywhere from Glastonbury to Beirut to New York.
Dance is a big part of the day too. Collective Yallateef! bring high-energy Dabke rooted in Levantine folk tradition, and local Raqs Sharqi performer Laila Shouha, brings a joyful, considered interpretation of Arabic dance to the square, drawing on her Syrian background, and Egyptian and Levantine styles.
Beyond the performances, a solid lineup of games and workshops runs throughout the day. Tawle in Naarm is running backgammon, Dukkana has an off-cuts and scrap embroidery workshop, there’s henna by Lamia, and a pop-up photo studio by Ayman Kaake. Food and coffee comes courtesy of A1 Bakery, Mamma’s Gozleme, Afiouni Sweets and Pastries, Kaneffi and O’KAHVE.
Mousiqa Bil Madina is free, family-friendly and open to everyone, a genuine community showcase of Arabic arts in the heart of the city.
For more information, head here.
This article was made in partnership with Fed Square.
