An orchestra like no other in the world will be one of the major attractions at the 2008 National Multicultural Festival in Canberra from February 8 to 17.
The Al Nour wal Al Amal Orchestra from Egypt is entirely composed of vision-impaired female musicians. It will perform during the festival, including the festival’s gala dinner dance at the Hellenic Club in Woden on February 13.
The dinner dance is presented annually by the Canberra Multicultural Community Forum (CMCF) and Chairman Sam Wong said he was delighted that the orchestra had agreed to be part of the proceedings.
“It is a coup for us as the orchestra’s appearance will further support CMCF’s efforts to make the dinner dance one of the highlights of Canberra’s social year,” he said.
“We always have a theme based on multiculturalism and this year it is Arabian Nights, so everything has fallen into place.”
The Al Nour wal Al Amal Orchestra was established in Cairo more than 40 years ago with the aim of introducing girls to music in a way that would allow them to overcome their disabilities and realise their full musical potential. It began to tour overseas in 1988 and has performed in Austria, Jordan, Kuwait, United Kingdom, Sweden, Turkey, Zaire, Lebanon, the Democratic Republic of Congo and the United States.
Tickets for the Arabian Nights ball are $55 each and bookings can be made at the Hellenic Club on 6281 0899.