Celebrating the harmony and rhythm of local Muslims

• Music from the World of Islam (Saturday 8th September at 7:30pm)
• Contemporary Vibes of Islam (Sunday 9th September at 3:00pm)
• The Magic Horse (Saturday 15th September, 8:00pm)

These concerts will be held at Northcote Town Hall, West Wing (entry via Westbourne Gve). Ticket prices for each of the first two concerts are $15 ($10 concession), and for the third concert is $20 ($15 concession); a festival pass to all three concerts is $45 ($30 concession). See below for more details, or email admin@iced.org.au.

(view some of the artist profiles below)

Artist Profiles

Ustad Khalil Gudaz Khalil Gudaz is one of the most outstanding practitioners of Afghani and Hindustani music in Australia today. He has created a style of Sitar melody which combines Afghani and Indian influences to give the instrument a totally new dimension. He performs the stronger, more rhythmic style of classical Sitar, his fingers moving like a cool gentle breeze, spreading the fragrance of Afghani melodies and Indian Classical music across continents. www.khalilsitar.com

The Brothahood The Brothahood are a group of young Australian Muslim Emcees striving to motivate the Muslim youth of Australia to be proud of their faith in a time when it is needed the most. On the frontline of battling stereotypes against Muslims in the west, they bring about a whole new theme to hip-hop whilst keeping the essence... the message. www.myspace.com/thebruthaz

Shaykh Ibrahim Al Ansari In this performance, internationally acclaimed pianist and composer Shaykh Ibrahim takes us on a narrated journey through music to tell the story of 'The Magic Horse' (a tale related by Idries Shah), about seeking and finding the heart’s desire. Based on the spiritual teachings of the Sufi tradition, Ibrahim’s music merges unexpected elements to open and elevate the heart and spirit. With highly original and sophisticated compositions and stunning improvisations, he brings a new amalgam of Islamic, world and Western music. With Rasheeda Cooper on tabla and world percussion, and Brianne Curran on violin. www.ansarisufiorder.org

Rentak Nusantari A line of dancers create song and rhythm through intricate sets of weaving hands and bodies moving in complex unison. ‘Rentak Nusantari’, are a Melbourne group of Indonesians who first came together to aid victims of the 2004 boxing day Asian tsunami. They perform the ‘Saman’, also known as ‘The Dance of a Thousand Hands’, traditionally a dance to welcome honoured guests.

The Empty Quarter The Empty Quarter was formed by Melbourne based musicians Rasheeda Cooper, Kate Grealy, and Mark Pedersen. The three have a love of world music and mystical poets and decided to bring their influences together to create new sounds. Rasheeda is a classical pianist and tabla player, Mark an electronic musician and Kate a folk singer-songwriter who together create a distinctive, ethereal sound. www.myspace.com/theemptyquarter

You, Me and Everyone New to the stage, this young and captivating duo with Dana Madkhul on vocals and Tim Dunlea on guitar, perform a mixture of acoustic pop, jazz and folk tunes, including their own original material.

(last year's festival details are here)