Melbourne’s city centre is set to pulse with rhythm, movement and flavour when Mousiqa Bil Madina takes over Fed Square on Saturday 9 May. The free, all-ages event invites locals to experience a rich showcase of Arabic music, arts and culture right in the heart of the city.
Presented by Fed Square and Habibi Hafla, Mousiqa Bil Madina will transform the iconic public space into a vibrant meeting point, celebrating Southwest Asian and North African culture through live performances, food, workshops and interactive experiences.
Curated by Lebanese Australian DJ and producer MzRizk, the program blends traditional and contemporary sounds. Audiences can expect everything from the emotive oud and tarab stylings of Abou Saleh of Bayt Saleh to the genre-bending energy of Melbourne ensemble Kazaband, known for fusing Arabic musical forms with jazz, funk and global influences.
Dance will also take centre stage, with Yallateef! delivering high-energy Dabke performances rooted in Levantine tradition. Performer Laila Shouha will bring her interpretation of Raqs Sharqi to the Square, reflecting Syrian, Egyptian and Levantine styles, while a lively Zaffe will invite the crowd to join in celebration alongside traditional drums and flute.
Live music continues with Sawa Music Band, led by vocalist Georges El Mir, reimagining classic Arabic songs with groove-driven arrangements that connect generations.
Beyond the stage, visitors can dive into hands-on experiences including backgammon with Tawle in Naarm, embroidery workshops by Dukkana, henna art by Lamia and a pop-up photo studio by Ayman Kaake. Food will be a highlight too, with favourites like A1 Bakery, Mamma’s Gozleme and O’KAHVE serving up delicious bites and coffee throughout the day.
MzRizk will close out the festival alongside singer-songwriter Jacinta Elarmaly, bringing her signature sound to a fitting finale.
“Mousiqa Bil Madina is a curated showcase of Arabic arts and culture that brings together music, dance and cultural practice rooted in both history and lived experience. It’s about creating space for our communities to see themselves reflected in public, and for audiences to engage with the depth and diversity of these traditions in a meaningful way. For me, this work is about integrity, visibility and continuing to platform artists whose practices are grounded in tradition and shaped by contemporary perspectives.”
For the full Mousiqa Bil Madina program, head to https://fedsquare.com/events/mousiqa-bil-madina
