THE Canberra Multicultural Fringe will have a distinct Queanbeyan flavour this year with local talents Omar Musa, hip hop group Stik n Move and contemporary folk band No Hausfrau all included on the bill.
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The acts will be part of a new-look Canberra Multicultural Fringe which promises "risk taking" art with a multicultural focus in the form of music, performances, games, workshops, parties and events.
Director Chenoeh Miller says Queanbeyan is "pumping out the talent" so it's only natural to open the floor to acts from this side of the border.
"Seeing as Queanbeyan is our neighbour, it seems that anyone from Queanbeyan we would still consider to be local," she said.
"Certainly from the perspective of a festival director, Queanbeyan is pumping out a lot of good artists.
"Stik n Move for example, it's a great privilege to have them ... it's not often you see an indigenous act as part of a main program. They're usually included in things like indigenous showcases."
The Canberra Multicultural Fringe coincides with the ever popular National Multicultural Festival and will run from February 13 - 15.
The Canberra Multicultural Fringe will be spread across six venues throughout the City: Fringe Central, The Phoenix Pub, Canberra Theatre Centre, Canberra Museum and Gallery, NewActon and Smith's Alternative.
Ms Miller hopes to expose local audiences to something a little bit left of centre.
"It's a bit of a local art challenge to create something that is multicultural and unique. It's not something you would necessarily see on a Friday night out in Canberra," she said.
"Fortunately, culture is really strong in what these artists create. They have all really risen to the challenge of making something culturally unique."
Former-Queanbeyan resident Alice Cottee of No Hausfrau has learnt a number of Cornish songs to perform at the festival. An exit from the band's usual folk songs, the material is in recognition of Ms Cottee's Cornish ancestry.
While, Deadly Award-winning duo Stik n Move's work will centre on indigenous culture and author Omar Musa will speak about his experience growing up in Queanbeyan as an Australian-Malaysian.
The Canberra Multicultural Fringe will be held from February 13 - 15. For more information visit www.multiculturalfestival.com.au.
