The Oasis precinct is about inclusion and providing older Canberrans and their families with an opportunity to enjoy the National Multicultural Festival Food and Dance Spectacular in comfort and dignity. Visitors to the Oasis will enjoy large areas of shade, tables, chairs, free drinking water and a welcoming environment in which to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy some great music.

There will also be some special features for all Festival participants including a free cup of tea – a wonderful communityinitiative provided by the Kindle Cafe and generously sponsored by Lipton’s Tea, Canberra Milk and Frozpak Food Service.

The ANU School of Medicine will be also be on hand to conduct free blood pressure checks and provide medical advice within the Oasis precinct.

The Global Music Showcase will feature a diverse range of music performers from around the world and home-grown talent from the Canberra region.The Spectrum Big Band, a seventeen piece big band featuring the great swing music of the 40’s and 50’s, accompanied by the Swing Katz Dancers, will commence their performance set at 11.00am, from the performance apron, situated at 245 City Walk, at the mid way point of the Oasis precinct.Piano accordion virtuoso, Anton Wurzer will present the first of two solo performances, entitled ‘Songs from around the World’, from 11.45am and later in the afternoon, from 4.10pm.

Visiting American pianist Roy Eaton, who is appearing at the Kosciusko Festival in Jindabyne on 23-24 February, will provide two performances – a selection of ragtime piano classics by Scott Joplin at 12.05pm and a selection of music by Gershwin, Chopin and the jazz compositions by the late Bill Evans from 5.15pm.

Based in New York, Mr Eaton first appeared on stage at Carnegie Hall at 7 years of age. His career has included the Chicago Symphony Orchestra and the New York Pops Orchestra and more recently, appearances at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

The Global Music Showcase will also feature the return of the Borderers to the Multicultural Festival. Regarded as one of the world’s great Celtic folk rock groups, they will perform three electrifying performance sets at 12.45pm, 2.15pm and 4.30pm that are guaranteed to get the feet -a-tapping and the hands-a-clapping, featuring original compositions from their seven award-winning albums and a selection of Irish and Scottish classics. Canberra’s own baby-boomer pop band, Second Movement, led by the legendary Arthur Laing, will perform the hits and memories of the rocking 50’s and 60’s, accompanied by the energetic South Side Rock and Roll Club dancers at 1.35pm and 3.45pm.

The Embassy of the United States will present a performance by The Boyes, Penney, Gosper Trio at 3.00pm, entitled ‘The Blues Gals’, a distinctive roots-orientated sound that will draw upon the traditions of classic era blues, New Orleans Jazz and regional American folk styles and featuring three highly-acclaimed Australian blues musicians - Fiona Boyes on vocals and slide guitar, Dorothy Jane Gosper on harmonica and vocals and Alison Penney on piano and vocals.

The Oasis and the Global Music Showcase are proudly sponsored by the Embassy of the United States, King O’Malley’s Irish Pub, City Labor Club, Canberra Centre, Capital Chemist Group, Canberra CBD Limited, Public Trustee of the ACT, LJ Hooker Commercial, Lipton’s Tea, Frozpak Food Service, Canberra Milk, Radio 2CA, Independent Property Group Tuggeranong, Kosciuszko Festival and the ANU School of Medicine.

For further information, please contact the ACT Office for Ageing on 6205 3113 during business hours or go to the National Multicultural Festival website at

www.multiculturalfestival.com.au