Fred Smith - Sparrows of Kabul (Newcastle Afghan Community Welcome Concert)
Event description
Fred Smith and band will be presenting an extraordinary musical and multimedia experience on Australia's involvement in Afghanistan in a unique welcome concert for Newcastle's Afghan community on Saturday 27th August 2022 at the Gallipoli Legion Club.
Show starts at 7:30pm.
Fred will be offering his personal account of Australia's mission to evacuate families from Kabul International Airport in the days following the fall of Kabul to the Taliban in August of 2021.
The two sets of the concert will feature songs from Fred’s acclaimed Dust of Uruzgan album which draw on his experiences working alongside Australian soldiers in southern Afghanistan between 2009 and 2013. The second set will centre around material he wrote after working on the dramatic evacuation from Kabul in August 2021.
While the concert primarily aims to ensure Afghans recently evacuated from KIA, feel welcome in Newcastle, proceeds from the event will be shared evenly between three charities working to support Afghan communities - the Indigo Foundation, Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) and Grow a Star. CRSA and Grow a Star provide assistance to and mobilise support for refugee families in our local region and around Australia, offering the chance to rebuild their lives in safety throughout their resettlement. The Indigo Foundation collaborates with Afghan families in Australia to support education and women's empowerment programs in Afghanistan.
Reviews from other recent performances of this multimedia experience are glowing:
“A beautiful retelling of Australia’s Afghanistan experience...” Adrienne Francis, ABC 666, Saturday Breakfast, 19 February 2022
“This was more than a concert. It was an astute analysis of Australia’s 20-year involvement in the Afghan War from a humanitarian who witnessed the many shades of war first hand.” Ian McLean, City News
"Finely observed snapshots of a harsh, sad and funny reality…In concert he has a knack for balancing drama and humour…towering artistic achievement” John Shand, Sydney Morning Herald“
Fred Smith is an Australian national treasure. Diplomat, philosopher, poet and raconteur his songs reverberate with the prophetic voice of humanity…an extraordinary, wonderful and heart-uplifting concert.” Peter Wilkins, Canberra Critics Circle
If you are making a donation in addition to purchasing a ticket to the event, a tax deductible receipt will be provided to you from one of the three organisations after the event.
Thank you to our sponsors - HIC Services, Megan Smith, Pat Cooper.
This performance includes images and descriptions of the evacuation of Kabul airport. Afghan guests who have previously attended these concerts have appreciated that the story is being told, but please consider whether this would be uncomfortable for you or family members.