Sparrows of Kabul - Afghanistan National Day Concert - Canberra
Event description
Regret this show is sold out. Please pop your details on the waitlist and if capacity expands we'll be in touch. Still plenty tickets available for our Sydney and Wollongong shows on 26 August and 2 September respectively.
Fred Smith and band will present this extraordinary music and multimedia experience on Australia's involvement in Afghanistan in a concert to mark Afghanistan's National Day and the anniversary of the evacuation of Kabul.
Fred was there at the beginning in Uruzgan Province and returned at the end working from Kabul International Airport (KIA). His epitaph for the mission is “it was what it was”, and we are left admiring the courage and tenacity of thousands of Afghans who braved the human logjams outside the gates of Kabul International Airport, and the soldiers and public servants who helped them.
The first set of the concert will feature songs from Fred’s acclaimed Dust of Uruzgan album which draws on his experiences working in southern Afghanistan between 2009 and 2013. The second set will centre around material he wrote after working on the evacuation from Kabul in August 2021.
Proceeds from the event will be shared evenly between local organisations working to support Afghan communities:
Community Refugee Sponsorship Australia (CRSA) . provides assistance to and mobilises support for refugee families around Australia, helping newly arrived families to rebuild their lives in safety.
and
Indigo Foundation - indigo foundation collaborates with Afghan communities in Australia to support education and women's empowerment programs in Afghanistan.
Reviews from recent performances of Sparrows of Kabul have been 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 would like to make a donation in addition to purchasing a ticket to the event, a tax deductible receipt will be provided to you from one of the beneficiary organisations after the event.
This performance includes images and descriptions of the evacuation of Kabul airport. Afghan guests who have attended previous performances of these concerts have appreciated that the story is being told, but please consider whether this would be uncomfortable for you or family members.