Azimuth

Presented by BackStage Music In partnership with Bankstown Arts Centre & CuriousWorks

What does it sound like to navigate cultural identity, memory, and sense of place in ‘Western Sydney’?

Azimuth, taking its name from the Arabic word meaning “the ways/directions", is an immersive evening of brand-new, experimental music and sound art. Curated by Greek-Lebanese composer and performer Isabella Rahme, this showcase brings together a dynamic lineup of artists from diverse diaspora and First Nations backgrounds with a connection to ‘Western Sydney’.

Through collaborative sonic experimentations - ranging from live acoustic performance and electronic production to spoken word and soundscapes - Azimuth explores the infinite ways cultural journeys shape the contemporary Australian landscape.

What to Expect

New Works Premieres: Fresh, collaborative compositions created specifically for this showcase.

Diverse Expressive Styles: A blend of instrumental performance, sound art installations, electronic beats, and poetry.

Community Connection: A rare chance to experience the creative process and hear local artists tell personal and conceptual stories through sound.

Event Schedule

7:00 pmDoors Open & ArrivalArrive early to explore the venue and settle into Bankstown Arts Centre.

7:30 pmThe ShowcaseA curated presentation of live sonic explorations and new collaborative works.

9:00 pmArtist Meet & GreetPost-Show Gathering - Connect with the artists, curator, and community after the performance.

Isabella Rahme (Curator) is an artist, composer and performer of Greek and Lebanese heritage living and making music on Bedigal land. Her compositional explorations centre on symbolism and gesture to express concepts and emotions related to the navigation of cultural identity. Azimuth is her response to the complexities of living in the diaspora, highlighting both the shared experiences across cultures and the unique individual perspectives that deserve the attention of the broader community.

Ria Andriani sings, writes and lifts the voices that usually go unheard. A classically trained soprano and a writer, she has spent this year working beyond the concert voice: spoken poetry, performance art and improvisation. Ria grew up in Indonesia, works in Indonesian and English, and is reconnecting with her cultural roots through the work.

Andrea Lim is a violinist and interdisciplinary artist working across performance and sound. Her current practice complicates the subject matter of morality in today’s socio-political climate.

Peggy Polias writes music about safety, secrecy and the things people keep in journals. Dr Peggy Polias is a composer, academic, music librarian and music engraver of Greek island heritage, living and working in south-west Sydney on Dharug and Eora lands. Myth, stories and artefacts from ancient Greece run through her work, including the chamber opera “Commute”, “Arachne” for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra’s 50 Fanfares, and “Cameo” for the Canberra Symphony Orchestra. She has two albums out with Kammerklang, “Picnic at Hanging Rock Suite” and “Hive”.