ARIA award-winning singer-songwriter Sarah Blasko is set to play an intimate stripped-back Sydney show which will raise funds for the Refugee Council of Australia (RCOA). All proceeds from the performance, which will take play at Redferns’ The Giant Dwarf on World Refugee Day – Friday, 20th June – will be donated to the RCOA.
Blasko’s performance is in response to last week’s announcement from the Federal Government, which revealed that all funding to the RCOA would be stopped as part of the federal budget. The RCOA, which has worked for the benefit of people seeking asylum for over 30 years, has more on its plate than it ever has before and Blasko is clearly ready to help out.
“I’m emerging from what I’ll affectionately call my ‘fifth album writing cave’ to play this special show at the Chaser’s Giant Dwarf Theatre during Refugee Week,” Blasko says. “I’m an ambassador this year & The Refugee Council need financial support now more than ever to continue their positive work within refugee communities in Australia.”
Whilst singing the praises of the RCOA, Blasko promises her supportive fans with the performance of new material, as well as some special guests. “[The RCOA] are also an important force in lifting the veil on our country’s treatment of asylum seekers,” she says. “So, come watch me sing for the night & you’ll be supporting them. I promise at least one new song & special guests.”
Paul Power, Chief Executive of the RCOA, has expressed his gratitude to Blasko on ABC Radio, saying, “It seems extraordinary that our organisation – which has been doing this work through thick and thin for 33 years – has been singled out for this treatment.
“This in many ways illustrates the state of the relationship between the non-government sector – particularly organisations working on asylum issues – and the government at the moment.”
Sarah Blasko recently performed at Sydney’s March in May protest. Her fourth studio album, I Awake, was released in 2012.
Details of Sarah Blasko’s intimate Sydney show can be found below.
Watch: Sarah Blasko – Here
Sarah Blasko plays The Giant Dwarf, in support of the Refugee Council of Australia and World Refugee Day
Tickets on sale from 9am, Wednesday 4th June.
Friday, 20th June 2014
The Giant Dwarf, Sydney
Tix: Via The Giant Dwarf
(all proceeds go to Refugee Council of Australia)
