Minister for Citizenship and Communities Victor Dominello today announced the line-up for the upcoming ‘Culture Beats’ music festivals at Darling Harbour would feature The Voice’s Emily Rex and Malaysian Idol runner-up Dina Nadzir.

Mr Dominello said three festivals, presented by Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority in conjunction with event organisers, would be held between 21 September and 12 October and would be free to members of the public.

“Culture Beats brings musical traditions from around the globe to Sydney’s Darling Harbour and over the next month we will see Brazilian, Malaysian and Latin American Fiesta Festivals,” Mr Dominello said.

“A wide array of cultural festivals held across spring and summer will feature different Culture Beats acts, including Vintage Season lead singer Emily Rex.

“These high-energy performances offer an insight into the breadth of NSW’s cultural diversity, which is one of our greatest economic assets. That diversity is demonstrated by the 1.8 million residents who were born overseas and the 200 languages spoken at home.

“With so many diverse performers on show, we expect visitors will be returning week after week to take part in the musical celebrations.”

Mr Dominello said the free performances are a wonderful way for families to immerse themselves in the traditions of Sydney’s many diverse and vibrant cultures.

“Darling Harbour hosts more than 25 cultural festivals every year, each one run and managed by independent community groups and their dedicated volunteers,” he said.

Minister for Planning Pru Goward said the annual cultural festivals are a key feature of Darling Harbour’s entertainment and celebration calendar, helping to attract more than 26.6 million visitors last year.

“The cultural festivals are a vital element of Darling Harbour’s identity and have proven popular with both international and domestic visitors.

Last year, western suburbs residents accounted for 28 per cent of all Sydney visitors to Darling Harbour – more than any other area of Sydney.”

“SHFA has always provided valuable venue hire support to these groups and now it has taken that support one step further through collaboration on the Culture Beats program.”