Taking their audience on a voyage around the world with their exotic instruments, Sirocco will for the second time be a feature act at the CQU Multicultural Fair and Open Day.

From performing to an estimated audience of 200,000 on Australia Day 1999 to a dance with the Dayaks in a jungle clearing in central Borneo, there is no band in the world with the experience of Sirocco.

They reflect the creativity, popularity, charm and humour (and a touch of larrikinism) that is the spirit of modern Australia.

Their instruments range from Middle Eastern flutes to Irish drums to modern synthesisers.

Just like modern Australia, they distill the best from the cultures that make up our country and produce a unique Australian style. At one minute you hear the soft lyrical air on a Celtic flute then a raucous infectious dance beat on didgeridoo and Turkish drums.

The band brings together the talents of Paul Jarman, Peter Jacob, Andrew de Teliga and Jonathon Xue.

In conjunction with the Fair, Sirocco will also provide a music workshop for the community this Saturday at the CQU Music Auditorium from 2.30pm to 5pm.

The workshop would be suitable for community members from 10 years and up with an interest in folk music, writing and arranging.

Using Sirocco pieces and various folk tunes, the group will learn appropriate melodies and incorporate them in to playable arrangements. All learning will be done by ear.

The group will learn about various playing techniques and special folk scales and will compose its own piece with Sirocco.

The Sirocco workshop and performances has been financially supported by the Queensland Government through the Multicultural Assistance Program, Multicultural Affairs Queensland.

For more information contact Gina Yarrow on 4923 2736.

Sirocco will perform Sunday on the main stage at 3pm.