World Music Cafe presents Julian Belbachir Sahara Space Station & Salama Mandurah Arts Festival

The popular World Music Cafe returns to the Mandurah Arts Festival with a spectacular new Dinner & Show featuring Australian Moroccan musician Julian Belbachir and his band, plus Indian Ocean Island ensemble Salama at the Platinum Room at Peel Thunder Stadium 7-10pm on Friday 26 September 2025.

Julian Belbachir is an Australian Moroccan multi-instrumentalist who has dedicated his life to mastering traditional African music and fusing it with contemporary sounds. He has studied under revered master drummers and griots across West Africa, including Guinea, Senegal, and Morocco, and trained with elite groups such as Percussion de Guinea, Ballet Africans, and Bocka Juniors. He has learnt the crafting of traditional instruments like the Kamel Ngoni, Djembe, Dundunba, Kora, Balafon, and Guembri. Julian now blends traditional Saharan and sub-Saharan melodies with modern production. As a seasoned producer and performer, he is the drummer for the renowned Indigenous Dub band OKA, performing globally at major festivals including Glastonbury, Fusion (Germany), Vancouver Jazz (Canada), Ozora (Hungary), Colours of Ostrava (Czech Republic), and Australias Byron Bay Bluesfest and Rainbow Serpent.

Salama is a dynamic group from the Indian Ocean Islands performing Maloya, the traditional Reunionese music and dance style born from slavery. The group features singers, dancers and instrumentalists from La Reunion, Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, singing in Malagasy and Creole languages. They have recently returned from touring across Australia and will shortly return to the Reunion Islands following the World Music Cafe show.

The World Music Cafe Dinner & Show experience includes a delicious three-course menu that caters for dietary requirements.

Described by the UWA Centre for Social Impact as An Oasis of Integration in Our Country, World Music Cafe is a successful social enterprise established in 2019, that provides genuine economic and social inclusion for crew members of new migrant and refugee backgrounds. World Music Cafe was also a national Social Entrepreneur of the Year finalist in the 2022 Australian Third Sector Awards.

Given shows often sell out, patrons are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment. Group Tables discounts are available, so book a group table together with friends or colleagues.