“Words Meet Harmonies” at The Fridge: A musical celebration of diversity and community in Dubai

Dubai: In a city known for its vibrant cultural mosaic, a powerful new artistic collaboration is taking the stage. Choir Connect’s “Words Meet Harmonies”, presented by The Fridge, is more than a concert—it's a lyrical exploration of identity, migration, and connection in one of the world’s most diverse cities.

Set to light up The Fridge Warehouse in Alserkal Avenue on July 5, this evocative choral and spoken word performance brings together voices from the Philippines, the Arab world, and France, weaving them into one unforgettable evening of song and story.

Audiences will be treated to a soul-stirring mix of lively Visayan folk songs, the mesmerizing elegance of Arabic Muwashshah, and the refined beauty of French choral repertoire. Each choir—Angels Singing Choir, Koro Ducere, and the Dubai Camerata Singers—will be led by their own directors, including the esteemed Yuliana Kireyeva and Choir Master Arne Lubasan, with piano accompaniment by Maysel Joy Dano.

Music that unites
At its core, “Words Meet Harmonies” is a celebration of the UAE’s spirit of inclusivity and its 2025 theme, “Year of Community – Hand in Hand.” With Creative Director Fermel Fuentes leading the charge, this project seeks to spotlight the voices of expatriate communities in their own languages and traditions—turning the stage into a meeting point of cultures, values, and shared hopes.

In an exclusive interview with Gulf News, Fermel revealed the heart behind the project:

“Words Meet Harmonies was born from a desire to create something more than a concert—it’s a shared emotional experience,” Fermel explains. “Poetry and choral music both give voice to feelings we often can’t put into words. Together, they create a language of the soul—one that speaks across cultures and connects us at our core.”

Inspired by the UAE’s Year of Community – Hand in Hand, Fermel said the project honors Dubai’s richly diverse population: “We’re far from home, many of us. But through this performance, we celebrate our collective journey. Every note and every verse speaks of migration, memory, and hope. I want people to walk away not just inspired, but connected—to themselves, to each other, and to the beautiful mosaic we’re part of here in the UAE.”

“Bringing together singers from different cultures is beautiful chaos,” says Arne. Every voice is unique—and that’s both the challenge and the magic. It takes trust, patience, and heart to make everyone breathe and blend as one.”

“Some are pros, some are just finding their voice—but when it clicks, when the harmony hits—it’s electric. That’s the moment it becomes more than music. It becomes connection.”

“‘Words Meet Harmonies’ is community in action. Different languages, different stories, one shared song. This isn't just a concert—it’s a moment of belonging. That’s the real music.”

“I don’t just play notes—I carry the emotion between the poetry and the song,” says Maysel, pianist and music instructor who’s called the UAE home for 10 years. “The piano isn’t just backup. It sets the mood, breathes with the voices, and helps the story land.”

With a concert that blends cultures, languages, and raw emotion, her role is as much about feel as it is about technique. “When you’ve got so many styles and voices on one stage, the piano becomes the anchor. I follow the flow of the poetry and let the music breathe—but I also make sure the piano has its own heartbeat. It’s not just accompaniment—it’s part of the voice.”

“This isn’t just about performing music—it’s about giving voice to real stories of pain, hope, and belonging,” says Myrlanie Lozano-Gojar, a Sales-Purchasing Coordinator who’s lived in the UAE for 13 years. “It’s powerful. It’s personal. And it’s changed the way I see myself as a singer.”

“When music carries emotion that deep, it becomes more than sound—it becomes connection, healing, even advocacy. Being in this choir means showing up as your full self and standing in solidarity with others. That’s what makes it truly meaningful.”

“It’s pure joy—live connection through music,” says Yuliana, Choir Director of Angels Singing Choir. “When multiple choirs come together, even for just two songs, it’s more than sound—it’s shared breath, shared purpose.”

“In those moments, we’re not competing—we’re connecting. That’s the soul of choral music: unity, energy, and a deep sense of musical kinship.”

Renowned poet Danabelle Gutierrez adds a powerful layer to the performance with original spoken word pieces that bridge each musical work. Her verses delve deep into themes of home, memory, and belonging, tying the evening into a moving narrative of what it means to find your place in a new land.

“I’ve lived on four continents—born in the Philippines, raised in Cairo, Vienna, and Muscat—so identity and belonging have always been at the heart of my work,” says Danabelle. “For this show, I didn’t need to write new poems—I simply reached into my archive and found pieces that echoed the music’s emotional journey.”

“Poetry and music meet in lyricism. They speak the same language—emotion. And in a city as diverse as Dubai, this show is about more than art. It’s about finding connection. You’re from here, I’m from there—but we both feel this. That’s the thread that runs through it all: shared feeling, shared humanity.”

“‘Words Meet Harmonies’ was made for the Year of Community—it's a celebration of diversity, connection, and shared culture,” says Dina Abuzeid, Programming Manager at The Fridge. “At The Fridge, we’re all about creating space for people to share their stories, their traditions, and come together through art. This event brings that spirit to life.”

Don’t miss this one-night-only experience!
Whether you’re a lover of music, poetry, or the beautiful ways art can connect people from every walk of life, this is a concert that promises to uplift, inspire, and bring people together.

Date: July 5, 2025 at 7.30pm
Location: The Fridge Warehouse, Alserkal Avenue, Dubai
Tickets: Dh80 from Platinumlist