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Syrian singer songwriter Gaida is one of the most “effusive and charming vocalists in the New York world music scene.” Along with her outstanding ensemble - oudist Zafer Tawil, pianist George Dulin, buzuq player Tareq Abboushi, percussionist Hector Morales, trumpet and santoor player Amir ElSaffar and bassist Jennifer Vincent. Gaida performs “entrancing” innovative interpretations of Syrian folk songs, originals, and freestyle improvisations over Arabic grooves.

The w... Read more

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Sookoon is a dynamic collective of musicians brought together by the shared joy of performing Arabic music. A core ensemble of oud, buzuq, percussion and vocals, the night will feature songs from Lebanon, ranging from classical masters Wadi Al-Safi and Nasri Shams-el-Din to contemporary singers Melhem Barakat and Azar Habib. Sookoon will showcase a variety of Lebanese music throughout the evening.

Tickets: $20 General (*buy now) | $15 Members, Seniors, Students (*Read more

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Joseph Tawadros - 'Oud
Mavrothi Kontanis - 'Oud
James Tawadros - Arabic Percussion

Joseph and James Tawadros were born in Egypt and raised in Australia; this performance will showcase Joseph's original compositions on 'oud. The night will also feature Greek musician Mavrothi Kontanis as well as James Tawadros on Arabic Percussion.

Doors open at 8:30pm

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Tickets: General - $20 (*buy online) ... Read more

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Doors open at 6:30pm

Tickets: $5 (free for Alwan members)

In this presentation, Issam Kourbaj will trace his long journey as an artist from early childhood in Southern Syria to family life in Cambridge, U.K., and will suggest the influences that various stops along the way have had on his work.

These include student sojourns in Damascus, in Russia (Leningrad- St Petersburg) and in London. Life as an artist has taken him from Azerbaijan to Mexico, and he has been rewarded with a succession of exhibitions, and by the rece... Read more

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Doors open at 6:30 pm.

Screening to be followed with Q&A with director Robert Adanto, and artist Sara Rahbar featured in the film.

Tickets: $10 regular admission / $5memberadmission (cash only, payable at the door)

Robert Adanto's "Pearls on the Ocean Floor" is a thought-provoking, feature-length documentary examining the lives and works of Iranian female artists living and working in and outside the Islamic Republic. This unflinching and incisive study, featuring interviews with a... Read more