Alwan for the Arts Presents

Friday, July 15, 2005, 9:00 PM $20 ($10 for students with valid ID)

An evening of Iraqi Music, featuring Amir El-Saffar

Followed by dance party with DJ KooKoo Sabzi and DJ Shaytoon spinning the funkiest Arab, Iranian, Indian, African and International beats.

Alwan for the Arts is proud to announce the performance of classical Iraqi music by one of the up and coming talents in the music of the Middle East: Amir ElSaffar. The performance is a benefit concert for the up-coming Alwan public exhibit of photographs from Iraq, Greetings Without Flowers, by Kouross Esmaeli set to go up in Lower Manhattan this September. www.alwanforthearts.org/iraqphotos/

Having recently returned from his studies in Iraq, the Middle East and Europe, Amir ElSaffar, an accomplished jazz and classical trumpeter, will perform his repertoire of Iraqi Maqam music that he has been studying for the past three years.

The Iraqi Maqam has been performed regularly in Baghdad coffee houses, mosques, and private homes for the past few centuries. This highly sophisticated vocal tradition contains elements that reach deep into Iraq's heritage and history, and is a vital aspect of Iraqi culture.

Unfortunately, in recent years, due mainly to the catastrophic conditions of the country, there are very few masters left and almost no venues for performance, which has put the Maqam in severe danger of extinction. This performance is part of the week-long Arab-American Heritage Week. www.arabamericanheritage.net http://www.arabamericanheritage.net

Last updated: 2007-09-26 11:08:46