Kanun player, composer, and AFI Safe Haven Incubator for Musicians (SHIM) Musician-in-Residence Firas Zreik has transformed the global perception of the Kanun (Mediterranean harp). His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. […]
Firas Zreik at Joe’s Pub! Read More »
In light of the recent uprising in Iran, Artistic Freedom Initiative has launched a series of local performances to raise awareness for Iranian artists/activists at the center of the revolution and announce a new program entitled Iranian Artist Support Program (IASP), designed to help vulnerable Iranian artists/activists relocate to safety. Please join us for a
Iranian Folk Music with Mehrnam Rastegari Read More »
King Raam started his musical career as the singer/songwriter/founder of Hypernova, a post-punk band born in the Tehran underground of the early 2000’s. A politically active singer, he joined protests and wrote songs that spoke out against the government. In 2011, King Raam launched his solo career in Toronto with Songs of the Wolves, a personal and sincere album
King Raam’s “Departure” [Washington D.C.] Read More »
Presented in collaboration with the David Rubenstein Atrium at Lincoln Center, AFI brings the legendary, Baghdad-based Hamid Al-Saadi, the world’s foremost living performer of the Iraqi Maqam, to the Atrium stage on March 28th. Al-Saadi will be joined by Safaafir, the only U.S.-based ensemble dedicated to performing in the Maqam tradition. Leading the ensemble are U.S. born siblings Dena ElSaffar and Amir ElSaffar.
Hamid Al-Saadi with Safaafir: The Maqam of Iraq Read More »
Ramy Essam Featured in Rolling Stone, the New York Times, NPR, and in the documentary film The Square, Egypt’s Ramy Essam exploded into international fame as one of the leading voices of the Egyptian revolution in 2011, when his songs spread like wildfire among the demonstrators. During the height of the uprising, his music became the soundtrack of
ABJEEZ and Ramy Essam Read More »
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