Cal Poly’s Arab Music Ensemble will perform its fall concert at 8 p.m. on Saturday Nov. 21 in Harman Hall at the Christopher Cohan Performing Arts Center (PAC).
The ensemble features vocal, instrumental and dance numbers with traditional and contemporary music that stems from Arabic-speaking countries, including Lebanon, Greece, Egypt, Armenia and those particularly around the Mediterranean. Songs that have been made famous by Lebanese singer Fairouz and dances made popular by the Mahmoud Reda Dance Troupe of Egypt will be featured in the show.
The award winning Chookasian American Folk Music Ensemble from Fresno and critically acclaimed contemporary Arabic violinist Adel Eskander will join the Arab Music Ensemble in their fall show.
“Guest artists are selected to raise the bar for the performance and enhance the quality of the show. It gives students the opportunity to hear and play with the best,” said Arab Music Ensemble Director Kenneth Habib.
Habib described the concert for any concert-goer not familiar with Arabic Music, saying its “like a different language.”
The music played by the Ensemble “is part of a culture, different from punk or country music. There is a live audience and performer dynamic, similar to that of Jazz music, and plenty of improvisation typical with music in the Middle East,” Habib said.
Tickets range from $9 – $14 and can be purchased on pacslo.org or by calling 805-756-4849.