Event info:

“On December 7th, 8th and 9th, we will be presenting our fifth theatrical production at the Vittum Theater in Chicago.

Inspired by current events, the show features Assid and Warda, father and daughter Syrian refugees who dream of escape to a Spain where their ancestors once built a different kind of civilization: one grounded in peace, tolerance and the joys of artistic expression. But when a desperate rescue at sea leaves them separated, it seems their refugee journey is destined to end in tragedy.  Can their faith in the possibilities of a better life sustain them through this final, agonizing trial?

Told through the songs and dances of flamenco by a critically acclaimed ensemble of musicians, Rose of Damascus features dancers from Studio Mangiameli, an original script by Benjamin Lumpkin, and artwork by Jim Hajicek.”

——

Vittum Theater
1012 N. Noble St.
Chicago, IL 60642

AANM and Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings join forces for an evening of contemporary chamber music by Arab American composers, including Mohammed Fairouz, Kareem Roustom, Michael Ibrahim, Suad Bushnaq, Kinan Abou-afach and Hadi Eldebek.

The Detroit Chamber Winds & Strings performs my piece Fiction, for Oboe, Clarinet, Violin, Viola, Contrabass and Electronics

Original full length sufi composition, Nur – With Dalal Abu Amneh

(Commissioned by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture)

918 Bathurst Centre for Culture, Arts, Media and Education | Nov 1, 2018 | 7:00pm

Master Teaching Artist Session: for ArtistYear Musicians @ Drexel University

1735 Simpson Ave. Ocean City NJ 08226
THE CHRIS MALONEY LECTURE HALL

Performing with Vasko Dukovski (Clarinet) for the Flight of the Ibis Theater Reading. Original Music by Kinan Azmeh

Performing my piece, Of Nights and Solace, for Ensemble and Choir (Commissioned by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture), at Grinnell College. Along with Kareem Roustom’s Embroidered Verses. With The Grinnell Singers and conducted by John Rommereim.

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra w/ conductor Christopher James Lees

“Syria was represented by the world premiere of a work celebrating diversity by a recent immigrant composer. Kinan Abou-afach’s “Speak” is a brilliant and dramatic work with a Middle Eastern flavor in which disparate voices— instrumental lines — clash and come together, part and regroup. While its language, though tonal, is decidedly contemporary, the work was received enthusiastically by Sunday’s audience.” — Jim Lowe / timesargus.com

VSO SUMMER FESTIVAL TOUR

Remaining performances:
– Tuesday, July 4: Shelburne – Shelburne Museum
– Thursday, July 6: Chittenden – Mountain Top Inn
– Friday, July 7: Ludlow – Okemo Resort
– Saturday, July 8: Randolph – Three Stallion Inn
– Sunday, July 9: Stowe – Trapp Family Concert Meadow

As a part of Global week for Syria: Syrian Music Lives
“It will be an evening of music saturated with unique scales, improvisation, and rhythmic grooves, all intermingled with freely constructed jazz. The original pieces within the show are rooted in Abou-afach’s recollections of his homeland Syria before the conflict, expressed through the Middle-Eastern-influenced modes and the rich harmonies of Jazz. In this blending of temporal and aesthetics styles, this music performance looks to the future while paying homage to the past.”

Kinan Abou-afach & Friends. With: Julian Horner (Piano), Chico Huff (Bass), Hafez Kotain (Percussion), and Jim Hamilton (Drums)

A review by Peter Dobrin: Philly.com Article