Friday, October 20, 6:30 pm EDT - Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge MA

Doors open at 6:30pm / Concert begins 7:30pm and runs 1 hours and 15 minutes with no intermission. / Refreshments: 8:45-9:45pm

The Boston Arabic Music Ensemble (BAME) is hosting a benefit concert, Caravanserai, at the Cambridge Multicultural Center this Friday, Oct. 20, to support humanitarian aid for Gaza.

I know we have all been watching with horror the events unfolding in Gaza. As a Palestinian myself, my heart breaks as I see Palestine suffering another catastrophe. I also crave to be with others who may be feeling like I do. This concert is an opportunity for those of us who care about Gaza to come together in solidarity while listening to beautiful music that comes from the region.

All proceeds will go to Anera to support our ongoing emergency response work in Gaza.

The Boston Arabic Music Ensemble (BAME) represents a typical classical Arabic chamber group, called a "takht" made up of period instruments performances of classical Andalusian era, and later early and mid 20th century pieces and songs covering the lands between Andaluz to Mesopotamia. This genre is vast starting with the instrumental Samai' form and Andalusian Muwashah songs, then advancing to early 20th century composers such as Sayed Darwish, Mohammad Abdul Wahab,and Zakaria Ahmad, all famous Egyptian composers in the tradition of the classical scales, or maqams in Arabic notation, with some Iraqi folkloric pieces and qudud. Later 20th century songs by the famous Fairuz and composed by the Rahbani brothers. BAME performers are all Boston based, and they include professional musicians affiliated with the Berklee School of Music, and the New England Conservatory, as well as community-based professionals who enjoy playing this music for the community.

Tickets: Caravanserai Tickets, Fri, Oct 20, 2023 at 7:00 PM | Eventbrite