Traditional Iraqi trio Safaafir is set to perform on Friday, March 6, 2015 at the Arab American National Museum (AANM)’s Global Fridays 2015 series. Safaafir will present a workshop at 5:30 p.m. The concert takes place at 7:30 p.m. at AANM Lower Level Auditorium.
Safaafir performs maqam music. Its name refers to the ancient art of coppersmithing, which has been likened to Iraq’s branch of maqam because of the metallic sound of the santur, the Middle Eastern dulcimer that’s struck with small hammers.
Siblings Amir and Dena El Saffar provide the greater part of melodic material on santur and violin respectively, with Dena’s husband Tim Moore delivering percussive accompaniment. All three members sing as well, preserving this older music tradition that has been largely eclipsed by styles of the 20th century. The group has an album titled Maqams of Baghdad.
Presented in conjunction with the AANM exhibition Detroit to Baghdad: Al Mutanabbi Street Starts Here, in the Lower Level Gallery March 6-July 12, 2015. Global Fridays audiences are welcome to attend a 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 6 free public opening reception in the Community Courtyard, including refreshments and a reading by acclaimed Iraqi American poet Dunya Mikhail, winner of the Arab American Book Award among many other honors.
Workshop + concert tickets are $20 general admission and $15 for AANM Members. Concert-only tickets are $15 general admission and $10 for AANM Members.
Workshop + concert tickets and concert-only tickets are available in advance online at www.arabamericanmuseum.org; concert-only tickets also available at the door. No walk-ups for workshops.
Visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org or call 313.582.2266 for further information.
Author: World Music Central News Room
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