Salaam’s 8^th Middle Eastern Gala will transport you to the dance clubs and music halls of Egypt , Turkey , Syria and more!  Salaam will be joined by local and international guest singers, dancers and musicians.  This feast for the senses will also feature fine Middle Eastern cuisine available for purchase in the theatre lobby.

The Gala is a celebration of peace and Middle Eastern culture!

Artists include:

Dena El Saffar, violin, viola, joza, vocals

Tim Moore, percussion

Amir El Saffar, vocals, trumpet, santoor

Gaida Hinnawi, vocals

Victor Santoro, 'oud

Joe Donnelly, nay, clarinet, saxophones

Raja Hanania, shebaba, percussion

Kevin MacDowell, bass guitar

Katya, dance

Alexandria, dance

Ana, dance

Salaam is based in Bloomington, but the majority of their performances take place in other parts of the country.  Salaam likes to create a big show for Bloomington “because we love our hometown”, says bandleader Dena El Saffar.  “To make it extra special, we  always invite guest singers and dancers."  This year, Amir ElSaffar and Gaida Hinnawi, both from New York City, will be the featured vocalists.  Amir, www.myspace.com/amirelsaffar  Dena’s brother, specializes in Iraqi music and has a new release on Pi record label entitled Two Rivers. He has caught the attention of such publications as the New York Times, BBC world News, and has performed in Latin America, Europe and the Middle East as well as in the U.S.  Gaida, www.myspace.com/gaidamusic  a native of Damascus, Syria is one of the leading Arab female vocalists on the scene in North America.  She specializes in Mawwal (vocal improvisation) and the music of Fairouz and Sabah Fakhri.  The show will also include  a Syrian Muwashah, Ottoman Court Music, Dance music from Palestine, Jordan and Lebanon, Iraqi Maqam,  songs by ‘Abdel Halim Hafez, Fairuz, and original compositions by Dena El Saffar and Hakan Toker*!

This year three Raqs Sharqi dancers will be featured: Katya Faris of Bloomington, www.myspace.com/katyafaris who has hosted several Middle Eastern Dance events in Bloomington; Ana Lucia, originally from Brazil, S.A., resides and performs regularly in Indianapolis; and Alexandria, one of the top-call raqs sharqi performers  in the Chicago area.  Originally from Detroit, she has performed in Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, and other countries.

This Feast for the Senses also includes Middle Eastern food available for purchase in the lobby.  The food will be prepared by Tenth Street International Market and Café et Crepe.  The doors will open at 6:00 pm, an hour before show time, so come early and bring your appetite!

*It should be noted that band member Hakan Toker will be missed at the Gala, as he is serving mandatory time in the Turkish military.  We wish him luck and safety!

Please join us on Saturday, October 27th at the beautiful Buskirk-Chumley Theatre, located at 114 E. Kirkwood Ave. (1/2 block east of the courthouse square), in Bloomington, IN.  The music starts at 7:00pm, but the doors open at 6:00, so come early to enjoy some food!

Ticket available online at bloomingtonarts.info or at the Sunrise Box Office, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave.  Open every day from noon-5:00pm.  Also by phone with Visa/MC at (812) 323-3020.

$20 general admission / $16 in advance

$15 students, seniors and youth / $12 in advance