The following announcement was provided by the concert organizers:
On Wednesday, Dec. 18 at 7 p.m., musicians from Palestine, Syria, Lebanon, and the U.S. will gather in Watertown to celebrate the beauty of Palestinian music. Proceeds will support Anera, a U.S.-based nonprofit with no political or religious affiliations. Anera provides humanitarian aid to families in Gaza.
Palestinian violinist and composer Lina Malshy is serving as artistic director. “This concert is about shining the light of Palestine on all marginalized people,” Malshy shared. “We strive to continue sharing Palestinian stories and culture through the beauty of Palestinian folkloric music.” A Berklee College of Music graduate in film and media scoring, Malshy’s own compositions feature untold stories of resilience around the world.
Malshy will share the stage with Watertown resident Basem Batbota, the group’s percussionist. Originally from Syria, he has been living in Watertown for five years. “I’m really enjoying living here so much,” he effused. “This is going to be a great group and I’m looking forward to the performance.”
Cellist Alyssa Lawson, also a Watertown resident, is acting as a coordinator for the concert. Lawson began studying Middle Eastern music 15 years ago in the ethnomusicology department at UCLA. After settling in Massachusetts, she attended the annual Arabic Music Retreat at Mount Holyoke College and furthered her studies with Berklee professor and oud virtuoso Simon Shaheen. “Students come to Boston from all over the world to study with [Shaheen],” she says. “Some of them stay and have created a community of musicians in the area, and many of those people are the ones performing in this concert.”
The concert, which will take place at First Parish of Watertown (35 Church St.), features a takht or chamber ensemble. While variations occur, a takht generally includes bowed strings (violin and cello), oud (a fretless lute), qanun (a trapezoid-shaped zither, plucked with the fingers), nay (reed flute), and percussion, including the riqq (tambourine) and darbuka (goblet drum). The Watertown concert will also feature singers, a pianist, and an accordionist.
“I believe this concert will appeal to all listeners, whether or not they have heard this style of music before,” says Lawson. “We have assembled a group of fantastic performers, and the audience will experience something truly beautiful.”
The concert will also be livestreamed, and the video will remain available for seven days. Tickets are available at the following link: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/the-light-of-palestine