AL QAHWA
WEDNESDAY, 23 JULY 2025 | DOORS at 19:30, Music at 20:00
This is a gift economy event
Al Qahwa will guide you on a musical journey you may not take frequently, bridging Middle Eastern hearts and cultures. Led by Maryem Tollar on vocals, qanun (Arabic table harp), and riqq (Arabic frame drum), the band features Ernie Tollar on wind instruments, Naghmeh Farahmand on percussion, and Waleed Abdulhamid on bass, vocals, and percussion. “Al Qahwa” is Arabic for “The Coffee House”, inspired by cafe culture in the Middle East, where people go to hear the latest news, music, poetry and stories. Their repertoire includes both traditional songs from Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Sudan, as well as compositions by members of the band.
Al Qahwa’s 2023 recording “Weyn Allah” was nominated for FMO’s ACTRA RACS award for best recording artists; and CFMA’s “Oliver Schroer’s Pushing The Boundaries” award. In 2024, Al Qahwa was invited to showcase at Circulart 2024 Music Conference in Medellin, Colombia sponsored by Sunfest, Capacoa and The Canadian Embassy.
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