Each Saturday in August, we’ll be presenting a family-friendly afternoon concert in different musical traditions from Central Asia and the Middle East – Afghan, Turkish, Iranian, and more. The performers will talk about the music they play, offer a chance to see the instruments and learn how they work, and perform different pieces – some danceable, some singable, some slow and melodic. The concerts are geared to be accessible to kids (quick pace, lots of explanation, opportunities for participation), but the music is classic and fully suitable (maybe more suitable, even) for grownups. Although the programming details are subject to change, current dates are:

August 3: Turkwaz – a longstanding group of Toronto women playing and singing music from Turkey, Arab countries, the Balkans, and more.

August 10: A trio playing Iranian music, with tar (a plucked string instrument), santur (a string instrument played with hammers), and tombak (a clay goblet-shaped drum)

August 17: A trio of performers playing Afghan rubab, a plucked string instrument that’s an important part of Afghan culture

August 24: Sanaz Nakhjavani, Majd Sukar, and Demetrios Petsalakis playing Arabic and Turkish (Ottoman) music on kanun (hammered string instrument), clarinet, and oud. There will be a shade tent and some seating for those who need it, but people are encouraged to bring blankets or pillows or to sit right on the grass.