Musical Heritage Concert Series: Divahn – An Eastern Seranade

By Cantor Benjamin Maissner.

With special and unique colours, taste and original nuances, our closing concert in our 2013 Musical Heritage Series will take place on Wednesday, May 22nd at 8 p.m. at Holy Blossom Temple.

This will be an integral part of the third annual Jewish Music Week in Toronto. The entire city of Toronto will celebrate a week long variety of musical events taking place all over the city. http://www.jewishmusicweek.com.

I have heard this unique group several times performing with intelligence, passion and profound musicianship. Director Galeet Dardashti is the daughter of one of my esteemed Cantorial colleagues, Hazzan Farid Dardashti, whose father was a celebrated National Jewish and popular celebrity singer in Iran.

Their original music is vivacious, electric, authentic and inspiring and the concert promises to be an outstanding musical experience for our Temple community and the community-at-large.

I hope that you will all come out in support of these artists so that we can engage ourselves in creating and building a visible Holy Blossom Temple community.

DON’T MISS THIS GREAT EVENT!

Additional information

Iranian-descended singer Galeet Dardashti leads Divahn’s edgy all-female power-house ensemble. The group has engendered an international following, performing in venues ranging from international concert halls to the most prestigious clubs in NYC. Infusing traditional and original Middle Eastern Jewish songs with sophisticated harmonies, entrancing improvisations, and funky arrangements, Divahn’s thrilling live shows feature lush string arrangements, eclectic Indian, Middle Eastern, and Latin percussion, and vocals spanning Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish, Persian, Arabic, and Aramaic. “Divan,” a word common to Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic, means a collection of songs or poetry. Through their music, the group creatively underscores common ground between diverse Middle Eastern cultures and religions.

“Dardashti’s voice is exemplary, floating into earthy and nasal tones seamlessly, as called for by her Near Eastern style of music. Her stage presence is commanding, as well: She is in charge of her material.” – The Forward

“Dardashti’s sultry delivery spans international styles and clings to listeners long after the last round of applause.” – Jerusalem Report

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