Turath: An Evening of Art, Culture, and Music With National Arab Orchestra


 
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The National Arab Orchestra Houston Chapter was created out of a desire to connect and grow a community focused on sharing and celebrating the beauty of the Arab culture.

Our mission statement is: To preserve and integrate Arab culture by creating memorable musical experiences through edĀ­ucation and performance with emphasis on the musical traditions of the Arab World.

We at the Houston Chapter of the National Arab Orchestra need your support to help us share and grow our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Past Event

Turath: An Evening of Art, Culture, and Music With National Arab Orchestra


Sunday, April 30, 2023


4 - 9 p.m.
1370 Southmore Blvd.
Houston, Texas 77004


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Join us and the National Arab Orchestra this Arab American Heritage Month in celebration of Eid al-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan and is an occasion for peace, joy, and festivity.

As part of Asia Society Texas' Eid programs, this event highlights the richness and beauty of the Arab world. Enjoy a free, curated art show, and book signings by Micheline Nader (Leap Beyond Success) and Nancy Zakhour (Elissa Discovers), as well as a ticketed reception and concert from the National Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble, featuring vocalists Abdul Salaam AlNajjar and Hela Melki.


Hela Melki

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Hela Melki is a Tunisian Singer, She is known in the Arabic Music Community for many Original Tunisian Songs, Traditional Arabic, Arabic Pop and Fusion Music. She also has many Cover Songs by famous Classic Singers such as Ismahan, Warda Al Jazairia, Om Kalthoum, Farid El Atrash, Abdelhalim Hafiz and Mohamad Abdelwahab. She grew up in a family listening to all kinds of Middle Eastern and Western music as well.

At a very young age, Hela showed exceptional singing talent and was influenced by her father, a keyboard player and a Singer who was known singing in English and French language. She used to attend most of her fatherā€™s band rehearsals, in which Western tunes were mostly played at the time. Hela began singing while she was in primary school (1987) and then she joined the high school musical team (1993) and sang throughout the whole scholarship. She was able after her graduation to participate in a lot of Local, National and Regional Music Competitions (1998/2001) , in which she had achieved all the top ranking positions.

Hela started following her own path by pursuing the dream of producing Original Songs in collaboration with famous composers and music arrangers. Helaā€™s Original debut song was ā€ Hokm Ezzamanā€ (2003) and in 2005 she released ā€œNghir Alikā€. She has since performed live all over the Arab world as well as many performances throughout Europe. She was decorated the Medal of culture by the Minister of Culture in 2006. Hela was devoted to her musical career by highlighting her Tunisian identity and performing classical and contemporary genres of Arabic music.



Abdulsalam Alnajjar

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Abdulsalam Alnajjar was born in Homs, Syria where he began his musical studies with Nawal Wassouf, the sister of famed singing icon, George Wassouf. In addition to his private studies, Abdulsalam began participating in school competitions and programs where continued to hone his craft, ultimately starting a traditional vocal ensemble that performs traditional and religious repertoire. Having left Syria in 2013, Abdulsalam settled in Ann Arbor, Michigan where he studied Industrial and Operating Engineering at the University of Michigan. Abdulsalam was a member of the NAO's mentorship in 2018 and 2019 where he studied oud and voice with Michael Ibrahim, after his work with the NAO he left for Egypt where he spent a year studying and performing Arab music.


WIN 2 FREE VIP Tickets


WIN 2 free VIP tickets to the value of $260. These tickets give you exclusive backstage access where you will meet Michael Ibrahim and the Orchestra. If you have already purchased tickets and win the competition, we will refund your tickets or you can bring 2 more friends or family.Ā 

WIN 2 Free VIP Tickets
CLICK HERE TO ENTER

The National Arab Orchestra competition provides us with the opportunity to not only promote our Houston concert - Treasures of the East: Timeless Classics of the Arab World - but also allows us to grow our community while giving away some exciting prizes for those of you who join in on the fun.

Our mission statement is: To preserve and integrate Arab culture by creating memorable musical experiences through edĀ­ucation and performance with emphasis on the musical traditions of the Arab World.

We at the Houston Chapter of the National Arab Orchestra invite you to help us share and grow our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Meet The Authors

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Turath: An Evening of Art and Culture is a curated bouquet of art, culture, and music. Our featured authors will take you back to your roots, bring home to you, or guide you to achieve your potential. Nancy Zakhour will help your children discover their roots and understand what it means to be tethered to your heritage. Micheline Nader in her motivational book, will guide you to how you can put to action, inspiring ideas and visions, thus differentiating great leaders from mediocre leaders. Finally, Dr. Samir Tuma will capture you with his poems that reflect the alienation immigrants often feel while living away from their home country and the restlessness that haunts them when nostalgia knocks on their doors.

Meet The Artists

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Turath Evening is a celebration of art, culture and music. Meet the artists who will take you on a journey of discovery: James Hanania who found art at an early age. Nansi Awada who believes that ā€œthe artist is not a special kind of person, rather each person is a special kind of artist.ā€ Hatem Al Rais, who views art as a way of surviving. Lina Asmar who celebrates the works of the great masters of the Renaissance, Baroque and Rococo periods. Dima Suki who says art is her happy place, the place she goes when sheā€™s happy and the place she goes to be happy. Alia Al Wahab who uses art to express her thoughts, ideas, and inner feelings. Mona Ghazi who believes that, ā€œif art moves you in any way, then it has served its purpose for which it was created.ā€ Tagherid Al Jaber and Wessam Al Khafagy, who see art ā€œas a love language that expresses oneā€™s creative thoughts and feelings.ā€ Massa Aboujeib who uses art as a global language for dialogue and peace.

WIN 2 free VIP tickets to the value of $260. These tickets give you exclusive backstage access where you will meet Michael Ibrahim and the Orchestra. If you have already purchased tickets and win the competition, we will refund your tickets or you can bring 2 more friends or family.Ā 

WIN 2 Free VIP Tickets
CLICK HERE TO ENTER

The National Arab Orchestra competition provides us with the opportunity to not only promote our Houston concert - Treasures of the East: Timeless Classics of the Arab World - but also allows us to grow our community while giving away some exciting prizes for those of you who join in on the fun.

Our mission statement is: To preserve and integrate Arab culture by creating memorable musical experiences through edĀ­ucation and performance with emphasis on the musical traditions of the Arab World.

We at the Houston Chapter of the National Arab Orchestra invite you to help us share and grow our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity and support.

Sponsorship Matters


The National Arab Orchestraā€™s artistic, educational, and community programs would not be possible without the generous support of individuals and community partners. Every sponsorship makes a difference and helps to secure a strong, vibrant future for cultural programming with the NAO in your community. In recognition of your generosity, you will enjoy exclusive benefits designed to broaden the exposure to your company in interactive and informative ways.

Explore your options below and make your selection today!


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Asia Society Houston, Texas

Turath: An Evening of Art, Culture, & Music


In celebration of Arab American Heritage Month for an event that will highlight the richness and beauty of the Arab world through literary and visual arts, ending with a concert performed by the National Arab Orchestra Takht Ensemble Featuring vocalists: Abdulsalaam Alnajjar & Hela Melki

Purchase Tickets Here

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Music

Gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and life to everything. -Rumi



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Telephone: +1 281-381-0273

Contact Name: Fadwa Saleh

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EIN: 27-2907966


 

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