[ELECTRON] Qawali Sufi band from-Afgan play Pearce Inst Sun. from 2: 00 FREE or small donation

[Bob]

FW: QAWALI SUFI BAND AFGHANISTAN PLAY PEARCE INSTITUTE SUNDAY

Hey,This is just to let you know that a Qawali Sufi band from Afghanistan 
will be appearing at the pearce institute in Govan on Sunday 17 May from 2 
o'clock.....i have attached a flier and A4.This is a free event though we 
will be asking for small donations just to keep various wheels oiled!This 
is a rare opportunity to see the band and catch a few hours of high quality 
inspirational music.The gig will be taking place in the cafe area{with the 
possibility of some nice food if i can arrange it in time.....any 
offers?}.We can't go for 48 hours(see below!)but please come along and 
support this community event ,help us create a Sufi house atmosphere!The 
band are keen to perform for and to meet Glasgow's varied communities and 
their music is influenced by the audience they get,that is ..........we 
need you!
I've no idea how many people this will appeal to or how many we can reach 
but please pass this info on to anyone you feel would be interested ; it 
might also be useful if you think you will come if you emailed me so i can 
get some idea of possible numbers........hope to see you there,Leigh



Below is information about the band

The Ahmad Sham Sufi Qawali group is the most famous Qawali group in 
Afghanistan at the moment.

I came across the group for the first time when visiting a Sufi House in
the old quarters of Kabul in 2006. Sufi Houses exist all over
Afghanistan and come from an ancient tradition which has existed for
over 700years. The tradition consists of 24 to 48hours of non-stop
music, played by alternating musicians. The sessions are always free,
food is provided and the audience come and go as they please.  The
audience and the musicians collaborate to create a musical and
spiritual journey, aimed at reaching a state of ecstasy. This state is
viewed by certain Sufi groups as the point at which one is closest to
God.

Sufi music is not viewed as a performance, but as a
spiritual and healing journey through music and dance. People do not
clap at the end of a song, but they clap and dance throughout. The
music is improvised according to the atmosphere and mood of the
audience and the audience share a responsibility in creating this
energy.

The Taliban banned Qawali music along with all other
music, during their reign and Qawali music was the first to return
after their expulsion. This is due to Qawali being an important form of
healing within Afghan culture.

The Sham Qawali group have been
playing for over 30years and is one of the most highly regarded Qawali
groups of Afghanistan. They have toured India, Russia, Tajikistan, all
over Afghanistan and last year came to London and Scotland, brought
over by Reel Afghanistan, the first Afghan Festival in the UK 
http://www.reelfestivals.org/.

In Edinburgh the group played in the Reed Music Hall, and the Queen’s Hall 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdfhVcimANQ.
Both concerts were a huge success and due to public demand, we are
bringing the group back this year as part of the Great Game Festival in
the Tricycle Theatre, London http://www.tricycle.co.uk/.

The
group will also be touring Scotland, playing in the CatStrand in New
Galloway as part of Dumfries and Galloway 30th Arts Festival 
http://www.dgartsfestival.org.uk/, Knockengorroch World Music Festival in 
Dumfries and Galloway http://www.knockengorroch.org.uk/, and in Glasgow.

Last
year the group raised £7000, which they donated to widows and children
disabled by war, with the help of the British Council.

This is a
rare opportunity to see one of Afghanistan’s most talented bands and
learn about their unique history and culture. A chance to see a more
human side of Afghanistan and its people.

If you would like any
further information or are interested in supporting them during their
second visit to the UK from 2nd May to 5th June 2009, please contact me.

Many thanks


Zahra Qadir
zahrazan at gmail.com
07894547596
"

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