by May 6th, 2013

Tickets: $60 per attendee with dinner selection of Prime Rib, Salmon or Vegetarian Pasta

With live performance tribute to Sayed Darwish by Ahmad Gamal of the Cairo Opera House's Arabic Music Orchestra. Including Master Percussionist Faisal Zedan. Also with live performance by Basheer Twal

Ahmad Gamal, an Egyptian singer and actor has been the solo vocalist of the Arabic Music Orchestra of the Opera House in Cairo, Egypt since 2001. Ahmad earned a Bachelor’s degree in Greco-Roman Archeology & Civilization from the University of Alexandria, Egypt. His professional career as an artist began in the early 90’s. Since then, Ahmad has taken part in multiple Egyptian TV series, and performed in national and international concerts, world summits, and festivals around the Arab world, Europe, and the United States. In addition to his work in public relations and as a manager in the art center at the Library of Alexandria, Egypt, Ahmad performed in historical events. Among those were the 50^th anniversary of the July 23^rd Egyptian Revolution at the Opera House in Cairo, the opening of the Library of Alexandria in front of 32 world leaders, and The International Women’s Day in Amman, Jordan. Since recently coming to the United States, he has performed with the Alwan Arts Center Ensemble in New York City, Ahmad performs songs from the classical as well as recent Egyptian repertory, and performed recently in the Lincoln Center at the “Egypt Mini Series”. He is especially passionate about the musical works of the amazing Sayed Darweesh, and is adamant about maintaining a unique, classical, and genuine artistic persona.

Born in 1972 in Oum D'Baib, Syria, Faisal Zedan grew up impassioned with the derbakki. At the age of 15, after intensive study with local drummer, Faisal embarked on a journey of learning through exposure to a wide repertoire of Arabic Classical Contemporary music. Years of tireless practice, along with God's grace, has resulted in the mastery of the derbakki, as well as the riqq and tar (frame drum).Upon arrival in California in 1992, he met UCLA's noted professor of ethnomusicology, Dr. Ali Jihad Racy, and was then invited to join the acclaimed UCLA Near East Music Ensemble.In 1993, Faisal was a founding member of the Near East music group, Kan Zaman. Specializing in the classical singing genre of Muwashahat and Adwar, Kan Zanman performed at Arabic cultural centers, city-sponsored events, and private shows along the West Coast of the United States.Along with Donovan Lerman, Faisal is also a founding member of the Los Angeles-based Youm It Taaata percussion group, performing at festivals, cultural events and with local Middle Eastern dancers in Southern California.In 1996 Faisal taught at the Northern California Middle East Music Camp held in Mendocino. Since then, he has performed and studied annually with International artist and musicians at that event. Faisal also cunducts workshops at the Kosmos Kamp annually.2009 saw the birth of Ajyal. Under the direction of Faisal Zedan Ajyal features prominent local musicians, Nazir Latouf, Hosain Resan, Susu Pampanin and Laurie Eisler. The Group preserces and performs diverse genres of traditional music and dance from the Arab world. Currently, Faisal is also a member of Eliyahu & Qadim, Stellamara, Kan Zaman and ASWAT.

Basheer Twal is a Jordanian vocalist currently residing in Canton Michigan with a longstanding following and appreciation by diverse San Francisco Bay Area audiences. Basheer’s vocal range makes him a stand-out performer able to undertake a pluralistic array of Arabic music genres. His diverse assortments of both classical and contemporary Arabic music make him a San Francisco Bay Area favorite. Basheer sings melodies and songs that audiences can sing and dance along to, and is particularly well known for exceptional achievements in traditional Arabic folk dance (debka) songs.