Celebrate our first Kurdish and Persian New Year with Ghazi Kurdistani’s band and Iranian duo, Behfar Bahadorian and Reza Sarlak. Dating to 3,000 B.C.E., Nowruz is rooted in Zoroastrianism, the religion of Iran before Islam, and marks the vernal equinox, or the beginning of spring. Today, it is celebrated in Iran, Central Asia and Lebanon. Ghazi Kurdistani is a virtuoso saz and oud player and Kurdish refugee from Iraqi now living in Baltimore County. Kurdish music is romantic, often describing eternal love for family and the landscape of Kurdistan, and was transmitted orally from generation to generation. The message in the music includes historical chronicles to lyric poetry and from epics to literary works.

DJ J Fell kicks off the dance party and is the resident DJ at Red Maple for Wednesday's International Night and a world musician. He is the co-founder of Insijam (Egyptian), The New Tarab Project (Turkish/Arabic), and Raa Djarsi (Indian Fusion). He has also performed Kirtan with Gurunam Singh, Bhakti Tree and is a regular member of The Greek Nubian Collective. A delicious middle eastern buffet dinner will be available for purchase. All ages are welcome! 7pm. $9, $6 mbrs and kids under 12 years old.

Ghazi Kurdistani, Baltimore County

Behfar Bahadorian, Washington DC

Creative Alliance’s Nowruz Concert received a Maryland Traditions grant from the Maryland State Arts Council, an agency dedicated to cultivating a vibrant cultural community where the arts thrive, and by the National Endowment for the Arts.