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Here’s Zikrayat, playing a wide repertory of Egyptian music ranging from exciting Bellydance numbers to virtuosic improvisations.
Global Mashup #2: EGYPT MEETS HAITI
Zikrayat (“memories” in Arabic) is a NYC-based ensemble that performs traditional and modern Arabic music
and dance from Egypt, Syria, and the greater Arab world. Zikrayat highlights rare and little-known
gems from the “Golden Age” of Egyptian cinema and the 1930’s-60s. The ensemble’s mission is to highlight
the diversity of Arab culture for mainstream Western audiences in an authentic, yet entertaining
contemporary representation. Zikrayat, founded by violinist, vocalist and composer Sami Abu Shumays,
has performed at Lincoln Center, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, GlobalFEST, Alwan for the Arts, The
American Folk Festival, the Lowell Folk Festival, and numerous other venues and festivals across New
York City and the United States. Sung in English, French, and Haitian Creole to a background of African
Rhythms, “Compa Music” is undeniably infectious,
high energy, and fun to dance to. Dousing FTH
with flavor of this rich and varied music is
The Agoci Band led by Rol’hans Innocent. The
Agoci Band is a group of Haitian Musicians
that combine fresh Hip-Hop, Roots and Calypso
flavors with Haitian Compas.
Agoci
Agoci, is based in N.Y.C. and made up of a very dedicated group of musicians eager to share the culture and
heritage of Haiti with the world. Rol’hans describes his original songs as follows: “Our music embraces the
joy and struggle of our people. For the past four years we’ve had the opportunity to entertain a great
capacity of audiences in The Dominican Republic and the United States. Our hit single Rozo, released in 2014,
was received very well internationally. Land of the Drum, Banm Tanbou, Neg Ginen and Fre Tijean are some
of the most requested songs on their recent album released in 2017”. Agoci, a search for the inner soul, is a
full cultural experience. The band leader teacher turned singer, Rol’hans Innocent graduated from Brooklyn
College,with a Bachelor’s in Performing Arts and a Master’s in Education.
Queens Perspectives Presents
QPTV’s Roslyn Nieves joins Flushing Town Hall’s Executive and Artistic Director Ellen Kodadek, Deputy
Director Sami Abu Shumays, Jazz Producer Clyde Bullard, and Shawn Choi, Director of Marketing and
Community Engagement, to bring you Flushing Town Hall’s Global Mashups Series on Queens Public
Television’s channels.
In each Global Mashup concert, two cultures are mashed up on one stage with an open dance floor! First,
each band plays a set, then the two meet and jam. The mashup often results in a unique, never-beforeheard
blend of two different cultures.
QPTV captured the entertaining cultural series and now the television programs will cablecast in Queens
on Spectrum, RCN, and Verizon Fios for the first time!
The cultural series is available on television and online at qptv.org/globalmashups
Day Date Time Spectrum RCN FIOS
Tuesday 12/18/18 10:00 AM 1997 85 37
Tuesday 12/25/18 7:00 PM 34/1995 82 34