This Saturday, October 3, Robert Browning Associates launches its new season at Brooklyn’s Roulette with Tarabesque: New Journeys in Arabic Music, a performance by composer and master qanun (zither) virtuoso Firas Zreik.
Known for expanding the boundaries of the traditional 78-string Arabic lap zither, Zreik fuses Mediterranean modal traditions with contemporary global influences, promising a night of intricate improvisation and emotional resonance (tarab).
Presented in partnership with Lotus Music & Dance, Roulette, and Brooklyn Maqam, the performance sets an ambitious tone for a presenter renowned for championing traditional world music on modern stages.
The concert serves as the gateway to a rich 2026–2027 series program that spans cultures, genres, and continents.
Autumn highlights include the cross-cultural hammer-string ensemble Strings of Soul featuring Max ZT, Kunal Gunjal, and Amit Kavthekar (Friday, October 16, 2026), followed by an evening of Iranian solidarity and harmony with virtuoso Sahba Motallebi and her ensemble (Thursday, November 5, 2026).
As the season moves into 2027, audiences can look forward to the 26th annual Flamenco Festival (Friday, March 5, 2027), a tributive Indian classical concert by Rahul Sharma and Amit Kavthekar honoring Shivkumar Sharma and Zakir Hussain (Friday, March 19, 2027), the 25th anniversary of Quebecois folk legends Le Vent du Nord (Friday, April 2, 2027), and rare vocal and instrumental showcases from South Africa (Derek Gripper, Saturday, March 13, 2027), Yemen (Fuad Al-Kibsi, Friday, April 9, 2027), and the Arab world (Simon Shaheen Ensemble, Saturday, March 6, 2027; Nibal Malshi, Saturday, April 17, 2027).
Together, the slate reaffirms Robert Browning Associates’ commitment to bringing world-class master musicians directly to New York audiences.
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http://www.robertbrowningassociates.com
Roulette Intermedium
509 Atlantic Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217
​19172670363
