MONA MIARI and KOBO TOWN - Global Roots Festival Night 3

The Cedar Presents

MONA MIARI and KOBO TOWN - Global Roots Festival Night 3

Wednesday, September 25, 2024/ Doors: 7:00 PM / Show: 7:30 PM

All Ages

Standing

Free

This is a standing show with an open floor. To request seating or other access accommodations, please go to our .

Prospective attendees can RSVP to this event online.

Night three of Global Roots Festival will close with some special offerings from Mona Miari and Kobo Town. Mona Miari will open the night, singing deeply beautiful songs in Arabic that draw on her Palestinian background, Levantine folklore, and other global influences. To close the night, Kobo Town will share their energetic blend of Trinidadian calypso and dancehall reggae, getting audiences moving and grooving to the beat. Don't miss this final night of our beloved Global Roots Festival!

Mona Miari is an independent Palestinian/American Artist, Singer/Songwriter, and Lawyer based in New York City.

Born in Chicago, IL, Mona's journey led her to Palestine during her youth, where she embarked on her music career. Her remarkable talent gained recognition by headlining her first major concert at the prestigious "Jerusalem - The Capital of Arabic Culture 2009" festival.

Dedicated to showcasing the richness of Arabic culture and music, Mona embarked on a professional music career, taking part in various cultural festivals and concerts where she combines Palestinian/Levantine folklore into her performances and repertoire, expressing her diverse upbringing by exploring and reapplying the Arabic languages to different music genres, embracing global influences.

She has graced stages worldwide across the US, the Arab World and Europe, captivating audiences with her mesmerizing elegant talent at various prestigious venues from Lincoln Center, BAM, Drom to Steri Hall (Palermo, IT) among many others. In addition to being featured at the renowned BRIC - Celebrate Brooklyn festival as well as collaborating with the acclaimed Little Amal organization and festivals, for their US debut.

Mona’s artistic collaborations extend to working with acclaimed international artists such as Ibrahim Maalouf, Zülfü Livaneli, Amir ElSaffar, Indya Moore, and many others, resulting in numerous remarkable projects.

Mona has also been awarded several prestigious artist residencies across the USA and Europe, including the Rockefeller Brothers Fund Artist Residency at the Pocantico Center in New York, La Maison De Beaumont in Southern France, Tanfis - Remix Culture, among others.

Mona just finished recording her debut music album that features songs written and composed by her in collaboration with fellow artists from the Middle East, Europe and the US to create a transcendent musical experience that resonates universally. The Album is scheduled to be released in November 2024.

With boundless talent and unwavering dedication to cultural enrichment, Mona continues to inspire, leaving an indelible mark on the music world through her unique artistry and commitment to exploration.

To learn more about Mona Miari:

• Visit her website here

Named after the storied district in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad, where calypso was born, Kobo Town’s music has been variously described as “an intoxicating blend of lilting calypsonian wit, dancehall reggae and trombone-heavy brass” (Guardian) and a “unique, transnational composite of rhythm, poetry and activist journalism.” (Exclaim!) From their home in Toronto, the JUNO-nominated group has brought their distinct calypso-inspired sound to audiences across the world, from Port-of-Spain to Paris and from Montreal to Malaysia.

Founded and fronted by émigré Trinidadian songwriter Drew Gonsalves, Kobo Town continues to redefine calypso music and pushes the boundaries of the Caribbean sound with its fourth album, CARNIVAL OF THE GHOSTS.

Behind the running social commentary and satirical mood, this is a collection of songs about the human condition – about our quirks and foibles, our anxieties and hopes, and the haunting sense of impermanence that imbues our every moment with its urgency and priceless worth.

To learn more about Kobo Town:

• Visit their website here

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

The Cedar Cultural Center, 416 Cedar Avenue South, Minneapolis, United States