YALLA DRUM + COYLE CENTER YOUTH SUMMER DRUMMING FINALE on The Cedar Plaza

The Cedar Cultural Center and New Arab American Theater

YALLA DRUM + COYLE CENTER YOUTH SUMMER DRUMMING FINALE on The Cedar Plaza

Thursday, August 21, 2025/ Start: 06:00 PM / End: 8:00PM

All Ages

Outdoors, mixed seated and standing

Free

Please note that the event will begin outdoors on The Cedar plaza at 6:00pm. Concessions will be available for purchase from The Cedar.

In the event of severe weather, or an air quality advisory, we will not reschedule the event. Instead, we will host the show indoors at The Cedar and admit all patrons into the show on a first-come, first-served basis until the venue reaches capacity.

Prospective attendees can RSVP to this event online.

New Arab American Theater Works' drumming program, Yalla Drum, teaches community members to play traditional and contemporary Arabic rhythms in an ensemble group setting, creating space for the larger Twin Cities community to engage with the richness of Arab musical traditions. These rhythms, rooted in centuries old percussion practices from across South West Asia and North Africa (SWANA) have been shared and shaped by many communities including, Muslims, Christians, Jews, Copts, Druze, and Turks.

Yalla Drum brings music from the Middle East to life through dynamic, group performances. Their shows are lively, interactive, and rooted in shared groove and connection. With call-and-response, group drumming, and spontaneous moments, they invite audiences to listen, clap along, and feel part of the experience.

This concert will also feature a special performance by children from the Cedar-Riverside Coyle Youth Summer Program, who have been learning drumming with Yalla Drum instructors throughout the summer. By sharing our musical traditions to younger generations, we aim to nurture cultural pride and build community across ages, identities, and experiences—strengthening solidarity with one another.

To learn more about YALLA DRUM:

• Visit their website here

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

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