The Gaza Benefit Concert is an opportunity to raise our voices for the voiceless people of Gaza, who are suffering horrifically from Israel's brutal attack on their neighborhoods.
Dr. Nabil Azzam and MESTO
A 44-piece 'Multi-Ethnic Star Orchestra' founded by conductor and composer Dr. Nabil Azzam, MESTO is a non-profit orchestra dedicated to performing music from the Middle East and around the world in an open and friendly setting, which has performed in Cairo, Alexandria and Amman. MESTO's first CD, entitled "The Crescent," personifies the orchestra's goal of promoting global cultural understanding and tolerance through the language and medium of music and musicians.
Dr. Nabil Azzam, a native of Nazareth, is accomplished in both classical European and Middle Eastern musical styles. He graduated with a B.A. and B.Mus. from the Rubin Academy of Music in Tel Aviv and with an M.A. in Musicology from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. He earned his doctorate in music from the University of California in Los Angeles. In 1977, Azzam established and chaired the first conservatory of music in his birthplace, Nazareth. He has been acknowledged by several heads of state for his peace efforts and has taught at UCLA, the University of Redlands and the University of California in Santa Barbara.
Michelle Shocked
Michelle Shocked is a U.S. singer-songwriter whose music and performances are influenced by her Texas roots, her political activism, and a self-assured style that her first major-label producer likened to troubadours such as Joni Mitchell, Spider John Koerner, and Dave Van Ronk.
The singer's name dates back to the one she gave when arrested in 1984 at a protest called "The War Chest Tour" during the Democratic National Convention in San Francisco, California. The demonstration challenged the practice of U.S. corporations giving campaign contributions to both Democratic and Republican parties, thus benefiting from political favors regardless of which party is elected. "Michelle Shocked" was a play on words intended to resemble the phrase "shell shocked."
Mark Gonzales
It's the beauty of his words in his writings, his plays, lectures and spoken word performances that has you mesmerized. He can tell you a story, easily transforming issues of injustice, hatred and ignorance - topics usually tuned out by the mainstream audience - into dangerous reality. The truth he speaks takes you hostage as every pore in your body recognizes how much progress the world is still sorely in need of. Mark Gonzales, 30, a teacher by day, a poet, playwright, Founder of the Human Writes Project, and student by night has a powerful talent that shapes the lives of many every day. Driven, passionate, informed and humble, Mark Gonzales is a true reformer that never requests a call for action but in his words forces you to do otherwise.
Omar Offendum
Omar Offendum (aka Syriana-Man aka OMZ) is a Syrian MC/Architect born in the KSA, raised in the USA, & repeatedly hassled by the TSA... He started his musical career off as 1/2 of The N.O.M.A.D.S., co-produced the critically-acclaimed FREE-THE-P Mixtape, participated in The Arab Summit project, co-authored the "Brooklyn Beats 2 Beirut Streets" performance-lecture, toured the world (Damascus, Beirut, Amman, New York, DC, Philly, Detroit, Chicago, Vancouver, San Francisco, LA & San Diego) and is currently hard at work on his upcoming solo release - affectionately dubbed "Syriana-americanA."
Zaytouna
Zaytouna is a Dabkah group based in the U.S.A. which presents a mixture of contemporary and traditional Palestinian Dabkah dance. The members of the group come from different backgrounds and countries. Zaytouna, which means Olive tree has a significant meaning to Palestinians. Some olive trees are more than 400 years old symbolizing life, history, and land. Zaytouna group hopes to share the beauty of dabkah presenting the vibrant Palestinian life and culture.
