CAC Presents: Aliya Cycon Project

Center for Arabic Culture presents the up-and-coming young female oud player, Aliya Cycon, at the Cambridge YMCA Theater on Thursday 8/31 at 6:30pm. She will be debuting her new album, Prayer, which features her original compositions and arrangements, played by a string section, horn section, rhythm section and Arabic percussion, for a night of celebration and exciting music! The album, Prayer, incorporates up-tempo danceable world music rhythms with intense and mesmerizing melodies, all led by her incisive oud playing, smoky voice and charming band leadership.

In 2016, Aliya became the first ever female oud player to graduate from Berklee College of music. Since then, she has made her mark on the World Music scene by fusing her love for the Arabic culture and the oud with influences from her background in jazz and pop music, as well as her skills in arranging and composition which she majored in at Berklee. Because of its innate fusion, the music appeals to a wide array of audiences from jazz and pop lovers to world music and Arabic music appreciators. Aliya Cycon Project has toured the Northeast throughout the summer, performing at two major American music festivals: Green River Festival in Greenfield, MA and Musikfest in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, and they have played at many Boston venues including Boston Public Library and Ryles Jazz Club. She has also performed in Senegal, Lebanon, Palestine and most recently at the Nobel Business for Peace Awards in Oslo, Norway. More info about Aliya's music can be found at www.AliyaCycon.com

The release party will feature her full band performing tracks from their new album, a presentation by the Center for Arabic Culture, special guest and exclusive pre-release copies of the new album. And of course, light snacks and beverages will be served.

Tickets are $10 in advance, $15 on the day of. For online purchase, please visit: https://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/eventReg?oeidk=a07eeegfid740424f64&oseq=&c=&ch=