Performers

PALAVER STRINGS (SEE INTERVEW BELOW)

The Portland-based, GRAMMY-nominated chamber orchestra Palaver Strings has distinguished itself with its spirit of curiosity and eagerness to collaborate across musical genres and traditions. Dancing Home explores themes of heritage, belonging, displacement, and resilience anchored by the rhythms of dance. At the core of the program is ḥawwāsh by Kareem Roustom, a work that reimagines the traditional Middle Eastern dabke dance with a structure that allows any musician to lead. This choreography of trust speaks to the human need for connection and shared agency. From Sidney Boquiren’s poignant A Prayer for Immigrants to Bongani Ndodana-Breen’s Apologia at Umzimvuba, a piece rooted in reflection and justice, the music tells stories of the lives behind each rhythm. The program includes new commissioned works by composers Maya French and Jamie Oshima, alongside folk music from Syria and the Balkans. Dancing Home invites us to move, listen, and expand our definition of home.

Program

SIDNEY BOQUIREN A Prayer for Immigrants

MAYA FRENCH)/JAMIE OSHIMA moth (commissioned by Palaver Strings)

PÉTALO SELSER Deriva

BONGANI NDODANA-BREEN Apologia at Umzimvuba (new arrangement commissioned by Palaver Strings)

TRAD. arr. LYSANDER JAFFE Three Balkan Folk Songs (commissioned by Palaver Strings)

KAREEM ROUSTOM Syrian Folk Songs

KAREEM ROUSTOM ḥawwāsh (commissioned by Palaver Strings)

Tickets: Age 35+: $38 | 22-34: $20 | 21 & Under: Pay What You Wish.

Honorary Concert Sponsors: Paul Velleman and Sue Michlovitz

Palaver Strings Q&A:

Palaver Strings is not your typical ensemble. On a given day, you're as likely to witness the GRAMMY-nominated chamber orchestra playing in a shelter or a hospital as you are on a formal stage. The Portland, ME based ensemble's goal is to bring music to people, many of whom might not experience classical music otherwise.

"Over the years we have shared music in homeless shelters, hospitals, schools, and prisons, as well as concert halls, art galleries, restaurants, and living rooms. No matter where we are performing, the goal is always the same: to bring people together and to connect" said Maya French, Palaver Strings violinist, composer, and executive director. 

Palaver is also guided by a passion for engaging new audiences, addressing social justice issues, and amplifying underrepresented voices. The ensemble's program Dancing Home, on Saturday, August 16 at 5:30 PM speaks very much to that ethos. Dancing Home explores themes of heritage, belonging, displacement, and resilience anchored by the rhythms of dance. At the core of the program is ḥawwāsh by Kareem Roustom, a work that reimagines the traditional Middle Eastern dabke dance with a structure that allows any musician to lead. This choreography of trust speaks to the human need for connection and shared agency.

But there's more. Known for the intimacy of their playing, fans of the ensemble have said the veil between performer and audience falls away, fully immersing the listener in the tone, texture, and humanity of a performance. We asked Maya what to expect from Palaver Strings' Screen Door concert. 

What is Dancing Home about?

Dancing Home explores themes of heritage, belonging, displacement, and resilience through the lens of dance. At the heart of this program is Kareem Roustom’s ḥawwāsh, commissioned by Palaver in 2024. Inspired by the ḥawwāsh, or lead dancer of a traditional dabke dance. Dancing Home celebrates social dance as a meeting place for tradition and innovation, and a vehicle for building resilience, joy, and trust.

What are the different musical genres and components we can expect?

Dancing Home features Argentinian tango, Xhosa dance rhythms, Syrian folk melodies, Croatian round dances, and new music/custom arrangements by Palaver musicians Maya French and Lysander Jaffe.

What are Palaver’s musical goals?

While the venues we play have changed over the years, our musical goals have remained consistent: to play music that speaks to and strengthens our community, and to share programs that feel culturally relevant, personal, and that lift up underrepresented voices.

Tell us about your 2024 GRAMMY nominated album.

A Change is Gonna Come explores our country’s rich legacy of protest songs. Repertoire includes traditional songs of protest and music inspired by social movements and historical events, including Errollyn Wallen’s Protest Songs, commissioned by the ensemble in 2023. Spanning genres, eras, and movements, A Change Is Gonna Come confronts our past and present and celebrates protest as one of our most precious rights.