Carpinteria Concert for Peace in the Middle East

A Concert for Peace will be performed by the UCSB Middle East Ensemble on October 27 at 7pm.  This performance, celebrating our cultural diversity, will be at the Alcazar Theater in Carpinteria.

 The music and dance will feature  traditional & classical instruments and costumes.  The ensemble’s repertoire reflects the great variety and richness of cultures found in the Middle East including Christians, Jews, Muslims and others.

The concert is the brainchild of Larry Nimmer, a film producer who does an annual 12 mile Dance for Peace performance from Carpinteria to Santa Barbara every New Year’s Day.  With divisiveness currently occurring in the Middle East, Nimmer explored organizing a concert with an Arab and a Jewish musician.  While he did not find any such duet, he did come across the UCSB Middle East Ensemble. Nimmer says that “During these divisive times, it will be an opportunity to celebrate our common humanity and history.  Music can empower and inspire people to work together to accomplish goals and achieve visions unimagined by individuals acting alone.”

The UCSB Middle East Ensemble’s founding director Professor Scott Marcus will precede each piece in the concert with introductions to the music’s cultural background.  Marcus has lead the Ensemble for the last 35 years.

Santa Barbara based ShelterBox USA is sponsoring the evening.  ShelterBox works around the world to ensure no one is without shelter after disaster, including the Middle East.  They often work in places that others don’t, making sure that they reach families who need support, to take the next step in resuming their livelihoods and rebuilding their communities.

To purchase tickets or for more information, go to www.thealcazar.org .  The Alcazar Theater is located at 4916 Carpinteria Ave, Carpinteria, CA 93013.  Larry Nimmer can be contacted at larry@nimmer.net or call 805 708-4753.