Amal Murkus is a Palestinian singer & actress whose extensive vocal range and versatile musical abilities enable her to sing in a wide variety of genres, ranging from traditional Arab roots to modern popular Western styles. Often known as the Voice of Palestine, Amal’s songs take inspiration from Palestinian folkloric themes as well as original compositions that feature elements of pop, rock, Western Classical, jazz and many global influences, creating a breath- taking modern and authentic sound.
Composer and Kanunist Firas Zreik has performed and recorded across the world as a leader and highly sought collaborator since 2013. A sonic revolutionary, the Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the Kanun. His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. He views the Maqam’s improvisation-driven legacy as a vessel for unbound creative expression across musical styles.
Stay over with us! Race Brook is offering a 20% discount on overnight accommodations for our Spring Cultural Festival for guests attending the event using code SPRING25. Click here to book your room with the discount now.
Sunday, April 6th
DINNER RESERVATIONS AT THE STAGECOACH TAVERN
Doors open at 7pm, event begins around 7:30pm
In The Barnspace at Race Brook Lodge
864 South Undermountain road ( AKA Rt 41 ) Sheffield, MA (click for directions)
Advance Tickets: $20 | $25 at the door
This event is part of our Race Brook Spring Cultural Festival Weekend:
April 4th: Huda Asfour, 8-11pm
April 5th: Ecstatic Dance with Omar Aena, 3-5pm
April 5th: Alsarah & The Nubatones, 8-11pm
April 6th: Jazz Brunch with Tarik Shah 12-3pm
April 6: Amal Murkus & Firas Zreik, 7:30-10:30pm
Amal Murkus is a Palestinian singer & actress whose extensive vocal range and versatile musical abilities enable her to sing in a wide variety of genres, ranging from traditional Arab roots to modern popular Western styles. Often known as the Voice of Palestine, Amal’s songs take inspiration from Palestinian folkloric themes as well as original compositions that feature elements of pop, rock, Western Classical, jazz and many global influences, creating a breath- taking modern and authentic sound.
As a result, she has created some remarkable collaborations with other artists and international musicians, including Joan Baez in an anti-war concert that took place in 1988; Marcedes Sosa; Oliver Shante, Germany; Stadio, Italy; the Greek singer Glykeria; Noa; Anwar Ebrahem from Tunisia, Enzo Avetable of Italy; Nani Cayemi in Brazil; Robert White in the UK and The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra of Liverpool (UK) in 2005, and many others. Amal has also completed projects with the Palestinian poets Mahmod Darwesh Nazarth in 2000, Kufer Yasef in 1999, and Sameh Alkasem in 2006.
Amal has received many commendations for her unique art and music and for her work with local communities. In 2001 Amal was chosen by Austrian TV as one of the most beautiful voices of the 20th century, after taking part in a music film produced by the ARTE TV “Premadonas Fest”, by the director-musician Andrew Heller, with Jesse Norman and Harris Alexiou, D.D. Bridgewater and others. Follow Amal on Instagram!
Composer and Kanunist Firas Zreik has performed and recorded across the world as a leader and highly sought collaborator since 2013. A sonic revolutionary, the Palestine-born New Yorker has transformed global perception of the Kanun. His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. He views the Maqam’s improvisation-driven legacy as a vessel for unbound creative expression across musical styles.
He has performed all over the US, both as a leader or accompanist at venues such as Lincoln Center, The Jazz Gallery, Joe’s Pub, The Smithsonian Museum, Savannah Music Festival, Hill Auditorium, and Boston Symphony Hall. Zreik was selected as an official showcase artist at WOMEX 2022 international music expo in Lisbon, Portugal. He has also performed in the Arab world at The Carthage International Festival in Tunisia, NYU Abu Dhabi, as well as his homeland, Palestine. Before arriving in New York in 2020, Zreik received his Bachelor of Arts in Music from Berklee College of Music in Boston — where he received a full presidential scholarship — completing a double major in Performance and Jazz Composition. In 2019, Zreik received coveted placement at the Blue Mountain Center Residency where he served as Artist-in-Residence. Recently, Zreik was chosen as the sole musician for inclusion on the Arab America Foundation’s 30 Under 30 list. Zreik was the recipient of a Macdowell fellowship, the leading artist residency program in the US. Zreik has taught at the Arabic Music Retreat in Western Massachusetts and Circle World Arts in Brooklyn, and delivered workshops at NYU Abu Dhabi, Tufts and Berklee. Follow Firaz on Instagram.
Race Brook Lodge is a hidden gem in The Berkshires, at the foot of Mt. Race and a short hike from the Appalachian trail. The yoga & event barn at Race Brook is simultaneously rustic and sublime, steeped in hundreds of years of New England history. The Stagecoach Tavern is unpretentious fine dining, exquisite farm-to-table cuisine in a relaxed atmosphere. Much of the food is sourced from Race Farm, right on the property!
