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Al Qahwa – Maryem Tollar, Ernie Tollar, Demetri Petsalakis, Naghmeh Farahmand
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Trio Arabica - together again at The Aga Khan Muse Trio Arabica - together again at The Aga Khan Museum for the “As The Sun Appears From Beyond” - Twenty Years of the Al Burda Award @maryemhassantollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_
We can’t wait to do our first gig tomorrow - on We can’t wait to do our first gig tomorrow - on mother’s day - as the full 6 piece band (Maryem Tollar, Ernie Tollar, Waleed Abdulhamid, Naghmeh Farahmand, Demetri Petsalakis and Lauren Barnett) since Lauren became a mom herself 🙂. Come and say congratulations to Demetrios Petsalakis and Lauren at DROM Taberna (Queen Street West and Augusta) - we start at 8 pm. @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @demetriospetsalakis @laurenb_freeforall @dromtaberna
So looking forward to performing again with Naghme So looking forward to performing again with Naghmeh Farahmand - my darling - on Mother’s Day - Sunday, May 11 - 8 to 10 pm at DROM Taberna with the full 6 piece - Al Qahwa - getting ready to tour across Canada in July and August 2025!

Please come to see the band in Toronto at DROM before we set off - details of the tour coming soon!
Maryem Hassan Tollar, Ernie Tollar, Naghmeh Farahmand Music, Waleed Abdulhamid, Demetrios Petsalakis, and Lauren Barnett @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @demetriospetsalakis @laurenb_freeforall @dromtaberna
OK friends - it looks like Al Qahwa has found a ve OK friends - it looks like Al Qahwa has found a venue (and not just any venue - it seems really AWESOME - I’m very excited about it) in Vancouver - fingers crossed the dates will work (July 22 or 23, 2025); and we have also found what looks like another AWESOME venue in Edmonton.  The one in Edmonton holds more people though - and since we have never played there - here’s my new ask ...

Do you know any local Edmonton bands who might want to share the night with us?? I’m tagging you edmonton folks! @simvuch  @imnotchrispruden @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @peggybakerdanceprojects 

Alberta friends - please DM me if you have any suggestions.  We are looking at Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - in Edmonton.

PS - FREE PALESTINE!!!
Hi friends - guess who has an official showcase to Hi friends - guess who has an official showcase tonight - Saturday, February 22 - at 6:45 pm at FAI 2025 - with Al Qahwa … This guy 🙂 If you’re here at the conference, come and check us out in Salon ABC - level B

Then come to our private showcase at midnight in the Mundial Montreal/Global Toronto room - Room 728

And then we have one final showcase in the singalongs only room at 1:30 am on the 10th floor.

Thank you to the Canada Council and to Factor for supporting us with our travel expenses @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @mgamagency @luisamago99 @folk_alliance @mundialmontreal @globaltorontomusic
Al Qahwa is excited to be an official showcasing a Al Qahwa is excited to be an official showcasing artist at Folk Alliance International 2025 - if you are in Montreal and attending the conference, come to our official showcase on Saturday, February 22 from 6:45 to 7:15 pm - and/or check out our late night showcases on Friday, February 21 at 11:30 pm to hear traditional/classical music from my motherland of Egypt and Saturday, February 22 (technically February 23 since our set starts at midnight!) in the Mundial Montreal/Global Toronto showcase room. We can’t wait! Photos by @zahrasaleki We are going with the generous support of The Canada Council for the Arts and FACTOR Canada #folk2025 @folk_alliance @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @mgamagency @luisamago99 @canada.council @factorcanada
We had a beautiful last day in Killarney, Ireland We had a beautiful last day in Killarney, Ireland - we’ll be back one day! @qahwa4 @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @waleedkushafrojazz
Well we made it to Killarney, Ireland! A little je Well we made it to Killarney, Ireland! A little jet lagged - but happily we found a midnight music session - and bumped into Saskia Tomkins - and Steafan Hannigan earlier (there are Canadians everywhere 🙂 ) 

The sound at the showcase rooms is awesome! We can’t wait to do our Al Qahwa showcase on Friday, January 17 at 6 pm in the Mangerton room. If you are here - please stop by! 🙂

@showing_roots 
#YRAS 

@maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @qahwa4 @steafanh @saskia_tomkins @mgamagency @luisamago99 
#YRAS
Al Qahwa Sextet - Tomorrow!!! Ya comin’? We hope Al Qahwa Sextet - Tomorrow!!! Ya comin’? We hope so!
Sunday, Nov10 - 5 to 7 pm
PWYC
The Southern Cross
292 Brunswick Avenue
Last show for the full Al Qahwa Sextet of 2024 💕 @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @laurenb_freeforall
Thank you “Beyond Our Roots” festival for havi Thank you “Beyond Our Roots” festival for having Al Qahwa today - the rain went away and the sun came out - woohoo!  There’s one more day of music tomorrow- Sunday, June 30 - you should check it out - at Lee Lifeson Art Park in North York - and it’s all FREE 🙂 (Maryem Hassan Tollar, Ernie Tollar, John Gzowski, Naghmeh Farahmand) @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @naghmehfarahmand_ @gzapper @qahwa4
Al Qahwa - starting in half an hour at DROM - you Al Qahwa - starting in half an hour at DROM - you coming? 458 Queen Street West - PWYC - also yummy food :) @qahwa4 @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @laurenb_freeforall @dromtaberna
We love you Medellín - Al Qahwa can’t wait to c We love you Medellín - Al Qahwa can’t wait to come back to Colombia 💕 Thank you Alfredo Caxaj, Mercedes Caxaj, TD Sunfest Canada, Judy Harquail, Capacoa, Ana Maria Bedoya and The Canadian Embassy for this amazing opportunity to showcase at Circulart 2024 😊 @maryemhassantollar @qahwa4 @ernietollar @waleedkushafrojazz @naghmehfarahmand_ @alfredocaxaj @mercedes2686 @sunfestldn @capacoa_arts @jlharquail
TOMORROW! Sunday May 12, 2024 - don’t miss Al Qa TOMORROW! Sunday May 12, 2024 - don’t miss Al Qahwa’s last show at The Southern Cross (292 Brunswick Avenue) before we showcase at Circulart in Medellín, Colombia!! 

(You heard me right!! I have been invited to be part of the Canadian Delegation along with Akawui, Diogo Ramos Music and Bruno Capinan - sponsored by TD Sunfest Canada and CAPACOA - AND Al Qahwa was invited to be a showcasing artist - THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! We are beyond excited! 🙂 )

For this very special Mother’s Day concert, you will hear songs dedicated to mothers, songs from our latest recording “Weyn Allah” and songs from Palestine, Egypt and the Middle East.

What a beautiful way to celebrate mother’s day - after a nice brunch, head down to the family friendly Southern Cross - at The Tranzac Club (292 Brunswick Avenue) to hear music dedicated to our mothers and enjoy a beverage of your choice.

Music will start at 5:30 and go until 7 p.m.  We can’t wait to see you!!

PWYC - if you’re broke - no worries - we just want you to come and be with us! @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @laurenb_freeforall
When 2 of your favourite authors also happen to be When 2 of your favourite authors also happen to be your friends and they come to your little gig plus a bunch of your bffs you haven’t seen forever show up 💕 

Thank you for a beautiful evening and amazing food at Mekan 😊 @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @laurenb_freeforall @annmariemacdonaldauthor @robert_w_hough @yvettetollar @michaellovelong @julie_milgram @jaash.singh
Ok Beebelz- za qanun is tuned, we just ordered a d Ok Beebelz- za qanun is tuned, we just ordered a dee-licious looking dinner - just waiting for za rest of za band and you beautiful folks to arrive. Come on down to Mekan frenz- 817 Queen Street West.

If you didn’t get tickets - don’t worry, you can pay at za door @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar and @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @laurenb_freeforall 

Tickets $10
Tonight’s the night! Did you get your tickets ye Tonight’s the night! Did you get your tickets yet? (For tickets - link in bio). Al Qahwa playing at Mekan Restaurant from 8 to 10 pm - come early and have dinner with us - or come in time to listen and/or dance to the music 💕 @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis  @naghmehfarahmand_  @laurenb_freeforall
Join us on Wednesday, April 24th for some Arabic m Join us on Wednesday, April 24th for some Arabic music with Al Qahwa (Maryem Tollar, Ernie Tollar, Demetri Petsalakis, Naghmeh Farahmand, and Lauren Barnett) and yummy Turkish food at Mekan on 817 Queen Street West in Toronto!
Black and White photos by @zahrasaleki 
Tickets - $10

Reserve Your Tickets Now at the link in bio
@maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @laurenb_freeforall
Thank you St. John’s and the 2024 CFMA’s - Al Thank you St. John’s and the 2024 CFMA’s - Al Qahwa had a beautiful time and what a gorgeous theatre the newly renovated Majestic Theatre is - wonderful sound and beautiful venue - it felt amazing to perform there - until the next time 💞 I also want to thank @ontarioartscouncil  @factorcanada  @socanfdn  for their travel grants that supported @qahwa4 with our travel expenses @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleedkushafrojazz @laurenb_freeforall @canadianfolkmusicawards @qahwa4 @mgamagency @luisamago99
I love playing with these beauties - thank you Ham I love playing with these beauties - thank you Hamsa Diab Farhat and Taste of the Middle East for inviting Al Qahwa to perform at the “I Love Egypt” Day 1 of your festival @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleed.abdulhamid10 @laurenb_freeforall @hamsadiabfarhat @tasteofthemiddleeastcanada @mgamagency @qahwa4
@maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsala @maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleed.abdulhamid10 @laurenb_freeforall @mgamagency
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© Al Qahwa, 2020