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Photos

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

Instagram post 17898507119950319

Instagram post 17898507119950319

PEACE (Arabic Lyrics by Ehab Lotayef) - very loose

PEACE (Arabic Lyrics by Ehab Lotayef) - very loose rough translation
Performed by Al Qahwa at DROM Taberna - August 21, 2023
Filmed by Cathy Ord and Sage
Sound recorded by Samantha Selci
Peace is not just a word
Peace is a brave step - witnessing the whole truth
Peace is a young child - if the years of oppression continue, they will die before their time
A plant that is still green - if fear grows in the soil, only poison will bloom
Peace is a conscience waking up - we will not steal, we will not kill, we will not deceive
When we can admit we were wrong
When the weapons are broken
When the jails are torn down
Peace means justice, lost rights are returned
The land goes back to her children, no matter how many years have passed
The land goes back to her children, no matter how many years have passed
The land goes back to her children, no matter how many years have passed
My beloved, embrace me
In the difficult times, don't ever leave me
Stay with me, always
Your step with mine, we will not be overcome in these times
Peace is not just a word
Peace is a brave step
Peace means justice
We will not be overcome in these times

@maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsal

@maryemhassantollar @ernietollar @demetriospetsalakis @naghmehfarahmand_ @waleed.abdulhamid10 @laurenb_freeforall

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