Qadim with Naser MusaWhen will there be peace, and how will it be ushered in? A concert by Qadim in Los Angeles on February 19 offers a refreshing respite from the chaos in the world. The concert is one in an ongoing series of events presented by Levantine Cultural Center that addresses Middle Eastern conflict from a perspective of coexistence. Founded in 2001, the center strives to build an alliance of cultures.

A word found in both Arabic and Hebrew, qadim means ancient and "that which will come," suggesting the fraternal bonds that have long existed among Arabs and Jews as two tribes that stem from one common language (Aramaic) and profess the Abrahamic faith.

The ensemble performs intricate and melodious songs in the best musical traditions of the Middle East and North Africa, with a repertoire that includes Arab, Jewish, Sufi, Hebrew-Yemenite, Armenian, Greek and Moroccan music. Qadim at once celebrates the common musical heritage and linked spiritual traditions of the  region's ancient cultures, while also honoring the diversity among them.

Listen to the music.

Dancing is encouraged in the spirit of the music.

Naser Musa: master of the oud and a warm-hearted vocalist with a wide repertoireLed by neyzen and peacemaker Eliyahu Sills, Qadim is an innovative cross-cultural group featuring Rachel Valfer on vocals, Middle Eastern lute (oud) and Persian stick fiddle (kemanche), Faisal Zedan on Arabic percussion (darbukkah, riqq, & frame drum) and vocals, John Villa on Indian tablas and frame drums, and Eliyahu Sills on the Middle Eastern reed flute (ney), Indian bamboo flute (bansuri), Turkish saz, and vocals. Special guest artist Naser Musa, the Palestinian-Jordanian oud virtuoso and vocalist, makes an appearance.

Eastern Wind, the new CD from QadimThe group has just released their second album, Eastern Wind, out from Embarka Records and produced by Six Degrees artist Jef Stott. Inspired by Stott's mastery of mixing traditional Middle Eastern instruments with global music grooves, the new CD features a fuller, more modern sound than the group's debut release Songs of Qadim, currently available through iTunes and CDBaby.

Thursday, February 19, 8:30 pm, Levantine Cultural Center @ Mimoda Studios/Theatre, 5774 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles 90019. Entrance is on the Ogden Drive side, at the back corner of the building. Tickets $12 in advance, $15 at the door, or $25 includes a signed copy of the Qadim CD Eastern Wind. Tickets available online at levantinecenter.org or call 310.657.5511.

This performance is presented by Levantine Cultural Center, with support from Beverly Zacky and Mimoda Studio & Theatre.