Rhythms of the Soul: A Sufi Night

Join us September 13 in the Aga Khan Garden Amphitheatre for a special candlelit musical concert featuring international and local artists and performers bringing together various genres of music, languages and performances designed to elevate the listener's consciousness towards spiritual enlightenment. 

Enjoy the music and Garden for $20 + tax per person. Beverages and light snacks will be available for purchase in the Amphitheatre. Please note that outside food is not permitted. Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8:30 p.m.

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What Is Sufi Music

Sufi music refers to devotional music of the Sufis inspired by poetry of poets like Rumi, Amir Khusrow and Bulleh Shah and has various styles of presenting in different parts of the world. For example, Qawwalis, is a musical art form from the Indian subcontinent that is over 700 years old and found in Southeast Asia. Ghazals, Kafi music is also a devotional music and love poetry.

Sufi music, with its devotional lyrics and melodies, aims to transcend mundane concerns and elevate the listener's consciousness towards spiritual enlightenment.

Describing Sufi music as "soul music" is also apt, as it's intended to touch the innermost aspects of human experience, resonating with the depths of one's soul and facilitating a connection with the divine.

Performers

• Shabnam Merali, Lead Singer: Shabnam Merali, a world-renowned Sufi singer, musician and composer, has performed globally as a solo artist and collaborator, specializing in Sufi spiritual and traditional music across genres and languages. She has composed and recorded several albums throughout her career. Shabnam will be joined on stage by singers Danish Nazeri, Sami Daulatyar, Km., Ayub Nazeri and Rozina Anjum. 
• Shafik Lalani, Tabla/Dholak: Shafik Lalani started playing tabla at the very young age of 13 and felt that as he began turning to the tabla as a way to express himself; the tabla became his journal and his fingers became the pen. The beat bursts from his heart as he uses the rhythm with the intention to make a difference and inspire people around him globally. 
• Mohammed Assani, Sitarist: Mohamed Assani is an international musician, sitarist and composer, known for his genre-defying approach to music making. Trained in Indian/Pakistani classical music, Western classical music and jazz, his music seamlessly draws from different genres and cultures with depth and authenticity. Mohamed was nominated in 2021 and 2022 as ‘Instrumental Artist of the Year’ at the Western Canadian Music Awards.
• Vasu Bhist, Flute Player: Vasu Bhist is a full-time musician with 10 years of experience and a master’s in music from Banaras Hindu University, specializing in the Hindustani flute (Bansuri). He is currently continuing his studies under the Guru Shishya Parampara with Pandit Rajendra Prasanna, a world-renowned, Grammy-winning flautist and shehnai player from the Benares Gharana.
• Alyssa Mawani, Khatak Dancer: Alyssa Mawani's passion for dance began at the age of 3 and has grown ever since. For Alyssa, dance is a powerful form of emotional expression and a source of joy, connecting her with people from all walks of life. Her dedication fuels her ongoing pursuit of excellence and artistic growth.
• Anjana Babbar, Khatak Dancer: Anjana Babbar is a trained classical dancer, she has a young family and has a passion for teaching kathak as well as other genres to the younger generation as well as people young at heart.
• Zara Harji, Flute Player: Zara is a young musician skilled in piano, ukulele and flute, with a lifelong creative passion for art, dance and music. She enjoys exploring languages and cultures and spends her free time composing music for her siblings' poetry.
• Zeeshan Jaffer, Keyboardist: Zeeshan Jaffer has been playing keyboard since a young age, performing at various events for several years, including touring Canada with Shabnam Merali. Recently, he played for Image India. 
• Adil Virani, Octapad: Adil Virani has been playing Octapad since a very young age and continues to perform with various groups over the past several years.
• Altamish Lalani: Altamish has been shaping rhythms since his early days, mastering styles from Dandiya Raas to Sufi, Latin, South Asian and Electronic music. His dynamic sound has resonated worldwide, from Toronto and Vancouver to Dubai and the USA.
• Qasim Hirani, Guitarist: Qasim Hirani was born and raised in Edmonton, Alberta and is currently a Calgary-based multi-instrumentalist who has focused on the guitar for over 25 years, composing and playing a mix of blues, rock ’n’ roll, folk, and world music in several local bands. 
• Shiraz Rawji, Percussionist: Shiraz Rawji is a percussionist and has been playing various manual percussionist instruments for 3-4 decades. He has performed with various artists and band groups.
• Ayub Nazari: Ayub Nazari is a master when it comes to Central Asian rhythm instruments like the duff. He has been playing various Central Asian instruments for over 2 decades and is also a vocalist.
• Cynthia Jim, Flute Player: Cynthia Jim, from the Stl'atl'imx and Xwewenaqw Xwexwilmelh peoples of B.C., is a former residential school survivor who found solace in her traditional Indigenous songs and composed her first song at 10-years-old. A self taught flutist with only her spirit to guide her, Cynthia's songs of heartache, celebration, love, determination and peace have culminated an earthy tone that captures audiences. She aims to inspire connection through teachings of spirit, humanity and love for all.

Make It An Extra Special Evening With A Twilight Picnic

Concerts are included with Twilight Picnics, so if you book a picnic there is no need to purchase a concert ticket. Picnics must be booked in advance and have limited spots available. We are able to accomodate gluten friendly, halal, and vegetarian diets.

BOOK A TWILIGHT PICNIC

Important To Know

• This concert is performed outside, so please make sure you are dressed for the weather. There are no refunds. However, if there is a severe weather warning issued by Environment Canada or the Air Quality Index is at high levels, the Garden may cancel the event and then refunds will be issued.
• If the event needs to cancel, we will be contacting ticket holders via email by 2:00 p.m., on the day of the event. 
• Seating is on a first come first serve basis; we encourage you to come early to get a good spot. Chairs will be available, so there is no need to bring your own. 
• Doors open at 7:30 p.m., and the concert starts at 8:30 p.m. You can enjoy the Garden until 11 p.m.
• Dogs on leashes are welcome to attend for $5/dog + tax.
• There will be carting available to and from the performance location for guests with limited mobility.
• Beverages and light snacks will be available for purchase in the Amphitheatre. Cash is preferred. 
• Take home a unique piece of the evening: during the concert, artist Greg Hoosier will be on stage painting, in real time, his impressions of the concert and the evening. The name of a lucky guest will be drawn at the end of the evening, and they will become the new owner of Greg’s creation. Draw tickets are $5 (cash only).

$20 + tax per person 

This event is sold out.