Journal Times, WI
Dec 4 2011
Mid-East Beat at George's Tavern
Event occured on Sat, Dec 3 2011, 9:00 pm - 11:59 pm CST
Mid-East Beat keeps Armenian tradition
RACINE - Music is an expression of the environment from which it
evolves. Nowhere is that truth more evident than in the music of
Racine's own Mid-East Beat. They will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
3, at George's Tavern, 1201 N. Main St. The cover charge is $10.
The Mid-East Beat was formed in 1982 to keep alive the sounds and
culture of the Armenian people. Vahan Kamalian plays the Oud, a
pear-shaped stringed instrument of Middle Eastern origin that some say
dates back to the third century B.C. Jim Hardy plays the clarinet,
which is a commonly acceptable substitute for the Duduk, a traditional
Armenian woodwind. Kai Kazarian sings and plays guitar, which is a
relatively new addition to Armenian bands. A relatively new member to
the Mid-East Beat is Michael Kamalian on Dumbeg, which is a drum made
of metal or clay that is placed between the knees and played with bare
hands. It is of Syrian Arabic origin and derives its name from the
distinctly different sounds obtained when striking it in the middle or
on the edge.
The band was drawn together by a common interest in music, having been
exposed to Armenian music while growing up.
Listening to the group is like being transported to another world, and
as anyone who has been to an Armenian picnic will attest, Armenians
are not shy about inviting the uninitiated to join their traditional
dance.
The group's painstaking commitment to tradition results in a sound
that is truly authentic.
The Mid-East Beat performs mostly in the Midwest, common venues are
church picnics, weddings, anniversary and birthday parties.
George's Tavern
1201 N. Main St.
Racine, WI
http://www.journaltimes.com/calendar/music/in-the-clubs/mid-east-beat-at-george-s-tavern/event_feed6312-19d8-11e1-b057-001cc4c03286.html
Dec 4 2011
Mid-East Beat at George's Tavern
Event occured on Sat, Dec 3 2011, 9:00 pm - 11:59 pm CST
Mid-East Beat keeps Armenian tradition
RACINE - Music is an expression of the environment from which it
evolves. Nowhere is that truth more evident than in the music of
Racine's own Mid-East Beat. They will perform at 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec.
3, at George's Tavern, 1201 N. Main St. The cover charge is $10.
The Mid-East Beat was formed in 1982 to keep alive the sounds and
culture of the Armenian people. Vahan Kamalian plays the Oud, a
pear-shaped stringed instrument of Middle Eastern origin that some say
dates back to the third century B.C. Jim Hardy plays the clarinet,
which is a commonly acceptable substitute for the Duduk, a traditional
Armenian woodwind. Kai Kazarian sings and plays guitar, which is a
relatively new addition to Armenian bands. A relatively new member to
the Mid-East Beat is Michael Kamalian on Dumbeg, which is a drum made
of metal or clay that is placed between the knees and played with bare
hands. It is of Syrian Arabic origin and derives its name from the
distinctly different sounds obtained when striking it in the middle or
on the edge.
The band was drawn together by a common interest in music, having been
exposed to Armenian music while growing up.
Listening to the group is like being transported to another world, and
as anyone who has been to an Armenian picnic will attest, Armenians
are not shy about inviting the uninitiated to join their traditional
dance.
The group's painstaking commitment to tradition results in a sound
that is truly authentic.
The Mid-East Beat performs mostly in the Midwest, common venues are
church picnics, weddings, anniversary and birthday parties.
George's Tavern
1201 N. Main St.
Racine, WI
http://www.journaltimes.com/calendar/music/in-the-clubs/mid-east-beat-at-george-s-tavern/event_feed6312-19d8-11e1-b057-001cc4c03286.html