MUSIC FROM AFRICA, ASIA, EUROPE, the MIDDLE EAST & the AMERICAS
2025 - 2026 SEASON IN REVIEW
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
L. Shankar
with V. Selvaganesh, Amit Kavthekar & Swaminathan Selvaganesh
Indian Masters - Honoring Zakir Hussain
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm
Master violinist/vocalist/composer L. Shankar (aka Shenkar) is renowned for his deeply soulful performances of Indian classical music. Since playing his first solo concert at the age of seven, he has gone on to accompany many of South India’s leading vocalists and become a major soloist. In the 1970s, with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram and Ramnad Raghavan, he co-founded the legendary Indo-jazz group Shakti. In the 1980s, he introduced a 10-string double violin capable of covering the whole range of the orchestra’s string section from violin to double bass. MORE INFO...
L. Shankar
with V. Selvaganesh, Amit Kavthekar & Swaminathan Selvaganesh
Indian Masters - Honoring Zakir Hussain
Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 8:00pm
Master violinist/vocalist/composer L. Shankar (aka Shenkar) is renowned for his deeply soulful performances of Indian classical music. Since playing his first solo concert at the age of seven, he has gone on to accompany many of South India’s leading vocalists and become a major soloist. In the 1970s, with John McLaughlin, Zakir Hussain, Vikku Vinayakram and Ramnad Raghavan, he co-founded the legendary Indo-jazz group Shakti. In the 1980s, he introduced a 10-string double violin capable of covering the whole range of the orchestra’s string section from violin to double bass. MORE INFO...
Diaspora Arts Connection
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Kiran Ahluwalia
Diwali Celebration!
Friday, October 24, 2025 at 8:00pm
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, signifies a victory of light over darkness and deals with themes of justice, peace, and happiness. Vocalist-composer and two-time Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) winner Kiran Ahluwalia, who has been noted for “her soul-stirring voice” and “fascinating, newly revealed music” in the Los Angeles Times, presents a powerful concert that celebrates Diwali. Her program, highlighting music from her latest album, Comfort Food, is filled with songs rejecting injustice, songs filled with hope for a just society, and songs embracing joy. MORE INFO...
Kiran Ahluwalia
Diwali Celebration!
Friday, October 24, 2025 at 8:00pm
Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, signifies a victory of light over darkness and deals with themes of justice, peace, and happiness. Vocalist-composer and two-time Juno Award (Canadian Grammy) winner Kiran Ahluwalia, who has been noted for “her soul-stirring voice” and “fascinating, newly revealed music” in the Los Angeles Times, presents a powerful concert that celebrates Diwali. Her program, highlighting music from her latest album, Comfort Food, is filled with songs rejecting injustice, songs filled with hope for a just society, and songs embracing joy. MORE INFO...
© Courtesy of the Artist
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Oghlan Bakhshi
Journey Across the Steppes of Central Asia & Iran
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 8:00pm
This concert features Oghlan Bakhshi in an entrancing program of Turkmen music – music that is rarely performed in the US. Oghlan Bakhshi, a virtuoso dutar (2-stringed lute) player and bard, trained under acclaimed masters and is the first indigenous Turkmen musician to present the rich Turkmen traditional arts to Western audiences. Recently he released his new album, Journey Across the Steppes, the first international release of Turkmen folk music in 30 years. MORE INFO...
Oghlan Bakhshi
Journey Across the Steppes of Central Asia & Iran
Saturday, November 1, 2025 at 8:00pm
This concert features Oghlan Bakhshi in an entrancing program of Turkmen music – music that is rarely performed in the US. Oghlan Bakhshi, a virtuoso dutar (2-stringed lute) player and bard, trained under acclaimed masters and is the first indigenous Turkmen musician to present the rich Turkmen traditional arts to Western audiences. Recently he released his new album, Journey Across the Steppes, the first international release of Turkmen folk music in 30 years. MORE INFO...
© Annie Diotte
WNYC GIG ALERT!
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Le Vent du Nord
Music of Quebec: Celebrating the Launch of their New Album
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 8:00pm
Known for its joyful and dynamic performances, Le Vent du Nord is a driving force of the Quebec progressive folk movement, as well as a leading group in the revival of traditional music in Quebec. Since its founding in 2002, it has performed more than 2,200 concerts on four continents, released 13 albums and received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), and two Juno (Canadian Grammy) awards. MORE INFO...
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Le Vent du Nord
Music of Quebec: Celebrating the Launch of their New Album
Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 8:00pm
Known for its joyful and dynamic performances, Le Vent du Nord is a driving force of the Quebec progressive folk movement, as well as a leading group in the revival of traditional music in Quebec. Since its founding in 2002, it has performed more than 2,200 concerts on four continents, released 13 albums and received numerous prestigious awards, including a Grand Prix du Disque Charles Cros (France), and two Juno (Canadian Grammy) awards. MORE INFO...
© Marina Rodriguez
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in partnership with Flamenco Festival present
Ángeles Toledano
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 8:00pm
Ángeles Toledano, a rising star in flamenco, brings her powerful voice and fearless artistry to New York, presenting a show that combines tradition with innovation and captures the essence of flamenco in its purest and most daring form. MORE INFO...
Ángeles Toledano
FLAMENCO FESTIVAL
Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 8:00pm
Ángeles Toledano, a rising star in flamenco, brings her powerful voice and fearless artistry to New York, presenting a show that combines tradition with innovation and captures the essence of flamenco in its purest and most daring form. MORE INFO...
-Lotus Music & Dance in partnership with Robert Browning Associates present
WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL:
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY
Saung Budaya
Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective
Kinding Sindaw
Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 4:00pm
This annual dance festival, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlights a culturally diverse spectrum of distinctive expressions through music and dance. The program features two exciting collaborations: “Hidden Faces and the Harvest” performed by the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY led by Kevin Suzuki along with Saung Budaya led by Amalia Suryani performing Indonesian folk dances; and “Cross-Cultural Ramayana” performed by the Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective led by Bani Ray, along with Kinding Sindaw led by Potri Ranka Manis performing Southern Philippines indigenous and sultanate dances. MORE INFO...
WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL:
Dancing Across Cultural Borders
Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY
Saung Budaya
Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective
Kinding Sindaw
Sunday, December 7, 2025 at 4:00pm
This annual dance festival, now celebrating its 10th anniversary, highlights a culturally diverse spectrum of distinctive expressions through music and dance. The program features two exciting collaborations: “Hidden Faces and the Harvest” performed by the Japanese Folk Dance Institute of NY led by Kevin Suzuki along with Saung Budaya led by Amalia Suryani performing Indonesian folk dances; and “Cross-Cultural Ramayana” performed by the Trinayan Odissi Dance Collective led by Bani Ray, along with Kinding Sindaw led by Potri Ranka Manis performing Southern Philippines indigenous and sultanate dances. MORE INFO...
Photo of Brian Prunka by Aidan Grant
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Brooklyn Maqam present
Brian Prunka & Ayman Asfour
Explorations in Arabic Maqam
Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8:00pm
This evening features two of New York’s most distinctive and compelling composers of modern music rooted in the Arabic maqam tradition: oud (lute) player Brian Prunka, whose music has been described as “intricate, anthemic” and “spellbinding” (NY Music Daily) and the award-winning Egyptian violinist Ayman Asfour. MORE INFO...
Brian Prunka & Ayman Asfour
Explorations in Arabic Maqam
Friday, March 13, 2026 at 8:00pm
This evening features two of New York’s most distinctive and compelling composers of modern music rooted in the Arabic maqam tradition: oud (lute) player Brian Prunka, whose music has been described as “intricate, anthemic” and “spellbinding” (NY Music Daily) and the award-winning Egyptian violinist Ayman Asfour. MORE INFO...
Arts Council of Pakistan Karachi
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Sneh Arts present
Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers
Sufi Songs of Pakistan
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 8:00pm
Pakistan’s Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, grandsons of the revered Munshi Raziuddin, return to Roulette after their mesmerizing performances in 2019, 2024, and 2025! They have been acclaimed for their riveting interpretations of qawwali, the ecstatic improvisational Sufi vocal tradition made famous in the West by the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This award-winning ensemble represents the 26th generation of the seven centuries-old Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana of Delhi founded by Saamat bin Ibrahim, the first qawwal of the subcontinent and principal student of mystic Amir Khusrau. MORE INFO...
Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers
Sufi Songs of Pakistan
Friday, April 10, 2026 at 8:00pm
Pakistan’s Hamza Akram Qawwal & Brothers, grandsons of the revered Munshi Raziuddin, return to Roulette after their mesmerizing performances in 2019, 2024, and 2025! They have been acclaimed for their riveting interpretations of qawwali, the ecstatic improvisational Sufi vocal tradition made famous in the West by the late Pakistani singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan. This award-winning ensemble represents the 26th generation of the seven centuries-old Qawwal Bachon ka Gharana of Delhi founded by Saamat bin Ibrahim, the first qawwal of the subcontinent and principal student of mystic Amir Khusrau. MORE INFO...
Ara Dinkjian photo: Alena Soboleva
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Brooklyn Maqam present
ARA DINKJIAN
& THE NEW YORK GYPSY ALL-STARS
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Ara Dinkjian, one of the world’s top oud (fretless lute) players, is joined by the acclaimed New York Gypsy All-Stars in a program featuring compositions by Dinkjian that blend music of Armenia, the Balkans, and the Middle East with jazz. Dinkjian began his musical career by accompanying his father Onnik Dinkjian, a celebrated Armenian folk and liturgical singer; he later founded the Night Ark quartet, and in recent years has performed with The Secret Trio.
MORE INFO...
Arsen Petrosyan will not be performing on this date as previously advertised.
ARA DINKJIAN
& THE NEW YORK GYPSY ALL-STARS
Friday, April 17, 2026 at 8:00 pm
Ara Dinkjian, one of the world’s top oud (fretless lute) players, is joined by the acclaimed New York Gypsy All-Stars in a program featuring compositions by Dinkjian that blend music of Armenia, the Balkans, and the Middle East with jazz. Dinkjian began his musical career by accompanying his father Onnik Dinkjian, a celebrated Armenian folk and liturgical singer; he later founded the Night Ark quartet, and in recent years has performed with The Secret Trio.
MORE INFO...
Arsen Petrosyan will not be performing on this date as previously advertised.
© Yannis Psathas
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Vasilis Kostas
Contemporary & Traditional Music of Epirus, Greece:
World Premiere of Léna
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 8:00pm
Vasilis Kostas is a Grammy-nominated laouto (long-necked fretted lute) player, composer and educator from Epirus, a mountainous region in northwestern Greece known for music with strong melodic lines and slow rhythms. He is internationally recognized for reintroducing the laouto, one of the most demanding instruments in the lute family, as a leading melodic voice in both traditional and contemporary music, and for his work with master pianist Danilo Pérez and the late legendary clarinetist Petroloukas Halkias, with whom he recorded two albums under the title The Soul of Epirus. MORE INFO...
Vasilis Kostas
Contemporary & Traditional Music of Epirus, Greece:
World Premiere of Léna
Saturday, April 18, 2026 at 8:00pm
Vasilis Kostas is a Grammy-nominated laouto (long-necked fretted lute) player, composer and educator from Epirus, a mountainous region in northwestern Greece known for music with strong melodic lines and slow rhythms. He is internationally recognized for reintroducing the laouto, one of the most demanding instruments in the lute family, as a leading melodic voice in both traditional and contemporary music, and for his work with master pianist Danilo Pérez and the late legendary clarinetist Petroloukas Halkias, with whom he recorded two albums under the title The Soul of Epirus. MORE INFO...
© Maria Sakr
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette in association with Brooklyn Maqam present
Syrian Music Preservation Initiative
Music of Muhammed Qadri Dalal, Maqam Master of Aleppo
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm
This program is dedicated to the music of Maestro Muhammed Qadri Dalal, the renowned oud (lute) virtuoso, composer, scholar, and iconic musical figure of Aleppo. Born in 1946, Dalal has performed with many of the most important traditional singers since the 1970s, including Sabah Fakhri, Sabri Mudallal, and Adib al-Dayekh. MORE INFO...
Syrian Music Preservation Initiative
Music of Muhammed Qadri Dalal, Maqam Master of Aleppo
Friday, May 8, 2026 at 8:00pm
This program is dedicated to the music of Maestro Muhammed Qadri Dalal, the renowned oud (lute) virtuoso, composer, scholar, and iconic musical figure of Aleppo. Born in 1946, Dalal has performed with many of the most important traditional singers since the 1970s, including Sabah Fakhri, Sabri Mudallal, and Adib al-Dayekh. MORE INFO...
© Mehdi Rostami
Robert Browning Associates, Lotus Music & Dance, and Roulette present
Amir Nojan & Pejman Hadadi
Persian Classical Music: “Whispers of the Dastgah”
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm
This entrancing program features two master musicians from Iran. Amir Nojan (setar – lute) studied with such eminent teachers as Dariush Talai, Jalal Zolfonoon and Mohammad Reza Lotfi, collaborated with renowned musicians Alim Qasimov, Shahram Nazeri, and Mojgan Shajarian, established the Nava Ensemble, and founded the Shiraz Arts Academy in California. Pejman Hadadi, one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists (tombak, def),is known for his work with Dastan and Zarbang, with which he made groundbreaking recordings ,as well as his performances with major artists from Iran and other cultures, including Ali Akbar Moradi, Hossein Alizadeh, Shahram Nazeri, Kayhan Kalhor, and Shujaat Khan. MORE INFO...
Amir Nojan & Pejman Hadadi
Persian Classical Music: “Whispers of the Dastgah”
Saturday, May 9, 2026 at 8:00pm
This entrancing program features two master musicians from Iran. Amir Nojan (setar – lute) studied with such eminent teachers as Dariush Talai, Jalal Zolfonoon and Mohammad Reza Lotfi, collaborated with renowned musicians Alim Qasimov, Shahram Nazeri, and Mojgan Shajarian, established the Nava Ensemble, and founded the Shiraz Arts Academy in California. Pejman Hadadi, one of the most innovative Iranian percussionists (tombak, def),is known for his work with Dastan and Zarbang, with which he made groundbreaking recordings ,as well as his performances with major artists from Iran and other cultures, including Ali Akbar Moradi, Hossein Alizadeh, Shahram Nazeri, Kayhan Kalhor, and Shujaat Khan. MORE INFO...