KlezCalendar

Front-woman, lead singer, and anthropologist Galeet Dardashti follows a family tradition of distinguished musicianship dating back to 19th-century Persia. But it was down in Austin, Texas, where Divahn's bold all-woman Mizrahi/Sephardi ensemble began dazzling audiences with its Middle Eastern grooves. Today, Divahn has engendered an international following, infusing traditional and original Jewish songs with sophisticated harmonies, entrancing improvisations, and funky arrangements. The group's thrilling live shows include eclectic instruments such as tabla, cello, violin, didgeridoo, doumbek, and vocals spanning Hebrew, Judeo-Spanish, Persian, Arabic, and Aramaic. Galeet's diverse background performing Persian and Arab classical music, Ashkenazi cantorial music, Western classical music and jazz enhance Divahn's unique and innovative sound.

The group has appeared at national music festivals and live television and radio shows throughout the country. Divahn has also shared the stage with some of the world's most renowned master musicians, including Glen Velez and Anindo Chatterjee.

As one of the few groups performing Mizrahi and Judeo-Arab music in the US, Divahn shares with its audiences a beautiful sphere of Jewish and Muslim culture that many have never experienced in person. "Divahn," a common word in Hebrew, Persian, and Arabic, means a collection of songs or poetry. Through their music, the group creatively underscores common ground between diverse Middle Eastern cultures and religions.