Feast and concert spotlight Arab American Heritage Month at CSUMB

At 4 p.m. Friday, April 11, the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble will perform in CSUMB’s music hall, 3220 Sixth St., Seaside. The concert, sponsored by the Visual Arts and Music department, is free and open to the public. 

The ensemble, from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo,  performs the art and popular music of a wide range of Arabic-speaking societies, as well as selected seminal pieces having more widespread appeal. Its members perform a wide spectrum of composed genres and improvisational forms that includes some of the oldest continuously performed music traditions in the world. 

The ensemble combines vocal and instrumental performances with both Western and Middle Eastern instruments. 

To mark the end of the holy month of Ramadan, the Otter Cross-Cultural Center will host Eid al-Fitr from 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12, following Admitted Otter Day. During the month of Ramadan, practicing Muslims fast during the day and eat only after sunset. Eid al-Fitr is a feast celebrating the final day of Ramadan.

Attendees can enjoy traditional foods. They can also participate in arts and crafts such as calligraphy, making tasbih (prayer beads), and Kaaba crafts.

The event will be held in the ballroom of the Otter Student Union. It is free and open to the public.