Featuring Chef Isam Kaisi & Master of Qanun Dr. George Sawa

Join TPFF for Sahtain! Palestinian Brunch and enjoy a popular selection of delicious traditional brunch dishes prepared by Isam Kaisi, acclaimed chef of District Oven. This year the brunch will take place at District Oven at 842 College St (at Ossington). Tickets $25 (TPFF 10 Card cannot be used for this event). We are honoured and delighted to have the highly acclaimed Master of the Qanun, Dr. George Sawa, join us for a special musical performance.  Based in Toronto since he emigrated from Egypt in 1970, Dr. Sawa has lectured and performed with many Arab musical greats worldwide. He is also the author of key books and articles on music of the Middle East, and founder and director of the Traditional Arabic Music Ensemble. Dr. Sawa holds a lifetime achievement award from the Egyptian Ministry
of Culture.  His 2009 CD ""The Art of the Early Egyptian Qanun"" was nominated for a Juno Award.

The qanun, one of the most difficult string instruments to master.  Common across the Middle East, it is a trapezoidal shaped instrument with 26 sets of triple strings and a range of three octaves. It is played on the lap by plucking the strings with two picks, one in each hand.