Metro Detroit Band to Aid in Arab American Community Enrichment Center Fundraiser at Sahara Fest

posted on: Jul 27, 2010

Amid the sizzle of the shawarmas and falafel sandwiches, the sparkle of jewelry, the colorful Middle-Eastern raiment and the beauty of original artwork, not far from the alluring noise of the carnival rides, there will be a different sight and sound at the 2010 Sahara Festival. The Acrophobic Sherpas, a Metro Detroit funk and jazz band, blend East and West together in original compositions and unique cover tunes, with a hint of Arabic, Indian and African melodies, Reggae, and classic Rock. It’s all about discovering the mystery within the music, said band manager Chris Carden, of Royal Oak. The scales and sounds of Africa and the East, combined with the funky grooves of Detroit give us something fresh to share with everyone, to bring a smile, a nod of the head, and a tap of the foot.

The band is one of several contributing to the excitement at the Sahara Fest in Livonia, Michigan, an annual 4-day festival celebrating Middle Eastern culture. This is the second year that we have been able to play at the Sahara Fest, said Mr. Carden, and we’re really grateful to be able to come back and help bring awareness to their cause! The festival is hosted by the Basilica of St. Mary, an Antiochian Orthodox church that has been in Livonia for over 38 years. The Sahara Fest is held every year with proceeds going to support the development of a Community Enrichment Center.

“The goal of the Sahara Fest,” said Fred Sackllah, Festival Chairperson, is to build the Mariam Center … a youth and enrichment center in Livonia, for both our community and the surrounding Wayne County and Detroit communities.” The 30,000 square foot facility will host outreach, counseling, self-improvement, cultural awareness, and educational programs. the Mariam Center’s classrooms, offices, and gymnasiums will host family- and ethnic-oriented activities and services including Mother and Toddler Playgroups, Junior High and High School academic and sports activities, ongoing teen leadership programs, college and young adult service programs, and continuing Adult Education (including bilingual education), adult day care, outreach for abused mothers, after school latch-key programs, grief counseling, and Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), as well as cultural awareness meetings.

Billing themselves as “Metro Detroit’s own reluctant mountain guides of funk and jazz,” the Acrophobic Sherpas will play live under the big tent at 4:00 PM on Saturday, August 21st at the 2010 Sahara Fest. “The Acrophobic Sherpas are on the right track to bring a new voice to Motown,” said Habib Chahin, Committee Chair for Music and Vendor Procurement. “They bring a fresh contemporary accent to music, with their fusion of different ethnic styles with western music. In a way, we see it as the music of the new generation, of what America is tomorrow.”

“As an ethnic community,” Mr. Chahin said, “we do consider ourselves Americans as well as Arabs. Our children have a chance to get the best of both worlds without the detriment of one to the other. So, in that context, while we cherish the music of the homeland, we want our kids to realize that we also appreciate the music of our new homeland. The Acrophobic Sherpas bring a new style and good mix of musical genres that are a great fit to our community.” Other artists at the festival include: The Bahu Brothers, Joseph Bishara, Usama Baalbaki & Nasser Deeb. Whenever live bands are not present, professional DJs will be spinning popular Arabic and Western music. The festival takes place from August 19th the 22nd, at the Basilica of St. Mary, 18100 Merriman Road. More information can be found at http://www.saharafest.com.