Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat (Songlines Encounters Festival)

When: Fri 05 June 2015 18:20-21:30
Where: Kings Place, 90 York Way, N1 9AG

Ikon Arts Management has teamed up with Songlines Magazine to co-curate the Songlines Encounters Festival at London’s Kings Place. Experience an explosion of international talent as the Songlines Encounters Festival welcomes a thrilling range of sounds from around the world with the bands that are inspiring passion among those in the know. Discover a world of music!

FILM SCREENING: SISTERS (Time: 18:20 / St Pancras Room)

Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat have become world-renowned singers despite intense restrictions on female musicians after the 1979 revolution in Iran. As they bravely preserve Persian musical traditions, this film tells their remarkable personal story.

Duration: approx. 45 mins

Seating is unreserved, so arriving early is recommended.

CONCERT: INSTRUMENTAL AND VOCAL HARMONY (Time: 19:30 / Hall One)

Sisters Mahsa and Marjan Vahdat are two brave and inspiring vocalists. Accompanying themselves on plucked setar and frame drum, their voices interweave in a magical web of sound which had the audience transfixed at last year’s WOMAD festival. What’s all the more remarkable given their international acclaim, is that under Iranian Islamic law they are prohibited from performing publicly at home. They will also do a special Encounters collaboration with Duncan Chisholm.

Songlines Encounters Festival 2015

Celebrating its fifth year Songlines Encounters Festival features musicians from Portugal, Cyprus, Iran, the UK and Bangladesh. There are some UK premieres, some first time collaborations and lots of supremely inspirational music from artists that have impressed us at Songlines magazine. We will welcome some great female voices – Gisela João from Portugal, Mahsa & Marjan Vahdat from Iran and much more!

Full programme: http://www.kingsplace.co.uk/whats-on-book-tickets/curated-weeks/songlines-encounters-festival-2015#.VVo462rbLct

Organised by: Songlines Magazine and Ikon Arts Management

(Added by SOAS Iranian Society)