The Mission Committee of First Congregational Church UCC of Burlington is pleased to announce that we are hosting a large-scale benefit concert to raise money to aid Syrian refugees, which will take place at our church on Saturday, May 21 at 7:30 pm and again on Sunday, May 22 at Montpelier High School Auditorium at 3 pm. Pianist Michael Arnowitt has created a special program entirely of Syrian music and literary readings of writings by Syrian authors. The concert will be performed by a diverse group of 30 actors, singers, and musicians playing a mix of Western and Middle Eastern instruments. Syrian-born performers will include from Albany, the poet Rana Bitar Jacob, from Chicago, the short story author Osama Alomar, and Anwar Diab Agha, a violinist, oudist (an “oud” is a short-necked and fretless plucked stringed instrument of the lute family), of Arab and Turkish origin, and composer who moved from Syria to Winooski, Vermont five years ago.
If you would like to help out as an usher, greeter or host on Saturday, May 21, please contact Director of Outreach Ministries, Lucy Samara. If you would be interested in joining the concert’s choir singing Syrian songs on the program, please contact Michael Arnowitt (802-229-0984).