Also this issue:

Critical Mass
Local MC Kenneth Masters makes a declaration of independence.
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

Back to the Future
Cracker hasn't crumbled, but David Lowery says Camper Van Beethoven makes sense right now.
-Collin Keefe

Watching It Happen
-Patrick Rapa

Cherrywine
-A.D. Amorosi

The Caribbean
-Sam Adams

Eighth Blackbird
-Peter Burwasser

Greater Philadelphia Hip Hop Alliance Showcase
-Ainé Ardron-Doley

Sticks and Stones
-A.D. Amorosi

January 23-29, 2003

music

Going Somewhere

Intercultural Journeys finds harmony in the music of enemies.

by Mary Armstrong

Picture a converted factory halfway up the hill to Roxborough. Built of stone, with high ceilings and large windows, the place obviously predates the widespread use of electric lighting. But it's also something like you might see in Metropolis (or some other design mag). Still it feels like home: easy and welcoming and about as far from organized religion and its grand plans as imaginable.

Welcome to Mishkan Shalom, home of this area's most devotedly progressive congregation. Members brag of how Rabbi Brian Walt has just become head of the U.S. branch of Rabbis for Human Rights. Clearly Intercultural Journeys, a musical group like-mindedly dedicated to peace through a sharing of cultures, came to the right place when it decided to put on a concert here.

At the head of Intercultural Journeys we find Philadelphia Orchestra cellist Udi Bar-David, who was born in Israel and lived there till he was 21. Yes, he'd always heard Arabic music in the air, but when he was growing up, the thought of attending a concert, let alone learning to interpret their musical language, never crossed anyone's mind.

Over the years, though, he notes, "I've made enough friends in the Arab communities here and in the Middle East to realize the simplicity it takes to bring people together. It's my talent and it's an important cause." He says that spending most of his free time -- including his sabbatical -- on this project is not strictly altruistic. "I love and miss the Middle East deep within. I want my kids to be able to have a home there as well as here."

Here's how this particular Intercultural Journey will sound: Joseph Tayoun, master of the dumbek, provides the Middle Eastern drumming. Yayoi Numazawa, another Orchestra member, plays violin. Moroccan actress Fatema Chebchoub offers traditional and original Sufi poetry. Sephardic and Yemenite songs come from the choir.

Jan Hamer, choir director, reminds us with a chuckle that Intercultural Journeys is very much aware of its timing: "The whole thing will be over in time for you to get home for the Super Bowl!"

Intercultural Journeys performs Sun., Jan. 26, 3:30 p.m., $10 (includes reception after concert), Congregation Mishkan Shalom, 4101 Freeland Ave. (corner of Freeland Ave. and Shurs Lane), Roxborough, 215-508-0226.