7p to 9p
Join us for an evening of music and imagination. The Violalia Duo will be joined for their first concert of 2026 by the Shiraz Ensemble. Both groups will perform short sets interspersed with collective improvisations.
Tickets available here and also at the door. No one turned away for lack of funds.
Violalia Duo is a collaboration between violinist/violist Laura Thompson and violist/composer Hannah Selin. Founded in 2021, the duo embraces the limber, conversational nature of their instrumentation, bringing musicality, curiosity, and a sense of humor to audiences in often-intimate concert settings. The group’s name is a both mashup of violin and viola, and a play on the word glossolalia (speaking in tongues).
Violalia Duo is dedicated to exploring the musical and sonic possibilities of their small but mighty instrumentation. Their repertoire focuses on 20th and 21st century music for violin and viola, and includes works by Augusta Read Thomas, Kaija Saariaho, George Tsontakis, Bohuslav Martinů, Heitor Villa-Lobos, Ennio Morricone, Ari Sussman, Sepehr Pirasteh and Selin herself. The duo also has an avid interest in creating and commissioning new works.
Shiraz Ensemble is a contemporary music group that unites Iranian musicians performing traditional instruments in the United States. Built on the values of curiosity, innovation, open dialogue, and experimentation, Shiraz Ensemble is dedicated to creating new music and collaborating closely with composers, performers, and interdisciplinary artists. Our mission is to deconstruct and reconstruct the rich traditions of Iranian classical music, transforming them into new forms through contemporary composition techniques. We also aim to collaborate with artists from diverse cultures to create unique cross-cultural musical experiences, explore new artistic territories, and build bridges through music and art. We strive to blend innovation and tradition, pushing the boundaries of Iranian music while honoring its cultural heritage.
Based in Philadelphia, Shiraz Ensemble has performed at venues such as the Asian Arts Initiative, University Lutheran, The Perch, Market Street Music in Delaware, Philadelphia Porchfest, Paintridge Station, and Philly Typewriter. We have collaborated with various artists and ensembles, including Mahya Hamedi, Violalia Duo, and Hodge-Podge Band, fostering a creative exchange that highlights the versatility and vibrancy of Iranian music in a modern context.
Shiraz Ensemble embodies a global perspective, merging our roles as world citizens and passionate artists to highlight crucial socio-political issues through art. Drawing inspiration from our journeys as immigrants from Iran to the United States, we channel our experiences into a transformative musical narrative. Founded in 2023 in Philadelphia, Shiraz Ensemble takes its name from the ancient city of Shiraz in Iran, the birthplace and upbringing of its founders, Sina Homaee and Sepehr Pirasteh.