El Khat | Bishop Hill, IL

🍉 6pm - potluck/social hour

🎤 7pm - show

💵 $20-30 suggested donation

👨‍👩‍👧 All ages, family-friendly

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El Khat - a homemade junkyard band led by multi-instrumentalist Eyal El Wahab.

In 2018/19, El Khat began to hone their sound in garages and warehouses. Experimenting with DIY homemade instruments, as an expression of a minimalist life philosophy, led the three-piece to create a collection of Arabic tunes of Yemeni origin. While the detachment from any nation or any flag is a driving force behind the group, the heart of their music and heritage is rooted in the culture of Yemen. The constant divisions that have been created by wars and immigrations has pushed out a reassembled identity, something that is strongly felt in El Khat's music.

Named for the plant used so widely chewed across the Arab Peninsula, The band brings original compositions inspired by the music of the golden age in Aden, Yemen. El Wahab plays many instruments, like the dli and the Kearat that he constructed himself. It's something he started doing several years ago, using his skills to make music from the items people discard. A child of the Yemeni diaspora who's grown up in Tel Aviv Jaffa - Israel, it's a practice that harks back to the family homeland, where even rubbish can have become an instrument.

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The potluck is optional, but it is a great chance to connect others in the audience and maybe even share a meal with the artist. It also helps ensure the artist isn't having to have a meal from a gas station. We'll provide the plates, bowls, silverware, napkins, and, if you need it, serving spoons. Feel free to bring anything you'd like--an entrée, appetizer, dessert, or drink to share. Bring something you will enjoy eating, because if you enjoy it, it is likely others will as well.

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This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency, through federal funds provided by the National Endowment for the Arts, Illinois Humanities, and the Doris and Ken Charitable Trust.

Also check out other Music events in Bishop Hill, Entertainment events in Bishop Hill, Arts events in Bishop Hill.