A group of four musicians who escaped the horrors of the Syrian Civil War are coming to perform in the Okanagan.
The Orontes Guitar Quartet are playing in Kelowna, Penticton and Salmon Arm next week to raise money for local refugee families.
Orwa Al Sharaa, Gaby Al Botros, Nazir Salameh and Mir Mahmoud met while they were studying at the Higher Institute of Music in Damascus in 2012 and 2013.
Two years later, they met American guitarist Susan McDonald in Beirut.
She encouraged them to create a group and apply for the Artist Protection Fund, which accepted them and arranged for their move to Victoria, B.C.
They are now based at the University of Victoria after winning a fellowship grant.
The group’s musical styles include blues, jazz, flamenco, classical and baroque.
Their dates, venues and ticket prices are:
Wednesday, May 22 – First United Church, 450 Okanagan Avenue, Salmon Arm 7pm / $20 at the door or call 250-832-3860
Friday, May 24 – St. Saviour’s Church, 150 Orchard Street, Penticton 7pm / $20 general $15 youth at the door or call 250-492-4325
Saturday, May 25 – St. Michael’s and All Angels, 608 Sutherland, Kelowna 7:30pm / $25 general $20 youth and senior at the door or call 250-762-3321
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