The Zerk Ensemble opened doors to Middle East and the Ottoman Empire during an interactive performance titled "Music, Art and Storytelling from the World of Islam" at Maxwell Museum Saturday.
The event, sponsored by the City of Albuquerque's Urban Enhancement Trust Fund, was part of the museum's arts and crafts demonstration series.
The ensemble, from Abiquiu, New Mexico, presented a musical program with storytelling intermissions. The group's program is aimed at providing cultural education for elementary and high schools.
"When we go to schools we play a combination program of Turkish, Balkan, Macedonian and Albanian music," said Benyamin van Hattum, a member of the ensemble. "And we play some Sephardic Jewish music, especially with the old Latino-songs because they kind of tie in with the Spanish connection over here."
Benyamin van Hattum also is the founder of the library in Abiquiu.
Zevk is a Turkish term that signifies the joy of being spiritually uplifted, Benyamin van Hattum said. He plays frame drums and tells stories with Rabia van Hattum, who plays string instruments; Sally Elsin, who plays spoons; and percussionist Mary Masuk.
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The group, which covers the musical era of the Ottoman Empire, wore traditional Islamic costumes during its performance.
Rahmah Lutz, an educator with the group, presented a slide show about Islamic art and design techniques. Lutz's presentation included references to Muslim religion and culture.
To make the event more interesting for children, Lutz concluded her slide show with a workshop aimed at teaching Muslim art patterns in the form of a hands-on activity. She gave the children sheets of paper with art patterns to color and identify.
During the same Maxwell Museum event, Albuquerque artist Oscar Lozoya discussed his photo series, "Images From the Street: Portraits of the Albuquerque Homeless."
"What you see here can only be considered a hint of the complex framework that makes each person unique," Lozoya said.
Lozoya provided visitors with the individual stories of his subjects. The text for the photos was written by Michael Robertson, an anthropologist and teacher who has lived with local homeless people.
