MUSIC

Heartbeat, the Israeli-Palestinian youth music community, will launch their debut US tour on February 21, 2013 to bring the voice and sound of a better future in the Middle East to America. The ensemble of young Arab and Jewish artists (ages 17-21) has performed across Israel, the Palestinian Territories and Germany and will now travel from Boston to Washington, DC for 15 performances at universities, music venues, and congregations (full itinerary below). Based in Jerusalem, Heartbeat is an international non-profit organization uniting musicians, educators, and students to build mutual understanding and transform conflict through the power of music. Founded in 2007 under a Fulbright-MTVu award, Heartbeat creates opportunities and spaces for young Israeli and Palestinian musicians to work together, hear each other, and amplify their voices to influence the world around them. Sharing in sustained music-based dialogue, Heartbeat youth develop creative nonviolent tools to express themselves and become a voice for their communities. Visiting some of the world’s most celebrated universities and music venues, the tour program will feature uplifting performances interweaving traditional and modern Eastern and Western music.

Heartbeat members will further engage audience members through interactive workshops and will share their experiences of growing up amidst the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting their creative effort to build a better future as members of Heartbeat. Each event offers a unique window into the lives of these courageous young artists and will forge lasting connections between US communities and the Heartbeat movement in the Middle East. Heartbeat’s youth led movement combats the tidal wave of separation, fear, violence, and injustice with powerful sounds and voices calling for cooperation, equality, and peace. The Heartbeat message inspires people of all backgrounds to work together to be the change we seek. All tour performances are free to the public and open to all ages. For more information about performance dates and venues, please visit: www.heartbeat.fm/UStour