March First Thursday featuring Seffarine
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View Upcoming EventsCelebrate March First Thursday with a performance by Seffarine. Led by soulful Moroccan singer Lamiae Naki and flamenco guitarist Nat Hulskamp, and supported by a band of multi-cultural master musicians, this group is known for combining the vibrant sounds of Southern Spain and Morocco with shows that combine explosive flamenco footwork, exotic instrumentation and grooving basslines.
Two gallery exhibits will be on display during the event: Mika Martinez's photo exhibit, Soy Yo!, is showing from March 3 through March 31 in the PGE Gallery, and Ronin Roc's illustration exhibit, More Than February, is showing through March 31 in the Ellyn Bye Studio Gallery.
There will also be community partner tables by organizations Pueblo Unido PDX and Portland Refugee Support Group, with complimentary select beer provided by Deschutes Brewery.
Born in the ancient city of Fes, Morocco, internationally acclaimed singer Lamiae Naki and her ensemble Seffarine channel their deep knowledge of the music of both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar, the crossroad where African, Middle Eastern and European cultures meet. From the 9th to 15th centuries, these cultures coexisted peacefully, producing a seminal musical alchemy that influenced the foundations of both classical Arabic and European Renaissance music.
In the 21st Century, Seffarine embraces and extends the rich legacy of this golden age of tolerance and exchange between Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures by creating fresh, innovative works reconnecting these shared Mediterranean roots.
Charged with texture and color, Seffarine concerts carry the audience on a vibrant musical journey, channeling the heart-wrenching joy of the music and dance of North Africa and southern Spain to wide acclaim. Described by Bass Player Magazine as a "gorgeous intersection of Spanish flamenco, Arabic and Andalusian music, Persian classical and jazz," Naki's fluid, riveting vocals entwine elegantly with Nat Hulskamp's expert flamenco guitar and oud. Persian classical master Bobak Salehi's sweeping kamancheh (spike fiddle) and tar (Persian lute) playoff bassist Damian Erskine's grooves and the drums and explosive flamenco dance of Manuel Gutierrez. Diving deep into the drama and technical prowess that characterizes these traditions, Seffarine invites listeners to hear with fresh ears the age-old conversation that spanned a sea, reminding us of the connections and histories modern identities disguise.
Pueblo Unido connects people who have a vulnerable immigration status to legal, social, and Indigenous language interpretation services. Our programs are focused on addressing long-standing inequities and promoting social inclusion by helping people with a vulnerable immigration status overcome financial, technological, literacy, linguistic, and bureaucratic barriers to essential human rights and services. This work protects due process rights, promotes household stability, and secures language justice so that our communities can be safe, feel supported, and thrive.
Since our formation in April 2017, we have served more than 15,000 individuals in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, Minnesota, Texas, Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, New York, Virginia, Washington DC, Mexico, and Guatemala. Through our Legal Navigation program, we have facilitated over 500 free legal consultations and connected over 1200 individuals to legal representation for deportation defense or affirmative immigration applications. Through our Social Service Navigation program, we have provided financial assistance towards more than 130 rent and utility payments, and submitted more than 14,000 applications to pandemic-assistance programs including the Oregon Worker Relief Fund, Quarantine Fund, and Climate Change Fund. Through our partnership with the Collective of Indigenous Interpreters of Oregon (CIIO), we have provided Indigenous language interpretation during more than 300 appointments in legal, health, and community settings.
The story of Portland Refugee Support Group began in 2016 when a small group of women concerned about the ongoing crisis in Syria offered support to a newly arriving family of refugees. It continued in 2021, when the tragedy in Afghanistan compelled them to populate the staff of a non-profit organization that now includes over a dozen staff members. Today, the majority of PRSG’s staff, Board of Directors, and volunteers, are still primarily drawn from the communities in which we work, and are trained in a trauma-informed, culturally responsive, and individual-centered approach to re-empowering each of the refugees, asylum seekers, and other newly arriving members of our community.
Mission.
To re-empower refugees through social support and education. We help our clients navigate a path to a successful life in the US.
Vision.
A community where refugees feel they belong – a place where they are safe, prosperous, and able to pursue happiness.
Values.
Collaboration, Community, Compassion, Diversity & Inclusion, Integrity, Respect, and Trust.
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