From Tunisia to Venezuela: Nour Harkati & Mafer Bandola Live + Dance Party

Tunisian-born, Brooklyn-based singer-songwriter Nour Harkati weaves something rare and undeniable—a sound that carries the warmth of the Mediterranean, the pulse of the desert, and the restless spirit of a traveler. Recently featured on NPR, Harkati spoke about the journey behind his latest album, a stunningly intimate work shaped by movement—between places, between cultures, between past and future. His voice, rich with longing and wonder, finds its way into hypnotic melodies, tinged with folk, jazz, and North African influences, carried by intricate rhythms and deep, open-hearted lyricism.

Joining him is Mafer Bandola, a force of nature on the bandola and electric bandola. Originally from Venezuela, González is one of the few women to master this traditional four-stringed, avocado-shaped instrument (yes, avocado-shaped—Google it). But tradition is just the starting point. With a sound that stretches across jazz, blues, Brazilian rhythms, and avant-garde experimentation, she pushes the limits of what’s possible, reimagining her heritage through fearless improvisation and cross-cultural collaborations. A co-founder of LADAMA—a boundary-breaking quartet of women musicians from across the Americas—she brings a kinetic energy and deep-rooted storytelling to every performance.

This is not just another show. It’s a convergence—two artists who thrive in the in-between, unafraid to pull tradition forward, to blur the edges of genre, to make music that feels alive in the moment. We'll close out the night with a DJ dance party celebrating the beautiful sounds from around the world.

Come early, stay late and dance.

Host or Publisher Friends and Lovers