Events

Is a musical introduction beyond the borders of the mainland. A continuation music series of the recent production Present…in place, space and time that debuted at the Pompano Cultural Center in July 2025. Where you will be introduced to instruments that have only been heard or viewed on our favorite social media platform but have not experienced in person. Instrument pairings like the Kurdish Baglama and Violin or the kalimba and horn.

Schedule

• November 1, 2025 │ Beyond the Mainland Concert
  

Featuring: JaNia Harden (vocals), Abdurrahim Akgül (bağlama/saz), Tamara Riley (violin)

Launching our series opens with vocalist JaNia Harden alongside Abdurrahim Akgül on bağlama (saz) and Tamara Riley on violin—an intimate crossing where Turkish folk timbres meet lyrical strings and voice.

This first concert will offer a musical introduction beyond the mainland: an afternoon of close-up listening and dialogue between traditions at The Hive Black Box Theater. At its heart is the bağlama (saz), a long-necked lute central to Turkish folk music, voiced by Abdurrahim Akgül, whose two decades of performance fuse story and song. Paired with violinist Tamara Riley and anchored by the expressive vocals of JaNia Harden, the set traces lines between modal folk melodies, lyrical improvisation, and contemporary sensibilities. Building on Present… in place, space and time, the focus is the live encounter itself—the grain of the voice, the shimmer of strings, the storytelling pulse of the bağlama. Come hear how heritage and curiosity meet—up close, with room to breathe.

About the Artists

Abdurrahim Akgül was born in Diyarbakır, Turkey, where he graduated from high school and began nurturing his lifelong passion for music. From a young age, he was inspired by his family to play the bağlama (saz), a traditional instrument that stands as a symbol of his cultural heritage. Over the past 20 years, Abdurrahim has developed his artistry as both a performer and singer of the bağlama, gaining stage experience across Turkey.

Three years ago, he moved to the United States, where he continues to pursue his love of music. As both a dedicated musician and hobbyist, Abdurrahim is eager to share the sounds of his heritage while exploring new opportunities to blend Turkish folk traditions with the diverse musical culture of America. His goal is to showcase the richness of the bağlama and inspire audiences with the beauty of his cultural roots.


Tamara Riley, born in Miami and raised in Alexandria, Virginia and Miami, Florida, has dedicated her life to music and youth development through orchestral education. Her musical journey began at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, where she studied in the PAVAC music program. As a young musician, she performed with the South Florida Youth Symphony and, at the age of 17, had the honor of performing at the world-renowned Carnegie Hall.
Tamara continued her studies at Norfolk State University, where she performed the clarinet and saxophone. In 1995, she made history as one of the first violinists to perform at the Intercollegiate Music Association. Her passion for orchestral performance led her to perform with prestigious ensembles, including the Alhambra Orchestra of Coral Gables and the New Cannon Chamber Ensemble. Today, Tamara serves as the Site Manager for the Miami Music Project’s Miami Gardens Chapter. In this role, she is deeply committed to helping youth learn and grow through orchestral music, fostering a love for the arts while empowering the next generation of musicians.

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