Description
MONA MIARI
Mona Miari, is an internationally renowned Palestinian-American artist, singer, and songwriter celebrated for her profound artistry, pioneering projects, and and unwavering dedication to elevating Arabic music on the world stage. Based in New York City, she captivates audiences worldwide by seamlessly integrating the cultural richness of Palestinian and Levantine heritage with diverse global influences.
Born in Chicago, IL, and raised between the U.S. and Palestine, Mona’s extraordinary journey began at a young age. By 15, she headlined her first major concert at the prestigious Jerusalem – The Capital of Arabic Culture 2009 festival, marking the start of a career that continues to break boundaries. Today, she stands as a pioneering force in Arabic music, reimagining its language and melodies through innovative ways that transcend cultural and artistic borders.
She has graced stages worldwide across the US, the Arab World, Europe, and South Africa captivating audiences with her mesmerizing elegant talent at various prestigious venues from Lincoln Center, BAM, Roulette Intermedium, Opera America, Joe’s Pub – Public Theatre, The Alex Theater (LA), The Great American Music Hall (SF), to Steri Hall (Palermo, IT), Spore Initiative Cultural Center (Berlin), among many others across the world.
Notably, she made history as the first Arab singer to perform at Boston’s iconic Hatch Memorial Shell, featured by the Boston Landmarks Orchestra. She has also been a headlining artist at the renowned BRIC – Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, with the Habibi Festival, and a headliner at the Global Roots Festival, and numerous other esteemed international events.
NEESAN
a project by multi-instrumentalist, composer & producer, April Centrone.
Referred to as the new ‘Arabic Khraungbin,’ NEESAN is the brainchild of April Centrone, a New York/LA-based musician whose heart and sound are rooted in the timeless spirit of 1970’s Lebanon. Drawing from the evocative blend of Arabic psych rock and cinematic textures, NEESAN brings to life the genre she calls Levant Noir—a raw, nostalgic soundscape that celebrates Lebanon’s resilience, beauty, and enduring cultural refuge.
April’s home for many years, NEESAN is a dedication to the streets and balconies of Beirut – to the sound of birds and Fairouz mingling with the smell of Jasmine, buzuq above acadi trees as the sun sparkled over the water, laughter and oud song filling the warm night air. While not her physical address today, she describes her Mediterranean home with the popular Arabic scales, Bayati and Rahat al-Arwah, representing her deep longing for a land where her soul found rest.