Libana takes its name from a 10th century Moorish woman who was a poet, philosopher, and musician, symbolically representing women’s creativity and vision throughout time. The group was founded by its Artistic Director, Susan Robbins in 1979, with the idea of exploring and performing music and dance which reflect women’s often undocumented creative contributions to their cultures.

For the past 27 years, Libana has taken audiences throughout North America and Europe on inspiring and celebratory musical journeys, weaving together the songs, dances and instrumental music of the world’s cultures, especially as handed down through the artistic traditions of women. Their repertoire of ancient melodies and contemporary tunes is performed a cappella and with a vast array of instruments including guitar, dumbek, accordion, oud, naqqara, clarinet and double bass. Their music is drawn from the divergent cultural expressions of the Mediterranean, the Balkans, the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and South America. Libana’s music and dance go directly to the heart, inspiring audiences with wonder in the commonality of the global community.

Libana has sold over 50,000 recordings in the US, Canada, and the British Isles. Libana’s music has wide appeal to world music, folk, women’s, new age, children’s and music educators audiences. Two of their most popular recordings, “Fire Within” and “A Circle is Cast”, are collections of rounds and chants from around the world (companion songbooks are available). Their latest, “Out of this World,” includes songs from places as divergent as Nepal, Hawaii, Egypt, West Africa and Bulgaria. The CD features stunning vocals and a dazzling array of instruments.

Artistic Director, Susan Robbins, says: “When we began our explorations in 1979, we had no idea that our journey together would become such an essential aspect of the work of each of our individually complex lives; we are awed and humbled by the sense of destiny inherent in the depth of our connection, and the transformative effect this profound life experience has had on each of us. We have in fact become what we have been singing about — just one of the millions of communities of women, found in every village, town, and city around the world, who live their lives in close contact, create together, and accompany each other through all the cycles, transitions, emotional challenges, spiritual quests, and universal experiences that life presents. We have, in a sense, created a home of the heart for each other.” Robbins goes on to say: “During the past quarter century of touring coast to coast, across Canada, and abroad, we have had amazing adventures and exceptional performance experiences. We have offered our music at universities, in coffeehouses and folk clubs, in large concert halls, at symposiums and conferences, in the General Assembly room of the United Nations, and on festival stages from Chico, California, to Varna, Bulgaria. But performing in small intimate spaces with acoustics that envelop us in sonic clarity, encourage our ears, hearts, and spirits to expand, and invite us into the realms of transcendent inspiration remains near and dear to each one of us.”

This show will be a perfect way to enter into the winter season ahead — a way to renew one’s soul with magical energy.

 

 

Their multi-layered harmonies and their proficiency on indigenous instruments create a many-faceted, entrancing sound few world-music groups can aspire to. The Boston Phoenix
Their music makes you high. It swells the spirit as they swing into harmonies never encountered in American music. Cape Cod Times
Anyone who enjoyed the recent “Le Mystere des Voix Bulgares” recordings should enjoy Libana, for not only does the group achieve the same haunting vocal harmonies, it also provides far more variety. The Washington Post