Saha Gnawa live in Davis

Experience Saha Gnawa live on April 9th

Saha Gnawa is scheduled to perform at the Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts in Davis, California, on April 9, 2027. The ensemble presents a contemporary interpretation of Gnawa music, a tradition originating with formerly enslaved people from sub-Saharan Africa in Morocco. Their sound blends the hypnotic rhythms and call-and-response vocals characteristic of Gnawa *lila* (ritual healing ceremonies) with influences from jazz, blues, and contemporary electronic music. Instrumentation typically includes the *guembri* (a three-stringed bass lute), metal castanets (*qraqeb*), and percussion.

The Mondavi Center for the Performing Arts opened in 2002 on the University of California, Davis campus. It serves as a regional hub for performing arts presenting a diverse range of programming including dance, music, theater, opera, and educational outreach events. Designed by architect Peter Eisenman, the center’s architectural style is noted for its deconstructivist elements and its integration into the campus landscape. The Jackson Hall, where Saha Gnawa will perform, is the center’s primary performance space featuring a proscenium stage and seating capacity exceeding 1800.