Founded in 2006 by Arab violinist, Sami Abu Shumays and dancer Robin Dameshe Shumays, Zikrayat quickly became the foremost representative of Egyptian music and dance in New York, specializing in repertory from the "Golden Age" of Egyptian movie musicals (the 1940's-60's).
Zikrayat has performed at Lincoln Center, Joe's Pub, City University of New York’s Elebash Hall, the American Folk Festival, the Lowell Folk Festival, and the Global Film & Music festival at William and Mary, the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Alwan for the Arts, Drom, and many other venues.
Musical director Sami Shumays teaches classes and workshops on Arabic music across the country, in person and remotely. He has given lectures at Yale University, Wesleyan University, The New School, and William & Mary. He has also developed unique online resources to teach Arabic music at www.maqamlessons.com and is co-author of the book Inside Arabic Music with Johnny Farraj. If you would like to book the band for performance or Sami for a lecture on Arabic Music, please get in touch for more information, or fill out the form on our contact page.