The launch of the first Delia Sessions is just around the corner. But wait… What are the Delia Sessions? Yes, we believe that a proper introduction is in order. Thus, to be clear and direct, we answered the 6 W’s about our exciting upcoming project: What, Why, hoW, Who, When, and Where.
What?
In an effort to provide artistic support, The Delia Arts Foundation developed the Delia Sessions, a series of live performances to help talented musicians in conflict zones and marginalized communities reach new audiences around the globe. Inspired by NPR’s Tiny Desk Concerts, the series aims to showcase the unique vibe and personality of prominent artists, as well as introducing new talents. Our first Delia Sessions were filmed live in the West Bank, Palestine. We are now actively working to expand this program to other communities and regions including Gaza, Palestine, and countries in North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Why?
Life in conflicted areas such as Palestine poses several challenges for talented artists. Although there are many opportunities for musicians to learn and develop when starting out, there is a huge gap in achieving success as professionals. Due to a lack of quality studios, the absence of international or even regional television and radio channels, and the lack of performance venues, young musicians need support to meet their full potential. Without this support, artists must often abandon their dreams in order to pay the bills. This also leads to an erosion of cultural heritage, since music is a fundamental engine for expressing and communicating ideas of a nation’s identity.
How?
As a non-profit, we are constantly striving to create relevant and creative projects that support our mission and also stretch our dollar, so we can have the greatest impact possible. With the Delia Sessions, we are able to accomplish both objectives. One of the main obstacles for musicians in Palestine and similar regions is a lack of music industry infrastructure and therefore international reach. By intentionally creating music videos that masterfully integrate the artists’ culture with musical arrangements and recording standards that appeal to an international audience, we are giving the artists a new opportunity. And since they are live performances that require minimal rehearsal and filming, we are able to create the videos very economically, allowing us to maximize our resources and impact through this and other Delia Arts Foundation projects.
Who and When?
The first “season” kicks off on 6 February with the brilliant Rola Milad Azar. Next, we’ll feature the talented Milad Fatouleh two weeks later on 20 February. Our final star is the amazing Lina Sleibi scheduled for 5 March. As this program expands, our goal is to publish one new release every month on an ongoing basis.
Where?
We’re bringing the Delia Sessions to the comfort of your own screen and headphones. You can find the Delia Sessions on our YouTube channel (subscribe now so you don’t miss out!). We will also release the audio recordings on Spotify and other streaming platforms.