‎We are super excited to announce that مصطفى رفيق (Mustafa Rafiq) will kick off our 2020 series. How better to start a decade then by contemplating January’s theme of “Roots.” 

For those well versed in the local Edmonton music scene, Mustafa may be known as the lead promoter behind Sweaty Palms, an organization that curates eclectic lineups throughout the city’s communities by creating memorable experiences. You may also know them (pronoun) through their solo music project, Family Injera, a sonic exploration that combines electronic ambient sounds with Arabic heritage. 

No matter how you know them, or what you will know of them, one thing is for sure: Mustafa is the creative result of an intercultural bridge that reflects what it means to grow up in a city that is emerging in its multifaceted cultural identity. 

Let us dig into our roots and find what nourishes our current profession, expression and future aspirations.