[Fringe Festival 2026] The Saffron @ Ottoman Coffeehouse Music Night

EVENT DESCRIPTION

Step into the lively atmosphere of the early twentieth century, when thousands of Ottoman coffeehouses – known as “kahvehane” – buzzed with conversation, storytelling, and live music. In the great cities of the empire, from Cairo to Istanbul, young prodogies and seasoned composers introduced musical gems that have since become beloved classics across the Middle East.

This concert at The Fringe Dairy recreates the spirit of those gatherings. The quartet performs entirely acoustically on traditional instruments of the era – the qanun, oud, and darbuka – as well as the cello, a new arrival to the local music scene then.

Join us for an evening that evokes the warmth and elegance of the Ottoman coffeehouse, where musical and cultural exchanges come vividly to life.

Artists:
Jessie Ho-yan Law, Joshua Ching Yuet Kan, Coşkun Güçlü, Dickson Cheung