This is a General Admission seated show held in the Main Theater of CSPS Hall. Doors will open 1 hour before showtime.
$20 Advance | $25 Door
Bassel and the Supernaturals tells the story of Bassel Almadani's experience as a first generation Syrian-American using soulful melodies, funk inspired rhythms, and captivating lyrics regarding love, loss, otherness, and the war in Syria. They are making their national television debut in May 2024 as part of a new PBS docuseries starring Dule Hill entitled The Express Way, regarding the transformative power of the arts.
Echoing Stevie Wonder's rhythm and blues, Jamiroquai's social justice centered lyricism over jazz-infused funk, and Steely Dan's seamless amalgam of American music, Bassel and the Supernaturals evoke joy and thoughtfulness in diverse audiences throughout hundreds of cities across North America. In addition to performing in major festivals, performance halls, concert series, and clubs, the group works closely with organizations on events and residencies that build awareness and empathy for Syrian refugees and immigrants. Deeply inspired by Otis Redding, Bassel uses the stage as a vehicle to unite his listeners and share the story of his cultural duality. A substantial portion of their proceeds benefit the Karam Foundation, a non-profit organization focused on building a better future for Syria.
Their sophomore release, Elements (2017), was premiered by Noisey/Vice, generating impressive buzz with their music video "Lost", a moving, tragic song about his young cousin who was fatally caught in crossfire, a casualty of the ongoing conflict in Syria. This led to their involvement in the nationally-acclaimed SXSW 2017 showcase ContraBanned: #MusicUnites featuring artists from the siaspora of countries targeted by the travel ban. They've since been featured on PRI, Al Jazeera, Reuters, Paste Magazine, Huffington Post, NowThis, and many others.
Bassel and the Supernaturals has performed in over 400 concerts and advocacy events between 2016-2023 on stages including SXSW, John F. Kennedy Center, The Cleveland Museum of Art, Summerfest, and Millenium Park, and supported internationally touring artists such as Youssou N'Dour, Aesop Rock, Emancipator, Brother Ali, The Dandy Warhols, Sinkane, and many others.
Upon returning from a service trip to Istanbul in September 2019 working with displaced Syrians, Bassel and the Supernaturals released their full-length album Smoke & Mirrors, in April 2020. "Stepping Back in Time" was featured on Spotify's original "All Funked Up" playlist and recently surpassed 550,000 streams. The band collaborated with RedX Talks on their music video for "Calculated Love" featuring Chicago's resilient youth in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the group has released three new singles, including a music video for "Sandman" which captures the group's recording sessions with Grammy Award winning producer and engineer Jeff Breakey of Good Wolf Music. They continue to tour the country, spreading a message of hope through their music wherever they travel.
The band's national television debut on PBS (May 2024) highlights Bassel's story as a product of Syrian immigrants, challenged growing up as a Muslim in America after 9/11, and his profound connection ot the arts as a channel to process his own experience while amplifying the voices of refugees. Bassel and the Supernaturals also plans to release a new EP in 2024.
1103 3rd St SE, Cedar Rapids, IA 52401
(319) 364-1580
New Hours
Thursday - Sunday
12:00 - 6:00PM
Photo Credit: Ikkens Images & Emma's Cellar Door
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