By Ericka O’Connell, The Beat – Roosevelt Island Daily
Friends, Roosevelt Island’s creative heart is alive and well this November at RIVAA Gallery. From the soul-stirring sounds of the Dal’Ouna ensemble to the luminous storytelling of Divine Theories, we’re in for a week of art that connects, uplifts, and transcends borders.
An Evening of Music Without Borders
Sunday, November 4 at 7 PM – RIVAA Gallery
RIVAA will be transformed into a world of rhythm and resonance as Ramzi Aburedwan and the Dal’Ouna Ensembletake the stage.
Led by Ramzi Aburedwan on the bouzouk and musical direction, the ensemble includes Moneim Adwan (vocals, oud), Alber Baseel (percussion), Max Zeugner (bass), and Yi-heng Yang (piano). Together, they weave a soundscape that bridges cultures, carrying us from the Levant to the Mediterranean, and from traditional Palestinian melodies to contemporary jazz inflections.
Created in 2000 in Angers, France, Dal’Ouna embodies the heart of Palestinian and Arab musical heritage. Their performances blend the festive and the poetic, the ancient and the new. Listeners can expect an evening that reflects joy, hope, and the universal language of music.
As world music curator Alain Weber once said of Aburedwan:
“From Arabic maqam to symphonic music, Palestinian folklore to Sufi incantations… he has made this universal musical space his home and destiny.”
This concert promises not just performance, but connection — a reminder of how art brings us closer to one another, beyond borders or differences.
“Divine Theories” by Aeh Jay Hollenbeck
On View: November 7–9, 2025
Opening Reception: Friday, November 7, 6–9 PM @ RIVAA Gallery
Just days after the concert, RIVAA opens its doors to Divine Theories, a new photography exhibition by Aeh Jay Hollenbeck. This reflective series captures the delicate balance between grief and beauty — the ways we rebuild ourselves through light and wonder.
In Hollenbeck’s words, “the lighting in my images is synonymous with the divine.” Each photograph becomes an act of healing, finding the sacred in the everyday and reminding us that even loss can give rise to radiance.
It’s an exhibition that feels deeply human — a story of rediscovery told through the glow of a lens, rooted in curiosity and illuminated by hope.
RIVAA’s Invitation to the Community
Both events speak to RIVAA’s mission to create space for art that resonates far beyond the walls of its gallery. Whether you’re drawn to the rhythms of the Mediterranean or the stillness of light on film, this week offers a rare chance to experience creativity in all its forms, right here on our island.
So mark your calendars, neighbors — and come celebrate with us.
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