The Lyons Storefront Theater hosted Egyptian musician Youssra El Hawary for a performance Wednesday, September 12th. She was joined by several backing musicians, providing keyboards, bass, sitar, wind/reed instruments, and percussion.

El Hawary was able to join us through the Center Stage program, funded in part by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Center Stage worked with Lyons' Corbin Wheaton, and the Center for Rural Affairs to bring her here. She was accompanied to Nebraska by Jay Raman, Director for the Cultural Programs Division of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Raman explained that the program is dual purposed. It provides opportunities for international performing artists to experience different US communities, and for Americans to experience other nations and cultures.

The audience was treated to a selection of El Hawary's songs, sung in her native Arabic. She did the song introductions in English, and explained the meaning of each song.

Said Bev Armstrong, of Lyons, “We were honored to be able to hear Youssra and her group from Cairo. It was a new kind of music of which we never heard before, especially how her beautiful accordion sound blended it all together. It was delightful!”

Dave Armstrong agreed, “I thought the harmonica player was extremely good- he got sounds out of a harmonica that I didn't think could happen. After the performance, he showed me his case of a multitude of harmonicas.”

Bev concluded, “It was a beautiful evening, sitting in the Storefront Theater, listening to an amazing group of musicians from Cairo, Egypt on a backdrop of one of our stunning Midwest skies and clouds. Even the birds were soaring through the sky joyfully in rhythm to the music! We were blessed to have them come to Lyons, and I offer kudos to Corbin Wheaton and all those who made this event possible.”

A free will donation was taken, with all proceeds going to benefit the Lyons Fire & Rescue Department.