Dana Al-Fardan's Exclusive Preview of "Indigo" at the Kennedy Center
By: Leyelle Mosallam / Arab America Contributing Writer
On October 5th, Qatari composer, singer, and songwriter, Dana Al Fardan, performed an exclusive preview of her upcoming album, Indigo, at Washington D.C.’s John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Her performance was a part of the 2021 Qatar-USA Year of Culture event, which celebrates the relationship between Qatar and the United States through various cultural events that promote understanding, as well as appreciation between the two countries. Arab America was delighted to attend this year’s event and was welcomed with Qatar’s wonderful hospitality.
Dana Al Fardan is Qatar’s first female composer. Dana’s music is influenced by her Arab heritage, as well as her love for contemporary classical music and musical theatre composers. Dana works closely with Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra and was the founder of Qatar’s first record label, DNA Records. Her goal is to contribute to Qatar’s efforts to put its nation on the map by developing a well-renown music industry in Qatar and creating original content that competes with the international market.
Since Dana’s interview with Arab America in September 2017, which you can check out here, she has been involved in many projects. Her first musical, Broken Wings, premiered on August 1st, 2018, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket in London. Broken Wings is about the 1912 poet, Khalil Gibran, and his upbringing. The musical was performed in theaters around the globe in 2019, and she is now working on her second musical, Rumi, which is about the popular Persian poet and Sufi master, Maulana Rumi, from the 13th century. Rumi is set to premiere on November 23rd and 24th at the London Coliseum. Along with working on musicals, Dana is the official composer for Qatar Airways, and she also composed the official song for Qatar’s Lusail Stadium. Lusail will host the opening and closing matches of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which will be hosted in Qatar.
With her success in music, Dana is contributing something significant to her Qatari heritage and culture. There are many misconceptions about Qatar and the Middle East that circulates around the media; however, this talented musician has the power to educate the world about Qatar, and represent the country for what it truly is. Dana is also breaking stereotypes about women in the Arab world, by proving that there is so much opportunity for Muslim and Arab women to contribute to their country’s success and to the world.
CHECK OUT DANA’S First Single: INDIGO
Dana’s fourth debut album, Indigo, was composed in lockdown during the early months of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Indigo was inspired by the German poet, Wolfgang von Goethe, who examined the psychological impact of different colors on mood and emotion in his book, Theory of Colours. Dana composed 10 different pieces for her album, and each piece represents a different color scheme that captures a certain mood or state of being. As many of us have experienced so much uncertainty this past year and a half, Dana wanted her new album to take her audience on a journey she calls crystalline so that they are able to elevate their senses towards their higher selves and push their senses to their limits.
Before her performance of Indigo, Dana shared a few words with the audience behind the meaning of Indigo as well as how COVID inspired the music for her upcoming album.
“Struggle with irregularity is evident in the music you will hear tonight. There are certain components that may sound distorted, or even clashed, but if this past year has taught us anything, is the strength of human resilience and our capacity to create order out of chaos.”
Dana Al-Fardan
Dana chose the color Indigo because she believes it is the color that best allows her audience to absorb their surroundings and within themselves on a much deeper level. Indigo, is what helps humans see and feel what they otherwise cannot. By experiencing Indigo, Dana wants her audience to delve into their emotions and really engage in themselves.
“I chose Indigo because it is the color that the human eye is least sensitive to. The idea is that by virtue reaching indigo, we expand our capacity to absorb information and expand our connectivity within Indigo.”
Dana Al-Fardan
Dana’s performance at the Kennedy Center captured a unique “multi-sensory” experience, which featured light and colors that matched with every sound of her music. Dana’s preview of her album really captured the meaning behind Indigo, and it was a pleasure for Arab America to watch.
Watch Dana perform at the Kennedy Center here!
Keep an eye out for Dana’s new Album, Indigo, expected to be out soon!
Check out Arab America’s blog here!
