El Khat
- Performance
- Ticket Required
Suzanne and Paul Westlake Performing Arts Center
Photo © Marijo Zupanov
About The Event
Starting in 2019, El Khat began to hone a DIY attitude, psych-rock energy, and experimentalism in garages and warehouses. Using self-made instruments as an expression of a minimalist life philosophy, the trio has created a unique collection of original Arabic tunes of Yemeni origin.
Although detachment from any nation or flag is a driving force behind the group, the heart of El Khat’s music and heritage remains deeply rooted in Yemeni culture. War and migration have given rise to a reassembled identity, one that resonates strongly throughout the trio’s music. With a three-album discography and a fourth record to be released in 2026, El Khat continues to forge a sound that bridges past and present, keeping Yemeni culture alive while reimagining its future.
Performers
Eyal el Wahab—seer, kearat, pahit (self-made instruments), lead vocals
Lo tan Yaish—self-made drum kit, backing vocals
Yefet Hassan—organ, self-made percussion instruments, backing vocals
The views expressed by performers during this event are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Ticket Prices
Sponsors
The 2025–26 Performing Arts Series is sponsored by the Musart Society. This program is made possible in part by the Ernest L. and Louise M. Gartner Fund, the P. J. McMyler Musical Endowment Fund, and the Anton and Rose Zverina Music Fund.
The Cleveland Museum of Art is funded in part by residents of Cuyahoga County through a public grant from Cuyahoga Arts & Culture.
Performing arts programs are supported in part by the Ohio Arts Council, which receives support from the State of Ohio and the National Endowment for the Arts.
