Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble led by Hicham Chami, a Moroccan-born virtuoso on the qanun (an Arabic zither with more than 70 strings), the Chicago Classical Oriental Ensemble is a 25-member outfit performing a repertoire drawing from Sephardic, Arabic, Turkish, Armenian, Levantine, and Egyptian traditions. This show launches a four-city tour dubbed Gesher-Jisr: Bridging Cultures in Conflict Through the Arts, and two guest musicians Chami has invited along are exemplary bridge builders: Israeli violinist Yair Dalal, whose parents emigrated from Iraq, has long explored the common features of Jewish and Arabic music, and Palestinian singer and oud player Naser Musa is a devout Christian. At this show, part of the annual Hamsa festival organized by the local ethnic arts nonprofit Genesis at the Crossroads, the group will play traditional material as well as new pieces by Dalal and Musa. Pharaoh's Daughter, Turkish percussionist Omar Faruk Tekbilek, and the Al-Sharq Ensemble are among the other performers scheduled; see Fairs & Festivals for more.

5:25 PM, Hamsa: From the Middle East to the Midwest, Lincoln Park, Stockton & LaSalle, 773-929-0224, $5-$10 suggested donation, children under five free.

-Peter Margasak