• Alynda Segarra is 36, or a little less than halfway through the average American lifespan. In that comparatively brief time, though, the Hurray for the Riff Raff founder has been something of a modern Huck Finn, an itinerant traveler whose adventures prompt art that reminds us there are always other ways to live.

    Born in the Bronx and of Puerto Rican heritage, Segarra was raised there by a blue-collar aunt and uncle, as their father navigated Vietnam trauma and their mother neglected them to work for the likes of Rudy Giuliani. They were radicalized before they were a teenager, baptized in the anti-war movement and galvanized in New York’s punk haunts and queer spaces. At 17, Segarra split, becoming the kid in a communal squat before shuttling to California, where they began crisscrossing the country by hopping trains. They eventually found home—spiritual, emotional, physical—in New Orleans, forming a hobo band and realizing that music was not only a way to share what they’d learned and seen but to learn and see more.

    Hurray for the Riff Raff steadily rose from house shows to a major label, where Segarra became a pan-everything fixture of the modern folk movement. But that yoke became a burden, prompting Segarra to make the probing and poignant electronic opus, 2022’s Life on Earth, their Nonesuch debut. Catch your breath, OK? We’re back to 36, back to now.

JULY 17 - 7:00 PM Free Show! - Outdoors

This special evening is a celebration of community, bringing neighbors, families, and visitors together through music, food, and hands-on creativity.

Led by multi-instrumentalist Eyal El Wahab, El Khat creates an electrifying sound rooted in the musical traditions of Yemen while embracing bold experimentation. The band performs on handmade instruments crafted from reclaimed materials—tin cans, scrap metal, wood, and other found objects—creating a joyful, rhythmic performance unlike anything you've heard before. Their music honors the rich musical heritage of Yemen while exploring exciting new directions.

Before the concert, community members are invited to a free instrument-making workshop from 5:00–6:00 PM, where they will create their own musical instruments from recycled materials, inspired by El Khat's inventive approach to music-making. The band is renowned for transforming everyday discarded objects into expressive musical instruments, celebrating creativity, sustainability, and resourcefulness. Participation is limited to 10 people, and advance registration is required via email at info@westkc.org.

Beginning at 6:00 PM, guests can enjoy delicious food available for purchase courtesy of our show sponsor, Good Cheap Foods, featuring fresh, locally inspired fare before settling in for the concert.

Known for their infectious energy and inventive performances, El Khat has captivated audiences at festivals and venues around the world. Now they're bringing that same spirit to the hills of Delaware County for an unforgettable summer evening.

This free community concert is made possible through the generous support of the New York State Council on the Arts, our Season Sponsor, Catskill Country Living, our Show Sponsor, Good Cheap Foods, and our sponsors, Clark Family Foundation, Nathan Love, Magpies, Shepherd’s Meadows Flowers, Green Tree Home Candle, and Agrosy Designs. Their commitment helps the West Kortright Center bring exceptional artists from around the world to rural Delaware County while keeping this special evening free and open to everyone.

Event Schedule

Friday, July 17

5:00–6:00 PM – Free Instrument-Making Workshop (using recycled materials; registration required, limited to 10 participants. Reserve your spot by emailing info@westkc.org.)

6:00 PM – Food by Good Cheap Foods

7:00 PM – El Khat (Free Outdoor Community Concert)

PAST PERFORMANCES

  • Nour Harkati is a Tunisian New York–based desert blues musician and singer-songwriter, forging a powerful bridge between ancestral North African traditions and the raw pulse of contemporary urban sound. Deeply rooted in spiritual Gnawa rhythms and the trance-driven spirit of desert blues, he blends the ancient resonance of the Guembri with gritty NYC drums, electronic textures, and modern songcraft. The result is a sound that is both meditative and electrifying-philosophical in depth, yet irresistibly groove-driven.

    His latest album, Moulena (December 11, 2024), premiered worldwide on Live on KEXP and stands as a vibrant homage to his North African roots and a tribute to those who journey far from home. With poetic lyricism and infectious rhythms, Moulena marks a bold new chapter—where the soul of the desert meets the relentless energy of New York City.

    After eight transformative years living in NYC, Harkati has performed on major international stages, including GlobalFEST at Lincoln Center, Celebrate Brooklyn Festival, and Habibi Festival, and will take up a month-long residency at Pioneer Works. Across continents and communities, Nour Harkati continues to redefine desert blues for a global audience—honoring lineage while fearlessly pushing it forward.

Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl, and Macie Stewart are a trio who utilize string instruments, voices, and manual tape effect processing to craft compositions from alternately tranquil and disquieting improvised music. The three musicians are individually rooted in deep sound exploration, multi-disciplinary composition, and all manner of cross-genre collaboration. The musical ground covered by their solo practices is correspondingly expansive, and their individual recording and performance credits read as a veritable who’s who, ranging from DIY darlings to household names of experimental avant-garde, electronic, indie rock, and more. 

BODY SOUND, their debut album, is out now! 

APRIL 23 - 7:00 PM ($20 General Admission)

WHITNEY JOHNSON, LIA KOHL + MACIE STEWART with Graham Jones opening

  • Whitney Johnson, Lia Kohl, and Macie Stewart are a trio who utilize string instruments, voices, and manual tape effect processing to craft compositions from alternately tranquil and disquieting improvised music. The three musicians are individually rooted in deep sound exploration, multi-disciplinary composition, and all manner of cross-genre collaboration. The musical ground covered by their solo practices is correspondingly expansive, and their individual recording and performance credits read as a veritable who’s who, ranging from DIY darlings to household names of experimental avant-garde, electronic, indie rock, and more. 

    BODY SOUND, their debut album, is out now! 

SOLD OUT!