Turkwaz and Medusa bring Balkan and Greek traditions to NAC Wood Terrace

The National Arts Centre's Wood Terrace is hosting a three-night fusion of Balkan, Greek, and Turkish musical traditions featuring two ensembles: Turkwaz, a quartet of musician-singers, and Medusa Quartet, a chamber-folk band reimagining the Western string quartet.

Turkwaz draws on Sufi devotional love songs, Thracian dance music, and a repertoire spanning Albanian, Bulgarian, and Macedonian traditions. Maryem Hassan Tollar brings Arabic language heritage; Jayne Brown and Sophia Grigoriadis contribute expertise in Greek music; Brenna MacCrimmon adds Turkish elements. The group arranges traditional tunes in unexpected ways, respecting the source traditions while giving familiar melodies fresh spins.

Medusa Quartet wields ancient fiddle-like instruments to cross-pollinate traditional music from around the world with original compositions. Their live show combines engaging storytelling with their one-of-a-kind stringed instruments—a departure from classical string-quartet norms that has drawn comparisons to a "must-see live show" by music publications.

Together, the ensembles create what they call Hagerophony—a rich and resonant sound world that combines polyphony, harmony, heterophony, and daring rhythmic play. Audiences can expect to stomp their feet, laugh, cry, and encounter sounds they've never heard before.

The performances run Tuesday, August 11 through Thursday, August 13 at 7:30 p.m. on the Wood Terrace at 1 Elgin Street. Admission is free, though space is limited to 400 guests on a first-come, first-served basis. The organizers recommend arriving early and bringing a chair. For guests arriving after capacity is reached, an overflow seating area outside the Wood Terrace with an obstructed view will be available. The performance runs approximately 90 minutes with an intermission.