Mahmoud Chouki Cigar Box Project – Live from the PinChurch 2/12/25 8:30pm

 

Mahmoud “Mood” Chouki (Morocco, 1984) is a master guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and composer currently living and working in New Orleans. His art draws together music from several different international contexts to explore how music may speak across cultural divides. His own compositions incorporate musical influences from across the globe, ranging from European classical, Andalusian from Southern Spain, Levantine music from the Middle East, Maghrebian music from North Africa, Latin American music, and Jazz from the United States. Integrating sounds and rhythms from many different cultures, Chouki combines classical guitar with instruments such as the loutar, a traditional instrument of the Middle Atlas region of Morocco; the sintir, a Sub-Saharan instrument from the Sahel region (Mali); the oud, an oriental lute; the Algerian mandole, a steel-string fretted instrument resembling an elongated mandolin; the Bağlama saz, a Turkish long necked bowl-lute; the banjo, and a variety of percussion instruments.

From the age of eight, Chouki trained at the Conservatory of Larache in northern Morocco and continued on at the National Conservatory in Rabat, with a focus in music theory and classical guitar. At the age of eighteen, he won first prize in the International Guitar Competition in St. Esteban del Puerto, Spain. Soon after graduating, Chouki embarked on a journey throughout Morocco with a keen interest in traditional instruments of the Maghreb and Africa.

Chouki’s projects have led him to perform around the world, such as the Magic Lutes Concerts with composer Hughes de Courson and the Symphonic Orchestras in Qatar; Magic Lutes Concerts with composer Hughes de Courson and the Symphonic Orchestras in Bahrain; Pireneos Sur Festival in Sallent de Gallego, Spain; Snug Harbor in New Orleans, USA; Cafe de la Danse, Paris, France; Gwangju world music festival, South Korea; and Safar music series at the New Orleans Museum of Art
As artistic director of Rencontre Orient-Occident at Chateau Mercier in Sierre, Switzerland, Chouki organizes annual artist residencies, bringing together master musicians from the East and West. For one week they share and explore each other’s styles and cultures through music and experiences, which culminates in a final concert. He also currently teaches music at the Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle Orléans, and is Music Curator for monthly music programs at the New Orleans Museum of Art. Most recently Chouki composed the film score for the2021 Sundance award winning film, Ma Belle, My Beauty (directed by New Orleans based filmmaker Marion Hill). In 2021, he was awarded 2020’s “Best Emerging Artist” by Offbeat Magazine’s Best of the Beat Awards.

If you are local to the New Orleans area, we have a VERY LIMITED number of tickets available to this special event.   Try the form below to order tickets.  If you are able to order, you will receive an e-mail a few days before the event with details and instructions on how to attend the show.  This is a special, private party in a very special venue.

If you’ve been to one of our Live from the PinChurch shows, you know how special they are. It’s a chance to see an amazing band in a very intimate setting and also enjoy the South’s largest private arcade (and all the other hospitality that comes with it) which is normally not open to the public. Help support the Mystic Krewe and have a wonderful night of entertainment!

Tickets are just $20 per person, and available in VERY LIMITED QUANTITIES, which includes access to the private arcade/studio, the PinChurch. Normally this special place only available to Mystic Krewe members. These special events are opportunities to see the space, play the games, and enjoy a world class concert in an intimate and unique venue!

There are no walk-ups. Only pre-registered tickets are available, and only here:

Order Tickets Below:

SOLD OUT!

Watch the livestream at https://youtube.com/pinchurch

How do the pre-order ticket work? There are no walk-ups. This is a show in a private studio, with a very limited number of public tickets. The show will be professionally recorded for later showing, along with a one-time live stream.

Pre-order tickets here and you will be e-mailed directions to the show a few days prior (in Metairie, just a few minutes from New Orleans proper) – the doors open at 7pm and the show will start around 8:30pm.

There are all sorts of fun things going on at the live party. If you can make it, you don’t want to miss this opportunity – use the form above!

Want to Join Us?
The Mystic Krewe is looking for creative, passionate, ethical, progressive people to join our ranks and help us create a fun and friendly organization. We like to socialize and play games, but also learn, teach and share, and collaborate on business ventures and other projects. If this sounds interesting to you, consider petitioning to become a member. Check the topics on the upper nav bar under "About Us": "FAQ", and "Membership" for more information, then Contact Us to set up a meeting and tour!

Sell or donate your Pinball or Arcade game to us!

If you have an old pinball machine -- in any condition, consider donating or selling the game to us. We will restore it to its former glory and share it with others. For more info Contact Us!
Join our YouTube channel!
Click here to See our library of videos of past concerts and other performances.
We rent/operate arcade machines and make our resources avilable for special events!
Our collection of games, our museum and our expertise in restoring, maintaining and operating the South's largest collection of vintage coin-op machine is available to partner with others in the area! If you're operating a corporate event and looking for a truly UNIQUE venue or need vintage or modern games, or have a movie production that's looking for special items for set decoration, WE CAN HELP! We have extensive experience doing movie productions as well as corporate events. We are also looking for a public venue where we can set up a very special, unique array of vintage pinball and other devices. We can offer a very attractive and lucrative arrangement with someone in the area who has experience and resources! Club owners, investors, entrepreneurs, restaurateurs.... contact us to set up a meeting and let us show you how to have one of the most unique businesses in the country. Location won't matter. People will come from hundreds of miles around to visit this place. If you have resources and are intrigued, Contact Us
Active Projects
Below is a sampling of the active projects taking place within the Mystic Krewe. These are not all that's going on. If you would like to participate, contact us.

  • Sewing Group - Meets semi-regularly on Tuesdays working on various sewing projects from cloths and quilts to leatherwork and beyond.
  • Video Editing & Production Study Group - ongoing weekly meetings to learn beginner, basic and advanced videography, using HD cameras and Adobe Creative Suite CS6 (Premier Pro, After Affects, Photoshop, etc.)
  • Pinball Repair - Ongoing sessions showcasing basic and advanced pinball and video game repairs. Members come by at their leisure and we tackle various projects.
  • Music Group - MK members comprise a number of popular bands in the area as well as aspiring musicians. We regularly assemble to learn, teach, share and jam in the studio.
  • Basic Electronics/Micro Controllers by example - We're working with the Beaglebone microcomputer, the next generation over the Raspberry Pi, and learning basic electronics and embedded systems by developing a few simple and useful devices. Our flagship product will be a super-intelligent custom A/C thermostat/humidistat.
  • Computer-controlled DMX systems - Using computers to control lights and FX controllers.
  • Stained Glass Workshop - preparing for a class on how to make stained glass art.
  • ProTools and audio recording systems - The ongoing setup and configuration of our multi-track digital studio and podcasting system.
  • Construction and woodworking - We are designing and building custom desks and other fixtures, as well as working on unique artistic pieces and furniture to resell.
  • Mobile Applications Development - Android and IOS development groups are forming to begin learning and designing mobile apps, forming business ventures around these projects.
  • .... and more!
Want to help?
In our quest to celebrate learning, creativity, responsibility, personal advancement, sharing and helping each other and our community. Please consider giving what you can. Any token donation goes a long way in helping cover our expenses and increase our impact on the community. It means so much!

While financial donations are the most critical at this point, if you have other material items or resources to offer our group, please contact us! Thank you so much!!