Film Fest Lineup, Tickets Online
One film took home a 2006 Academy Award. Another one, banned in Egypt, features that nation’s biggest pop star. It’s the Third Annual Arab Film Festival, November 2-4, in the AANM Auditorium, featuring a provocative selection of contemporary films from Arab America and the Arab World. Click HERE to view the complete lineup and buy tickets online. The Festival also includes two participatory panel discussions and complimentary refreshments. Individual programs are just $5 (Museum Members, students, seniors) and $6; a weekend festival pass runs $20 or $25. See you there!
Free Writing Workshop This Weekend
Haley Elizabeth Garwood (right), author of the Warrior Queen book series, offers a free, 90-minute interactive creative writing workshop at the AANM from 1-2:30 p.m. Saturday, October 6. Her entertaining presentation centers on her “Fourteen Commandments of Writing.” Garwood will also read from and sign copies of her 2005 book Zenobia, about the real-life Syrian warrior queen of the Third Century A.D. who fought the Romans to avenge her king-husband’s death. To attend this free workshop, please RSVP at 313.624.0200 or fsaad@accesscommunity.org. Learn more about Zenobia and the other historical Warrior Queens at www.haleyelizabethgarwood.com.
Yalla Vote '08 Meets in Dearborn
The Arab American Institute’s 2007 National Leadership Conference, “Our Voice, Our Future, Yalla Vote 2008,” is set for October 26-28 at several sites in Dearborn. A key event in the Arab American political calendar, the conference draws hundreds of participants from around the country. Presidential candidates are expected to appear throughout the weekend; confirmed speakers include U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Michigan Department of Human Services Director Ismael Ahmed and Democratic National Committee Chair Howard Dean. For registration info, click HERE.
Artifact Spotlight: Work Boots
These brown leather Carolina Comfort boots were made for working, and that’s why Lamis Qandah Fleischer of Landenberg, Pennsylvania wore them. Fleischer was one of few women in the male-dominated field of nuclear engineering. The native of Ramallah, Palestine immigrated to the U.S. at age 17 with her family. She earned two degrees from Wayne State University in Detroit and became lead engineer at Detroit Edison’s Fermi 2 nuclear power plant near Monroe, Michigan. Now a part-time engineering consultant on the East Coast, Fleischer also owns an apparel and tailor shop. Click HERE to learn about donating an artifact to the AANM.
October 4:
Ford Comerica Global Thursdays: Eastern Blok
Alluring and complex, Chicago-based Eastern Blok transcends borders. Formerly known as the Goran Ivanovic Group, they effortlessly blend classical and jazz music with the rich folkloric traditions of Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Serbia. Middle Eastern motifs merge gracefully with the evocative sounds of Eastern European klezmer music. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the AANM Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for Museum Members and students; $10 in advance in person at the Museum or by phone with a credit card at 313.582.2266 or 31.3624.0215; and $12 at the door.
October 4, 11 & 18:
Free Meditation Sessions
Positive response has brought the “Learn to Meditate Series” back to the AANM, with a new start time of 6:15 p.m. Thursdays, through October 18. Come see for yourself why so many people from every culture and walks of life are learning to meditate. Release stress and bring benefits to mind, body and emotions. Become a deeper, brighter person. Look and feel younger. In the Lower Level Classroom. Free and open to the public. Questions? Contact Terry at White Rabbit Resources at 248-227-7595 or tlf157@comcast.net.
October 11:
Ford Comerica Global Thursdays: SHUSMO
New York City-based SHUSMO was originally formed by Tareq Abboushi (right) to mix various elements of jazz and Middle Eastern music, and to present them through powerful grooves. Since then the melodic melange has seen other elements come into play, including Latin rhythms, counterpoint, and spoken word. The performance begins at 7:30 p.m. in the AANM Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for Museum Members and students; $10 in advance in person at the Museum or by phone with a credit card at 313.582.2266 or 31.3624.0215; and $12 at the door.
October 18:
Threads of Pride Lecture & Embroidery Sale
The AANM’s current exhibition, Threads of Pride: Palestinian Traditional Costumes, is the inspiration for colorful embroidered apparel and accessories available now at the Museum Store and during a free event at 6 p.m. Thursday, October 18. Rabiah Shafie of the Palestine Aid Society of America will present a free lecture and slide show on Palestinian embroidery traditions, following by an expanded offering of embroidered items for sale. To extend your entertaining evening, consider buying a ticket for the 7:30 p.m. Ford Comerica Global Thursdays performance by Palestinian American actor/author Betty Shamieh. See next item for details.
October 18:
Ford Comerica Global Thursdays: Betty Shamieh
This award-winning Palestinian American playwright has two plays making their New York and world premieres this season. Shamieh’s off-Broadway debut, Roar, was selected as a New York Times Critics Pick for 2004. As an actor, Shamieh performed her play of monologues, Chocolate in Heat, at its sold-out premiere at the New York International Fringe Festival in 2001. This one-woman show, featuring excerpts from Shamieh’s many plays, begins at 7:30 p.m. in the AANM Auditorium. Tickets are $8 for Museum Members and students; $10 in advance in person at the Museum or by phone with a credit card at 313.582.2266 or 31.3624.0215; and $12 at the door.
October 27:
Concert Gala with Umm Kulthoum Orchestra
Starting at just $25, you can have a fabulous seat at the ornate Detroit Opera House (right) for the 4th Annual Concert Gala featuring the Umm Kulthoum Orchestra – the national orchestra of Egypt. Order now to get great seat locations at all prices -- $25, $50, $75, $100 and $150. Premium seating is guaranteed for ticket holders at the $200 Patron and $500 Benefactor levels. Read more about the Gala and the Orchestra HERE. Order tickets online at www.accesscommunity.org or by calling Wafa Salah at 248.626.2522, the Museum at 313.624.0200 or Ticketmaster at 248.645.6666. Proceeds benefit the Arab American National Museum.
Through November 25:
Threads of Pride: Palestinian Traditional Costumes
Threads of Pride features over 40 Palestinian embroidered dresses and ceremonial costumes from the collection of Farah and Hanan Munayyer, founders of the Palestinian Heritage Foundation of West Caldwell, New Jersey and stewards of the largest collection of Palestinian embroidery in the United States. This exhibition is in the Museum’s Main Floor Gallery. A lecture and embroidery sale related to this exhibition is set for October 18; see Events item above.
This exhibition made possible in part by The Wallace Foundation.
Through October 28:
SURA Arts Academy Student Photography Exhibition
Images of family, friends and community as seen by 6th-9th graders from Dearborn and southwest Detroit, who were equipped with digital cameras, then instructed and inspired by professional photographers and educators. Through October 28 in the Lower Level Gallery. At right, Untitled, by Reine Hamdar of Dearborn.
This exhibition is made possible by The Skillman Foundation and the U.S. Department of State.
Membership
Receive the following membership benefits:
- Free AANM admission plus advance notice and invitations to upcoming events
- Reduced ticket prices for AANM events
- 10% discount at the Museum store
- 10% discount on Museum facility rentals
- Free guest passes
- Ability to borrow books from Museum Library & Resource Center
Call (313) 624-0200 today for your Museum membership or click here
