N E W S 
  » SURA Exhibition and Fall Registration
  » AANM at Republican, Democratic Conventions
  » Georgetown Chair Honors Maksouds

E V E N T S
  » August 15: Arab-American Comedy Show
  » August 16: AANM Book Club Meeting
  » September 4 & 6: AANM Arabic Language Classes Begin

I N  T H E  G A L L E R I E S 
  » Through August 31: Fragmentation & Unity: The Art of Sari Khoury
  » Through August 31: Concert of Colors: Exposed

SURA Exhibition and Fall Registration

Join us at noon on Saturday, September 13 for a reception celebrating the latest group of budding photographers from the SURA Arts Academy, the AANM's free diversity-themed student photography program. More than 50 color images shot by area middle-school students will be on display in the AANM's Lower Level Gallery from September 13 through November 16. Meanwhile, applications are now being accepted for SURA's fall semester, which begins later next month. There is a strict 30-student limit; if you'd like further information or registration materials, please contact Nahleh Ali at 313.624.0210 or HERE. At right, Trees Through a Fence by Briana Pitariu, a SURA student photographer.

AANM at Republican, Democratic Conventions

The Arab American National Museum is making its presence known at the Democratic National Convention later this month in Denver and at the Republican National Convention early next month in Minneapolis. All delegates are being invited to a pair of special events being hosted by the Arab American Institute - a Mezza in Minneapolis and in Denver, the Comedy Kabob with funny guys Ahmed Ahmed, Dean Obeidallah and Maz Jobrani (right). The AANM will have colorful traveling displays at both receptions, so delegates can learn a bit about Arab and Arab American culture. Click HERE for details and reservations for the two AAI convention receptions featuring AANM displays.

Georgetown Chair Honors Maksouds

This fall, Dr. Fida J. Adely - the first holder of the Drs. Clovis and Hala Salaam Maksoud Chair in Arab Studies at Georgetown University - will teach courses on development, gender and education in the Arab World. Friends of the Center for Contemporary Arab Studies established the Maksoud Chair last fall, in honor of the legendary lawyer/journalist/diplomat and his late wife. Clovis Maksoud (right) founded the Center in 1975; it is part of Georgetown's Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service. Read more about the Maksoud Chair HERE and more about the Center HERE.

August 15:
Arab-American Comedy Show

Mizna Entertainment presents its 2nd annual Arab-American Comedy Show at 7 p.m. Friday, August 15, at the Ford Community and Performing Arts Center in Dearborn, MI. This evening of sketch comedy and short films is designed to break down barriers and demystify stereotypes while showcasing "Arab American culture in all its richness, beauty and hilarity." At right is the show's producer, Mike Mosallam. For more about the show, click HERE; to buy tickets, call 313.943.2354. To sample Mizna's comic sensibilities, click HERE.

August 16:
AANM Book Club Meeting

Evelyn Shakir's Remember Me to Lebanon is next up for discerning readers in the AANM Book Club. It's a short-story collection about the lives of first- and second-generation Lebanese American women and their struggle to forge a new identity while retaining their heritage or in some cases, rejecting it. Bring this book along on your summer travels, then meet fellow book lovers and engage in a fascinating discussion about Remember Me to Lebanon at the next Book Club meeting at the AANM at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, August 16. Meetings are free and open to all. Call 313.624.0224 for details.

September 4 & 6:
AANM Arabic Language Classes Begin

Delve into the intricacies of the Arabic language in a casual and friendly setting this fall at the Arab American National Museum. This time around, instructor Yasser Mansour offers Intro to Arabic Level I on both Thursday evenings beginning Sept. 4 and on Saturday mornings beginning Sept. 6. Class meetings are two hours long; the course runs for 10 weeks. Tuition is just $235 (only $200 for Museum Members; click HERE for membership details), payable no later than 5 p.m. Tuesday, September 2. Questions? Contact Lama at 313.624.0219 or HERE.

Through August 31:
Fragmentation & Unity: The Art of Sari Khoury

Sari Khoury's abstract art and profound thinking have left a significant imprint on the minds of viewers as well as the many students he nurtured in the Department of Art at Central Michigan University. More than two dozen of Khoury's later works, including his previously unseen final work, are on display. Khoury's words share the gallery with his artwork; an online companion exhibit features the artist's personal artifacts. In the Main Floor Gallery. Read more HERE. Sari Khoury self-portrait, circa 1967, right.

Through August 31:
Concert of Colors: Exposed

The annual Concert of Colors is a free music festival celebrating the ethnic and cultural diversity of metro Detroit. Concert of Colors: Exposed is a multimedia exhibition of action-packed in-concert photographs from the event's first 15 years. View performers, including Little Richard, Ani DiFranco, Angelique Kidjo, Son Seals and Hugh Masekela, and the late Bo Diddley, in 30 never-before-exhibited photos. A musical soundtrack, projected images and percussion instruments to play with help recreate the festival vibe generated by the artists and their adoring audiences. Click HERE for more information. At right, SLINGER FRANCISCO-THE MIGHTY SPARROW at Chene Park, 1996. Bruce Harkness, photographer.

The AANM Membership Challenge is on...

The McGregor Fund is offering the AANM $75,000 if we can recruit 3,000 Museum Members this year. Act today to join the winning team!

You will 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
• Checkout privileges in the Museum's Library & Resource Center
• Membership gifts are tax deductible; consult your tax advisor for details

Call (313) 624-0202 or click HERE to become a Museum Member.

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