To hold a piece of the sun, instead by Katherine Toukhy
It’s that time of year again! Our fall grantees are offering numerous unique, fun, and educational opportunities to experience Arab culture.
Wish to learn Arabic? Sign up for classes with Mizna! Mizna, based in Minnesota, offers four classes that are 10 weeks long—each a different level of Arabic—that all begin around the beginning of October. If you’d like to learn more about Arabic music, Mizna also offers Arabic drumming courses using the derbekeh (Arabic term for the traditional drum). In these courses (there are beginner and advanced levels for both children and adults), students will learn about traditional Arabic music and the style and rhythm associated with it, eventually learning how to play more sophisticated rhythms and how to adapt a rhythm to the movements and sounds of dancers and musicians.
Also, from Sept. 18-20, Mizna—partnering with RAWI—will host the 5th National Gathering, which features many talented Arab and Arab American writers and scholars, providing them with an outlet for their various works.
Should you find yourself in New York, our next two grantees have more than enough to keep you busy with exciting events! Alwan for the Arts has many different cultural events planned for the fall. One such event is an exhibit displaying art from artists around the world titled, Are We Already Gone? Artists on the Art of Leaving. The various works on display reflect the feelings associated with displacement from one’s point of origin, which evoke very powerful expressions of personal transformation and growth. For a list of more events hosted by Alwan for the Arts, visit their event page.
You won’t have to venture too far from Alwan for the Arts, because Noor Theatre is also hosting entertaining events that deal with Arab culture. This fall welcomes the 5th season of the Highlight Reading Series, which is a series of different plays that touch on various topics in Arab culture. With one play occurring each month until the end of the year (the first was performed on Sept.15), there are many opportunities to see different characteristics of Arab culture being brought to life as a way of spurring discussion. On Oct. 7, Noor Theatre will debut What Happened to Noura?, which is about a young Middle Eastern woman facing cultural taboos after professing her true feelings about faith. For information regarding the other plays, be sure to visit the main website!
For more upcoming events and opportunities near you, be sure to browse our complete list of fall grantees!