Ramzi Salti's Arabology

On August 24, 2012, Hana Malhas and The Overthinkers: performed live at Blue Fig in Amman, Jordan--a performance that combined acoustic indie folk-pop with subtle electro-elements (three part harmonies, guitars, keys, percussive creations, a shaker, and a good time).  Maher Hanhan was on percussions, Odai Shawagfeh on e. guitar and vocals, Lana Abu Khader on vocals. Cohesive and complex, each performed track maintained undertones of melancholy, while simultaneously achieving the catchiness of a pop tune. “Her voice has a great deal of texture and soul…[Malhas’s] songs are both deeply felt and full of fresh images...[she] has an unusual knack for using elemental nature images with emotional resonances.” -Ann Arbor Oberserver One writer, Philip Logos, describes the album: “Hana’s voice is at times haunting, and hard-hitting at others. The songs are relatable, not because of universal themes or catchy tunes – for frequently both music and lyrics take an unexpected (and therefore interes

Released in September 2012, The Palestinian Executive  (Ashgate) is a book that is based on field research in the West Bank and Gaza, which involved interviewing 110 executives from 63 publicly and family-owned companies. Using a cross-cultural and contextual approach, the authors examine the leadership styles of successful senior executives and managers living and working under challenging conditions in Palestine. The book explores the impact of culture, environmental pressures, and harsh circumstances on doing business in Palestine; sheds light on the leadership, interpersonal, and decision-making styles of successful Palestinian executives; provides specific recommendations on how to develop future business leaders. About the Authors:   Farid A. Muna studied and worked in both the West and the Middle East. He earned his MBA from the University of California, Berkeley, US, and his PhD from London Business School, UK. He is Chairman of Meirc Training & Consulting. Dr Muna i

Ruse and Wit The Humorous in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish Narrative Edited by Dominic Parviz Brookshaw The essays in Ruse and Wit examine in detail a wide range of texts (from nonsensical prose, to ribald poetry, titillating anecdotes, edifying plays, and journalistic satire) that span the best part of a millennium of humorous and satirical writing in the Islamic world, from classical Arabic to medieval and modern Persian, and Ottoman Turkish (and by extension Modern Greek). While acknowledging significant elements of continuity in the humorous across distinct languages, divergent time periods, and disparate geographical regions, the authors have not shied away from the particular and the specific. When viewed collectively, the findings presented in the essays collected here underscore the belief that humor as evidenced in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish narrative is a culturally modulated phenomenon, one that demands to be examined with reference to its historical framework and one tha

My thanks to Lily Harries for contributing this piece to 'Arabology' Classics of Iranian New Wave Cinema While India may generate the most jaw dropping box office and Japan may lead the way in terms of technical innovation, it is arguable that the most consistently challenging and fascinating cinema to come out of Asia over the last half century has come from Iran. While the commercial end of Iranian film has always offered a plethora of crowd pleasing fare for a hugely cini-literate public, the country’s most interesting films have consistently come from successive generations of what is known as the Iranian “New Wave”, a movement which began in the late 1960’s and survives to this day in the work and souls of the country’s most imaginative film makers. New Wave films are characterised by their poetry, visual artistry and subversive subject matter. Often they are highly politicised in tone, challenging accepted political and religious notions in a country where both to

If you happen to be in Beirut this August then you shouldn't miss the chance of seeing singing sensation Tania Saleh perform at DRM (Democratic Republic of Music) in the Hamra District on August 25, 2012. DRM a place where all the production elements are precise and measured and capable of delivering the highest standards in audio delivery and lighting. While constructing the place, a lot of attention was paid to the acoustics of the venue. A box in a box was built with special materials so that the sound is crystal clear with minimum reverberation. DRM is a concert hall that was conceived from this perspective: the perspective of music producers and musicians.

This is a 16-minute segment from the Special Summer edition of 'Arabology' (aired July 31, 2012) in which Ahmad Qousi discusses his first Ramadan in the USA.  Click on arrow below to listen. استمعوا الى احمد القوصي وهو يتكلم عن شهر رمضان المبارك لمدة 16 دقيقة على إذاعة جامعة ستانفورد في كاليفورنيا arabology · Interview with Ahmad Qousi: His First Ramadan in USA (2012) http://soundcloud.com/author30/ahmad-qousi-ramadan-2012

Director Rolla Selbak's cinematic gem Three Veils has finally been released on DVD. "Three Veils" is a film about three young Middle-Eastern women living in the U.S, each with her own personal story. Leila is engaged to be married, however as the wedding night approaches, she becomes less and less sure of how her life is playing out. Amira is a very devout Muslim, but is dealing with her deep repressions about her intimate feelings toward women. Nikki is acting out her promiscuity as she battles her own demons after a tragic death in the family. As the film progresses, all three stories unfold and blend into each other as connections are revealed between the three women. Here are some pictures from the film's screening at the Roxie in San Francisco back in April of 2011. The cast, director and producer after the SF screening, 2011 Actor Garen Boyajian; Ramzi Salti; Actress Sheetal Sheth; Eric Dobson Ramzi Salti and actress Angela Zahra R

Sae Lis' grew up in West Africa then lived and developed her musical talent in such places as France and Hollywood before making Beirut, Lebanon her home. It is in Beirut that she has released her first CD The Quest--a work (in English) that showcases the soulful, poppy, and remarkable talent of this solo female singer who cites as her musical influences such artists as Motown, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, Erykah Badu, Amy Winehouse, and Sade. "Among those years of discovery, I wrote THE QUEST" says Sae Lis' about her new album which has been received with much critical acclaim. The CD is out in all Virgin Megastores in Lebanon and online at itunes, amazon, cd baby, etc. The first single from The Quest is titled 'The Way You Treat Me' and was released along with this poignant video clip: If you happen to be in Lebanon this summer then you shouldn't miss the chance of seeing Sae Lis' perform on Sunday, August 19 at 10:00pm in UTC+03 at Django P

Ahmad Q (left) and DJ Ramzi during summer episode of Arabology. Download podcast at  http://radio4all.net/index.php/program/61804 Podcast of the July 31 special summer edition of 'Arabology'--a radio show hosted by Dr. Ramzi Salti, Lecturer at Stanford University, showcasing (mostly alternative) music from the Arab world--is available for free downloading at the link below. This special summer edition features a conversation about Ramadan with Ahmad Qousi plus great new music by Yasmine Hamdan, Youmna Saba, Mashrou' Leila (Special Remix), Faudel (singing the Arabic version of Dalida's  'Bambino'), Tania Saleh, Maryam, Elissa, Darine Hamze, Jadal, Jadid Ensemble, Sapho (who pays homage to Om Kalsoum), Nancy Ajram, Assi Elhellani, Hiba Mansouri, and Mariem Labidi who sings the Arabic version of 'Ne Me Quitte Pas.' Complete playlist available at this link . To download/save the podcast please go to http://radio4all.net/index.php/program/61804

Jordan's very own Olympic swimmer "Kareem Ennab" competed in today's 50m Freestyle Race!   Jordanian Olympic athlete Kareem Ennab (from Irbid)  got 5th place at the Olympics today in the 50m Freestyle, in just 24.09 seconds.