Ramzi Salti's Arabology

This year-end episode of 'Arabology' (aired Dec 20) showcases and discusses the Top 30 alternative/indie Arabic songs of 2013 along with exclusive shout-outs by some of the artists whose music is featured, including Tania Kassis, Tania Saleh, Hamed Sinno [Mashrou' Leila], Yassir Chadly, Yasmine Hamdan, May Nasr, Eliyahu Sills, Rania Kurdi, DAM, Mike Massy, and Omar Offendum. You can listen to the podcast by clicking on the arrow below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-epsiode-11 Top 30 Songs 2013 for Arabology 20 Dec 2013 DJ: Ramzi S. (Artist/Track/Album/Label) 1.  Massar Egbari/ Iqra2 El Khabar/ Iqra2 El Khabar/ Massar Egbari 2.  Akher Zephir/ Akherto Lahn Hazin/ Counter Culture/ Eka3 3.  Mashrou' Leila/ Abdo/ Raasuk/ Mashrou' Leila Preceded by message from Hamed Sinno 4.  Sadat & Alaa Fifty Cent/ Five Pound Credit/ Generation Bass/ Six Degrees Records  5.  Hello, Psychaleppo!/ Tobayabooya/ Gool L'Ah/ Samer Saem Eldahr 6.  

The Square  is an award winning documentary that follows a group of Egyptian revolutionaries as they battle leaders and regimes, risking their lives to build a new society of conscience. You can watch the trailer below or at   http://bit.ly/1a16PTf Basic Info: Release Date: January 17, 2014 Genre: Documentary Studio: Noujaim Films Awards:  2013 Sundance Film Festival - Audience Award, Toronto Intl Film Festival - People's Choice Award Starring Khalid Abdalla, Magdy Ashour, Ahmed Hassan, Ragia Omran, Ramy Essam, Aida El Kashef Directed By Jehane Noujaim Produced By Karim Amer For more info: http://www.thesquarefilm.com facebook.com/thesquarefilm

The 5th Norient Music Film Festival is taking place from January 9-11, 2014 in Bern, Switzerland.  Norient officially selected eight films for the upcoming festival and invited several filmmakers, musicians and dj's to Bern. Highlights are the first Egyptian Electro-Sha’abi night of Switzerland, and two films For more info see  http://norient.com/en/events/5-norient-musikfilm-festival-2014/ Chaabi and Electro-Sha’abi from Algiers and Cairo El Gusto 89′ (Swiss Premiere. In presence of film-director) Safinez Bousbia, Algeria, 2013 «When talking from Algier, you are automatically also talking of Chaabi-music» explains musician Ahmed Bernaoui: «This is my great passion, that’s what I am living through and for». «El Gusto» is the story of an Algerian Chaabi-orchestra. His Jewish and Muslim companions were separated fifty years ago by the Algerian civil war and live now scattered across France and Algeria. With t «El Gusto»,  filmmaker Safinez invites us to listen to the stor

'Rebel Music' is an MTV world series which includes six 30-minute episodes of “Rebel Music” that examine the lives of young people using art and music to spark change around the world. The series can be viewed at mtvU and RebelMusic.com . Episode about Egypt:  http://rebelmusic.com/egypt/video/memaxj Episode about Palestine/Israel:  http://rebelmusic.com/israel-palestine

The Dec 12 episode of Arabology broaches the issue of tolerance in the Arab world by showcasing music about religious coexistence, social equality, LGBT rights, Arab American identity and more. Show also includes interview with 'Alhurra' TV producer Louis Karim. Listen below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-10 Playlist for Arabology Thursday, 12 Dec 2013 4-6 pm DJ: Ramzi S. (Artist/Track/Album/Label) 1. Tania Kassis/ Islamo-Christian Ave/ Live at l'Olympia/ Tania Kassis 2. Labess/ Bechar El Khir/ Identite/ Needlepoint Records 3. Khaled/ Samira/ C'est La Vie/ Universal Music France 4. Rachid Taha/ Now Or Never/ Zoom/ Naive 5. Jawhar/ Idhalil / Qibla wa Qobla/ NAFF REKORDZ 6. Jowan Safadi & Haya Zaatry/ Ji2tu ila ahli / ghanni 3an al-tareef/ Ghanni.net 7. Jam Tkseer/ Qaseeda shrera/ ghanni 3an al-tareef/ Ghanni.net 8. Khaled Aljaramani,/ Farah/ Athar/ Institut Du Monde Arabe & Harmonia Mundi 9. Massar Egbari/ Wana Kol

You can listen to the interview at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-10#t=59:17 DJ Ramzi (right) with Louis Karim (left) at KZSU 90.1 FM The Dec 12, 2013 episode of Arabology included an interview with 'Alhurra' TV producer Louis Karim who spoke about the role of TV and the media as well as his own experiences and TV journey to success. Click below to listen to the interview segment which begins at minute 59. You can also listen to the interview at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-10#t=59:17

Listen below or at  https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-9 arabology · Arabology 6.9 [Arabic Music + Interv w/ Bassam Kassam, Amr Adly] This episode of 'Arabology' aired on Dec 5, 2013 and featured poignant Arabic music, including two exclusive tracks by Lebanese singer/composer Mike Massy. Show also features 5-part interview with Lebanese American writer/film producer/human rights activist Bassam Kassab + interview with Amr Adly, Postdoctoral Fellow at CDDRL (Stanford University) who discusses issues related to the political economy of Egypt and Tunisia. Playlist for Arabology Thurs 5 December 2013  4-6 PM  DJ: Ramzi (Artist/Track/Album/Label) 1.  Khaled/ Laila/ C'est La Vie/Universal Music France 2.  Labess/El Kass Yadour/Identite/Needlepoint Records 3.  Rachid Taha/Wesh (N'amal)/Zoom/Naive 4.  Interview with Bassam Kassab (Lebanese American writer/activist//producer)/Part 1 5.  Fairuz/Addayash Kan Fi Nas/Best of Fairuz/EMI Arabia 7.

On Thursday Dec. 5th, the small Roxie theater in San Francisco will host the premiere of Nadia Shihab's “Amal's Garden” and Farah Kassem's “My Father Looks Like Abdel Nasser”. Shot in northern Iraq and Lebanon, both half-hour films are semi-experimental documentaries and family portraits that made their debut at the Dubai International Film Festival last year. Co-presented by the Arab Film Festival and the GAZE Film Series. Showtimes: 5:00 & 7:00, with short Q&A with director Nadia Shihab. This is a SMALL theater. Reserve your tickets! by going to this link . Amal's Garden (http://youtu.be/AON6RGk9Tys) Amal and Mustafa have shared a long life together in northern Iraq. When Amal decides to finally renovate their home after a decade of war, Mustafa retreats to the garden, where he encounters the curious gaze of his grandniece and her camera. An intimate snapshot of life at the boundary of destruction and renewal, AMAL’S GARDEN is the unexpected por

This episode of 'Arabology' aired on Nov 21, 2013 and included interviews with Stanford student/activist Kristian Davis Bailey who spoke about his trip to the West Bank; Lebanese American playwright Mona Mansour who continued our conversation from last week's show; and Yasmine Hamdan in a special segment of an interview that had previously been aired in its entirety on 'Arabology.  Also includes a special remix of Yasmine Hamdan's 'Shouei" plus a slew of other Arabic songs and music. Listen to the podcast below or at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-8 Playlist for Arabology Thurs, 21 November 2013 4pm - 6pm DJ: Ramzi S . Artist/Track/Album/Label 1. Chamamyan, Lena/Henna w Zahr Intro/Ghazl El Banat/Chamamyan 2. Land Of Kush/ Faint Praise/Big Mango/Constellation Records 3. Khaled/Bab Jenna (Gate Of Heaven) /C'est La Vie/Universal Music France 4. Taha, Rachid/Zoom Sur Oum/Zoom/Naive 5. Breaking the boundaries & Abd

'Ya Man Hawah' is a song that was recorded by a local Saudi rock band, Breaking the Boundaries Featuring an Arabic vocalist, Abdulrahman Muhammad, singing the lyrics which are Lyrics taken from an old Arabic heritage poem by Said Ibn Ahmad Ibn Said. من روائع الشعر التراثي -ابيات يا من هواه اعزه و اذلنيي كيف السبيل الى وصالك دلني- بأسلوب جديد Video: LYRICS in ARABIC: يا من هواهُ أعّزهُ وأذّلني القصيدة الأصلية لـ: سعيد ابن احمد ابن سعيد غناء: عبد الرحمن محمد يا من هواهُ أعّزهُ وأذّلني كيفَ السبيلُ إلى وصالك .. دُلني أنتَ الذي حـَلّفتَني وحـَلفتَ لي وحـَلفتَ أنك لا تخون .. فـخـُنتني وحلفت أنك لا تميل مع الهوى أين اليمين..؟ وأين ما عاهدتني..؟ تركتني حيران صباً هائماً أرعى النجومَ وأنتَ في عيشٍ هني لأقـُعدَنً على الطريق وأشتكي وأقولُ مظلومٌ وأنت ظلمتني ولأدعون عليك في غسق الدجى يبليكَ ربي مثلما أبليتني - Vocals - Abdulrahman Mohammed غناء والحان / الفنان عبدالحمن محمد - Lead guitar- Dr. Mohab Omar عزف جيتار وتوزيع موسيقى/ د.مهاب عمر -

11/14 Arabology podcast ft interviews w/ Arash Aramesh (National Security Adviser for the Stanford Law School); Mona Mansour (Lebanese American playwright of 'Urge for Going'); and Jordanian caricaturist Yazan Khalifeh whose works can be viewed at  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Yazan-Khalifeh-illustration/206446656059406 .  Show also  ft Arabic music by Yasmine Hamdan, مشروع ليلى Mashrou' Leila, Tania Saleh, Rachid Taha, Hiba Tawaji, Pangia Raks, Donia Samir Ghanem | دنيا سمير غانم and tribute to Cheb i Sabbah. You can listen to the podcast below or at  https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-7 Playlist for Arabology Thurs, 14 Nov 2013 4pm - 6pm DJ: Ramzi S. Artist/Track/Album/Label 1. Kulna Sawa/Iza3at Kulna Sawa/Kulna Sawa/Kulna Sawa 2. Interview w/ Arash Aramesh/National Security Analyst at Stanford Law School/Arabology 3. Rachid Taha/Now Or Never/Zoom/Naive 4. Mashrou' Leila/Ma Tetrikni Heik/Raasuk/Mashrou' Leila 5. Hiba Tawajy/La Bid

La Bidayi Wala Nihayi (The Windmills Of Your Mind) by Hiba Tawaji Lyrics: Mansour Rahbani Music : Michel Legrand Orchastration : Oussama Rahbani Produced by: Ghadi & Oussama Rahbani Directed By: Marwan Rahbani Post Production: Kolja Digital Works Here are the lyrics in Arabic to Hiba Tawaji's 'La Bidayi wala Nihayi' [No beginning or End] which is the Arabic version of 'The Windmills of Your Mind': لا بداية و لا نهاية ليش صيف السنة انتهى بسرعة واحمرت احراش الغار والمرا اللى شعرا احمر متلن شعلانة بالنار لا بداية ولا نهاية والوقت مارق غريب متل مرورى بافكارك لحظة بتلمع و بتغيب يا عصافير السهل الجايى تبشر بشتى تشرين وجوه واسامى ببالى جدا يذكرنى لمين الدنيى حلقة عم بتدور والقمر بالسما يدور صيف السنة انطرنا القمر ع سطوح السهر تايطل وهدينا عقارب الساعة خايفين الوقت ليفل ما فى قوة بهالدنيى بتاخر هبوب الريح شعرك والكرز واللوز باول الموسم تلويح يا عصافير السهل الجايى تبشر بشتى تشرين وجوه واسامى ببالى ح

Donia Samir Ghanem has been releasing her new album Wahda Tania Khalis , track by track, on YouTube via Roznama Records--a new marketing strategy that has worked well for her.  The accompanying video clips so far have been truly superb as each clip comes with Arabic lyrics so that viewers can sing along. Here is the video clip for "El Wa2t Byesra2na" الوقت بيسرقنا   http://youtu.be/F2badZl2pUU الوقت بيسرقنا  نعيش و الوقت بيسرقنا وبنمشي و نسرح في طريقنا و الايام اللي بتجمعنا ممكن في ثواني تفرّقنا ساعات الدنيا بتلهينا عن اغلى و اقرب ناس لينا و في يوم عمرنا ما بنتمناه نلاقيهم مَبَقوش حوالينا بِنْحِسِّش بقيمة الحاجة إلَّا لمّا تروح  وكان فى صوت بيصرخ فينا و احنا مبنِسْمَعش  ونندم عللي ضاعوا و راحوا وقلبنا مجروح يا ريت الوقت يرجع بينا بس ما بيرجَعْش  زمان كانوا هنا بينا و حوالينا والُلقى مسموح ودلوقتي و مهما بكينا للُّقى ما بينْفَعْش قَرِّب من كل اللي حاببهم شيل عنهم خوفهم وتعبهم يمكن يسيبوك هم الاول او يمكن انت اللي تسيبهم عل

Say "Marhaba" to Shannon Elizabeth Munyan and chances are that she will respond to you in fluent Arabic. That may not sound strange, but for an American national, who is lived in the Middle East for just over 3 years, it is a significant achievement which has opened up a world of opportunities, both personally and professionally. Watch this video to find out how Shannon has managed to learn Arabic in such a short time and how the world around her has changed, in her own words. Here is a video clip of Shannon's story ( http://youtu.be/B4sYb069tIM ):

The Nov 7, 2013 episode of Arabology featured a 2-part interview with Wissam Yafi who visited Stanford during the week of November 4th and gave various talks around campus.  Wissam Yafi is the Lebanese American founder of TidWit.com and an expert in Middle East politics, economics and technology policy. His field comparative study, conducted for Harvard University on the MENA region, received recognition at the Kennedy School of Government's Center for International Development. More recently, he has been running an E-learning organization helping governments, non-profits, and businesses around the world reach their audiences. Here is a video clip from Wissam Yafi's talk at Stanford , followed by the podcast which includes the interview with Wissam Yafi as well as music by Mashrou' Leila, Rachid Taha, Egyptian Project, and Salamat singing the Nubian/Arabic version of 'La Bamba.' Video clip Wissam Yafi at Stanford discussing Arab women's agency ( http:

The Oct 31, 2013 episode of 'Arabology' included a chat with Alon, a Stanford student of Arabic who juxtaposes Arabic and Hebrew + great songs and music by Tania Saleh, Mashrou' Leila, Rachid Taha (singing the Arabic version of 'It's Now or Never'), Akher Zapheer, Akim El Sikameya, Massar Egbari, Mike Massy, Adel Salameh, Omar Offendum, Rima Banna, Abdulrahman Mohammed & Breaking the Boundaries. Oct 31, 2013 Podcast ( https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-5 ) Click on arrow below to listen

The Arab Film Festival came to Stanford University for the first time on November 2, 2013 and screened two new amazing films that have received much critical acclaim this year: When Monaliza Smiled (Directed by Fadi Haddad) at 6 PM and Mars at Sunrise (Directed by Jessica Habie who was in attendance and participated in a discussion afterwards) at 8 PM. The films screened at Annenberg Auditorium (Cummings Art Building) and were free of charge. The event was sponsored by the Department of Comparative Literature and the Stanford Language Center, Stanford University.  With special thanks to Professor Alexander Key for making this event possible. Stanford Lecturer Dr. Ramzi Salti welcomes The Arab Film Festival to Stanford (http://youtu.be/BhebiE6Yq-4) Pictures from the event: Dr. Ramzi Salti's opening remarks Q & A session with Director Jessica Habie DATE :  Saturday November 2, 2013 at 6 pm and 8 pm LOCATION : Annenberg Auditorium, Crothers

Podcast at  https://soundcloud.com/arabology/arabology-s6-episode-4 The Oct 24, 2013 episode of 'Arabology' includes a live interview with Lebanese American soul singer Naima Grace Shalhoub who discusses her hit 'Herstory of Soul' and sings, live, her amazing version of the Arabic classic 'Adduka Al-Mayyas.' (video at youtu.be/ZAiDaoQ1arA ). Show also features music by Mashrou' Leila, Rima Khcheich, NO Blues, Dalida (Remix), Yolla Khalife and humorous tracks by Michelle Keserwany and Rania Kurdi.   also includes ticket giveaway to the Aswat tribute concert to Abdul Halim Hafez at San Mateo City College on Dec 7, 2013. Show also features music by Mashrou' Leila, Rima Khcheich, NO Blues, Dalida (Remix), Yolla Khalife and humorous tracks by Michelle Keserwany and Rania Kurdi.   also includes ticket giveaway to the Aswat tribute concert to Abdul Halim Hafez at San Mateo City College on Dec 7, 2013. Naima Shalhoub singing 'Qadduka Al-Mayya

Watching Yasmine Hamdan in the recording studio is an amazing experience.  Only here can you actually see and hear some of what she experiences while recording.  Paradoxically aloof yet emotionally devastated, Yasmine's technique, gestures, and voice acrobatics are that of true artist.  This may be a long way from her debut with the forever-hip, groundbreaking Lebanese duo 'Soapkills' but it is a phenomenal way to showcase Yamsine Hamdan's solo career as well as her latest album ' Ya Nass .' Yasmine Hamdan Sings 'Beyrouth' http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15ty7b_en-studio-avec-yasmine-hamdan-1-2-beyrouth_music En studio avec Yasmine Hamdan 1/2 : Beyrouth by telerama Yasmine Hamdan Sings 'Shouei' http://youtu.be/Motkt9k77bQ Yasmine Hamdan Sings 'Nedya' (http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x15tyln_en-studio-avec-yasmine-hamdan-2-2-nediya_music) En studio avec Yasmine Hamdan 2/2 : Nediya by telerama

THE MEDITERRANEAN STUDIES FORUM at Stanford presents Summer of 2013: A Focus on Egypt and Turkey. Amr Adly (Stanford University), “Egypt after June 30th: Between Abortive and Potential Fascism” Ayça Alemdaroğlu (Stanford University), “Youth and Politics in Turkey” Alexander Key (Stanford), “Should It Matter What We Call It? Islamic, Democratic, and Spring Politics” Kabir Tambar (Stanford University), “Popular Protest and the Politics of the Present in Turkey” Monday, October 21, 2013, 6:30 – 8:00 pm at Encina Hall, Bechtel Conference Center . It is free and open to the public. [Co-sponsored by the Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Program in Islamic Studies, the CDDRL Program on Arab Reform and Democracy, and the Stanford Humanities Center Workshop on Ethnic Minorities, Religious Communities, Rights and Democracy in the Modern Middle East and Central Asia]

With Moumen Smihi (top pic) and Peter Limbrick, Stanford 2013 Click on the arrow below to hear my interview with Moroccan Filmmaker Moumen Smihi and Professor Peter Limbrick, Associate Professor, Film and Digital Media, UCSC.  The interview was conducted on October 17, 2013 at Stanford University. Moumen Smihi is a critically celebrated Moroccan filmmaker whose career spans more than four decades, during which he has written, produced and directed award-winning and influential feature films, short films and documentaries. He is often credited for creating  "new Arab cinema."   His production company, IMAGO Film International, founded in 1979, has produced some twenty films and edited books on film theory. Peter Limbrick is Associate Professor of Film and Digital Media. He is the author of Making Settler Cinemas: Film and Colonial Encounters in the United States, Australia, and New Zealand(Palgrave 2010) and of articles in Third Text, Screening the Past, Camera

October 25 – 26, 2013, Digital Arts Research Center (DARC), UC Santa Cruz For more information see: http://unfixed.ucsc.edu A two-day symposium of scholars and artists at UCSC's DARC, and an exhibition of visual art at UCSC's Sesnon Gallery This symposium on Arab film and visual culture emphasizes its plurality, the complex itineraries by which it is produced, and the multiple trajectories through which it can be experienced. Artists and scholars will visit from Lebanon, Morocco, Egypt, Syria, Europe and the US. Work presented will cover a wide area of forms, styles and thematic concerns. Featuring participation and work by: Livia Alexander • Michael Allan • Ahmed Bouanani • Dore Bowen • Ali Cherri • Kay Dickinson • Tarek El-Ariss • Nouri Gana • John Greyson • Lamia Joreige • Hassan Khan • Marie El Khazen • Sunaina Maira • Nabil Maleh • Susette Min • Stefania Pandolfo • Larissa Sansour • Zineb Sedira • Jeffrey Skoller With special guest: Moumen Smihi Symposium screening

The 2nd episode of the 6th season of Arabology (aired Oct 10, 2013) includes music by Massar Egbari, Ziad Sahab & Yasmina Fayed, NO Blues, Salam, Mashrou' Leila, Breaking the Boundaries and Abdulrahman Mohammed, Yolla Khalife, Tania Saleh, Adel Salameh, May Nasr, Jadal. Episode also includes interview with Serge Bakalian, Executive Director of the Arab Film Festival and Director Jessica Habie whose film 'Mars at Sunrise' will screen at the Arab Film Festival in San Francisco on Oct 12, 2013. Playlist at zookeeper.stanford.edu/index.php?act…laylist=26694 Serge Bakalian and Director Jessica Habie at KZSU 90.1 FM

The first 2 Seasons of 'Arabology' have been uploaded to Soundcloud for free listening/sampling at https://soundcloud.com/arabology/sets/arabology-podcasts . Season 1 originally aired live on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford) starting on January 19, 2012 and ending on March 15, 2012. Season 2  originally aired live on KZSU 90.1 FM (Stanford) starting on March 14, 2012 and ending on September, 2012. 'Arabology' is a weekly radio program hosted by Dr. Ramzi Salti, Lecturer at Stanford University, which aims at showcasing (mostly alternative) Arabic music, along with commentary in English. The show also features interviews (in English) with individuals whose work informs the region. Click below to listen to any podcast from Season One (January 19-March 15, 2012) Click below to listen to any Podcast from Season Two (March 14-September 13, 2012): For more info: * Arabology on Facebook: facebook.com/arabology * Arabology on YouTube: www.youtube.com/user/author30 * A

The Muslim world's own beauty Pageant, Miss World Muslimah 2013, resulted in the crowing of Miss Nigeria Obabiyi Aishah Ajibola this year as 'Miss World Muslimah 2013.' The contest took place in Jakarta, Indonesia on Sept. 18, 2013 Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world-muslimah-2013-gallery-1.1460038#ixzz2fPhJnvFX

Tito, the world's most famous male Bellydance artist, will perform in Los Altos, California on Saturday October 5, 2013. He will be accompanied by French Algerian Star dancer, Diana Tarkhan. Tickets may be purchased online at http://titoshow.brownpapertickets.com/ Event Details: Tito, the world’s most famous male Bellydance Artist, and for the first time in northern CA, French Algerian Star Diana Tarkhan perform in Los Altos Website: http://www.HalaDance.com Tito of Egypt, the world’s most famous male Bellydance artist performs in ONE SHOW ONLY in Los Altos on Sat Oct 5 at 7pm. He will teach 3-day workshops in Los Altos & San Jose onOctober 4, 5 & 6. Details on http://www.HalaDance.com French Algerian dance star Diana Tarkhan, who will be here for the very first time will join Tito. Diana has been dancing in Cairo for the past 12 years and brings her wealth of knowledge and expertise in the Arabic culture and dance to her classes and shows. What: Tito & Diana’s Dan

Dame Edna (left) and Im Hussein (right) Australia may have Dame Edna, a character created and performed by Australian dadaist performer and comedian Barry Humphries , but for the past quarter of a century the Arab world has laughed with their own version of the Dame--the hilarious Im Hussein, a character created by Najee Mondalek who performs the part, in drag, to thousands of Arab audiences worldwide. Najee Mondalek is an Arab-American actor/comedian who is best known as his 'drag' personality, the hilarious Um Hussein. He is currently touring the USA with his latest show titled the “Im Hussein Jubilee Show” which celebrates 25 years of comedy staged by the Ajyal Theatrical Group, the first Arab-American theatrical group in North America.  For more info see  http://www.imhussein.com/ Mondalek founded the AJYAL Theatrical Group in 1988 and continuously performs for Arab-American audiences in The United States, Canada, Australia and the Middle East. The everyday l

Join Im Hussein and the AJYAL Theatrical Group in San Francisco on Friday, September 13 for a fun-filled night of hilarity and laughs! For 25 years, Im Hussein and the gang have presented the Arab experience through comedy all over the United States and Canada. For more information, visit the official Im Hussein Facebook page . Im Hussein Jubilee Show - $45+ Friday, September 13, 2013 8:00pm Palace of Fine Arts Theater Click here or call (415)392-4400 for tickets The “Im Hussein Jubilee Show” celebrates 25 years of comedy staged by the Ajyal Theatrical Group, featuring the one and only Im Hussein. As the first Arab-American theatrical group in North America—and the first to take the show around the world—they have fulfilled their mission: to provide quality, affordable Arab theater, arts, and cultural experiences for Arab immigrants at home and abroad and to support the development of regional Arab arts and entertainment. The jubilee show showcases the best of the best skit

'Khobez wou Milih' خبز وملح [Bread and Salt] is a short film of a much bigger story.  Watch the film below. Seventeen Lebanese housewives, united by the work that they do at Souk El Tayeb and Tawlet, were invited to cook lunch for 600 of the top chefs and foodies in the world during the annual food event of MAD Symposium in Copenhagen. Khobez wou Milih (Souk El Tayeb @ MAD Symposium 2013) from zeina on Vimeo . Arabic and English Translations: Amoul Calligraphy and Subtitles: Tania Salha Oakes Sound Editor: John Kochanczyk Filmed and Edited: Zeina Hurst Producer: Ziad Oakes Music from Audio Networks 'Passing Time' by Paul Mottram and recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, February 2008 'Nature' by Richard Lacy, David Bird and Richard Kimmings, 2013 Thanks to Ali Kurshat Altinsoy, Peter Kreiner, Mark Emil Tholstrup Hermansen and Gabriel Ulla at Noma and MAD food.

The much anticipated third CD by the Lebanese group Mashrou' Leila is an instant masterpiece that solidifies the band's standing as the Arab world's leading indie/alternative musical artists. This CD combines the distinct sound of the violin with different rhythms and instruments while showcasing the powerful vocals of lead singer Hamed Sinno. The lyrics in Arabic are as poetic as they are contemporary. Tracks melt into each other like inter-connected chapters within a literary epic. 1. Prologue (1:21) Instrumental piece featuring Swiss/French trumpeter Erik Truffaz that eloquently and elegantly sets up our musical journey through the tracks that will follow. **2. Abdo (3:18) is a popular, folkloric, fictional name in Arabic that is equivalent to "Joe Shmoe" in American English. Here our 'aging counter-hero' is in love with a widow who won't return his affections, leading to Abdo's heartbreak--a story that is accentuated by the song's de