DEARBORN — The 85th annual Dearborn Memorial Parade is to be held Monday, May 25.

Arab American military veterans with Dearborn youth during a past Memorial Day commemoration.

The Parade will begin at 10 a.m. at Michigan Avenue and Firestone Street and will go to Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road.
Following the parade will be the city’s official remembrance service at the Dearborn War Memorial, located at City Hall, 13615 Michigan Avenue.

The commemoration will include concerts, activities and food and beverage sales in City Hall Park after the remembrance service.

The city has announced that, unlike in past years, parking will not be available in the lot on the site of the former Montgomery Ward’s building. Officials advised that parking will be available in the public lot at the northwest corner of Michigan Avenue and Schaefer Road.

For more information, visit www.cityofdearborn.org.

Comedian Joey Nibras, the “Wacky Iraqi”: “I want to bring peace with comedy. That’s my ultimate goal.”

Iraqi comic competes for Comedy Central spot
Joey Nibras, also know as the “Wacky Iraqi,” participated in an audition for Comedy Central’s stand-up comedy show “Live at Gotham” on May 14 at Joey’s Comedy Club in Livonia.

Nibras said ten top local comedians chosen over a series of shows at the club will go to New York for the show.

“My humor comes from my dysfunctional family,” Nibras said with a laugh. “If I were from a normal family, I’d be a lawyer right now.”

Nibras’ humor ranges from topics like local gas station clerks to the war in Iraq to the president’s middle name.

“Some people feel like I am making fun of Iraqis,” Nibras said. “I feel I am the bridge to humanize us with all cultures.”

Nibras started doing stand-up comedy 11 years go. It was in Los Angeles that he received his stage name from a Middle Eastern skit he performed.

“Comedians have the rare opportunity to speak about society and not be edited. You can say whatever you want,” he said. “Your favorite teachers are the ones that you have fun and laughed in their class. Here I am breaking all the barriers down. I’m saying ‘Hey, we’re human just like you.'”

Nibras is to perform at the “I’ve Got Talent” showcase on Saturday, May 23, 8 p.m. at the Farmington Hills Manor, 23666 Orchard Lake Road in Farmington Hills. Tickets are $30 and will benefit Iraqi refugees.

He is also scheduled to preform a show to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association June 20 at Joey’s Comedy Club, 36071 Plymouth Road in Livonia, at 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $15.

Kazem Alsaher

Kazem Alsaher to perform in Michigan 
Iraqi Singer Kazem Alsaher, sometimes dubbed the “Elvis of the Middle East,” is to perform in concert on Friday, May 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Masonic Temple Theatre, 500 Temple Avenue in Detroit.  

Alsaher is among the most famous singers in the Arab world. The singer, composer and poet has sold more than 30 million albums. 

Ticket prices range from $35 to $125. For information, call 313.779.4300

Or visit www.olympiaentertainment.com.

Short film to become full-length movie

The critically acclaimed short film “Detroit Unleaded,” a comedic drama about an Arab-owned gas station in an African American Detroit neighborhood, is currently in the development and fundraising stage of being turned into a full-length movie.

Shooting will begin by the end of this year and the movie is expected to be released in 2011. The location for shooting and the need for actors and actress has not been disclosed.

“It has been an incredible feeling watching people support the project since 2005. I have been inspired by the support the film has around it. That is what has kept me going, the overwhelming reactions and positive attitudes. That’s what made me realize there is a greater story to be told,” said director Rola Nashef.  

Smoking ban approved by state House committee 

LANSING — A state House committee approved a bill Wednesday that would ban smoking in resturants, bars and and most workplaces.

The law would exempt cigar shops and casinos.

A smoking ban bill has not yet been taken up by the Senate.

Many Michigan-owned business owners fear the ban may result in loss of business. Others argue the ban is exactly what customers want.

The Republican-led Senate and Democratic-led House would have to agree on a version of the ban for it to become law.

The U.S. Passport Card, which can be obtained via the new Detroit Passport Agency, can be used in travel to Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda.

Detroit passport agency opens
Assistant Secretary of State for Consular Affairs Janice Jacobs announced on May 11 the official opening of the Detroit Passport Agency, which opened its doors on March 16 at 211 West Fort Street in Detroit.

The agency allows U.S. citizens to apply for a passport book or card and can issue U.S passport books on-site to anyone who meets the criteria.

The agency is one of 15 passport agencies nationwide open to the public.

Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., by appointment only. For more information, visit www.Travel.State.Gov or contact the National Passport Information Center at 877.487.2778.

Online Arab television service available in TV format

Talfazat, an international online website that features some of the Arab world’s best up-to-date entertainment, religious and talk television programming has expanded its features with the launch of its set-top-box that allows Talfazat to be viewed via TV. 

The service is available to subscribers in North America and features 26 channels in the U.S. and 35 channels in Canada ranging from Al Jazeera, MBC, Future TV and Al Arabia to the Discovery channel and the NFL Network. For more on the Talfazat’s set-top-box, call 1.888.91.TALFAZAT or visit www.talfazat.com.