Documentary to archive history of Armenian music in Detroit
DETROIT — It is said that music transcends cultures, colors and nationalities. But with the Armenian American community, music has transcended continents and traveled through generations to symbolize the survival of the culture from war, massacres and estrangement. Armenian American musician Ara Topouzian, who plays the...Detroit appraises priceless art collection
DETROIT - For decades, visitors to the Detroit Institute of Arts have been amused, inspired and perhaps warned of the dangers of overindulgence by the peasant revelers of 16th century painter Pieter Bruegel the Elder.Now, as a result of Detroit's bankruptcy filing, "The Wedding Dance," considered priceless by lovers of the world-famous...Poetry corner: Strangers
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Syrian poet Muhammad Maghout.Maghout was a poet, playwright and essayist, who spent a lifetime advocating for political freedom in an Arab World run by totalitarian regimes. He...Yemeni-themed mural reflects Hamtramck diversity: Community celebrates the artwork
HAMTRAMCK — The buildings atop the turban of the old man, found in the newly-painted Yemeni-themed mural in Hamtramck, do not seem to be weighing him down. Rather, they are flying toward a young girl, whose eyes are all that show of her face, which is covered with the sky. On the other end of the mural, a woman looks firmly into the...Arabic poetry: The lover bled anemone
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish.In this poem, Darwish addresses the violence in the Levant, urging the "disarmed" Canaanites to adopt wheat as their eternal...Catch “Sound: The encounter”
Sound: The Encounter is the fruit of collaboration on several levels: between presenters from far and near, and between musicians from a once-shared culture.An adventuresome trio, Sound: The Encounter explores the ancient music from the Silk Route, while updating the shared culture of the region. The group features...Poetry corner: Build your castles
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm. This week's "Poetry Corner" is also a homage to Negm, who passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 3. "Build Your Castles" was written in colloquial...Farewell Ahmed Fouad Negm: The Arab World loses the poet of the people and the revolution
CAIRO — Egyptian poet Ahmed Fouad Negm, renowned for his revolutionary poetry and harsh criticism of political leaders, died on Tuesday, Dec. 3.Negm spent a total of 18 years in jail for his strident criticism of former Egyptian presidents Gamal Abdel Nasser, Anwar Sadat and Hosni Mubarak. He became recognized as a voice of protest in...Poetry corner: You take the bags of time and travel
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates excerpts of a poem by the legendary Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani.You take the bags of time and travelOh woman who was my lover in a past time,I asked for the old hoteland the booth where I...‘Detroit Unleaded’ film earns rave reviews at DIA
DETROIT — At its red carpet premiere on Wednesday evening at the Detroit Film Theatre of the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA), "Detroit Unleaded," featuring an Arab American cast, received rave reviews from audiences and critics. The film, shot primarily at a gas station on Detroit's east side, tells the story of a gas station...Muralist Dasic Fernández discusses Hamtramck Arab Mural, art and graffiti
HAMTRAMCK — To Chilean Muralist Dasic Fernández, graffiti is a means of self-expression, with universal appeal. It does not have a specific audience, nor does it aim to transmit defined ideas.The renowned artist is in Hamtramck to paint a Yemeni-themed mural that will celebrate the community's heritage and presence in the...Poetry corner: Bags of tears and crying
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani.Bags of tears and cryingIf winter came,and its wind moved my curtains,I feel, my friend,a need for crying...On your arms...On my...Yemeni-themed mural to celebrate community heritage in Hamtramck
HAMTRAMCK — Graffiti, which could be a form of vandalism, can serve as a powerful artistic means to convey strong messages. Just look at Banksy's work at the separation wall in the West Bank. "I Love Gaza." A mural by Fernandez in the Bronx, New York CityIn Hamtramck, work begins next week on a large Yemeni-themed mural to celebrate...Poetry corner: Think of others
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. Think of othersWhen you prepare your breakfast, think of others, ...Arab Orchestra teaches music at Detroit school
DETROIT — After spending eight centuries in the Iberian Peninsula, Arabs left a long-lasting mark on European music. Traces of this influence may be heard on our radios today. But the Michigan Arab Orchestra did not have to conquer Spain to spread the Arabic music tradition. The orchestra is teaching Arabic music at Detroit's Woodward......
Rihanna asked to leave Abu Dhabi mosque after photoshoot
Abu Dhabi — Officials at Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque Center in Abu Dhabi, on Monday, Oct. 21, asked Rihanna to leave the house of worship after the 25-year-old singer had taken several pictures in the courtyard of the mosque and posted them on Instagram. Though covered up in a black headscarf and full-length black jumpsuit,...Arab American DJ Refugee: Music is open to all
DEARBORN — To local Arab American DJ Ali Saad, music is not just a source of living; it is a medium of expression that creates a bond between people from different cultures and backgrounds."Music has no color," says Saad, whose stage name is DJ Refugee. Saad was recently announced as a guest DJ, on holiday weekends, for WJLB FM......
Poetry corner: I love the birds of October
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by Syrian poet Nizar Qabbani.I love the birds of October The diaries...I love to be lost, like the birds of October...From time to time...I want to search for a new...Lady Gaga under scrutiny for song that sexualizes burqa wearing
Pop star Lady Gaga has caused controversy among Muslims, with a track titled "Aura," from her upcoming album "Art Pop," which critics have said, aims to sexualize Muslim women who wear a burqa.In the first verse, the dance track, includes the lyrics "I'm not a wandering slave, I am a woman of choice. My veil is protection for the...Poetry corner: Don’t write history as poetry
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Palestinian poet Mahmoud Darwish. Don't write history as poetryBy Mahmoud DarwishDo not write history as poetry, for the weaponof the historian does not...The Citizen: An Arab immigrant’s story on the big screen
ROYAL OAK — If you win the lottery, you hold on to the winning ticket. That's exactly what Ibrahim Jarrah, the main character in the movie "The Citizen," did. He won the International Green Card Lottery for permanent resident status in the United States, and stuck to his chance to become an American citizen despite the hardships and......
Poetry corner: The Confession Chair
As a part of its continuing effort to share a portion of the literary wealth of Arabic poetry with the English reader, The Arab American News translates a poem by the legendary Syrian poet Muhammad al-Maghut. The Confession ChairWith the wind blowing and the snow falling around meI sat in my poetic hut and buried my emotional,...Jenin Freedom Theater: Art as resistance
Ashraf wanted to be "the Palestinian Romeo." He was a student of Arna Mer, an Israeli activist, who started a theater group, as alternative education, for Palestinian children in the West Bank, during the first Intifada in 1989.Ashraf never had the chance to pursue an acting career, though. Instead, he grew up to become a fighter......
Poetry corner: State of Siege
State of SiegeHere, at the slopes of hills, in front of the sunsetand the hollow of time,near fields with finite shadow,we do what is done by unemployed people and prisoners:We raise hope.A country ready for dawn. We become less intelligent,because we stare at the clock of victory.There is no night in our night that is filled with...“The Citizen” movie to premiere Sept. 25 in Royal Oak
ROYAL OAK — On Sept. 25 at 6 p.m., the the film, “The Citizen.” will premiere at a private, invitation only, event at the Emagine Theater in Royal Oak. The movie was produced, directed and filmed in Michigan. Beginning Friday, Sept. 27, tickets for “The Citizen” can be purchased at all Emagine Theaters......