April 2025 Edition

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This edition is a special one – it's our very first! We didn’t want to get too fancy with it, so please excuse our laid-back vibe and slightly disheveled look. We were just too excited to share what we’ve uncovered so far. We’ll tighten things up as we go, promise!
When we first dreamed up this newsletter, we thought we’d be sharing 3-4 events a month. Little did we know that our community was this prolific! and this month is extra special as it's the Arab-American Heritage Month in New York, so a lot is happening. So without further ado, here are the gems awaiting for you this month:

NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY IS CELEBRATING ARAB AMERICAN HERITAGE
NYPL is having a whole month celebration! can you believe this!!! sooo special! they are sharing several research, recommending reads for kids and adults and organizing a plethora of events like
- Teen Comics Chat: Arab American Culture, muslim stories and Spring (Online). Check it out here and happening on April 17th at 4pm
- Arab American Poetry: poetry workshop and community conversations on several dates that you can find here
In addition, they are organizing a landmark exhibition on the MENA immigration in New York, will definitely keep you posted on this one!

YALLA HABIBI IS BACK TO NY AT FUNOON
This is the biggest Arab disco event in North America and they are coming to new York on April 18th! get your sparkles ready and yalla to dance. Tickets

NO OTHER LAND HAS FOUND A HOME
There is no need to introduce the Oscar Winning movie No Other Land. A few venues are hosting the movie for a limited time only so run to:
- The BAM from April 2 till April 10th, tickets
- Film Forum From April 3 till April 9, tickets

THE BROOKLYN NOMAD RETURNS TO JOE’S PUB
The Brooklyn Nomads is an ensemble composed of diverse musicians from across the globe, bringing together a fusion of various genres and cultures. Their lineup includes artists from countries like Lebanon, Iran, Sudan, Palestine, and more, contributing a wide range of instruments such as the oud, saxophone, violin, drums, and electronic elements. The ensemble blends traditional Middle Eastern music with modern influences, creating a dynamic and multicultural sound. They will be performing at Joe’s pub on April 12th. Tickets. You can also listen to them on Spotify

SAMIA GAMAL IS FOREVER
A centennial tribute to the iconic danser, choreographer and actrice by Angie Assal and Soumaya MaRose Live at Jalopy Theater on April 16th at 7:30pm. Tickets 

WE ARE RAVING WITH LAYLIT 100th
Each party takes you on a genre-spanning journey, highlighting the incredible musical diversity, depth and richness that comes out to the SWANA region. Laylit has established its place on the scene with a signature electronic sound blending shaabi, dabke, mahragnanat, Arabic pop and hip-hop with contemporary, boundry pushing dance music (techno, breakbeat, hyperpop…) inspired by New York and Montreal’s thriving underground clubs. Event at Elsewhere on April 25th from 10:30pm to 4am.
Tickets.

NEW YORK ARAB SHORTS AT THE MUSEUM OF MOVING IMAGES 
Featuring films that experiment with form, format and narrative, this year’s program looks at notions of illusion, myth, transformation and reckoning. Featuring filmmakers including Khaled Jarrar, Sarah Brahim, Alia Haju and others, and a lineup of paradigm changing young actors and filmmakers from across the Arab region who will speak at the panel after the screenings program. April 27th at 1pm. Tickets

BARZAKH CAFE IS THE CAFE THAT NEVERS SLEEPS
El Atigh Abba, born in Nouakchott, grew up in a bilingual world of Arabic and French, where his curiosity and critical thinking took root early. Today, he is the founder of Barzakh Café, a cultural hub in Brooklyn that has become a center of dialogue, diversity, and strength for North African and Middle Eastern diasporas
They are having several interesting events this months
- Sufi music on April 11th, 21st and 28th. Saami brothers Qawalli on April 11th. Qawalli is a sufi devotional singing originating in India and performed by soloists, a chorus, and instrumentalists, often at Sufi shrines, with the aim of achieving spiritual ecstasy. Tickets. ShamKhas on April 21st and April 28th: another night of soul-stirring qawwali with Fattah Ali Turab Ali Qawwal. Tickets
- Barzakh Majlis on April 12th 6-10pm. From music to dance and poetry, these guys are bring you several performances from local artists, all in one evening. Tickets
- Arabic-Hebrew language exchange on April 13th from 1-3pm
- Poeticians (from Beirut) on April 17th at 6pm. This is a feisty communal cultural gathering launched in Beirut in 2007, curated by multidisciplinary Palestinian artist Hind Shoufani. Tickets
- From Peru to the West Bank on April 18th: a night of food and dance from Peru to raise funds for the West Bank. Tickets and donations 

THE ANGELIKA FILM CENTER IS SHOWCASING SOME GEMS
-  The Encampments by Kei Pristker: this documentary is about the movement protesting the war in Gaza in Columbia University, they spark a nationwide uprising in solidarity with the people of Gaza. Encampments spring up at hundreds of other campuses as students object to their own university’s investment in the US and Israeli arms industry. Featuring detained student activist Mahmoud Khalil, The Encampments takes viewers inside America’s student uprising with incredible intimacy and urgency. Professors, whistleblowers, and student activists shed light on a moment that captivated the nation’s attention and continues to make headlines today.
—> happening right now and last screening is on 04/10. Tickets

- The Teacher by Farah Nabulsi: A Palestinian schoolteacher struggles to reconcile his risky commitment to political resistance with the chance of a new relationship with volunteer-worker Lisa and his emotional support for one of his students Adam
—> starts on 04/10 and ends on 04/17. Tickets 

ZIKRAYAT AND THE GOLDEN AGE OF ARAB MUSIC
Founded in 2006 by Arab violinist, Sami Abu Shumays and dancer Robin Dameshe Shumays, Zikrayat quickly became the foremost representative of Egyptian music and dance in New York, specializing in repertory from the "Golden Age" of Egyptian movie musicals (the 1940's-60's). This special event will at Third Street Music Settlements in the East Village on April 11th from 5:30pm to 6:30pm. Take your kids if you can, the school is wonderful for parents and children alike. This is a free event and you can RSVP here.

CUNY SCHOOL OF LAW IS TAKING A LOOK BACK
Screening of "The Feeling of Being Watched" (2018) where director Assia Bandaoui investigates rumors of surveillance in her Arab-American neighborhood in Chicago. In the process, she uncovers “Operation Vulgar Betrayal, one of the largest FBI terrorism probes conducted before 9/11 and reveals its enduring impact on the community. The screening will be followed by a discussion with Asad Dandia about bringing a lawsuit against NYPD. Following the film, Asad Dandia will discuss being a teenage Muslim plaintiff in a landmark lawsuit challenging the NYPD’s surveillance of Muslim communities, leading to a historic settlement. Asad will share his personal experience with unlawful surveillance and discuss the broader implications for civil rights and religious freedom. April 10th at 6pm, free event, rsvp here 

WE ARE SHOPPING AND HOPPING AT EID BAZAAR
In the heart of the West Village, The Baazaar anticipates over 40 partnering vendors who will offer a wide variety of food and merchandise. April 6th from 12-6pm. Tickets

AHMED ALMALLAH SHARES HIS NEW POEMS
Almallah to present a reading from his latest poetry collection, Wrong Winds (Fonograf Editions, 2025), and discuss his reckoning with the English language, as a writer working and publishing in the diaspora, reflecting on his own verbal and cultural experience of existing between languages and societies. April 8th at 7pm. Tickets  

Ok that’s a wrap!

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Got any feedback or ideas to help us improve? Don’t hesitate to shoot us an email at [email protected]  
And if you know of any exciting happenings coming up, we’d love to hear about them – reach out to us at [email protected] 

… and most importantly, you are in New York so always say Yes

Samar