Ahla friends,
Pride was everything we expected it to be: vibrant, colorful, passionate, and electric.
We've seen many demonstrations of solidarity between the queer community and the Palestinian liberation movement, and that has been heartwarming. One moment that surprised me came from a video shared by one of our subscribers, a queer activist who was part of the Stonewall riots speaking up for Palestinian rights. Seeing the OGs recognize it too felt special? [video here] and special thx to Kamal.
And something else worth celebrating: we are seeing more and more SWANA events created specifically for the LGBTQ+ community, and more groups making that space. A big shoutout to Tarab NYC for their programming and their partnership with the MET.
Now let’s go to it.
Samar
THE SHORTLIST
The Ones Worth Your Time
MUSIC-DANCE-FOOD
Greek Smyrneika: An Immersive Concert Exploring Dance, Music, and Memory
Wednesday, July 1 | 7:30 PM
The Lighthouse, 603 Bergen Street
Smyrneika, the music of Ottoman Smyrna, is one of those traditions that belongs to all of us: Greek, Turkish, Armenian, Jewish, Arab, all tangled together in one port city. Think Olio brings it to Brooklyn for an immersive night of music and dance and there will be baklava that the organizer Melina made with her gradma, how cute?
MUSIC
An R&B/Soul Experience W Joey Joseph
July 1, July 8, 9:45 PM
Da Milio, NoLita
Joey is a Lebanese singer-songwriter with a soulful voice and a deep love for live performance. Truly into Soul and R&B, his shows are built around atmosphere and emotion.
COMEDY
FRENCHY COMEDY CLUB
Wednesday, July 1 | 7:00 PM
Iron Bar & Lounge, Hell's Kitchen
A niche one for our French-speaking friends 🙂 Franco-Arab comedy gets a proper showcase: headliner Amine Radi leads the night alongside Youness Hanifi, Ayoub Marceau, Amy London, and Dolino. Intimate room, stacked lineup.
MUSIC
First Fridays ft. Clarissa Bitar
Friday, July 3, 7:00–9:00 PM
The People's Forum, Hell's Kitchen
Palestinian oud virtuoso Clarissa Bitar closes out the week as part of Artists Against Apartheid's monthly series, live music understood as a tool in the struggle for collective liberation.
FUNDRAISER
Resistance Day Fundraiser
Saturday, July 4
346 Metropolitan Ave, Williamsburg
While the city does fireworks, NYC tattoo artists are doing flash day — one-of-a-kind designs at discounted prices, proceeds going to aid initiatives in Palestine and Lebanon. A fourth worth spending
nb: arms + legs, 1-2in
MUSIC
MEGUMI & Friends – Arabic Maqam, Jazz & Japanese Music
Wednesday, July 8 | 7:00–9:30 PM
Barbès, Park Slope
Japanese violinist MEGUMI trained under Cairo's Abdo Dagher. She brings her blend of Arabic maqam, Japanese lyricism, and improvised jazz to Barbès, joined by oud player Brian Prunka. Such a NYC experience.
ART
Farah Atassi: Metamorphosis
Through July 31, Tue–Sat, 10am–6pm
Almine Rech, 361 Broadway, Tribeca
Belgian-Syrian painter Farah Atassi's fifth show at Almine Rech, eight canvases of chimeric flower-women drawn from Ovid's Metamorphoses.
THE FREE ONE
Free and Delightful
COMEDY
Jungle Cat Comedy
Wed July 1, 7:30PM
David Rubenstein Atrium, Upper West Side
Jamil's stand-up series comes to Lincoln Center with headliner Phoebe Robinson, Kaneez Surka, Ontonio Kareem, Malik Elassal, Ahamed Weinberg, Ibhan Kulkarni and Jungle Cat cofounder Abby Govindan. Free, indoors, the easiest yes of the week.
TIMELY
What’s on our mind
Where To Cheer for Morocco, Algeria and Egypt
Moroccan spots
Dar Il Bahja Astoria
Tara Kitchen Tribeca
Amlu Queens
Pause Cafe LES
Algerian spots
Merguez et Frittes Astoria
Kasbah Cafe Sunnyside
Le Petit Pecheur Astoria
Egyptian spots
Layale Cafe Astoria
Casa La femme West village
Midnight Hookah Lounge Astoria
Swana spots
Huda Bistrot Williamsburg
Barzakh Cafe Crown Heights
Healing Bean Bay Ridge
Most cafes, lounges and restaurants on Steinway St
Soccer spots
One4One LES (+++)
Socceria Greenpoint (+++)
Football Cafe Williamsburg (+++)
Banter Bar Williamsburg
Berry Park Williamsburg
Smithfield Chelsea
Legends Koreatown
Eastpoint Alphabet City
Soccer Tavern Sunset Park
Flannery’s Chelsea
Slattery’s Murray Hill
Murphy’s Astoria
Crossbar Upper West Side
Harlem Tavern Harlem
Fun Spots
Rockefeller Center
Museum of Natural History NYC
Hudson Yards
LMK if you omit any cool ones (just reply to this email)
EVENT HIGHLIGHT
Interesting Initiatives To Support
2 Women. 1 Wine Tasting Fundraiser
An evening of Armenian and Levantine wine tasting, a talk by Roni Ginach of Roni Selects on traditional winemaking, Zainab's appetizers, and music from Babagamoush. A fundraiser to support the making of a special documentary.
Anaïs DerSimonian is an Armenian American filmmaker and her latest project is Gini, named after the Armenian word for wine, a documentary about the ancient winemaking traditions of the Armenian Highlands and the Levant. Six thousand years of cultivation, through empires, through displacement, and somehow the vines are still here. She's making the film that makes sure we remember that.
Zainab Saeed runs The Gathering Table, a Brooklyn supper club you've probably seen in Vogue. Affordable, intentional dinners rooted in South Asian and Middle Eastern flavors, and every profit goes toward a Palestinian student's education. She's doing the food for the night.
July 11th at 5:30pm. The People Forum
Tickets from $50
Samar
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