MUSIC
Gnawa Night with Samir Langus
Thurs March 5th at 8pm
Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights
Rooted in Moroccan Gnawa tradition, the evening unfolds through cyclical grooves, call-and-response vocals, and layered percussion that gradually draw the room into a shared pulse. Gnawa here is not presented as spectacle, but as a living practice—grounded, immersive, and communal—henna by Kenzi.
CINEMA
Husbands presented by Dean Masjd
Thurs March 5th at 8pm
Anthology Film Archives, East Village
You may have seen us promoting Dean Masjd’s show Hard Feelings in past newsletters.This screening of 1970’s classic Husbands is an inside look behind the inspiration for Dean Masjd’s debut photography show, Hard Feelings. At this screening, he explains how the themes in the movie compare to his body of work centering the nuance of masculinity.
ART
Tepe Gawra
Thurs March 6-18th from 10am-6pm
Bortolami, Lower Manhattan
Bortolami presents Tepe Gawra, the first solo show of Iraqi-American painter Vian Sora. Her vivid, expressive works blend color, figuration, and text to explore mythologies and histories from Iraq and beyond.
CINEMA
Inventing Cinema
Fri March 6th at 7pm
BAM, Downtown Brooklyn
‘Inventing Cinema’ explores the global birth of film through the imaginative innovations of Georges Méliès and Alassane Moustapha, showing how parallel discoveries in France and Niger shaped the magic of modern cinema. A collection of his silent films with French and English inter-titles.
VIGIL
Nowruz Vigil
Sat March 7th at 6:30pm
NYU Rosenthal Pavilion, Greenwich Village
Join the NYU Persian Cultural Society for their annual Nowruz Vigil. This is a space for reflection and solidarity. Honor lives lost in Iran and celebrate hope, resilience, and new beginnings. Open to all (no NYU affiliation needed) with guest speakers and opportunities to perform or share artwork.
CONVERSATION
Tatreez with Wafa Ghnaim
Sat March 7th from 6-7
Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Heights
Celebrate Women’s month at the Brooklyn Museums First Saturdays exhibit with works by women and gender nonconforming artists! Inspired by Everyday Rebellions: Collection Conversations, the day will be filled with talkbacks, special exhibitions, and this conversation with Wafa Ghnaim explaining the significance and history behind the Tatreez in the gallery. A chance to get an experts explanation of the art of Tatreez! RSVP
THEATER
mother tongue: a night of readings
Sun March 8th at 7:30pm
Participant Inc., Little Italy
An evening of readings from the minds of Adam Hajyahia, Hussein Omar, Rand, and Hamed Sinno. This night at Participant Inc. art gallery, promises great connection and community over fresh new writing.
MUSIC
Abu Zeyn
Sun March 8th at 8pm
Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights
Experience Abu Zeyn in his NYC debut. His music weaves live bass, clarinet, and vocal loops into soulful, improvisational rhythms. Inspired by the Nile and the Arabian Desert, his music blends Sufi and Pharaonic spiritual traditions.
FUNDRAISER
Hearts of Mercy Iftar Fundraiser
Sun March 8th at 6:30pm
Location after RSVP
A special Iftar supporting Hearts of Mercy Foundation - Young Hearts for Syria. Tickets include dinner from Lava Shawarma and goes towards helping rebuild Syrian communities with housing, medical care, meals, and mental health support.
CLASS
Islamic History: From Muhammad to Modernity
Sun March 8th-29th from 1-4pm
Online
Explore the early history of Islam, from Muhammad to the Abbasid Caliphate, and discover its rich cultural, legal, and spiritual traditions. Learn from key texts and scholars to understand how Islamic thought developed and continues to shape the world today.
CONVERSATION
I Found Myself…Conversation with Hisham and Diana Matar
Tues March 10th from 7-8pm
192 Books, Chelsea
Enjoy a conversation with master storyteller Naguib Mahfouz and translator Hisham Matar of “I Found Myself…The Last Dreams”. This talk will be accompanied by a presentation of Diana Matar’s photography. A great night for book lovers looking for new inspiration!
WORKSHOP
SomARTica
Tues March 10th from 7-8:45pm
Reforesters Labaratory, a
SomARTica is an evening of meditation, movement, and playful art led by Iranian somatics professional, Nasimeh Be. Leave your performance anxiety at the door, this evening is all about letting your creativity and mind body connection flow.
CONVERSATION
Lebanon with Anissa Helou
Tues March 10th from 7-9pm
Museum of Food and Drink, DUMBO
Celebrate and be in conversation with James Beard Award–winning author Anissa Helou (Lebanon). This conversation will also feature food writer Ligaya Mishan, as they explore Lebanon’s culinary history, regional cuisines, and family stories. Tickets include Street Food City access, mezze from Sahadi’s, and refreshments.
A LITTLE NOTE
With the world quite literally burning and no sight of better days, I’ve found myself overwhelmed, defeated and unable to think straight…so this is me reaching out for some help.
This is Coco, menna’s Head Of Emotional Support
Since launching this newsletter, I’ve had the chance to connect with many of you in real life and I know that you are vested in this little project of ours, so today Im reaching out for your guidance. Over the past few months, I’ve been quietly working on something that took far more time, energy, and emotional bandwidth than I anticipated: menna website.
For the first time, you’ll be able to:
• browse events anytime in one spot
• filter based on your preferences
• discover a bigger selection of events
• add events directly to your calendar
• buy tickets seamlessly
• and most importantly: plan ahead: see what events are happening in 2 weeks, in a month, in 6 months even (my Type A people, I see you, I am one of you)
This launch changes the role of this newsletter…and I want to shape that evolution with you. If you have 3 minutes, I’d really love your input. This journey has been quite lonely (despite Coco’s presence) and having your guidance would mean the world right now. pls select the appropriate answer, it will take less than a minute to complete.
Is the idea of a website enticing to you too, or am I alone in my little bubble? Be honest pls.
Since all events will live on the website, the newsletter could become a true editorial selection: a smaller number of hand picked events that we would recommend (no endless scrolling)
Aside from the curation of weekly events, we’re exploring sharing new content in the newsletter, with things like: project or artist spotlights, SWANA brands/products highlights, voices and places that amplify our presence in the city
Anything else you’re craving? or wanna share?
Just respond to this email, we read every word. I promise
Thank you for being here and building this with us 🤍 I hope you’re all hanging in there.
Samar
