Amer Zahr Brings Music, Laughter to Arab American National Museum

posted on: Sep 10, 2013

This fall, Arab American comedian and musician Amer Zahr is producing and starring in two series at the Arab American National Museum (AANM), 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Zahr is presenting the two series – Tarab Together and 1001 Laughs at the Museum – in collaboration with the AANM, with dates on each series alternating month by month.

Tarab Together is a sing-along celebration of Arabic classical music. Along with other talented local musicians, Zahr leads the audience in enjoying an interactive night of music. The Arabic word tarab describes that moment in an artistic performance where the performer and audience connect, where the two share a heightened artistic experience. Each of these evenings honors a giant of Arabic music, including Sabah Fakhri (8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2013) and Abdel Halim Hafez (8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2013).

Amer Zahr also brings his comedy expertise to 1001 Laughs at the Museum. He has traveled throughout America, Canada and the Arab World, performing for audiences large and small. As a resident of Dearborn, he loves bringing the laughs home. Past performers on this series include Edwin San Juan, Mo Amer, Said Durrah, Mike Batayeh and Mo Na.

This season will feature the comedy series’ biggest event to date, the first 1001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival. The festival presents nearly one dozen talented and hilarious comedians from around the country, led by Ahmed Ahmed, co-founder of the Axis of Evil comedy tour and star of the TBS hit show Sullivan & Son. The festival offers four shows September 27-28, with show times at 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. both nights.

Then, on Friday, Nov. 15, the audience-selected favorites from the 1001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival come back to AANM for a special encore 1001 Laughs performance.

Tickets for Tarab Together ($15) and 1001 Laughs at the Museum ($15) are available in advance online at www.arabamericanmuseum.org, www.amerzahr.com and www.1001laughs.com; tickets are also available at the door. All performances take place in the Lower Level Auditorium at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Call 313.582.2266 or visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org for further information.

<b>Amer Zahr at the Arab American National Museum, Fall 2013</b>

7 p.m. & 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27-28, 2013
1001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival
Feat. Ahmed Ahmed & many more

8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 11, 2013
Ya Maali Shaam: Tarab Together w/ Amer Zahr (music of Sabah Fakhri)

8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15, 2013
1001 Laughs at the Museum
Audience-selected favorites from the September festival TBA

8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 13, 2013
Gabbar: Tarab Together w/ Amer Zahr (music of Abdel Halim Hafez)