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Arab American National Museum Hosts 1001 Laughs Comedy Festival this Weekend
Imagine asking a southern white man how he feels about the Confederacy. Imagine asking any white teenage American male why his peers would shoot up a high school, movie theater or elementary school.
Imagine getting asked these questions by someone expecting expert answers. Such is the experience of many Arab-Americans living in a post-Sept. 11 America. Relaying those experiences and more with a dose of humor is one aim of an upcoming event hosted by the Arab American National Museum.
The 1,001 Laughs Dearborn Comedy Festival presents a multi-cultural lineup of comedians performing four shows Friday and Saturday at the museum. Ahmed Ahmed, star of the TBS show Sullivan & Son and co-founder of the Axis of Evil comedy tour, will headline.
Ahmed and Dearborn-based comedian Amer Zahr will hit the stage for all four shows while a rotating cast of about 10 other performers rounds out the program. Zahr, who also is producing the festival, said he is excited to bring this art form to the area in a multi-day format.
“Comedy is the best way to kinda sometimes express culture,” Zahr said. “When you can make somebody laugh, they listen to you.”
“We’re hoping, through comedy, we can further even more the mission of the museum, which is really to help people understand and appreciate Arab and Arab American culture.”
During an hour-long interview, Zahr, a Palestinian American, gamely described real-life scenarios that help fuel his funny shows, like being asked where he’s from.
Nobody ever leaves it at Michigan, Zahr said. That answer almost always gets followed by a, “No, where are you from from?” More questions, usually political, follow confirmation of any Arab heritage.
Questions like:
“What do you think of September 11th?”
“Do you know any terrorists?”
“What do you think of the situation in Syria?”
“It always becomes a conversation,” Zahr said. “It’s never just, ‘Oh, that’s cool.’”
Sometimes, the Arab heritage surprises people.
“Oh, you don’t look Arab,” is one response Zahr will get, though he doesn’t always know how to respond.
“Thank you,” is his sometimes reply, he said, adding, “I mean, is that supposed to be a compliment?”
Zahr has produced and starred in comedy tours worldwide, and is finishing his first documentary, “We’re Not White,” described as a comedic quest to get an Arab-American box on the U. S. Census form. As of now, Zahr said, folks with Arab heritage are expected to mark the “white” box.
Whatever situation or line of questioning that comes up, Zahr says he tries to turn it into an opportunity for learning. He may toss out names of famous Arab-Americans, like Tony Shalhoub, the actor who played germ-fearing detective Adrian Monk, or 1980s teen pop sensation Tiffany, or even Paula Abdul.
While education through laughter is an aim, presenting two fun-filled nights is the main game for this weekend’s performances. Zahr said he thought that the two-day festival was the first of its kind in the area, at least at the AANM.
The talent comes from all over, and includes among others Detroit-native actor/comedian Mike Batayeh, who now lives in L.A. and has appeared on AMC’s “Breaking Bad,” veteran Bill Bushart, a metro-Detroiter who has performed across America, and Esther Nevarez, a Latina stand-up comedian based in Detroit.
As an added twist, audience members can vote on their favorite performer during each show. The winners will return for an encore performance on Nov. 15.
Shows take place 7 p.m. and 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, in the museum’s lower level auditorium, 13624 Michigan Ave., in Dearborn. Tickets cost $15 and include a free stroll around the museum for those who come early.
For information or to buy advance tickets, visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org, www.amerzahr.com or www.1001laughs.com. Call the museum at 1-313-582-2266.
Julie Walker Altesleben
Press & Guide Newspapers