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New Films and New Music Make for Sparkling Season of Global Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum
Compelling films fresh from the international festival circuit and an Arabic music virtuoso marking his latest recording will warm up metro Detroit audiences this winter and early spring during a new season of Global Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum (AANM), 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn.
Trained in Lebanon and based in the U.S., nay (flute) virtuoso and skilled multi-instrumentalist Bassam Saba kicks off the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 28, with a passionate performance/CD release party for his new recording, The Wonderful Land.
Saba is known not only for his live performances but also as a respected music educator preserving and advancing Arabic music. On January 29-30, Saba will lead local musicians and students in an Arabic music workshop at the AANM; details below and at www.arabamericanmuseum.org.
Saba’s January 28 season-opening performance coincides with the opening of the AANM’s new exhibition, From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup. Prior to the concert, at 5:30 p.m. on January 28, Global Thursdays ticket holders are invited to view the exhibition in the Lower Level Gallery and enjoy complimentary coffee and Arabic sweets in the AANM’s dramatic Community Courtyard.
Global Thursdays audiences will be the first in Michigan to experience two films garnering attention and acclaim on the film festival circuit: Children of Invention, an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival; and All About Dad, winner of a Special Jury Prize “Best First Feature” Award at the 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Film fans will also have a rare chance to see an historic film on a big screen – El Norte, which was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry in 1995.
The complete 2010 Winter Spring Global Thursdays season rundown appears below and at www.arabamericanmuseum.org.
The Winter Spring 2010 season of Global Thursdays also continues the presentation of concerts and films relating to the controversial issue of immigration and the current AANM exhibition Connecting Communities (through March 28 in the Main Floor Gallery). This multimedia exhibition explores the experiences of Detroit-area immigrants of diverse backgrounds, dispels stereotypes and misconceptions, and allows audiences the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on immigration right inside the gallery.
Global Thursdays Winter Spring 2010 Season is made possible in part by Ford Motor Company; Comerica Bank; DTE Energy; MASCO Corporation Foundation; DoubleTree Hotel Dearborn; and www.ArabDetroit.com.
Advance tickets for Global Thursdays are available ONLINE ONLY with a debit or credit card at www.arabamericanmuseum.org until 5 p.m. the day before the event. As always, advance tickets are held at the door for pickup. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.
All concert tickets, both in advance and at the door, are now $10; Museum Members are always admitted to concerts for $9.
All film tickets, both in advance and at the door, are $6. Museum Members are always admitted to films for $5.
Visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org/Membership.id.29.htm for Membership details.
All Global Thursdays events begin at 6:30 p.m.
Free, ample, lighted parking is available behind the Museum; enter the municipal lot by turning north from Michigan Avenue onto Neckel Street.
Questions? Call 313.624.0215.
Arab American National Museum
Global Thursdays
Winter Spring 2010 Season
January 28 6:30 p.m.
Concert: Bassam Saba
Nay Virtuoso
Passionate performer and dedicated educator Bassam Saba is one of the most sought-after Arabic musicians in the United States today. The world-renowned multi-instrumentalist (nay, oud, violin, buzuq, saz and western classical flute) studied at the Lebanon National Conservatory. He has held many Arabic music workshops and lectures around the U.S., and has conducted numerous orchestras and ensembles at educational institutions such as Harvard University and the Arabic Music Retreat held at Mt. Holyoke College, the most prestigious Arabic music camp in North America. Come celebrate the release of Saba’s latest CD, The Wonderful Land.
Event includes complimentary coffee and sweets at 5:30 p.m. opening reception for the new exhibition From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup.
January 29-30
Bassam Saba Arabic Music Workshop @ Arab American National Museum
Open to the public; schedule, fees and registration information available at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.bassamsaba.com/amsidearborn.
February 11 6:30 p.m.
Film: All About Dad (Michigan premiere)
Dir: Mark Tran
2009/USA
90 min.
Mr. Do is the patriach of a Vietnamese American family. He believes that to succeed in life one must be Catholic and pursue higher education with the goal of having a stable job. Much to his disappointment, he quickly realizes that every one of his children may not subscribe to his philosophy. As each of his children try to forge their own path in life, we see a poignant and unforgettable tale of a loving father with good intentions – learning what it means to let “nature” takes its course. Vietnamese and English.
– George C. Lin Emerging Filmmaker Award, 2009 San Diego Asian Film Festival
– Special Jury Prize “Best First Feature” Award, 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival
February 25 6:30 p.m.
Concert: Chicago Afrobeat Project
Rhythm-centric rock & jazz
CAbP slips a reverent nod to the tradition while delivering an energized originality different from any other band on the Afrobeat scene today. At each of its 100+ live performances a year, the group’s frenzied songs hit audiences with a big enough one-two punch to tirelessly knock them onto the dance floor time and again. Afrobeat’s range of influences — funk, rock, jazz, Afro-Cuban, high life and juju music – settle into a hypnotic, dance-compelling pulse at the core of CAbP. The group layers a fiery sound around this core through high-energy rock and experimental jazz.
March 11 6:30 p.m.
Film: El Norte
Dir: Gregory Nava
1983/Mexico/USA
139 min.
Mayan Indian peasants, tired of being thought of as nothing more than brazos fuertes (manual laborers), are organizing an effort to improve their working conditions and lot in life when they are discovered by the Guatemalan army. After the army destroys their village and family and thousands of others during the longest and most brutal civil war in Latin American history, a brother and sister, teenagers who just barely escaped the massacre, decide they must flee to “El Norte.” Spanish and K’iche with English subtitles.
– Winner, Grand Prix des Amériques, 1984 Montréal World Film Festival
– Nomination, Best Original Screenplay, 1985 Academy Awards
– Selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry, 1995
March 25 6:30 p.m.
Concert: La Chispa & Company
Flamenco
Flamenco is more than an art form for La Chispa & Company; it is a way of life. Valeria Montes – “La Chispa” (The Spark) – has emerged as the most talked-about flamenco performer in metro Detroit. The Detroit Free Press called her “mesmerizing” and Metro Times declared her “beauty in motion.” At this engagement, La Chispa will debut a new show featuring some of the greatest flamenco artists from around the country: Luis Linares “el Tiburón” (guitar), Alfonso Cid (vocals), Vicente Griego “El cartucho” (vocals) and Rómulo Bernal “El Calamar” (percussion).
April 8 6:30 p.m.
Film: Children of Invention (Michigan premiere)
Dir: Tze Chun
2009/USA
86 min.
After being evicted, hardworking single mom Elaine (Cindy Cheung, Lady in the Water) tries to maintain a normal life for her children, Raymond and Tina. Elaine juggles a number of jobs, including working for a questionable pyramid scheme. When Elaine doesn’t return home one night, the kids are left to fend for themselves. As the days pass, Raymond, a budding inventor, realizes he needs to take care of his little sister. English. Preceded by a brief musical performance by a special surprise guest.
– Official Selection, 2009 Sundance Film Festival
– Winner of 15 awards on the festival circuit including 2009 honors from the San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival; Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival; San Diego Asian Film Festival; and Hawaii International Film Festival.
April 22 6:30 p.m.
Concert: Xiao Dong Wei with Yang Wei and Yuki Mack
Chinese Classical & Western Fusion
Global Thursdays’ and Concert of Colors’ favorite master erhu player Xiao Dong Wei and Steinway Artist Roster pianist Yuki Mack team up to perform with world-renowned pipa player Yang Wei, who has appeared with various orchestras and ensembles throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., including touring and playing alongside cellist Yo Yo Ma in his acclaimed Silk Road Project. The talented trio will play an extremely varied set with eastern and western musical perspectives and influences.
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The Arab American National Museum documents, preserves, celebrates and educates the public on the history, life, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans. It serves as a resource to enhance knowledge and understanding about Arab Americans and their presence in this country. The Arab American National Museum is a project of ACCESS, a Dearborn, Michigan-based nonprofit human services and cultural organization. Learn more at www.arabamericanmuseum.org and www.accesscommunity.org.
The Arab American National Museum is a proud Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. Read about the Affiliations program at http://affiliations.si.edu.
The Museum is located at 13624 Michigan Avenue, Dearborn, MI, 48126. Museum hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday. Closed Monday, Tuesday; Thanksgiving, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is $6 for adults; $3 for students, seniors and children 6-12; ages 5 and under, free. Call 313.582.2266 for further information.