By Masa Kateb
On December 18th, Vancouver will witness an evening of live Arabic music, poetry reciting, dance performances, storytelling and a peek into a rich culture from lands overseas with people from near and afar.
This event is in celebration of what took place on the 18th of December 1973, when Arabic was approved to become one of the six official languages of the United Nations General Assembly.
Come early as the doors open at 6:30 pm, find a cozy spot and get ready to be carried away with the uplifting tunes of the Oud with Syrian Oudist Bero Saker, while indulging in the complex diversities that the Arabic world has to offer.
Welcome the rhythmic structure of Arabic poetry into your ears, as reciters celebrate different famous poets from various parts of the Arab world. Reciters include Poet Efemeral; Adamant Environmentalist Farah Rawas, and Lecturer in Classical Arabic Seemi Ghazi. All recitations will include the English translation recitation and will be combined with the improvised melodies of the Oud alongside the poetry.
Hop on a journey of storytelling with Hakawatieh -storyteller- Masa Kateb, and wander the alleys of the oldest inhabited capital in the world, Damascus; all while you’re at the edge of your seat in beautiful British Columbia.
Get familiarized with the magic of that ancient language, tap into its complex realms in the simplest ways and learn a few Arabic words along the way with Writer and Mental Health Activist Rindala Semaan.
Witness contemporary dance to melodies, performed by multi-disciplinary artist Drew Temple, as she uses her dance to tell stories.
Let the patterns of the native Levantine folk dance, Dabkeh, move to the beats of your heart, as you witness CanaDabkeh enchant the crowds with their dance moves.
Indulge in a first time collaboration between Arabic local musicians; Guitarist Nazeer Salameh, Vocalist Mona Merstani, Oudist Bero Saker, and Percussionist Sally Zori; as they perform together for the first time at this cultural evening.
Then, end your night by busting an Arabic dance move to the tunes of DJ Archaphael, who will be performing in Canada for the first time after rocking international stages in Lebanon, Turkey, Nepal & India.
This is a kids-friendly event, with a kids’ station with different games to keep them occupied as the parents get carried away with the Arabian culture.
Awzan Events Initiative is very conscious of the diversity within the Arab world, and trying to bring it all together in the most fluid way throughout their performers, as well as the content that is carefully curated for this event.
Attending this event is free, yet, as capacity is limited, guests are asked to register here to add their names to the guest list.
More information on Vancouver’s Arabic Festival here.
Date: Wednesday, December 18th 2019
Time: Doors open at 6:30 pm. Show starts at 7:00 pm
Location: The Pace – 520 Alexander Street
Tickets: Free – registration is required due to limited capacity.
Facebook event page here.
