Calendar of Events for MADE IN PALESTINE

Throughout the New York showing of MADE IN PALESTINE, community groups and organizations sponsored events and activities within the art space, providing meaningful space for discussion and education about Palestine, surrounded by the art of MADE IN PALESTINE. Al Jisser was pleased to host these events.

MADE IN PALESTINE was open for viewing from March 14 - May 27, 2006, Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 11 AM to 6 PM daily. All events held at THE BRIDGE, 521 W. 26th St. 3rd Floor, New York City. The Bridge Gallery is now closed. It was established for the sole purpose of bringing the Made in Palestine exhibition to New York.

Monday, May 22, 2006
Arab-American Comedy Festival Reading Night
7:30 PM

$5 donation, all proceeds were donated to the Made in Palestine exhibit!

The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival held a comedic theater reading night/competition on May 22nd, 2006 at 7:30pm (ie. 7.00PM Arab Standard Time).

Your favorite Comedy Festival actors read brand new scripts submitted for that year's Festival and you, the audience, got to vote for your favorite! It's like Arab Idol.

One piece was picked, based on audience response, which was produced in the Fall's Fourth Annual New York Arab American Comedy Festival (November 12th-16th).

Saturday, May 27, 2006
MADE IN PALESTINE Closing Celebration
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

A celebration of the successful run of MADE IN PALESTINE, in New York City and across the entire run of the exhibition! Music, food and drink, and wonderful company. A great closing celebration!

Saturday, June 3 - June 24, 2006
Three Arab Painters in New York: Samia Halaby, Sumayyah Samaha, Athir Shayota
11:00 AM - 6:00 PM, Tuesdays through Saturdays

The Bridge gallery announced an exhibition of Contemporary Arab art by New York-based Arab painters, Samia Halaby, Sumayyah Samaha and Athir Shayota. Three Arab Painters in New York provided the rare opportunity for the engagement of an American audience with Arab art that explored sociopolitical issues that deeply affect the Arab world and its expatriates.

Halaby, Samaha and Shayota are three leading Arab artists who have been contributing to the world of contemporary international art for decades and have exhibited in museums and galleries throughout the United States. Varied in style, technique, medium, scale and artistic influence, the three present a glimpse into the diverse and complex nature of the Arab World's art and visual culture.

Three Arab Painters in New York is curated by Maymanah Farhat, an art historian and specialist in Modern and Contemporary Arab art. The exhibition will follow The Bridge’s hosting of Made in Palestine. For more information contact Maymanah Farhat: sccheeto@yahoo.com

Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Three Arab Painters in New York Opening Reception
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

A reception for Three Arab Painters in New York, attended by artists, Samia Halaby, Sumayyah Samaha, and Athir Shayota, and the curator, Maymanah Farhat, it was an evening of wonderful art, music, food and wine. It was a celebration of the groundbreaking Arab art being produced in New York City. It was a not-to-be-missed event!

Thursday, March 16, 2006
GALA OPENING CELEBRATION!
6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
FREE OF CHARGE

This was the gala opening celebration of MADE IN PALESTINE in New York City. After nearly two years of fundraising, MADE IN PALESTINE arrived! Curator James Harithas and exhibition artists, including Samia Halaby and Zuhdi al-Adawi, will attended this event. The gala opening featured food and wine, beautiful Arabic music, and the wonderful art of MADE IN PALESTINE. It was truly an event to remember!

Friday, March 17, 2006
Artists' Panel on MADE IN PALESTINE
7:00 PM

The artists of MADE IN PALESTINE, including Zuhdi al-Adawi, Rajie Cook, John Halaka, Samia Halaby and Mary Tuma, conducted a panel discussing on their work and the MADE IN PALESTINE exhibition.

Sunday, March 19, 2006
Palestinian Health Issues under Occupation
A discussion with Palestinian health workers
from Ibdaa Health Committee
3:00 PM

Al-Awda New York hosted Palestinian health workers from Ibdaa Health Committee of Deheisheh Refugee Camp in Palestine who discussed political situation, the health situation for Palestinians under occupation, the health needs of Palestinian refugees, and the very important work of the Ibdaa Health Committee.

With guests Wisam Hasanat, Areej Ja'fari and Talal Shihadeh

Thursday, March 23, 2006
Kinetic Painting with MADE IN PALESTINE artist Samia Halaby
and musicians Hasan Bakr and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton
8:00 PM

The Kinetic Painting Group improvises animated computer painting with sound. The moving abstraction is projected onto a theater-size screen while the painter plays the keyboard which creates the painting. Musicians react to the visual signal as the painter reacts to the sounds. Each work is an improvisational jamming of sound and image. The interaction is spontaneous and free within a chosen theme.

The Kinetic Painting Group is made up of painter Samia Halaby and musicians Hasan Bakr and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton. Halaby performed on computer using a program that she wrote which transforms the keyboard into an abstract painting piano. She was accompanied by African American percussionists Hasan Bakr and Kevin Nathaniel Hylton.

The artwork created is a mixed media made up of digital electronic media on the one hand and analogue instruments made of natural materials on the other.

Hasan Bakr - Percussion, lead vocal Percussionist, singer, composer Hasan Bakr has been performing most of his life. He is multi-instrumental, however he has chosen to focus on African and diasporal percussion, from djembe to bongo to mbira and more. Displaying a true gift as a vocalist as well, he has forged a sound that is integral to two of New York's most popular percussion groups, Spirit Ensemble and Heritage O.P. He has toured with several popular artists including Snow, Thomas Mapfumo, the Winard Harper Sextet, and Hasan Hakmoun.

Kevin Nathaniel - Mbira, percussion Trained musically in the ancient master-disciple tradition, Kevin has performed with master musicians from a variety of world cultural traditions. His work with the mbira and the shekere is extensive, earning him international recognition. Kevin has composed and recorded for several projects including Alice Walker's POSSESSING THE SECRET OF JOY, and the movie BELOVED, starring Oprah infrey. His music is available on the Narada collection "African oices"(at record stores).

Saturday, March 25, 2006
Zuhdi Al-Adawi
MADE IN PALESTINE Artist and Former Political Prisoner
. . . plus Solidarity with Political Prisoners everywhere!
With special guest Ashanti Alston!
6:00 PM

Al-Awda New York hosted MADE IN PALESTINE artist and former political prisoner Zuhdi Al-Adawi speaking about his experiences, his life, and his art. The event honored this freedom fighter for Palestine who is an activist and as an artist.

Al-Awda also welcomed our additional special guest Ashanti Alston, national co-chair of the Jericho Movement and former political prisoner.

We learnt more about Assata Shakur, Mumia Abu-Jamal, Leonard Peltier, and struggles in Puerto Rico and the Philippines!

Saturday, April 1, 2006
Al-Awda Cafe
Commemorating Yom al Ard (Day of the Land)
7:00 PM

Al-Awda New York presented film, music and the unveiling of the Al-Awda Youth mural project as they commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Day of the Land (March 30, 1976) and the life of Ali Kased.

Tuesday, April 4, 2006
Leonard Peltier: Political Prisoner
7:00 PM

Al Jisser welcomed the Leonard Peltier Defense Committee for a presentation of the artwork of, and a discussion of the life of and struggle for indigenous political prisoner Leonard Peltier. Our discussion brought to light the connections between indigenous movements for justice in Palestine and North America.

Thursday, April 6, 2006
Defend Palestine Educational
7:00 PM

Al Jisser welcomed the New York Committee to Defend Palestine for an educational discussion and presentation on "The U.S. in Palestine: Is the Zionist Lobby to Blame?". It was a stimulating discussion and informative presentation.

Saturday, April 8, 2006
Guided tour with Samia Halaby
4:00 PM

This was an amazing opportunity to to learn firsthand about each piece in the "Made in Palestine" show, via a guided tour by featured internationally acclaimed artist Samia Halaby.

Sunday Labor: Live Music
7:00 PM

Sunday Labor, a New York-based band committed to great music and fighting injustice Played all-original songs about justice, peace, war, love, horses, pickles, children, and snow - while ocassionally pulling out energetic covers.

Sunday, April 9, 2006
Dawud Assad
Discussion with survivor and witness of Deir Yassin massacre
6:00 PM

Al Jisser welcomed Al-Awda New York for a discussion with Deir Yassin survivor Dawud Assad.

Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Naji al-Ali: An Artist With Vision Film Screening
7:00 PM

Al Jisser welcomed New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine, presenting "Naji al-Ali: An Artist with Vision," an important film about the life of legendary Palestinian cartoonist Naji al-Ali. Directed by Kasim Abid, 1999.

Friday, April 14, 2006
ZaatarDiva Sahra
Hosted by SUHEIR HAMMAD
7:00 PM

$15/$10 sliding scale. Donations were accepted.

Doors opened at 6pm for art viewing and 7pm readings and performances by:

Maysoon Zayid
Kathy Engel
Ehab Zahriyeh
Ishle Park
Nigel Parry

Saturday, April 15, 2006
Guided tour with Samia Halaby
3:30 PM

This was an amazing opportunity to to learn firsthand about each piece in the "Made in Palestine" show, via a guided tour by featured internationally acclaimed artist Samia Halaby.

Saturday, April 15, 2006
Danielle Shenandoah: An Indigenous Activist Spoke
8 PM

Indigenous activist Danielle Shenandoah presented information and a film exploring the connections between stolen lands, home demolitions and stolen lives, from Palestine to North America.

Thursday, April 20
BREAK THE SILENCE MURAL PROJECT
6:00 PM

Susan Greene of the Break the Silence Mural Project presenter her social justice mural work in Palestine, and the collaboration between Palestinian and solidarity artists on public art in Palestine.

Poetic Injustice Poetry Show
8:00 PM

Remi Kanazi and Poetic Injustice presented an unforgettable evening of poetry and performance! Also featuring poets Yasmine and Nadeen!

Friday, April 28, 2006
PALESTINE: The Art of Liberation
with renowned Palestinian artist Samia Halaby
7:00 PM

In this exciting, informative presentation, Samia Halaby gave, using the lens of Palestinian art of the past fifty years, an analysis of the political and social environment which lay behind the creation of the liberation art of Palestine. It was a journey through Palestinian art, Palestinian history and Palestinian politics and culture through the art of Palestinian liberation!

Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Films from Balata Camp:
Visions of Struggle and Steadfastness
A benefit to bring filmmakers from Balata Camp to The Bridge
7:00 PM

$5 suggested donation

Balata Refugee Camp is one of the most hard-hit communities in Palestine's West Bank. The over 30,000 residents, refugees of the 1948 Nakba, live in a heavily militarized zone where tear gas, gunshots, and military searches are a part of everyday life. We saw remarkable films - made in Balata Camp by young Palestinians, members of the Balata Film Collective!

In cooperation with Al-Awda NY and New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine, Al Jisser group brought 3 members of the Balata Film Collective to The Bridge! On May 3rd several of their short films were viewd and help and funds were raised to cover their travel expenses for their U.S. tour.

Friday, May 5, 2006
H3: a film about the 1981 Irish hunger Strike
presented by Culture & Conflict Group
7:00 PM

To commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Irish Hunger Strike, in which Bobby Sands and nine other Irish Republican prisoners died in Long Kesh prison in Northern Ireland, the Culture & Conflict Group presented a screening of the film H3.

H3 tells the story of the hunger strike from the point of view of the prisoners in Long Kesh prison. Set in the H-Blocks of the Maze prison in the North of Ireland - and co-written by Laurence McKeown who spent 70 days on hunger strike - H3 charts the period from the beginning of the hunger strike up until Bobby Sands' death on 5th May 1981. Through the eyes of fictional characters, the hunger strikers' survival is charted with dignity, comradeship and a sense of humor. The film was directed by Les Blair and stars a cast of actors drawn mostly from Northern Ireland.

The evening also included an exhibition of artwork and posters from the period of the hunger strike as well as music and songs about Bobby Sands and the other hunger strikers by Mary Courtney of the band Morning Star.

Friday, May 12, 2006
Resisting Occupation Through Film:
Balata Film Collective
7:00 PM

$5 - $10 suggested donation

The Balata Film Collective was initiated to enable young Palestinians from Balata Refugee camp to use film as a method to break their isolation, challenge their oppression, and represent their lives to the world. In May of 2006, 3 members of the collective toured the U.S. sharing their films and their stories, and hoping to build connections with other film collectives and film makers involved in the global struggle for justice and liberation.

Ruby Said (26 years old), who had no prior experience with video cameras or computers, became active in the Balata Film Collective in Spring of 2005. Since then, she has participated in the making of 5 short films and the documentary film "Nour's Dream". Ruby is also a women's rights activist and a secretary at the Yafa Cultural Center where she coordinates children's activities.

Mohammed Farraj (28 years old) helped to found the Balata Film Collective and balatacamp.net news service after he was released from spending 2 years in zionist prisons in winter of 2004. Mohammed is a prisoner rights and human rights activist and a journalism student at An-Najah National University.

Mohammed Hajhamad (32 years old) has run many drama programs and summer camps for children in Balata Camp, and he is the head theater trainer of A'edoon ("We Will Return") Dabke and Art Theater group in Balata Camp's Yafa Cultural Center. Mohammed has been working in theater since 1993, and has directed many plays, several television pieces, and most recently the documentary film "Nour's Dream".

The Balata Film Collective was raising funds during their visit to help them achieve the following goals:

• Founding theaters or cinemas to make our films available for every one who wants to see them.
• Training children, youth and adults in Balata Camp how to make documentaries and how to use cameras to deliver their ideas.
• Participating in film festivals to deliver our ideas to the world.

Sponsored by Al Jisser Group, Al-Awda NY and New Jersey Solidarity - Activists for the Liberation of Palestine.

Featured Art: Suleiman Mansour, "I, Ismael". mud on wood, 6- 78 1/2" x 31 1/2", 1997