Take Part in Peace, Palestine Rocks" Benefit
Dinner, Sept. 9, 5 pm
On Sunday, Sept. 9, 5-9 pm, Levantine Cultural
Center and the Abu-Dalu family are hosting a benefit
dinner of delicious Middle Eastern food and desserts,
along with a performance by Omar Chakaki of the
N.O.M.A.D.s, DJ Al Fareed and the poetry of Taha
Muhammad Ali, Suheir Hammad, Salma Khadra Jayyusi,
Mourid Barghouti and Mahmoud Darwish, all in support
of "Palestine Rocks!", a weekend of hip
hop events with artists from the Holy Land, November
16-18, 2007.
For many years now, Americans have
generally only received stereotypical or negative
impressions of the Palestinian people and Palestinian
culture—when they hear of it at all outside a context
of politics and conflict. Last year’s "Palestinian
Embroidery" exhibit at the Craft and Folk Art
Museum was one of the few examples of Palestinian
culture Americans have been able to experience in
Southern California.
Meanwhile—even as a long-term peace
solution continues to elude the Israeli and Palestinian
leadership—artists and activists on the ground in
the West Bank, Gaza and Israel are outspoken advocates
for peace. Today’s Middle East youth have a vision
of the future they would like to see for themselves,
and popular culture is one of their main avenues
of expression. This fall, Levantine Cultural Center
will bring to Southern California some of the top
Palestinian and Israeli hip-hop artists including
DAM, Saz, Abeer and Palestinian Rapperz, who will
present their perspectives through live performances
and on-stage discussion. The weekend will include
documentary film screenings and panels with Arab
and Jewish authors, and special guests such as Mos
Def, Fredwreck, Russell Simmons and Matisyahu, among
others, are being invited to join the program.
The September 9 benefit event
for "Palestine Rocks!" includes a delicious
buffet along with music and dancing, poetry and
more. Suggested minimum contribution $50 per person.
Space is limited and RSVPs are necessary.
RSVPs 310.657.5511
Home of the Abu-Dalus, 4408 Medley Place,
Encino 91316 (Whte Oak exit from the 101 Fwy; the
Abu-Dalus are south of Ventura Blvd.).
