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(FEN)SIDER: Leila Aboulela in Granta Magazine

marwa — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:27:53 +0000

Go Back…
home, to a memory, or an old friend with Granta’s latest issue “Going Back,” which features a story by Sudanese writer Leila Aboulela. She tells the story of Majdy, a graduate student in London who returns to Tunisia after a long time away in “Missing Out.” The story parallels that of her own life, which she also discusses in an exclusive online piece, here >> // 08.17.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Umm Kalthoum and Khaled in NPR’s 50 Great Voices

marwa — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 03:42:09 +0000

NPR Music is ON!
At this rate, we’re thinking of taking the summer off while NPR Music continues to feature some of our favorite artists in their 50 Great Voices Series. Here are two more awesome pieces you shouldn’t miss: “Khaled: The King of Rai” and “Umm Kalthoum: ‘The Lady’ of Cairo.” // 07.29.2010

(FEN)SIDER: The Lebanese Dominate NPR Music

marwa — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 18:20:23 +0000

Old and New Lebanese Music on NPR Music…
It is no surprise that Fairuz, with her rich, enchanting voice ended up as part of NPR’s 50 Great Voices Series, but it is refreshing to listen to what’s happening in the current Lebanese music scene in “Beirut’s Jam Is Mashrou’ Leila’s ‘Embembelela7.’” Follow the links and enjoy… // 07.26.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Sam Maloof All Things Considered…

marwa — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 20:13:11 +0000

Carved Success…
An amazing article about an even more amazing man and artist — woodworker Sam Maloof was featured in NPR’s All Things Considered shortly before his death. We will keep this short because you must go read and listen to every word here >> // 07.20.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Zaha Hadid Named UNESCO Artist for Peace

marwa — Tue, 29 Jun 2010 18:50:28 +0000

World-renowned architect Zaha Hadid was recently named UNESCO Artist for Peace in recognition of her efforts to raise public awareness of intercultural dialogue and promote excellence in design and creativity. Upon receiving the award Hadid said, “The arts have always bridged cultural, economic and social divides; teaching us that disparate worlds are not mutually exclusive, but rather layered upon each other and profoundly interlinked.” This distinction follows her recent inclusion in TIME magazine’s 2010 list of “The 100 Most Influential People in the World.” // 07.13.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Rawi Hage Publishes in Tin House

marwa — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 19:14:56 +0000

For the Literary Heads…
If you’re looking for a little summer reading, award-winning Lebanese-Canadian Author and Visual Artist Rawi Hage has recently published a fast-paced and eccentric piece titled “Stray Dogs” in the latest issue of Tin House. He is also the author of De Niro’s Game and Cockroach.
// 07.06.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Unveiling the Veil

marwa — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:44:21 +0000

“Unveiling the Veil” in Photos
The camera has turned on Photographer Laura El-Tantawy as she finds herself in the spotlight of Visura Magazine. Her latest gallery, “Unveiling the Veil” is a work in progress. The photos will transport you to a place “dominated by mystery and dreams,” as El-Tantawy puts it… // 06.30.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Noor Theatre Launch

marwa — Tue, 15 Jun 2010 15:26:42 +0000

Noor Theatre Launches
Congratulations to the founders of Noor Theatre, Artistic Director Lameece Issaq, Executive Director Maha Chehlaoui and Producing Artistic Director Nancy Vitale, on the recent launch of their organization. Noor Theatre is dedicated to supporting, developing and presenting the work of theatre artists of Middle Eastern descent and aims to create exceptional work that transcends cultural boundaries and speaks to all people. For more on the organization and to support this amazing initiative, visit noortheatre.org >> // 06.24.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Music Without Borders Featured in GQ India

marwa — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:09:44 +0000

MWB on the Newsstand…
FEN Five regulars — Music Without Borders were recently included in GQ’s India Edition for their work on Hindustani Gangster, their recreation of Jay-Z’s American Gangster. // 05.14.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Comedian Wonho Chung Appointed KTO Goodwill Ambassador

marwa — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 22:27:51 +0000

Putting the Funny in Goodwill…
Wonho Chung — our favorite Arabic-speaking Korean-Vietnamese comedian was appointed Goodwill Ambassador to the Middle East last month by the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO). Wonho was recently in Seoul for his induction, where he also spent his time filming a series of commercials, which of course, feature Wonho getting into comedic situations with locals while promoting Korea as a potential vacation spot for Arab travelers. FEN exchanged congratulatory e-mails with him and he had this to say about the honor: “As you can imagine, this is a tremendous honor and I feel blessed that I was chosen by KTO,” says Wonho. “[I plan] to represent Korea well wherever I go, and to be the bridge that links Korea to the Middle East and vice-versa. But my first goal is to learn to speak the Korean language fluently! Wish me luck!” // 05.03.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Cast of Aftermath and Tony Shalhoub Nominated for Drama League Awards

marwa — Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:44:43 +0000

Distinguished Drama: Aftermath Cast and Tony Shalhoub
The 76th Annual Drama League Awards nominations are up! Among the nominees for Distinguished Performance are the cast of Aftermath and Tony Shalhoub for his Broadway role in Lend Me a Tenor. Other nominees include familiar names such as Catherine Zeta Jones, Scarlett Johansson, Denzel Washington and Jude Law. // 04.22.10

(FEN)SIDER: Arab-American Films Make “Best of 2009″ List

marwa — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 19:39:37 +0000

Making the Cut…
Love him or hate him, you have to admit Michael Moore has taste when some amazing films by Arab-Americans make his “20 Best Pictures I Saw in 2009″ List — Amin Matalqa’s Captain Abu Raed comes in at No. 3 followed by Annemarie Jacir’s Salt of This Sea at No. 18. If you haven’t seen them yet — do it! // 03.11.10

(FEN)SIDER: The Taqwacores Gets US and International Distribution

FEN — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 15:07:12 +0000

The Taqwacores goes international…
It’s official: Visit Films has licensed North American rights to Eyad Zahra’s The Taqwacores to Strand Releasing and French rights to Bac Films. We won’t say we called it, but we’re thrilled that one of our artists to watch in 2010 is starting the year off with some major moves! // 03.12.10

(FEN)SIDER: Garbage Dreams Gets Something Better Than an Oscar

marwa — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 20:38:27 +0000

Better Than an Oscar…
Although Mai Iskander’s Garbage Dreams is in the running for an Oscar in the category of best documentary film, she’s got something better; the Gates Foundation recently granted 1 million dollars to the NGO featured in Garbage Dreams. But we’re not saying an Oscar wouldn’t be nice… //02.01.10

(FEN)SIDER: RedOne’s Grammy Win

FEN — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 01:52:34 +0000

And the Grammy Goes To…
Moroccan-Swedish songwriter/producer, RedOne, aka “The Melody King” recently earned his first U.S. Grammy Award as producer of “Just Dance,” the Lady GaGa smash single in the Best Dance Song Category. Fans can look forward to his new collaborations with Akon and Enrique Eglesias. // 02.08.10

(FEN)SIDER: Nihad Dukhan Calligraphy

FEN — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 17:51:52 +0000

Worth Checking Out…
Nihad Dukhan’s contemporary Arabic style of calligraphy. Here is the word for pen, more of his work here >> // 02.08.10

(FEN)SIDER: Rami Kashou’s designs on Kim Kardashian

FEN — Thu, 28 Jan 2010 01:53:37 +0000

Fashion Designer Rami Kashou’s designs have been worn by some of the world’s most recognizable women. Here, Kim Kardashian poses in one of his latest designs. FEN recently met up with Rami in New York City, interview will be posted soon! // 02.06.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Yasmin Mahrous’ leggings on Lady Gaga

FEN — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 23:00:11 +0000

The mystery-woman…
photographed here in FRAME leggings, designed by Yasmin Mahrous is none other than Lady GaGa! Look out for a FEN exclusive interview with Yasmin soon. // 02.06.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Emmanuelle Chriqui Voted Most Desireable Woman

FEN — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 23:01:23 +0000

Moroccan-Canadian actress of Entourage fame Emmanuelle Chriqui recently got voted #1 most desirable woman by AskMen.com . Apparently filmmakers feel the same way men do about her, because she’s got a couple starring roles coming up in 13 (a remake of the French crime thriller 13 Tzameti) and Georgia – both due out in 2010. // 01.22.2010

(FEN)SIDER: Mai Iskander’s ‘Garbage Dreams’ shortlisted for the Oscars

FEN — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 23:03:47 +0000

Look out for a FEN exclusive interview with Filmmaker Mai Iskander next week. Her film Garbage Dreams, which she wrote, directed and produced herself has been shortlisted for an Academy Award in the documentary category. // 01.15.2010