Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
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March 2009
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REGISTER FOR AL-BUSTAN CAMP!
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Dear ,
What a month! Our February was brightened by a visit from the wonderful Palestinian-American poet Naomi Shihab Nye, we launched our Spring Percussion Workshops, and planned a new art workshop series with Philadelphia artist Tremain Smith.
I'm pleased to have joined the Al-Bustan team in January as Program Assistant through AmeriCorp's Arab-American Resource Corps.
We are sad to say good-bye to Nehad Khader who has been an integral part of Al-Bustan over the past a year and a half as Education Program Coordinator and all-star teacher. She will continue the semester teaching Poetry after-school at Moffet School. We thank her for all that she has done to help Al-Bustan grow, and wish her the best as she pursues her own projects.
Salaam,
Chloe Tucker
Program Assistant
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OPEN HOUSE
Al-Bustan Camp SATURDAY, March 21, 2009
1-3:00 PM
Come to our Open House at Springside School to see our camp site and find out what all the fun is about!
Springside School
8000 Cherokee Street
Philadelphia, PA
Directions to the school.
Bring your 6 to 17 year-olds to Chestnut Hill for a sneak peek of our plans for this summer's programming. We will have arts activities and a screening of videos produced by teenagers in recent summers.
This summer's camp theme for children 6-12 yrs will explore Arab contributions to the sciences through the story of Ibn Al-Haytham, who developed the scientific method and innovated the field of optics.
(Tell your children to trust us: this man is really cool, and he made really cool things possible.)
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Philadelphia Schools Welcomed
Naomi Shihab Nye
Ms. Nye gives a talk and poetry reading at
Science Leadership Academy
Since September, Al-Bustan has worked with several public and independent schools to coordinate a visit by acclaimed Palestinian-American poet/writer Naomi Shihab Nye. On February 12th and 13th, after months of planning and much anticipation, students at these schools had the pleasure of hearing Ms. Nye read her poetry and tell heartwarming stories:
- John Moffet School
- Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences
- Science Leadership Academy
- William Penn Charter School
- Germantown Friends School
Al-Bustan Teacher Nehad Khader reflected on Ms. Nye's presentation to her students at John Moffet School. . .
On the morning of February 13th, I rushed through the auditorium doors
of Moffet School, waved quickly to my students and started preparing
for the kids' presentation to the beloved poet. After catching my
breath and settling in, I started to look for her. Could Naomi be back
stage waiting for the program to begin to assume her position up there?
My eyes darted to the stage, and I realized that there was no
backstage! And out of the corner of my eyes I spotted a big person in
the crowd of 4th and 5th grade students. Naomi Shihab Nye had taken a seat right in the midst of her fans.
After a warm welcome by Ms. Fredericks, Moffet's wonderful fifth-grade
English teacher, the students began their program as a gift of
appreciation to Naomi. The first group of fifth-graders performed an
original group poem, set to background percussion music, and their 5th
and 4th grade peers followed, performing individually. The students words wove tapestries depicting the details of their lives, their foods, their grandmothers.
Inspired by Naomi's work they taught us about the simple things that
matter most. The after-school poetry students closed the
presentation, and welcomed Naomi on stage with a dramatic
interpretation of her poem "Red Brocade."
When Naomi made her way to the stage, she waved around a little
notebook and told the kids that it is the only tool for being good
writers--which she discovered that they already are. The highlight of the presentation for everyone in the room was the song that
Naomi offered the students. Playing a guitar left from a music class, she sang "Lullaby
Raft" and left a very deep impression on the kids, and for days
thereafter they reminisced about the lullaby that Naomi
sang.
*******
We would like to share with you a poem that Moffet student Barra I. wrote about Naomi's visit:
Singing her song,
all about chickens.
with her lovely hands
strumming the guitar.
Her deep voice.
Singing her song,
All about chickens.
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Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture needs your support!
You can help us in these ways:
- Contribute! Click here to make a tax-deductible donation today.
- Volunteer! Share your time and talents with us!
- Participate in our programs.
- Forward this email to anyone interested in Arab arts and culture!
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Coming Soon...
. . .a new, improved Al-Bustan Website!
Tired of the same photos and links?
We've been working hard to launch our new website by the end of March. We love the way it looks so far, and we thank you for your patience as we iron out the last e-wrinkles.
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Encaustic Painting and Arabic Calligraphy
An exciting new workshop series with TREMAIN SMITH
Al-Bustan is pleased to
present a series of workshops taught by artist Tremain Smith. She will lead six 2-hour Saturday workshops combining the ancient art forms of Arabic calligraphy and encaustic -- the process of painting with beeswax.
Please tell every young person you know about this unique opportunity!
- for youth 6th -12th gr.
- April 18, 25, May 2, 9, 16, 30,
- 10 am-12 pm
- $120/student
held at University City Arts League
4322 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
REGISTER TODAY!
Encaustic Workshop Form
Questions?
Call: 267-809-3668
E-mail: ctucker@albustanseeds.orgTremain Smith is a professional artist who has been working in encaustic for fifteen years. To view her work online, visit www.tremainsmith.com. |
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Master Class with Violinist HANNA KHOURY
March 30, 6-8pm: FREE
Al-Bustan is co-sponsoring the Settlement Music School's presentation of Master Class on Arab Music with violin
virtuoso Hanna Khoury.
Khoury is trained in both Western classical and
Arabic classical music styles, and will present a Master Class on Arabic
music that will provide an overview of Arabic music instruments,
modes, and rhythms. Participating violinists will experience tuning
their violins for playing an Arabic music composition with sheet music
provided.
PLS NOTE: Al-Bustan
may offer group instruction for youth in Arabic violin taught by Hanna
Khoury this semester. If interested, contact Al-Bustan at ctucker@albustanseeds.org or 267-809-3668 |
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Upcoming Events in the Arab-American Community
MARCH 3 - MARCH 29: SCORCHED
Get your tickets now for the Philadelphia premiere of this stunning play at the Wilma Theater. Al-Bustan teaching artist LEILA BUCK plays a lead role!
SATURDAY, MARCH 21
1-3 PM:OPEN HOUSE for Al-Bustan Camp!
at Springside School,
8000 Cherokee St. Phila, PA 19118MONDAY, MARCH 30, 6-8 PM:MASTER CLASS with violinist Hanna Khoury
SAVE THE DATE: MAY 21, 2009
11am-1pm
Arab Arts Celebration - Self-Expressions through Naomi Shihab Nye:
Al-Bustan's ongoing Arab Cultural Arts Program in Philadelphia public schools culminates with the second-annual Arab Arts & Heritage Celebration, to take place at the District's headquarters.
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AL-BUSTAN SEEDS OF CULTURE
is a non-profit organization dedicated to educating youth in Arabic language, arts, and culture.
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