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Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
September 2009 |
Fall Music Program
Stories from Camp
Grant Awards
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A Call for Young and College-Age Singers and Musicians:
Sign-Up Now to Learn Arab Music with Master Musicians
Starting this September, Al-Bustan offers opportunities for children and youth to learn Arab music. Don't miss this chance to learn with highly skilled musicians. . . SIGN-UP NOW!
* Arab Percussion Workshops
with Hafez El Ali Kotain
For beginners, intermediate, and advanced drummers (3rd - 12th graders)
Mondays starting Sept 14, 6-9pm at GIC of U-Penn
Details & Registration Form
* Arab Music Ensemble
led by violinist Hanna Khoury with guest percussionist Hafez El Ali Kotain
The repertoire is classical Arab music, including original compositions
by Simon Shaheen.
Open to SINGERS OF ALL LEVELS and INTERMEDIATE TO ADVANCED MUSICIANS playing strings,
wind, or percussion (3rd -12th graders and college students). No prior background in Arab music required.
Wednesdays starting Sept 23, 6-9pm at St. Mary's Church at U-Penn
Details & Registration Form
Inquire about private instruction with experienced musicians on oud, nay,
flute, violin, viola, and percussion, to supplement group instruction.
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Al-Bustan at Philadelphia Public Schools
 We are thrilled to begin the school year with plans underway for instruction in Arab arts at several Philadelphia schools. HAFEZ EL ALI KOTAIN will be teaching percussion and singing at Science Leadership Academy (high school), Feltonville Arts & Sciences, Penn Alexander School (middle), and Moffet School (elementary); with more arts programming to follow soon.
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Al-Bustan Camp Highlights
From the first week of Camp, when the singing of "Fogh al-Nakhl" echoed through the halls of Springside School, to the final week, when campers created and bound their own books, rehearsed their drama scenes, and made final edits on their teen video, Al-Bustan Camp was a flying success.
The unflagging energy of teaching artists and counselors made for a fun and communal experience. This 8th summer of camp ran smoothly thanks to our camp manager and dedicated staff, for whom we are most grateful!
We were fortunate to have accomplished Palestinian poet/author Ibtisam Barakat for two days leading writing workshops. Len Lear, of the Chestnut Hill Local newspaper, interviewed Barakat and wrote a wonderful feature: Barakat in the Chestnut Hill Local.
Highlights of Camp with the culminating performance can be seen on our website in photo slideshows.
An overview of the first week of music taught by master violinist Hanna Khoury and percussionist Hafez El Ali Kotain, can be viewed here.
Camp Counselor Layal Brown reflects on her experience singing at camp. . .
Arabic music reminds me of summer. Ever since I was little, I can remember my mother putting on her favorite cassettes in the car while she drove me to summer camp. I become nostalgic for summers in Lebanon where I would lie on the beach, toes in the soft sand, while music wafted to my ears from a sound system. . . read more
Our Camp Teachers -- Katherine Toukhy, Video; Brahim El Gabli, Arabic; and Justin Poole, Drama -- have also shared their reflections which you can read here.
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Save the Dates! Events Around Town. . .
- Premiere Screening of the film AMREEKA in Philadelphia - NOT TO BE MISSED!
- Sept 23 at 7:30pm, at Ritz East with Q&A by Director Cherien Dabis: use "Al-Bustan" discount code to get $1 discount.
- Sept 25 and on, at Ritz 5 Theatre in Old City, Philadelphia
- Drum Jam at The Rotunda's 10th Anniversary with Hafez El Ali Kotain/Al-Bustan Percussion Ensemble, Sept 26, 4-5pm - FREE - at 40th and Walnut St, Philadelphia
- Tatreez Exhibit by Nehad Khader at Philadelphia Folklore Project, thru Dec 09
- Iraq's Ancient Past Exhibit at UPenn Museum, opening Oct. 25
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Recent Grant Funding for 2009-10
Al-Bustan is pleased to announce a grant award from the Oasis Foundation of Washington, DC. This grant provides
general operating support for Al-Bustan's capacity to manage ongoing programs, while positioning the organization to expand its reach to a national level. We are most grateful to the Oasis Foundation for their interest and commitment to Arab culture, arts, education, and youth development.
Al-Bustan is also pleased to announce a third year of funding from the National Endowment for the Arts - Learning in the Arts for Children and Youth. Our music instruction and appreciation program continues with the start of the school year, under the direction of percussionist Hafez El Ali Kotain and violinist Hanna Khoury,
at various schools and community settings; with Palestinian-American musician, composer, and educator Simon Shaheen as the featured guest artist in Spring 2010.
In addition, Al-Bustan was awarded a second year grant from the Stockton Rush Bartol Foundation for general operating support.
One funding source that we have relied on for the past 5 years is likely to not come through. The Pennsylvania Council on the Arts is in jeopardy of being closed depending on what happens with the state budget impasse. We urge you to take action and HELP SAVE THE ARTS IN PA!
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We welcome your support! You can help us in these ways throughout the year:
Thanks to all of you who have contributed in so many important ways to make Al-Bustan a successful and sustaniable organization.
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Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is dedicated to educating youth about the Arabic language, arts, and culture. www.albustanseeds.org |
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