Weekend Workshops

Weekend Arabic & Drama Workshops

In spring 2008, we offered 10 weeks of Saturday workshops in Arabic and Drama, co-taught by Nehad Khader (Arabic Language) and Nahid Elgadi (Drama). Students created an original play in Arabic, which they performed at Al-Bustan Camp’s Open House in April. These workshops were made possible through a grant from the Chace Fund, with in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.

Weekend Arabic & Art Workshops

In fall 2007, we offered 9 weeks of Saturday workshops in Arabic and Art, taught by Nehad Khader (Arabic Language); with Nahid Elgadi (Drama) and Nadia Elokdah (Art); and Guest Artist Hamdi Attia. These workshops were made possible through a grant from the Chace Fund, with in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.

Weekend Arabic Percussion Workshops

From Jan through March 2007, we offered ten weeks of Saturday workshops for beginning drummers, taught by master percussionist Jospeh Tayoun. The students participated in percussion demonstrations at John Moffett and Penn Alexander public schools. These workshops were made possible through the in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.

Weekend Dramatic Storytelling Workshops

From January through March 2007, we offered ten weeks of 2-hours of dramatic storytelling workshops taught by Leila Buck, Lebanese-American storyteller, performer and teaching artist. Open to students in 4th through 7th grade, the workshops introduced participants to the richness of Arab storytelling traditions and the techniques of dramatic storytelling, and sought to connect them to their own families, histories, identities and strugglesThe workshops culminated in five school/community performances-in-progress at John Moffet and Penn Alexander public schools, Germantown Friends and William Penn Charter independent schools, and Philadelphia’s International House, with resource packets provided for teachers on Arab storytelling traditions. Through the process of children interviewing their parents, the ancient Arab tradition of preserving identity and culture despite geographical transitions began to find new expression here in Philadelphia and beyond. These workshops were funded in part through a grant from the Anna H. and Elizabeth M. Chace Fund of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, and with the in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.

Weekend Art and Bilingual Story Writing Workshops

In Fall 2006, we offered a series of eight 2-hour workshops co-taught by Rachel Bliss (artist) and Sally Bonet (elementary teacher). Workshops were open to students in 1st through 7th grade with an interst in artmaking and storytelling, no prior Arabic required. The theme of the workshops was the 14th century Moroccan traveller Ibn Battuta. Students imagined Ibn Battuta in the present day as he explored our contemporary world by air, sea, and land, expressing their imagination through collage-making techniques that incorporate Arabic/English text and drawing and other visual imagery. A collective storybook of the children’s work is being compiled to be bound and displayed in exhibit, CD, and online. These workshops were funded in part through a grant from the Anna H. and Elizabeth M. Chace Fund of the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends, and with the in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.

Weekend Music/Dance/Drama Workshops and School Performances

During December 2005 and January 2006, Al-Bustan developed as a pilot initiative a series of weekend workshops based on themes from the past two summers of camp. Led by Joe Tayoun (music teacher) and Michelle Tayoun (dance teacher), this initiative entailed six Saturday workshops where teachers, musicians, counselors and campers, with significant parent volunteer support, came together to develop a script and rehearse an interactive presentation of music, dance and drama about the14th century Moroccan traveler Ibn Battuta in the souk. The stage set included souk stalls and a mural created during 2005 Camp and enhanced by a scroll of Ibn Battuta images made in 2004 Camp. The workshops culminated in two school performances at The William Penn Charter School and The Philadelphia School, where the response of the students, teachers and administrators was overwhelming positive. In preparation for the performances, Al-Bustan provided the schools with a resource packet of readings and lesson plans on Ibn Battuta, Arab souks, and Arabic music.  This pilot initiative was funded through the Middle East Center of the U-Penn, with the in-kind contribution of The Rotunda.