An archive of News, Events, Teacher's Corner blog posts, and In The News notes that are tagged with the subject of "Naomi Shihab Nye"

May 21: Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration

May 20, 2009
Celebration in May 2008

Celebration in May 2008

Please Join Us For the Second Annual
Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration

Thursday, May 21, 2009
Atrium, School District of Philadelphia

440 N. Broad Street
metered street parking available, some parking lots nearby

Performances 11:15 am – 12:15 pm
Activities/Demonstrations 12:30-1:15 pm
Arabic coffee and tea will be served

Join Al-Bustan’s staff of fantastic teaching artists as we celebrate the inspiration they have given to students and teachers through the Arab Arts and Heritage program in partnership with the School District of Philadelphia.

The poetry of Arab-American author Naomi Shihab Nye was our theme this year and served as a framework for students to explore their lives and heritage and express themselves through the arts.  The celebration on May 21st is a culminating showcase of Al-Bustan’s Arab arts programming in various Philadelphia public schools this academic year.

The event will showcase the hard work, creativity, and enthusiasm of students as they present a performance of music, dance, art, and poetry from the following schools:

•    John Moffet Elementary School
•    Feltonville School of Arts and Sciences
•    Penn Alexander School
•    Motivation High School
•    Philadelphia Military Academy at Leeds
•    Philadelphia Military Academy at Elverson
•    Benjamin Franklin High School

We hope that you will attend to see the beautiful work of these young people and to show your support for Al-Bustan’s partnership with the School District to bring quality Arab arts education for Philadelphia students!

For more info, call 267-809-3668 or email ctucker@albustanseeds.org

By Chloe Tucker | Posted in Events | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

The Bulletin highlights Arab Arts & Heritage Celebration

May 19, 2009
Students from John Moffet Elementary School prepare for a percussion performance at the Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration last year.

Students from John Moffet Elementary School prepare for a percussion performance at the Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration last year.

A View of the Arab World Through Art

by Erin Maguire, The Bulletin
published May 19, 2009

More than 200 students from seven city schools will showcase Arab culture in the form of dance, poetry, music and art Thursday, at the School District of Philadelphia’s atrium on 440 N. Broad St. from 11:15 a.m. until 1:15 p.m. The program is the second annual Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration, presented by Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture and the School District of Philadelphia. It is free and open to the public, and attendees will have the chance to drink Arab coffee and meet with students in sessions following the event.

Dennis Creedon, the administrator of the School District’s Office of Comprehensive Arts Education, and Hazami Sayed, Al-Bustan’s executive director, will open the event, which will begin with a 4-minute video highlighting Palestinian poet Naomi Shihab Nye’s February visit to Philadelphia schools. Students were encouraged through reading Ms. Nye’s poetry to explore their own heritages and express themselves through art. Ms. Nye’s work — which served as the catalyst for this year’s Arab Arts and Heritage Celebration — has a diverse intended audience,  from children to adults, and centers on the universal themes of heritage and peace.

Click here for the full article.

By Chloe Tucker | Posted in In the Media | Also tagged , , , , , , | Comments (0)

March News

March 6, 2009

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 are planning for 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

By Chloe Tucker | Posted in News | Also tagged , , | Comments (0)