ARTISTS
Alsarah & The Nubatones
Alsarah is a Sudanese born singer, songwriter, bandleader and a somewhat reluctant ethnomusicologist. Alsarah & the Nubatones were born out of many dinner conversations between Alsarah and Rami El Aasser about nubian ‘songs of return’, modern migration patterns and the cultural exchanges between Sudan and Egypt. A common love for the richness of pentatonic sounds, and shared migration experiences, expanded the conversation to include Armenian American oud player Haig Manoukian and French-born Togo-raised bass player Mawuena Kodjovi. Under the leadership of Alsarah, the Brooklyn-based group’s sound grew into what they have dubbed ‘East-African Retro-Pop’. Alsarah’s star quality and expressive live performances with The Nubatones, has seen the band play some of the worlds finest festivals; Glastonbury Festival, Roskilde Festival, WOMAD Festival and amassing fans including The Roots’ Questlove with their spellbinding and eclectic East African retro-pop.
Learn More: www.alsarah.com
Emel
Emel Mathlouthi is a Tunisian artist who combines powerful vocals, electronic beats and traditional instruments to create a unique musical style. She is a voice of freedom and resistance, whose songs have inspired people across the Arab world and beyond. She is also a visionary producer and a creative collaborator, who explores different genres and cultures in her work. Emel Mathlouthi is a global citizen who expresses her passion and vision through her music.
Learn More: www.emelmathlouthi.com
Farah Siraj
Named Jordan's Musical Ambassadress, Farah approaches music as a medium for peace and a way to lend a voice to people around the world who need to be heard. As a humanitarian, Farah focuses on raising awareness about the consequences of war and violence, and advocates for women’s rights, refugee rights and animal rights. Farah has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious platforms, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, World Economic Forum, The John F. Kennedy Center, and Lincoln Center.
Learn More: www.farahsiraj.com
Felukah
Felukah is an Egyptian rapper, singer, poet and activist. Seamlessly blending her Arabic culture into Western sounds, Felukah is dubbed the ‘Arabfuturist songstress,’ or the artist paving the way for a ‘new wave of Arab women.’ Felukah’s music and revolutionary character has garnered the attention of thousands in the Middle East as well as the Western world, landing her opportunities with the FIFA World Cup, Harvard University, the Brooklyn Museum, Boiler Room TV, and much more. Felukah’s new song “Btwhashni” was released on August 4th and marks the beginning of an exciting new era for the multifaceted artist. Staying true to her versatile nature, Felukah floats effortlessly between genres, sounds and projects, making sure the essence stays the same: a tasteful balance of radical love and honoring her North African roots.
Learn More: www.felukah.com
Hello Psychaleppo
Hello Psychaleppo, the trailblazing electronic music producer from Aleppo, seamlessly blends traditional Arabic music with EDM. Led by Samer Saem Eldahr, Hello Psychaleppo's debut album, "Gool Lʼah" (2013), pioneered the genre of electro-tarab, fusing Arabic music theory with cutting-edge electronic sounds. His subsequent releases, including "HA!" (2014), "Toyour" (2017), and EP "Jismal" (2021), delve deeper into Arabic melodies, intricate arrangements, and exhilarating dance music. With a profound connection to their cultural roots and an unwavering commitment to innovation, Hello Psychaleppo is a dynamic force in the world of electronic music.
Learn More: www.psychaleppo.com
Omar Souleyman
Omar Souleyman, who has collaborated with Björk and Four Tet, began his career as a prolific wedding singer, releasing nearly 500 live albums before civil war broke out in his native Syria in 2011. In 2013 released his debut studio album Wenu Wenu via Ribbon/Domino, which NPR called, "...a jam so visceral, thrilling and intense as to make the mysterious matter of earthly borders seem hardly worth the time to contemplate." His 2015 sophomore album Bahdeni Nami garnered widespread critical praise including The Guardian, who proclaimed, "It's so fast that the only appropriate way to engage with it is to wriggle your limbs. Melodies are both abrasive and ebullient, chattering endlessly like raucous birdsong," and 2017’s To Syria, With Love via Mad Decent placing Omar firmly in the canon of global electronic music. Souleyman has bolstered his growing status as a world and electronic music icon establishing an extensive international following after touring widely and performing at major festivals including Glastonbury, Bonnaroo, Pitchfork Paris and Roskilde. In 2013, he performed at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert in Norway. Omar Souleyman has been touring tirelessly since the release of To Syria, With Love, or in fact for as long as he can remember in the last 10 years. He has crossed the planet – now seeming quite small – several times over and looks forward to meeting his fans everywhere to celebrate the release of Shlon.
Learn more: www.omarsouleyman.bandcamp.com
Sinkane
Sinkane is a band from Brooklyn, NY. At its center is Ahmed Abdullahi Gallab. A Sudanese-American weirdo who is heavily inspired by the “dynamic” world that we live in. The music quotes themes from the African diaspora: East and West Africa, Jamaica, American Soul and Funk music. It talks about the black struggle and it’s very, very funky.
Learn More: www.sinkane.com
Moderators & EMCEES
Amanda Ekery
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer Amanda Ekery creates music filled with imagery and strong narratives. Her work spans Off-Broadway theatre, film, multiple studio recordings, and workshops. Amanda is a Jazz Journalist Association “Jazz Hero,” founder of El Paso Jazz Girls, and a former Artist-in-Residence at the Arab American National Museum thrilled to be returning to Dearborn! Learn more at aekerymusic.com
Ayman Aboutaleb
Ayman Aboutaleb has been performing the traditional Arabic folklore line dance called, dabke, since he was 10 years old on a youth dance team in elementary school. He started his teaching career at the Arab American National Museum where he teaches different levels from beginner to advanced. He founded the Thowra Dabke Troupe near the end of 2019 with the students who completed the curriculum. Ayman and his team have travelled throughout Michigan and different states performing and teaching to share the culture and joy that dabke brings. He has taken online dabke classes with the Caracalla Dance School in Lebanon to further advance his skills. He has also taken up Latin partner dancing where he has trained, performed, competed, and currently teaches mainly bachata and salsa.
Isra El-Beshir
Isra El-Beshir is an accomplished museum leader, creative strategist, organizer, and educator with 10+ years of experience working in non-profit and higher education. In her current role as the Director of Museums at Washington and Lee University, she oversees a collection of 15,000 fine and decorative art objects and contributes to the Cultural Heritage and Museum Studies Minor through her teaching. Her previous roles include serving as the founding director of the Illinois Art Station at Illinois State University and as a development consultant for Obsidian: Literature & Arts in the African Diaspora, a peer-reviewed journal. Isra's dedication to the cultural sector began during her tenure as the Curator of Education and Public Programming at the Arab American National Museum. Independently, Isra is actively engaged in creating a cultural archive of Sudanese fine arts.
Roula David
As a first generation immigrant from Jordan, Roula embraces her culture’s most defined qualities of hospitality and generosity. This drives Roula’s ambition and passion for working with others in collaboration for the benefit of all. After moving to Detroit in 2011 to establish Red Bull’s “House of Art” Roula has been a key figure in the evolution of Detroit’s art community. Most recently she has curated and produced the City of Detroit’s “City Walls” city wide arts program, Henry Ford Health Systems “Art Block” and Quicken Loans “Small Business Mural Project” as the Vice President of 1xRUN LLC. As Vice President for 1xRUN Special Projects department Roula is creating ideas and managing collaborations across civic, public and corporate clients. Roula strives for each project to build a deeper connection to people and place. Her clients can attest to the success of each project and our ongoing relationships with WeWork, MTV, Quicken Loans, Kroger, Detroit Red Wings, Red Bull, City of Detroit, Wayne State University and the Knight Foundation. As the Executive Director of Murals in the Market she has produced 150 murals throughout the district along with over 50 public events that include a family friendly block party, exhibitions, artists talks, tours and youth activations. The annual festival serves as a platform for local artists and creatives to learn skills that enhance their careers in an exchange with international artists while building awareness around access to fresh produce in Eastern Market. Roula then went on to open Spot Lite Detroit May 2020. Spot Lite is a multi-media art space that celebrates art, music, dance. It is a place that celebrates the community and diversity of Detroit. Spot Lite has become a sanctuary for creative minds and hosts a space where ideas can be shared
Tammy Lakkis
With a voice described by NPR as “sheepish soul” and a bold electroic production style, Tammy Lakkis is no stranger to holding nuance. Raised between Michigan and Ontario and currently based in Hamtramck, Michigan, the artist has carved a unique pathway for herself since the launch of her debut EP Notice, gaining traction throughout North America and beyond for her eclectic hardware live sets of genre-defying beats. With the titular single securing a spot on NPR’s “100 Best Songs of 2021” list, Notice–released through Shigeto’s Portage Garage Sounds label–is currently on its third vinyl pressing. Her music floats seamlessly between playful vocal house and more ferocious bass-heavy selections and often winks at her ancestral nostalgia for Arabic percussion and melodies.