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TZID:America/Detroit
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UID:36287@arabamerica.com
DTSTART;TZID=America/Detroit:20260517T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Detroit:20260517T220000
DTSTAMP:20260506T001032Z
URL:https://www.arabamerica.com/events/new-york-arab-american-comedy-festi
 val-presents-freedom-to-laugh/
SUMMARY:New York Arab American Comedy Festival presents Freedom to Laugh
DESCRIPTION:WASHINGTON\, DC\n\n\n\nThe legendary New York Arab American Com
 edy Festival is coming to our nation’s capitol Washington DC for one nig
 ht only\, May 17th at the Miracle Theater.\n\nCo-founded by Dean Obeidalla
 h and Maysoon Zayid in 2003 to combat the negative portrayals of Arabs and
  Muslims in media post 9/11. This mission is now more urgent than ever as 
 anti-Arab hate has been mainstreamed. Free speech is under siege\, yet the
 se Arab American comedians–many immigrants–remain fearless and funnier
  than ever.\n\n\n“Given the attacks on free speech and immigrants by the
  Trump regime\, we intentionally choose to perform the show in Washington\
 , D.C. as an act of defiance\,”  said co-founder Dean Obeidallah\, a l
 awyer-turned-comedian\, who hosts The Dean Obeidallah Show on SiriusXM ra
 dio and has appeared on Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil special\, ABC’s 
 The View as well as regularly on MSNOW. “And through this comedy show we
  can both celebrate our heritage and stand up for our freedoms-all while m
 aking people laugh\,” Obeidallah added.\nThe NYAACF’s May 17th lineup 
 at the Miracle Theater will bring together a dynamic mix of stand-up comi
 cs\, writers\, and rising stars from across the country to one of DC’s 
 most iconic stages.  In addition to Obeidallah and Zayid\, the line up in
 cludes Yasmin Elhady host of Hulu's Muslim Matchmaker who recently appea
 red on ABC’s The View\, Demetrius Fields who has more than 3.1 million
  followers on TikTok and Rola Z \, an artist-in-residence at the Atlas P
 erforming Arts Center and creator of Funny Arabs Show and more.\nNow in it
 s 23rd year\, the New York Arab American Comedy Festival remains a launch
 pad for talent and a beloved cultural institution\, drawing sold-out cro
 wds and fans from all backgrounds who come to laugh\, connect\, and celebr
 ate the power of comedy to bring people together.  The festival’s star-
 studded alumni include Ramy Youseff\, Mo Amer\, Bassem Youssef\, Sammy Obe
 id\, Omar Metwally and many who have gone on to appear on Netflix\, HBO\
 , and Comedy Central.\nThe show at the Miracle Theater will be accessible
  and will include ASL interpretation. Accessibility is a festival priority
  as is equal representation of women in what is usually a male-dominated i
 ndustry. Co-founder Maysoon Zayid — a Palestinian comedian\, best-sellin
 g author\, and disability rights advocate believes “This show is living 
 proof that Arab American stories are diverse\, hilarious\, and universal. 
 It’s about fun\, inclusion\, and incredible comedy. And you never know w
 hat future comedy superstar you will be seeing before they break out.”
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://www.arabamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2
 026/05/Screen-Shot-2026-05-05-at-19.59.41.png
LOCATION:The Miracle Theater\, 535 8th St SE\, Washington\, DC\, 20003\, Un
 ited States
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DTSTART:20260308T030000
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