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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:20260506T160042Z
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:Use this special Arab America discount code to save $5 off admi
 ssion: NYAACF5\n\n\nWASHINGTON\, DC\n\n\n\nThe legendary New York Arab Ame
 rican Comedy Festival is coming to our nation’s capitol Washington DC fo
 r one night only\, May 17th at the Miracle Theater.\n\nCo-founded by Dean 
 Obeidallah 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 these Arab American comedians–many immigrants–remain fearless an
 d funnier than ever.\n\n\n“Given the attacks on free speech and immigran
 ts by the Trump regime\, we intentionally choose to perform the show in Wa
 shington\, D.C. as an act of defiance\,”  said co-founder Dean Obeidal
 lah\, a lawyer-turned-comedian\, who hosts The Dean Obeidallah Show on Si
 riusXM radio and has appeared on Comedy Central’s Axis of Evil special\,
  ABC’s The View as well as regularly on MSNOW. “And through this comed
 y show we can both celebrate our heritage and stand up for our freedoms-al
 l while making people laugh\,” Obeidallah added.\nThe NYAACF’s May 17t
 h lineup at the Miracle Theater will bring together a dynamic mix of stan
 d-up comics\, writers\, and rising stars from across the country to one o
 f DC’s most iconic stages.  In addition to Obeidallah and Zayid\, the l
 ine up includes Yasmin Elhady host of Hulu's Muslim Matchmaker who recen
 tly appeared 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 th
 e Atlas Performing Arts Center and creator of Funny Arabs Show and more.\n
 Now in its 23rd year\, the New York Arab American Comedy Festival remains 
 a launchpad for talent and a beloved cultural institution\, drawing sol
 d-out crowds and fans from all backgrounds who come to laugh\, connect\, a
 nd celebrate the power of comedy to bring people together.  The festival
 ’s star-studded alumni include Ramy Youseff\, Mo Amer\, Bassem Youssef\,
  Sammy Obeid\, Omar Metwally and many who have gone on to appear on Netfl
 ix\, HBO\, and Comedy Central.\nThe show at the Miracle Theater will be 
 accessible and will include ASL interpretation. Accessibility is a festiva
 l priority as is equal representation of women in what is usually a male-d
 ominated industry. Co-founder Maysoon Zayid — a Palestinian comedian\, b
 est-selling author\, and disability rights advocate believes “This show 
 is living proof that Arab American stories are diverse\, hilarious\, and u
 niversal. It’s about fun\, inclusion\, and incredible comedy. And you ne
 ver know what future comedy superstar you will be seeing before they break
  out.”
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 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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