Nai Barghouti Performs with National Arab Orchestra at the "Taking Back our Narrative" Event presented by Arab America Foundation and Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
WASHINGTON DC–January 25, 2023
The Arab America Foundation is excited to announce that Nai Barghouti, an Arab classic vocalist of Palestinian origin will perform as a featured artist with the National Arab Orchestra (NAO) on Friday, February 17, 2023, at 8:00 pm in the Eisenhower Theater at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Barghouti and the NAO’s performance is a collaboration with the Arab America Foundation and the Kennedy Center for a weekend-long event known as “Taking Back Our Narrative, which celebrates Arab culture, art, and music.
From her first professional concerts in Ramallah and Cairo at the age of 14 through her packed concerts in worldly theaters in Paris, New York, Amsterdam, London, Casablanca, Beirut, Amman, Kuwait, and Tunis, Nai Barghouti has been wowing audiences with her unique vocal and musical dexterity. Well-rooted in the Arab-near Eastern maqams and trained in classical western music and jazz, Nai has been praised by both Western and Arab music critics as a “classical diva.” Nai’s vocal technique stunningly evokes the qualities of three Arab legendary singers, the velvety depth of Asmahan, the powerful projection, range, and control of Umm Kulthum, and the unparalleled angelic and deeply emotive head resonance of Fairouz. Recognizing this, the renowned Egyptian Maestro Amir Abdel Megid wrote, “There is light in her voice.” After studying classical music and jazz vocal technique for two years at Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in the U.S., Nai moved to Amsterdam, where she was awarded both her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees with honors from the Conservatory of Amsterdam. There she explored the relationship between Arab Tarab music and Jazz and developed her unique singing technique called NaiStrumentation, a layered ornamental technique for using the voice as a musical instrument.
The Arab America Foundation (AAF) is a non-profit (501c3) educational and cultural organization. The mission of AAF is to promote the Arab heritage, empower and educate others about the Arab identity, connect Arab Americans, empower youth, and build coalitions with diverse organizations across the U.S.
February 17-19, 2023: “Taking Back Our Heritage” at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
The Arab America Foundation (AAF) and the Kennedy Center, Conflux Programming Initiative, present “Taking Back Our Narrative,” February 17-19, 2023. The initiative will celebrate Arab heritage and highlight the contributions of Arab Americans to America with performances, art, and film screenings.
Presented in collaboration with the Kennedy Center, Conflux Programming Initiative, “Taking Back Our Narrative” speaks to the fullness and diversity of the Arab American experience, values, and cultural landscape throughout the United States.
Artists performing at the event include the National Arab Orchestra on Friday, Arab pop vocalist, Emad Batayeh on Saturday, a short film festival on Sunday sponsored by the Arab Film and Media Institute, and an art exhibition curated by Arab American artist, Helen Zughaib throughout the weekend.
Tickets will be distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis in late January at this link. The reception is by invitation only.
For those traveling from out of town, the State Plaza Hotel has a discounted rate available at $175, Booking Code is 67A6UH. (January 20, 2023, Cut-Off Date)
Event Schedule:
Art Exhibit Curated by Helen Zughaib, All Weekend
Helen Zughaib is a painter and multimedia artist living in working in Washington, D.C. Her themes are centered around hopefulness, healing, and spirituality, using visual arts to shape and foster positive ideas about the Arab World. Her exhibit will be displayed in the Eisenhower Theater Display Case. She has also been selected for the 2021-2023 inaugural social practice residency by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.
Friday, February 17, 2023
5:30-7:30 pm
Special Kick-Off Reception, Taking Back Our Narrative” Sponsored by the Arab America Foundation
By Invitation Only, Includes Admission to NAO Concert
Join special guests of the Arab America Foundation, government officials, and sponsors, as we kick off this historic collaborative effort with the Kennedy F. Center for the Performing Arts, celebrating the diversity of the Arab American experience, values, and culture.
8:00 PM
The National Arab Orchestra at the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater
Featuring vocalists Nai Barghouti, Lubana Al-Quntar, and Usama Baalbaki under the direction of Maestro, Michael Ibrahim
Admission is Free to NAO Concert, First Come First Serve Basis, Tickets are Available Soon at this Link
Founded in 2009, the National Arab Orchestra, (NAO), a nonprofit, is dedicated to elevating and preserving Arab culture and musical traditions in the United States and beyond through performance, education, outreach, and collaboration. Under the leadership of founder and Music Director Michael Ibrahim, the NAO creates memorable, high-quality musical experiences that keep Arab culture alive and thriving. These concerts bring the beauty of Arab music to entirely new and diverse audiences.
This concert highlights some of the Arab world’s most treasured pieces of music with a performance that will showcase the rich beauty and diverse heritage of the Arab world, all brought to life by the National Arab Orchestra.
Saturday, February 18, 2023
6:00 PM
Arab Pop Vocalist, Emad Batayeh at the Millennium Stage Grand Foyer
Admission is Free, First Come First Serve, Tickets are Available Soon at this Link
Emad Batayeh is one of the leading Arabic vocalists in the United States. Batayeh is also a musician and producer. Born to a Jordanian family in Detroit, Emad inherited his musical talents from his parents who encouraged him from a young age to pursue music as a career. He became known as a musical genius as a kid. He now performs at Arab American cultural events across the U.S.
Sunday, February 19, 2023
3:00 PM
Arab Film & Media Institute Film Screening at the Justice Forum at the REACH
Admission is Free, Tickets are Available Soon at this Link
The Arab Film and Media Institute (AFMI) is a non-profit organization founded by the team behind the largest and oldest Arab Film Festival in North America. AFMI aims to be a complete ecosystem to find, nurture, and showcase Arab talent in the United States. Starting with organizing school screenings, and growing into offering filmmaker services and original programming, AFMI is the place for Arab cinema and its fans, and the home of the Arab Film Festival.
Admission is Free, Tickets are Available Soon at this Link
For Press Inquiries: Claire Boyle: cboyle@arabamerica.com
For sponsorship opportunities: Contact Warren David wdavid@arabamerica.com
For more information about the Arab America Foundation, please visit: Arab America Foundation
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