Upcoming Events
Upcoming events.
Stay updated with the latest happenings and join us for an array of exciting events! From pop concerts, to stained glass exhibitions, to animation movie screenings, to murals Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture’s arts programming, community outreach programs, there's something for everyone. Check out our events calendar below to see what's coming up next!
Film Screening: Love Sick in the West Bank & Coyotes
Join us on Thursday, December 11 at 7 PM for a screening of Love Sick in the West Bank & Coyotes, the acclaimed 20-minute short film recently awarded Best Short at the BFI Film Festival.
About Love Sick in the West Bank
A Palestinian family hosts a young American tourist after a simple misunderstanding. But as chaos unfolds in their village, it doesn't take too long for them to become part of the absurd mayhem that immediately ensues.
About Coyotes
Set on a desolate night in the occupied West Bank, Coyotes follows young surgeon Lubna as an unexpected breakdown on a remote road leads to an unsettling encounter with a stranger. Blending thriller elements with sharp political insight, director Said Zagha offers a gripping look at autonomy, vulnerability, and the pressures facing Palestinians simply trying to live their lives. Inspired by real accounts, Coyotes reframes familiar narratives with complex characters and a tense, atmospheric unfolding that highlights the emotional and political landscape of the region.
The screening will be followed by a pre-recorded interview with the director of both films, Said Zagha and film critic, Joseph Fahim. Tickets are pay-as-you-wish, with a suggested donation of $10.
Holiday Souk Art Market
Join us for Al-Bustan’s 2nd Annual Holiday Souk on Sunday, December 14th, from 12-4pm. This will be the perfect opportunity to get your holiday gifts from local artists and makers!
A souk is a traditional market or bazaar commonly found in Middle Eastern and North African countries. Souks are often lively markets where vendors sell a wide range of goods, including textiles, spices, jewelry, handcrafted goods, food, and other items. These markets are central to cultural and social life, providing not only a place for shopping but also a hub for community interaction and cultural exchange.
Al-Bustan is so excited to bring this tradition to our community. Lets gather, support local artists + makers and promote cultural exchange!
Naomi Shihab Nye Award Ceremony
painting by Helen Zughaib
Join Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture (located at 310 W Master St) on January 6th, 2026 at 12 PM via Zoom to celebrate the winners of the 2025 Naomi Shihab Nye Prize, honoring Arab American and Arab Canadian voices in middle-grade fiction!
Our First Place winner, Salam Zahr, will share from The Serious Life of Talia Khalil, and Second Place winner, Rym Tina Hickey, will read from Haunted. The event will also feature a special reading by Naomi Shihab Nye herself, the renowned poet for whom the prize is named.
These readings showcase captivating stories for young readers ages 8-12, but adults will also find plenty of inspiration in these beautifully crafted words. Tickets are pay as you wish! Use the button below to RSVP.
Illumination Workshop Series
Illumination Workshop Series with Ayse Tunc
Wednesday, 6–8 PM | Jan 7 - Jan 28
at Al-Bustan (310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for a four-part Illumination Workshop Series led by artist Ayse Tunc. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll discover the beauty of Islamic Illumination, also known as Tazhib. Learn the basic principles and techniques of this magnificent art form, with each session building upon the last.
Tazhib is a traditional art form characterized by intricate patterns and motifs, often featuring floral and geometric designs. Originating from Persian/Turkish and Islamic artistic traditions, it is typically used to adorn manuscripts, religious texts, and architectural elements. Tazhib is distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant colors made from natural materials, and delicate gold embellishments, symbolizing both spiritual depth and artistic refinement.
Cost: $240; The teacher will supply materials for the class at an additional cost of $30 (due the first day of series).
Register through the button below! Questions? Email marketing@albustanseeds.org.
About the instructor:
Ayşe Tunc is a Turkish artist specializing in Tazhib (Islamic illumination), Persian/Ottoman miniature, and Islamic tile art. Born in Sivas, Turkey, she spent over a decade in Konya, a city renowned for its rich Islamic heritage, which profoundly influenced her artistic development. She earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees in Traditional Turkish Arts from Seljuk University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Konya, with a specialization in Tazhib and miniature. She later taught courses at the same university in Pattern Design for Tazhib and Tile Design. She received her traditional Tazhib ijazah in 2014.
In 2018, Ayşe relocated to Philadelphia, USA, where she continues to practice her art, deeply rooted in traditional techniques such as classical Tazhib, Halkâr (delicate shading), and Çift Tahrir (double outlining). Her work is characterized by the use of organic materials, such as handmade papers, natural pigments, and gold leaf, and reflects the intricate beauty of geometric and floral motifs inherent in Islamic art.
She creates artworks in various mediums, including paper, ceramics, and textiles. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, and she has presented her scholarly work at symposia. Her art has been featured on book covers, TV series, and she has completed several commissioned pieces, offering a refined perspective on classical Islamic art forms. Ayşe is a mother of two daughters. She draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and personal experiences.
2nd Thursday Extended Gallery Hours + Book Signing with Helen Zughaib
Closing Reception & Book Signing: Stories My Father Told Me with Helen Zughaib
Join us for the closing reception of Stories My Father Told Me, featuring artist and author Helen Zughaib. This special evening will celebrate the exhibition’s final day and the release of Zughaib’s accompanying book, which brings her vibrant gouache and ink paintings to life alongside the stories her father shared about his youth in Damascus, village life in Lebanon in the 1930s, and his journey to America after World War II.
Helen will be present to discuss her work, share insights into her creative process, and sign copies of her book (which will be available for purchase!). RSVP through the button below.
Illumination Workshop Series
Illumination Workshop Series with Ayse Tunc
Wednesday, 6–8 PM | Jan 7 - Jan 28
at Al-Bustan (310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for a four-part Illumination Workshop Series led by artist Ayse Tunc. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll discover the beauty of Islamic Illumination, also known as Tazhib. Learn the basic principles and techniques of this magnificent art form, with each session building upon the last.
Tazhib is a traditional art form characterized by intricate patterns and motifs, often featuring floral and geometric designs. Originating from Persian/Turkish and Islamic artistic traditions, it is typically used to adorn manuscripts, religious texts, and architectural elements. Tazhib is distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant colors made from natural materials, and delicate gold embellishments, symbolizing both spiritual depth and artistic refinement.
Cost: $240; The teacher will supply materials for the class at an additional cost of $30 (due the first day of series).
Register through the button below! Questions? Email marketing@albustanseeds.org.
About the instructor:
Ayşe Tunc is a Turkish artist specializing in Tazhib (Islamic illumination), Persian/Ottoman miniature, and Islamic tile art. Born in Sivas, Turkey, she spent over a decade in Konya, a city renowned for its rich Islamic heritage, which profoundly influenced her artistic development. She earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees in Traditional Turkish Arts from Seljuk University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Konya, with a specialization in Tazhib and miniature. She later taught courses at the same university in Pattern Design for Tazhib and Tile Design. She received her traditional Tazhib ijazah in 2014.
In 2018, Ayşe relocated to Philadelphia, USA, where she continues to practice her art, deeply rooted in traditional techniques such as classical Tazhib, Halkâr (delicate shading), and Çift Tahrir (double outlining). Her work is characterized by the use of organic materials, such as handmade papers, natural pigments, and gold leaf, and reflects the intricate beauty of geometric and floral motifs inherent in Islamic art.
She creates artworks in various mediums, including paper, ceramics, and textiles. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, and she has presented her scholarly work at symposia. Her art has been featured on book covers, TV series, and she has completed several commissioned pieces, offering a refined perspective on classical Islamic art forms. Ayşe is a mother of two daughters. She draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Illumination Workshop Series
Illumination Workshop Series with Ayse Tunc
Wednesday, 6–8 PM | Jan 7 - Jan 28
at Al-Bustan (310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for a four-part Illumination Workshop Series led by artist Ayse Tunc. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll discover the beauty of Islamic Illumination, also known as Tazhib. Learn the basic principles and techniques of this magnificent art form, with each session building upon the last.
Tazhib is a traditional art form characterized by intricate patterns and motifs, often featuring floral and geometric designs. Originating from Persian/Turkish and Islamic artistic traditions, it is typically used to adorn manuscripts, religious texts, and architectural elements. Tazhib is distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant colors made from natural materials, and delicate gold embellishments, symbolizing both spiritual depth and artistic refinement.
Cost: $240; The teacher will supply materials for the class at an additional cost of $30 (due the first day of series).
Register through the button below! Questions? Email marketing@albustanseeds.org.
About the instructor:
Ayşe Tunc is a Turkish artist specializing in Tazhib (Islamic illumination), Persian/Ottoman miniature, and Islamic tile art. Born in Sivas, Turkey, she spent over a decade in Konya, a city renowned for its rich Islamic heritage, which profoundly influenced her artistic development. She earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees in Traditional Turkish Arts from Seljuk University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Konya, with a specialization in Tazhib and miniature. She later taught courses at the same university in Pattern Design for Tazhib and Tile Design. She received her traditional Tazhib ijazah in 2014.
In 2018, Ayşe relocated to Philadelphia, USA, where she continues to practice her art, deeply rooted in traditional techniques such as classical Tazhib, Halkâr (delicate shading), and Çift Tahrir (double outlining). Her work is characterized by the use of organic materials, such as handmade papers, natural pigments, and gold leaf, and reflects the intricate beauty of geometric and floral motifs inherent in Islamic art.
She creates artworks in various mediums, including paper, ceramics, and textiles. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, and she has presented her scholarly work at symposia. Her art has been featured on book covers, TV series, and she has completed several commissioned pieces, offering a refined perspective on classical Islamic art forms. Ayşe is a mother of two daughters. She draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Illumination Workshop Series
Illumination Workshop Series with Ayse Tunc
Wednesday, 6–8 PM | Jan 7 - Jan 28
at Al-Bustan (310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for a four-part Illumination Workshop Series led by artist Ayse Tunc. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll discover the beauty of Islamic Illumination, also known as Tazhib. Learn the basic principles and techniques of this magnificent art form, with each session building upon the last.
Tazhib is a traditional art form characterized by intricate patterns and motifs, often featuring floral and geometric designs. Originating from Persian/Turkish and Islamic artistic traditions, it is typically used to adorn manuscripts, religious texts, and architectural elements. Tazhib is distinguished by its meticulous craftsmanship, vibrant colors made from natural materials, and delicate gold embellishments, symbolizing both spiritual depth and artistic refinement.
Cost: $240; The teacher will supply materials for the class at an additional cost of $30 (due the first day of series).
Register through the button below! Questions? Email marketing@albustanseeds.org.
About the instructor:
Ayşe Tunc is a Turkish artist specializing in Tazhib (Islamic illumination), Persian/Ottoman miniature, and Islamic tile art. Born in Sivas, Turkey, she spent over a decade in Konya, a city renowned for its rich Islamic heritage, which profoundly influenced her artistic development. She earned both her undergraduate and master's degrees in Traditional Turkish Arts from Seljuk University's Faculty of Fine Arts in Konya, with a specialization in Tazhib and miniature. She later taught courses at the same university in Pattern Design for Tazhib and Tile Design. She received her traditional Tazhib ijazah in 2014.
In 2018, Ayşe relocated to Philadelphia, USA, where she continues to practice her art, deeply rooted in traditional techniques such as classical Tazhib, Halkâr (delicate shading), and Çift Tahrir (double outlining). Her work is characterized by the use of organic materials, such as handmade papers, natural pigments, and gold leaf, and reflects the intricate beauty of geometric and floral motifs inherent in Islamic art.
She creates artworks in various mediums, including paper, ceramics, and textiles. Her works have been showcased in numerous exhibitions, and she has presented her scholarly work at symposia. Her art has been featured on book covers, TV series, and she has completed several commissioned pieces, offering a refined perspective on classical Islamic art forms. Ayşe is a mother of two daughters. She draws inspiration from both her cultural heritage and personal experiences.
Calligraphy Workshop Series
Calligraphy Workshop Series with Meryem Osmanlioglu
Mondays, 6–8 PM | Nov 24 – Dec 15
at Al-Bustan (310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA)
Join us for a four-part Calligraphy Workshop Series led by artist Meryem Osmanlioglu. Over the course of four weeks, you’ll develop your technique and understanding of Arabic calligraphy, with each session building on the last. All materials are provided!
Cost: $240; The teacher will supply materials for the class at an additional cost (due the first day of series).
Register through the button below! Questions? Email marketing@albustanseeds.org.
About the instructor:
Hailing from Konya, Turkey, the capital of Seljuks, Meryem was brought up in an environment surrounded by Seljuk architectural marvels, which inspired her with rich cultural heritage. She received her bachelors of fine arts degree in Traditional Turkish Arts, where she started her traditional calligraphy (hat) education with late master Prof. Dr. Fevzi Gunuc. She holds a master of arts degree in traditional Turkish arts. She also studied manuscript restoration in the historical library of Suleyman the Magnificent in Istanbul, which holds a great amount of precious manuscript books that keeps inspiring her to this day. She continued her calligraphy education outside of academia as well and received her traditional ijazah in thuluth from Dr. Gunuc in 2014. Afterwards, she continued taking calligraphy lessons from the master Ustadh Huseyin Kutlu. In addition to thuluth, she began studying Maqili- Kufi style, which is one of the earliest forms of Islamic calligraphy, under the guidance of master Gulnihal Gul Mamat. A new page opened in her life as she moved from Rumi’s city of love Konya to the city of brotherly love Philadelphia. Therein, she dedicated herself to producing artwork and increasing the visibility of Islamic arts in the United States.Meryem considers Islamic Calligraphy as an art that is intertwined with the Quran. Drawing inspiration from pain, joy, hope and sense of justice that she experiences in her own life and observes in those around her, she takes her quest in art as remembering and reminding people their Creator and the path that He has laid down to humanity in His Divine Speech.
Opening Reception of “Stories My Father Told Me” by Helen Zughaib
Opening Reception of “Stories My Father Told Me” by Helen Zughaib
Thursday, November 13, 6 - 9 PM
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture Gallery
310 W Master St Philadelphia, PA
In every family, there is a storyteller, a hakawati, who holds the power to turn memory into legacy. For the Helen Zghaib and their siblings, that storyteller was their father. Each evening, as the clatter of dinner faded, his voice would rise to fill the room: “Let me tell you a story.” What followed were tales of his childhood in Damascus, his youth in Lebanon, and the moments that eventually led him to immigrate to America in 1946.
The twenty-five paintings in this exhibition correspond to twenty-five of his stories. They capture scenes of village life, lessons in morality, and the rhythms of family, tradition, and migration. Through these works, the artist weaves together personal and collective memory. Their father’s past, their own childhood, and the broader Lebanese and Syrian heritage that shapes both.
Though rooted in one family’s narrative, these paintings speak to something universal: the way stories connect us across time and place. They invite viewers to recall their own storytellers, to hear echoes of familiar voices, and to find themselves within the shared fabric of memory and belonging.
Afternoon Concert with Amanda Ekery
Live Performance by Amanda Ekery
Join Al-Bustan for a community gathering of live music and togetherness. The Árabe Mahrajan is built around the album release and live performance of Amanda Ekery and her touring musicians. Ekery is a vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer with roots in Syria and Mexico, her work explores the shared history and culture of her heritage. Árabe contains original songs and accompanying essays written by Amanda with the stories and history behind each track, covering everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes to immigration law, biracial identity, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights.
Joining us for the Songwriting Workshop with Amanda on 10/24 will come with free admission to the concert. Tickets are pay-as-you-wish with a suggested donation of $30.
About the Artist
Multi-instrumentalist, vocalist, and composer Amanda Ekery creates music filled with imagery and strong narratives. Her work has earned support from the Jerome Foundation, Chamber Music America, and New Music USA, has been featured at the Portland Jazz Festival, Panama Jazz Festival, and The Kennedy Center, and spans Off-Broadway theater, film, and multiple studio recordings. Árabe is Amanda’s latest release about Syrian and Mexican shared history and culture featuring 12 original songs and accompanying essays in an art book with the history and stories behind each track. She is on faculty at The New School and Fordham University, and was awarded the 2022 Jazz Hero Award from the Jazz Journalist Association for her dedication to gender equity work with El Paso Jazz Girls, a nonprofit organization Amanda founded and runs in her hometown. Learn more at aekerymusic.com.
Thank you to Penn Treaty Special Services District for the support in making this event possible.
Songwriting Workshop with Amanda Ekery
Songwriting Workshop with Amanda Ekery
Join vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, and composer Amanda Ekery and her band for a songwriting workshop! This songwriting workshop will focus on using research and personal history to write music using techniques Ekery used to write Árabe, her new album. Árabe is about Syrian and Mexican shared culture and history, and covers everything from food, gambling, and evil eyes, to immigration law, biracial identity, and the fraught relationship between immigrant entrepreneurship and workers’ rights. Participants will leave the workshop with a short song they have created, along with tools and tips to continue songwriting.
Tickets are $30 and include complimentary admission to Amanda Ekery’s concert the following day.
FAQs
I have never written a song before, can I come?
Yes! No previous musical experience is required. We will be focusing on lyric writing, learning song forms, and pairing your words to music together.I have musical experience, is this for me?
Yes, please bring your expertise to share with the group. If you play an instrument, you are welcome to bring it to serve as your accompaniment and can play for others if interested as well.Age requirement?
This is for people of all ages!What do I need to bring?
Please bring something to write with and on, this could be a journal or spiral notebook or loose paper to keep track of your ideas. Being willing to experiment, to be vulnerable, and to be respectful of the creative process for yourself and others is also needed.
Thank you to Penn Treaty Special Services District for the support in making this event possible.
Anatomy of Grief Art Auction
Join us for an afternoon of immersion in Tremain Smith's art, Salma
Abu-Ouf's poetry, followed by a live auction on some of her most
cherished pieces on October 19th, 12pm-3pm.
All proceeds from the auction will be in donation to Healing Hands Fund,
a small nonprofit who is dedicated to supporting medical professionals
going to Gaza with medical supplies and overseeing the clinical arm of
the Prosthetics for Palestine program.
For those who will not be available for the Live Auction, there will be
an Online Auction for some of Tremain's work.
Online Auction Opens: October 9th, 2025 and Ends November 7th. 2025.
Live Auction Works on Panel (only available in-person 10/19):
Live Auction Works on Paper (only available in-person 10/19):
Online Auction Works on Panel:
Online Auction Works on Paper:
Mano a Mano, Corazón a Corazón ("Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart")
Mano a Mano, Corazón a Corazón
("Hand to Hand, Heart to Heart")
Fundraiser for Gaza Soup Kitchen
October 14th, 7 PM
Fringe Arts
140 N Christopher Columbus Blvd. Philadelphia, PA 19106
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music, community, and solidarity. Three incredible ensembles — De Tierra Caliente, Los Guachinangos, and Suena Cimarrón — will take us on a vibrant journey through the rhythms and traditions of Latin America.
All proceeds from the event will directly benefit Gaza Soup Kitchen, which supports families with daily meals, food parcels, and vital relief programs in Gaza.
Come celebrate music, resilience, and the power of standing together — hand to hand, heart to heart.
Virtual Arabic Fall 2025 Course Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Fall 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Curious about learning Arabic this Fall? On Monday Octber 6th, from 6-7 PM and Friday October 10th, 6-7 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Fall 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for you.
Register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
Opening Reception of “Anatomy of Grief” by Tremain Smith
Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture is pleased to present the opening reception of "Anatomy of Grief: An Exhibition Fundraiser for Relief in Palestine" by Tremain Smith.
Thursday, Oct 9 · 6–9 PM
Al-Bustan · 310 W Master St, Philadelphia
Tremain Smith, an acclaimed Philadelphia artist whose work is part of the permanent collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and major institutions across the country, is dedicating an exhibition to relief in Palestine. Hosted at Al-Bustan, the opening reception will offer collectors and community members a rare opportunity to purchase her artwork in direct support of those most in need. Every sale goes entirely to Healing Hands Fund, which provides urgent aid in Palestine. By acquiring Smith’s art, you are not only adding an extraordinary work to your collection but also standing in solidarity with Palestine at a time when that support matters most.
Virtual Arabic Fall 2025 Course Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Fall 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Curious about learning Arabic this Fall? On Monday Octber 6th, from 6-7 PM and Friday October 10th, 6-7 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Fall 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for you.
Register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
Firah Siraj Live in Concert
An Evening with Farah Siraj & Ensemble
Join us for an unforgettable evening of music with internationally acclaimed Jordanian vocalist Farah Siraj and her ensemble. This special performance will bring together music, community, and solidarity in support of humanitarian work in Gaza and Palestine.
After expenses, all proceeds will be donated to:
Playgrounds for Palestine (currently focused on humanitarian work in Gaza)
Palestine Children’s Relief Fund
We Are Not Numbers
Special Guest:
We are honored to welcome Susan Abulhawa, founder of Playgrounds for Palestine, who will join us for the evening.
Additional Offerings:
Books for Sale: Mavey Books will have titles available for purchase on-site, including We Are Not Numbers (available for preorder here). Mavey Books is generously donating 15% of all sales—both at the concert and from preorders—to the evening’s beneficiaries.
Olive Oil: Purchase high-quality Palestinian olive oil from Playgrounds for Palestine.
Co-Sponsors:
CAIR, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture, and Jewish Voice for Peace – Philadelphia.
Questions? Email voicesfromtheheart@aol.com
About Farah Siraj
Named Jordan’s Musical Ambassadress, Jordanian virtuoso Farah Siraj balances a career that spans the United States, Europe and the Middle East. Farah has performed at some of the world’s most prestigious platforms, including the United Nations, Nobel Prize Hall, the World Economic Forum, The John F. Kennedy Center in Washington DC, Lincoln Center in New York, MTV, Coke Studio, the TV show Good Morning Live in the USA and MBC TV in the Middle East. Additionally, Farah represents Jordan annually at the United Nations’ World Peace Day.
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. In recognition of her humanitarian efforts, Farah was invited to perform at the United Nations Humanitarian Awards, and her music was played before the United Nations Security Council before passing legislation regarding the genocide in Darfur. Farah approaches music as a medium for peace and a way to amplify the voices of people around the world who need to be heard.
To this date, Farah has toured the Middle East, Europe, India, South America, and the United States, spreading the message of peace through her music. In 2011, Farah internationally released her album entitled NOMAD, performing her original compositions, fusing influences of Arabic music, flamenco, jazz, bossa, and pop, with lyrics in Arabic, Spanish, and English. The recordings took place in the Middle East, Spain, and the USA, including more than 30 internationally acclaimed musicians from five different continents. After the success of NOMAD, Farah presented the world premiere of her new work, entitled The Arabian Jazz Project, featuring original compositions and traditional Middle Eastern tunes set in a jazz context. As a result of the success of The Arabian Jazz Project, Farah was chosen as one of New York’s “Summer Stars of Jazz” and named “the Norah Jones of the Middle East” by New York Time Out.
In June 2014, Farah released her album, Dunya, meaning “world” in Arabic and Hindi. Farah currently leads an ethnically diverse quintet of world-class musicians from the Middle East, Europe, the United States and South America, including music from all four regions. Farah and her band have toured the Middle East, India, Europe, the United States, and South America with sold-out concerts in all four regions. During her tour of India, Farah shared the stage with India’s most renowned composer, A.R. Rahman, performing Zariya live on MTV. The song hit #1 on the music charts in India and the Middle East.
This year, Farah has performed in communities across Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Iowa and Illinois as part of a special project organized by Arts Midwest to promote cultural understanding through music. This November, she will be releasing her next album, Alam Majnoon, which means “Crazy World.” Farah is pleased to support Palestine Children’s Relief Fund, Playgrounds for Palestine, and We Are Not Numbers through this special event.
Al-Bustan News Focus Group
Help Shape the Stories that Matter to You
Join Al-Bustan News Service for a two-hour focus group to help guide our coverage of hyper-local news. Selected participants will have a meaningful opportunity to shape the stories we tell, ensuring our reporting reflects the needs, concerns, and voices of our community.
As a thank you, participants will receive a gift card for contributing their time. To take part, fill out the short survey through the button below.
Kan Yama Kan Storytime
Kan Yama Kan Storytime with Ms. Dina
Sunday, September 28th 10 AM - 12 PM
310 W Master St, Philadelphia PA 19122
Join us for another gathering of Kan Yama Kan (Once Upon a Time), our bilingual storytime series with Ms. Dina! Each session features a different children’s book by an Arab author, shared in both Arabic and English. First, Ms. Dina will bring the story to life through a reading. Then, together, we will revisit key words from the book to practice Arabic.
This event is designed for children and families curious about stories from the Arab world and excited to learn or practice Arabic in a fun, engaging way.
Tickets are pay-as-you-wish (suggested donation: $10).
Imal Gnawa Live in Concert
Imal Gnawa Live in Concert
Sunday September 21, 2025 l 8 PM
Maas Building
1325 N Randolph St, Philadelphia PA 19122
Presented by Fire Museum and Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture
Imal Gnawa stands at the intersection of traditions rooted in the deep spiritual and rhythmic legacy of Moroccan Gnawa music and bold futurism. Imal Gnawa seeks to weave together ritualistic trance acoustic elements with futuristic aesthetics, creating a soundscape that is as timeless as it is avant-garde.
At the core of this music lies an intricate fusion, where the talents of Eilon Elikam, Andrew Fox and Atlas Phoenix weave together the organic warmth of acoustic instruments with the realms of electronic sounds. Together, they create a dialogue between the ancient and the modern, a conversation that pays tribute to the past while daring to push its boundaries forward. In their hands, music becomes not just an art form, but a living force—one that bridges cultures, transforms hearts, and affirms the universal power of sound to connect and heal.
Their debut E.P, Twilight Prophecy, serves as a manifesto of this vision. It captures the hypnotic groove and spiritual depth of Gnawa music, electronic textures, and a fearless approach to experimentation. The album’s compositions move between meditative trance states and electrifying swellings, inviting listeners into a ceremonial space that transcends time and place. Imal Gnawa is a living experiment, a celebration of cultural exchange, and a commitment to the transformative power of music.
accessibility: space is on the second floor up a flight of stairs.
This event supported by a sponsorship grant from the Penn Treaty Special Services District
El Funoun Palestine Dance Troupe Dabke Workshop
Dancers from El-Funoun will be touring the United States in August 2025 to carry out a series of dabke workshops for beginners and advanced dancers. These gatherings promise to provide an inspiring opportunity for participants to learn more about Palestinian dabke, develop dabke skills, and make connections with community members. Further, they will support the work of a vital Palestinian cultural institution to remain steadfast in the face of overwhelming attempts by Israel to silence, suppress and erase Palestinian society and culture.
More about learning Dabke with El-Funoun
Interested in learning traditional Palestinian dabke. Join dancer / trainer from the premiere dance troupe in Palestine. Watch demonstrations of El-Funoun's dabke style and dance school of thought and learn the basic steps to traditional Palestinian dances. The interactive training workshop will provide participants the opportunity to explore
the role of dabke in shaping Palestinian identity and culture.
dance steps and sequences that comprise traditional Palestinian dabke Tayara.
improvisation of the laweeh, the principle dancer who leads the dabke circle.
INFO ABOUT EL-FUNOUN
Widely considered the lead Palestinian dance company in Palestine and the diaspora, El-Funoun was established in 1979 by a small group of enthusiastic, creative and committed artists. The Troupe has developed an innovative style of dance deeply-rooted in Palestinian and Arab folklore and informed by elements of contemporary dance movement. The Troupe’s repertoire includes 16 major dance productions and over 1,500 performances throughout historic Palestine, regionally, and internationally. In Palestine, El-Funoun has developed a school for contemporary Palestinian dance, training hundreds annually. It has carried out dabke workshops throughout the West Bank, in the Arab world and internationally.
Sustained almost entirely by volunteers for decades, El-Funoun is a non-profit dance company with close to 300 members. El-Funoun’s mission is to revive and innovate Palestinian music, song and dance. Recognizing culture as a tool of and for resistance, El-Funoun challenges the complicity of international aid agencies in the oppression of Palestinians by refusing politically conditioned funding from agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working toward becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and workshops.
El-Funoun is a non-profit, almost fully volunteer based dance company with 267 members. Committed to its core principles of cultural resistance, El-Funoun has continuously refused to accept conditional funding from international aid agencies. During the current genocidal attack on Gaza, El-Funoun has refused funding from international aid agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working towards becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and dance training workshops.
MEET THE EL-FUNOUN INSTRUCTORS
Noora Baker
Noora Baker is a director, choreographer, and trainer and has been a member of El-Funoun since 1987, when she joined its youth troupe, Barem. Noora is currently El-Funoun’s head of production, choreographing and directing various projects, and she co-directed its most recent production, Asheera. She is also an international performer and maker, and has worked collaboratively with artists such as Yoshiko Chuma and André Gingras.
Noora is a co-founder and member of CACTUS performance art collective and has worked on several projects regionally and internationally. She is a lecturer in the College of Arts, Music and Design at Birzeit University. She received an MA in performance making from Goldsmiths University of London and a BA in business administration from Birzeit University.
Samer Karajah
Samer Karajah started his dance career with the Handala Dabke Troupe in the village of Saffa before becoming a member of El-Funoun in 2010. Samer is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers in the Troupe. He has co-choreographed El-Funoun’s The Rooster, Asheera, and its upcoming production Zaff. He has also conducted a number of dabke workshops in Palestine and internationally.
Samer holds a BA in Business Administration from Birzeit University in Palestine. In addition to his work with El-Funoun, he is a co-owner of a restaurant, an entrepreneur, and a farmer. He is inspired as an artist by developing dance informed by natural movements found in everyday life.
El Funoun Palestine Dance Troupe Dabke Workshop
Dancers from El-Funoun will be touring the United States in August 2025 to carry out a series of dabke workshops for beginners and advanced dancers. These gatherings promise to provide an inspiring opportunity for participants to learn more about Palestinian dabke, develop dabke skills, and make connections with community members. Further, they will support the work of a vital Palestinian cultural institution to remain steadfast in the face of overwhelming attempts by Israel to silence, suppress and erase Palestinian society and culture.
More about learning Dabke with El-Funoun
Interested in learning traditional Palestinian dabke. Join dancer / trainer from the premiere dance troupe in Palestine. Watch demonstrations of El-Funoun's dabke style and dance school of thought and learn the basic steps to traditional Palestinian dances. The interactive training workshop will provide participants the opportunity to explore
the role of dabke in shaping Palestinian identity and culture.
dance steps and sequences that comprise traditional Palestinian dabke Tayara.
improvisation of the laweeh, the principle dancer who leads the dabke circle.
INFO ABOUT EL-FUNOUN
Widely considered the lead Palestinian dance company in Palestine and the diaspora, El-Funoun was established in 1979 by a small group of enthusiastic, creative and committed artists. The Troupe has developed an innovative style of dance deeply-rooted in Palestinian and Arab folklore and informed by elements of contemporary dance movement. The Troupe’s repertoire includes 16 major dance productions and over 1,500 performances throughout historic Palestine, regionally, and internationally. In Palestine, El-Funoun has developed a school for contemporary Palestinian dance, training hundreds annually. It has carried out dabke workshops throughout the West Bank, in the Arab world and internationally.
Sustained almost entirely by volunteers for decades, El-Funoun is a non-profit dance company with close to 300 members. El-Funoun’s mission is to revive and innovate Palestinian music, song and dance. Recognizing culture as a tool of and for resistance, El-Funoun challenges the complicity of international aid agencies in the oppression of Palestinians by refusing politically conditioned funding from agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working toward becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and workshops.
El-Funoun is a non-profit, almost fully volunteer based dance company with 267 members. Committed to its core principles of cultural resistance, El-Funoun has continuously refused to accept conditional funding from international aid agencies. During the current genocidal attack on Gaza, El-Funoun has refused funding from international aid agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working towards becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and dance training workshops.
MEET THE EL-FUNOUN INSTRUCTORS
Noora Baker
Noora Baker is a director, choreographer, and trainer and has been a member of El-Funoun since 1987, when she joined its youth troupe, Barem. Noora is currently El-Funoun’s head of production, choreographing and directing various projects, and she co-directed its most recent production, Asheera. She is also an international performer and maker, and has worked collaboratively with artists such as Yoshiko Chuma and André Gingras.
Noora is a co-founder and member of CACTUS performance art collective and has worked on several projects regionally and internationally. She is a lecturer in the College of Arts, Music and Design at Birzeit University. She received an MA in performance making from Goldsmiths University of London and a BA in business administration from Birzeit University.
Samer Karajah
Samer Karajah started his dance career with the Handala Dabke Troupe in the village of Saffa before becoming a member of El-Funoun in 2010. Samer is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers in the Troupe. He has co-choreographed El-Funoun’s The Rooster, Asheera, and its upcoming production Zaff. He has also conducted a number of dabke workshops in Palestine and internationally.
Samer holds a BA in Business Administration from Birzeit University in Palestine. In addition to his work with El-Funoun, he is a co-owner of a restaurant, an entrepreneur, and a farmer. He is inspired as an artist by developing dance informed by natural movements found in everyday life.
El Funoun Palestine Dance Troupe Dabke Workshop
Dancers from El-Funoun will be touring the United States in August 2025 to carry out a series of dabke workshops for beginners and advanced dancers. These gatherings promise to provide an inspiring opportunity for participants to learn more about Palestinian dabke, develop dabke skills, and make connections with community members. Further, they will support the work of a vital Palestinian cultural institution to remain steadfast in the face of overwhelming attempts by Israel to silence, suppress and erase Palestinian society and culture.
More about learning Dabke with El-Funoun
Interested in learning traditional Palestinian dabke. Join dancer / trainer from the premiere dance troupe in Palestine. Watch demonstrations of El-Funoun's dabke style and dance school of thought and learn the basic steps to traditional Palestinian dances. The interactive training workshop will provide participants the opportunity to explore
the role of dabke in shaping Palestinian identity and culture.
dance steps and sequences that comprise traditional Palestinian dabke Tayara.
improvisation of the laweeh, the principle dancer who leads the dabke circle.
INFO ABOUT EL-FUNOUN
Widely considered the lead Palestinian dance company in Palestine and the diaspora, El-Funoun was established in 1979 by a small group of enthusiastic, creative and committed artists. The Troupe has developed an innovative style of dance deeply-rooted in Palestinian and Arab folklore and informed by elements of contemporary dance movement. The Troupe’s repertoire includes 16 major dance productions and over 1,500 performances throughout historic Palestine, regionally, and internationally. In Palestine, El-Funoun has developed a school for contemporary Palestinian dance, training hundreds annually. It has carried out dabke workshops throughout the West Bank, in the Arab world and internationally.
Sustained almost entirely by volunteers for decades, El-Funoun is a non-profit dance company with close to 300 members. El-Funoun’s mission is to revive and innovate Palestinian music, song and dance. Recognizing culture as a tool of and for resistance, El-Funoun challenges the complicity of international aid agencies in the oppression of Palestinians by refusing politically conditioned funding from agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working toward becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and workshops.
El-Funoun is a non-profit, almost fully volunteer based dance company with 267 members. Committed to its core principles of cultural resistance, El-Funoun has continuously refused to accept conditional funding from international aid agencies. During the current genocidal attack on Gaza, El-Funoun has refused funding from international aid agencies that have failed to call for a ceasefire. The dance company is working towards becoming fully self-sufficient by raising funds through its dance productions and dance training workshops.
MEET THE EL-FUNOUN INSTRUCTORS
Noora Baker
Noora Baker is a director, choreographer, and trainer and has been a member of El-Funoun since 1987, when she joined its youth troupe, Barem. Noora is currently El-Funoun’s head of production, choreographing and directing various projects, and she co-directed its most recent production, Asheera. She is also an international performer and maker, and has worked collaboratively with artists such as Yoshiko Chuma and André Gingras.
Noora is a co-founder and member of CACTUS performance art collective and has worked on several projects regionally and internationally. She is a lecturer in the College of Arts, Music and Design at Birzeit University. She received an MA in performance making from Goldsmiths University of London and a BA in business administration from Birzeit University.
Samer Karajah
Samer Karajah started his dance career with the Handala Dabke Troupe in the village of Saffa before becoming a member of El-Funoun in 2010. Samer is one of the principal dancers, instructors and choreographers in the Troupe. He has co-choreographed El-Funoun’s The Rooster, Asheera, and its upcoming production Zaff. He has also conducted a number of dabke workshops in Palestine and internationally.
Samer holds a BA in Business Administration from Birzeit University in Palestine. In addition to his work with El-Funoun, he is a co-owner of a restaurant, an entrepreneur, and a farmer. He is inspired as an artist by developing dance informed by natural movements found in everyday life.
Acts of Resistance
Acts of Resistance
at Vox Populi + Hall Pass
319 N 11th St. Floor 3
Acts of Resistance is a fundraising event aiming to provide urgent relief to Palestinians on the ground in Gaza and also to bring together Philly artists in pursuit of Palestinian liberation. The event will comprise of a reading of three resistance-themed pieces by local Philly writers, followed by a group discussion (ticketed), and part community art market (non-ticketed).
You can secure your seat at the reading by purchasing tickets here, though limited tickets will also be available at the door.
The art market will be open for the entirety of the event and all art will be for sale, with all proceeds going to Gaza Soup Kitchen.
Kids Virtual Arabic Fall ‘25 Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Fall 2025 Kids Arabic Course.
Curious about our Kids Arabic Program? On August 15th from 4:30 - 5 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Fall 2025 Kids Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for your child.
Attendance is $10, register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
Kids Virtual Arabic Fall ‘25 Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Fall 2025 Kids Arabic Course.
Curious about our Kids Arabic Program? On August 8th from 6 - 6:30 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Fall 2025 Kids Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for your child.
Attendance is $10, register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
PRINT TIME Workshop: Zine Forest with Rayhan Blankinship
PRINT TIME Workshop: Zine Forest with Rayhan Blankinship
Enter into the dense, leafy and wild world of zines: In this workshop you'll learn a brief history of zines, then play an exquisite corpse style comics game. Participants will also have the opportunity to create their own 8 page mini zine about a topic of their choosing; for example, a niche interest or a short story. We will go over how to make a 2-color 2-layer print on a classic printer used for zines, the mighty Riso. Participants will leave with their own zine!
Open to anyone 12 years and older.
Drawing Workshop: Imagining Alternative Futures
Drawing Workshop
Imagining and Drawing Alternative Futures
Led by Rayan Elnayal
Join us for a hands-on drawing workshop that invites participants of all ages to dream, design, and draw imaginative spaces inspired by the people and places we love.
Led by Al-Bustan exhibiting artist, Rayan Elnayal, this workshop explores themes of futurism, speculative design, and magic realism. Rayan will share her creative process, how she transforms memories of real places into visionary digital and fictional spaces. Participants will then begin their own creative journey: envisioning what a beloved space might look like 500 years from now, shaped by future social, economic, and environmental changes.
Using discussion, design, and drawing, we’ll imagine bold, alternative futures rooted in care and creativity. Whether you're an artist, designer, storyteller, or just curious, this workshop offers a space to reimagine the world we inhabit.
Participants will:
Learn about Rayan’s non-traditional architectural practice
Reflect on and share memories of a meaningful space
Reimagine that space in a speculative future
Create a large-scale A2 drawing of their imagined design
Explore ideas of holistic design and community futures
Materials to Bring:
1x A2 card per participant
2x A3 cards per participant
1x pencil
1x biro pen
No prior experience required! RSVP Through the button below.
2nd Thursday Opening Reception of Digital Sanctuaries
Join us for the opening of our upcoming exhibition, Digital Sanctuaries by Rayan Elnayal, on Thursday July 10th from 6–9 PM. Learn more about the exhibition here.
Plus, don’t miss a special drawing workshop led by the artist on Saturday, July 12th, 12 - 2 PM as part of the exhibition. Learn more here.
Virtual Arabic Summer 2025 Course Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Summer 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Curious about learning Arabic this summer? On Wednesday May 28th, from 6-7 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Summer 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for you.
Attendance is $10, register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
Virtual Arabic Summer 2025 Course Info Session
Join Us for an Info Session on Our Summer 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Curious about learning Arabic this summer? On Sunday, May 18th, from 1–2 PM, Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture will host a virtual info session via Zoom to introduce our Summer 2025 Adult Arabic Course.
Meet our Arabic language instructor and program manager, who will walk you through the course structure and answer any questions you may have so you can feel confident that this course is the right fit for you.
Attendance is $10, register through the button below. Following registration, a zoom link will be sent to you via email.
Young Peoples Concert Series at the Mann
Check back in soon for more information! Learn more here.
2nd Thursday Extended Gallery Hours + Arts presentation
Check back in soon for more info!
Poetry Open Mic + Featured Reading with Ahmad Almallah
Poetry Open Mic & Reading by Ahmad Almallah
Join Al-Bustan Seeds of Culture and Casa De Duende for a special Poetry Open Mic & Reading on April 22nd at 6 PM, celebrating Arab Heritage Month.
The evening begins with an open mic hour, where Arab poets and community members are invited to share their own poetry or read from the works of Arab poets they admire. Following the open mic, acclaimed poet Ahmad Almallah will read from his upcoming book, Wrong Winds, set for release on March 18th.
Come share, listen, and celebrate the power of Arab poetry with us! Use the button below to RSVP.
Akkas Portrait Studio @ University of Pennsylvania
Akkas Portrait Studio with Ghada Khunji
April 12th, 12 PM
The Arch Café @ University of Pennslyvania
Step into Akkas Portrait Studio, where acclaimed Bahraini artist Ghada Khunji transforms portrait photography into a powerful statement of identity and existence. Participants will get their portraits taken by Khunji as part of her immersive project.
In a world of fleeting selfies, Khunji’s portraits strip away distractions, capturing the pure essence of each individual. Through this project, Khunji weaves together a diverse human tapestry, celebrating both individuality and shared humanity.
RSVP to attend through the button below!