Featuring: Virtuoso Bassam Saba marks new CD, offers music workshop
And: Recent film festival circuit favorites including the classic “El Norte”
Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum

Compelling films fresh from the international festival circuit and an Arabic music virtuoso marking his latest recording will warm up metro Detroit audiences this winter and early spring during a new season of Global Thursdays at the Arab American National Museum.
Trained in Lebanon and based in the U.S. , nay (flute) virtuoso and skilled multi-instrumentalist Bassam Saba kicks off the season at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, January 28, with a passionate performance/CD release party for his new recording, “The Wonderful Land”.

Basam Saba

 Saba is known not only for his live performances but also as a respected music educator preserving and advancing Arabic music. On January 29-30, Saba will lead local musicians and students in an Arabic music workshop at the AANM; details below and at www.arabamericanmuseum.org.

Saba ’s January 28 season-opening performance coincides with the opening of the AANM’s new exhibition, From Mocha to Latte: Coffee, the Arab World and the $4 Cup. Prior to the concert, at 5:30 p.m. on January 28, Global Thursdays ticket holders are invited to view the exhibition in the Lower Level Gallery and enjoy complimentary coffee and Arabic sweets in the AANM’s dramatic Community Courtyard.

Global Thursdays audiences will be the first in Michigan to experience two films garnering attention and acclaim on the film festival circuit: “Children of Invention”, an Official Selection of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival; and “All About Dad”, winner of a Special Jury Prize “Best First Feature” Award at the 2009 Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Film fans will also have a rare chance to see an historic film on a big screen – “El Norte”, which was selected for preservation by the United States National Film Registry in 1995.

 The complete 2010 Winter Spring Global Thursdays season rundown appears below and at

El Norte

www.arabamericanmuseum.org.

The Winter Spring 2010 season of Global Thursdays also continues the presentation of concerts and films relating to the controversial issue of immigration and the current AANM exhibition “Connecting Communities” (through March 28 in the Main Floor Gallery). This multimedia exhibition explores the experiences of Detroit-area immigrants of diverse backgrounds, dispels stereotypes and misconceptions, and allows audiences the opportunity to share their thoughts and opinions on immigration right inside the gallery.

 Global Thursdays Winter Spring 2010 Season is made possible in part by Ford Motor Company; Comerica Bank; DTE Energy; MASCO Corporation Foundation; DoubleTree Hotel Dearborn; and www.ArabDetroit.com.

 Advance tickets for Global Thursdays are available ONLINE ONLY with a debit or credit card at www.arabamericanmuseum.org until 5 p.m. the day before the event. As always, advance tickets are held at the door for pickup. Tickets are also available for purchase at the door.

All concert tickets, both in advance and at the door, are now $10; Museum Members are always admitted to concerts for $9. All film tickets, both in advance and at the door, are $6. Museum Members are always admitted to films for $5. Visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org/Membership.id.29.htm for Membership details.  All Global Thursdays events begin at 6:30 p.m.

Free, ample, lighted parking is available behind the Museum; enter the municipal lot by turning north from Michigan Avenue onto Neckel Street . The AANM is located at 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. If you have further questions Call 313.624.0215.