The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi Podcast | Powered by afikra

• Widad Mjama on Moroccan Rap & Aïta Mon Amour's Performance at the Tamaas Festival in Abu Dhabi

  In this episode of the NYUAD Arts Center podcast, we're joined by Widad Mjama, one-half of the musical group Aïta Mon Amour, in the lead-up to their performance at the Tamaas Festival in Abu Dhabi. The pioneering rapper from Morocco explores her musical experiences, her early exposure to various music genres in Morocco, and her eventual gravitation towards rap. Widad discusses the Moroccan rap scene and the significant impact of artists like Tupac on her life. The discussion delves into the origins and significance of Aïta, a traditional Moroccan music genre, and how Aïta Mon Amour celebrates and modernizes it. Widad sheds light on her collaboration with Khalil, their creative process, and the challenges of preserving tradition while introducing modern elements. 00:00 Introduction 00:55 Widad's Musical Journey01:53 Discovering Rap and Other Music Influences05:08 The Moroccan Rap Scene08:09 Exploring Aïta Mon Amour09:33 The Essence of Aïta Music21:54 Creating Modern Aïta40:04 Performing and Connecting With Audiences43:32 Upcoming Tamaas Festival Widad Mjama is the first female rapper to appear on the Moroccan scene. In 1999, she and her group Thug Gang won the rap-hiphop category at the Tremplin des Jeunes Musiciens competition in Casablanca. In 2014, she co-created the group N3rdistan in France with Walid Ben Selim, drawing inspiration from classical Arabic poetry. For her project Aïta Mon Amour, developed with musician Khalid Epi, she conducted years of research with chikhates (or cheikhat)—women who preserve the Aïta tradition, a centuries-old poetic and musical art from the El Jadida-Safi region. The project blends traditional instruments like the mandole and loutar with electronic sounds, supported by the Shouka label. The project pays homage to the freedom and energy of the chikhates while anchoring itself in a multi-secular heritage.Connect with Widad 👉 https://www.instagram.com/doudywiddy/Get your tickets for Aïta Mon Amour at the Tamaas Festival in Abu Dhabi 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-arts-center/events/2025/february/tamaas-festival.html Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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• Beytna Dance Performance Over a Banquet at the NYUAD Arts Center | Omar Rajeh

  In this episode of the NYU Abu Dhabi Arts Center Podcast, we delve into the intrinsic philosophy of dance with dancer and choreographer Omar Rajeh. The conversation spans his journey from founding dance company Maqamat in Beirut in 2002, to developing contemporary dance awareness in Lebanon and organizing the influential BIPOD festival. Omar discusses the transformative power of dance, its societal impact, and the innovative production "Beytna" set to be showcased at The Arts Center's Red Theater on January 30th. He gives his testament to the inclusivity and philosophical depth dance can achieve in our world today.00:00 Introduction 00:49 Omar's Journey & Philosophy of Dance02:01 Challenges & Growth of Contemporary Dance in Lebanon12:23 The Impact of BIPOD Festival21:16 Regional Dance Scenes & Collaborations32:41 Exploring the Beytna Performance44:30 Future Projects & Digital Platforms52:24 Conclusion & Upcoming PerformanceOmar Rajeh is a choreographer, dancer, and founder and artistic director of Maqamat. Initially based in Lebanon since 2002, he moved and set up his company in Lyon in 2020 to continue to create and develop his projects in France and internationally. He has developed more than 20 choreographic creations and is widely recognized in Lebanon and around the world. His work – inspired by the socio-political concerns that surround it – is always carried with strong compositions and an invested and vigorous physical presence. He also also the founder of BIPOD (Beirut International Platform of Dance), Takween (an intensive training program), Moultaqa Leymoun (a platform that showcases and develops the work of artists and choreographers from the Arab countries), and the co-founder of Masahat network. In 2017, he designed and established Citerne Beirut, a choreographic and cultural center in Lebanon which – following its forced dismantling in 2019 – gave birth in France to Citerne.live in 2020. Connect with Omar 👉 https://www.instagram.com/o.rajeh/Get tickets to the performance in Abu Dhabi on January 30th 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-arts-center/events/2025/january/beytna.html Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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• Comedian Maysoon Zayid Performs on Two Nights in Abu Dhabi at The Arts Center's Red Theater

  In the lead up to her two-night comedy show performance (in English on January 15 and in Arabic on January 17) of Bint Balad at the NYUAD Arts Center, Maysoon Zayid joins us on The Arts Center's podcast to chat about performing in Abu Dhabi, working with NYUAD, and the importance of creating an accessible future for individuals with disabilities. She provides insight from her multifaceted career as a comedian, writer, and university professor, and talks about her teaching philosophy, the unique dynamics of teaching a condensed J-Term, the global diversity of her students, her innovative course "Message in a Bottle," and her passion for performing live. Maysoon emphasizes the power and responsibility of storytelling, recounts her personal experiences with disability, and highlights the critical need for designing accessible environments in general. This episode is packed with humor, wisdom, and a powerful call to action for inclusivity and understanding.00:00 Introduction to Disability & Accessibility00:35 Meet Maysoon Zayid: a Comedian, Writer & More01:42 Teaching at NYU Abu Dhabi: J-Term Experience03:53 Message in a Bottle: Course Overview07:03 The Evolution of Storytelling & Her Infamous TED Talk09:48 Designing a Disabled-Friendly Future14:11 Upcoming Shows & Performing in Different Languages20:26 Accessibility in Theaters22:01 The Responsibility of Storytelling23:09 Personal Stories & Authenticity25:26 A Life-Changing Experience30:04 Career Challenges and Resilience34:15 Future Aspirations & HumorMaysoon Zayid is a comedian, actress, writer, and disability advocate. She is a graduate of Arizona State University and a Princeton Fellow, and is the co-founder/co-executive producer of the New York Arab American Comedy Festival and the Muslim Funny Fest. She was a full-time On Air Contributor to Countdown with Keith Olbermann and a columnist for The Daily Beast. She has appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, ABC News, and the Oprah Winfrey Networks, had the most viewed TED Talk of 2014, and was thrilled to collaborate with Huda Beauty. As a professional comedian, she has sold out top New York clubs and has toured extensively at home and abroad. She was a headliner on the Arabs Gone Wild Comedy Tour and the Together Live Tour. She appeared in the critically acclaimed The Ride Along and has written for Glamour magazine. She limped in New York Fashion Week and is a recurring character on General Hospital. She is the author of the best-selling memoir Find Another Dream and Scholastic’s graphic novel Shiny Misfits. She is also the voice of the central character Bay Ann on the Audible version.Connect with Maysoon 👉 https://www.instagram.com/maysoonzayid/More info & tickets 👉 https://publicprograms.nyuad.nyu.edu/en/the-arts-center/events/2025/january/maysoon-zayid.htmlHosted by:Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu/?hl=en-gb Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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• Chrystèle Khodr on Lebanon, Theater & Her Play Augurs

  Creating intimate worlds through theater, reckoning with Lebanon's state of play, and paying homage to two of her home country's leading actresses: a conversation with theater maker Chrystèle Khodr. Khodr's play Augurs follows actresses Hanane Hajj Ali and Randa Asmar as they retrace their theatrical journeys from the moment they decide to work in theater in the early 1980s. Using her play as a basis for our conversation, we talk about the Lebanese theater scene at large, erasure of collective memory, and the realities of working in this field from Beirut. This episode was recorded on September 2, 2024 before the escalated aggression on Lebanon. 0:00 Introduction 1:36 Bringing Augurs to the Arts Center 3:12 Original Vision to Today's Play 12:58 Theater-makers & Lebanon's Theater Scene 19:47 Teaching Theater 22:23 Changing Working Relationships27:49 Soul of Recent Projects 36:40 Yousef Beidas40:21 Theater Resources 43:12 Upcoming Performances at NYUAD Chrystèle Khodr is a theater maker, performer, playwright and director based in Beirut. Her work springs from the emergency to reconstitute the collective memory from personal stories. Connect with Chrystèle 👉https://www.instagram.com/activecultures/afikra and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to bring you captivating one-hour interviews with an array of talented performers and artists showcasing the rich tapestry of music, theater, drama and poetry. Step into the minds of these visionary creators as they delve into their craft, revealing the inspirations and stories behind their extraordinary performances. The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi offers NYUAD compelling programming that connects to the curriculum and illuminates the scholarly pursuits of students and faculty. Its range of public programs aim to animate and enrich the cultural life of both the city of Abu Dhabi and the university through interaction. As a vibrant laboratory for performance that both presents and develops work, The Arts Center fosters a dynamic relationship between the arts, scholarship and community.Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_mu Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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• Bill Bragin & Maya Allison | 10 years of The Arts Center

  We’re kicking off the third season of the NYUAD Podcast with Bill Bragin, founding executive artistic director of The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi, and Maya Allison, founding executive director of The Art Galleries and senior research scholar and chief curator at New York University #AbuDhabi. They tell us all about what this year holds at NYUAD’s Arts Center with reflections on the legacy they’ve built so far and the local cultural eco-system that they’ve painstakingly nurtured. Maya and Bill invite us into their curatorial decision making, how they see their “local” context in Abu Dhabi, and what it took to speak to an audience that didn’t yet exist. From their biggest learning curves through to curating for an audience with wildly different reference points and cultural backgrounds, this conversation gives us a fascinating look at how the NYUAD Arts Center came to be the fixture of Abu Dhabi’s cultural scene that it is today. You'll also get a sneak peak of what to expect from this new season of performances and exhibitions at The Arts Center.Bill Bragin is a leading figure in music and arts programming and is the first executive artistic director of The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi. Called “one of the most influential figures in the New York live-music business” by The New York Times, Bill brings extensive experience, creativity, and his own unique multidisciplinary vision to the role.Connect with Bill 👉https://www.instagram.com/activecultures/Maya Allison is the Chief Curator at NYU Abu Dhabi and founding Executive Director of the NYUAD Art Gallery and Project Space. Her background is in academic museums: she curated her first major exhibitions at The RISD Museum (Rhode Island School of Design), then served as curator of the Bell Gallery (Brown University). She was also director of the city-wide, international new media showcase Pixilerations, and of the 5 Traverse Gallery, all in the US. She holds an MFA from Columbia University, a BA in art history from Reed College, and continued her research on curatorial practice via a fellowship at Brown University’s Center for Public Humanities.Connect with Maya 👉https://www.instagram.com/mayaallison2.0/?hl=enafikra and The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi join forces to bring you captivating one-hour interviews with an array of talented performers and artists showcasing the rich tapestry of music, theater, drama and poetry. Step into the minds of these visionary creators as they delve into their craft, revealing the inspirations and stories behind their extraordinary performances.The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi offers NYUAD compelling programming that connects to the curriculum and illuminates the scholarly pursuits of students and faculty. Its range of public programs aim to animate and enrich the cultural life of both the city of Abu Dhabi and the university through interaction. As a vibrant laboratory for performance that both presents and develops work, The Arts Center fosters a dynamic relationship between the arts, scholarship and community.Hosted by:Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORKExplore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD Arts Center Podcast:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMb ABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra  Hosted by: Mikey Muhanna 👉 https://www.instagram.com/mikey_muFOLLOW & RATE THE NYUAD ARTS CENTER PODCAST:» Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-arts-center-at-nyu-abu-dhabi-podcast-powered-by-afikra/id1707014540» Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0bnc6jhwbSGKZyEI6LBuAu?si=4359dabaa57b4e83» Anghami: https://open.anghami.com/uApM34ABKMbTHIS SERIES IS PART OF THE AFIKRA PODCAST NETWORK Explore all episodes in this series: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLfYG40bwRKl63W_KIMC2HWDoyqRi-2fzN&feature=sharedABOUT AFIKRAafikra | عفكرة is a movement to convert passive interest in the Arab world to active intellectual curiosity. We aim to collectively reframe the dominant narrative of the region by exploring the histories and cultures of the region – past, present and future – through conversations driven by curiosity.📍 Local events in 40+ locations worldwide http://afikra.com/chapters🎧 New podcasts + videos weekly http://afikra.com/podcasts⚡ Become a member: https://www.afikra.com/membership🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/afikra_🔗 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afikra.official🔗 Twitter: https://twitter.com/afikra

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