Arts Canteen

(UN)Covered Performance: Made between the UK and Egypt, (Un)Covered is a solo dance theatre action by contemporary dance artist and choreographer Zosia Jo as she explores women inside their clothes. It considers how to embody empowerment against the politicization, violence and control society imposes on women's bodies via the clothes they wear. This issue connects all people, across borders and transcending cultural difference. The freedom is not in what one wears or doesn't wear - it is in the choice. This is her reaction and solution with a Q+A after the show.

Apo & the Apostles: Led by vocalist Apo Sahagian, the multilingual rock band hails from Jerusalem-Bethlehem, Palestine. Combining the diverse backgrounds of its members, the band has pioneered a musical style that integrates blues, dance, and Arabic elements as well as innovating with different styles all the time. Listed on Buzzfeed as one of the region’s hottest new bands and infamous for their late-night party-concerts, their debut album 'Back to Sababa' celebrated a trumpet-infused party rock sound with the ecstatic beats of the East and the melodies of the West.

Arab Women Artists Now (AWAN) Festival 2017: Organised by Arts Canteen, the AWAN festival returns to London for its third edition, showcasing and exploring the work of contemporary Arab women artists based in the United Kingdom, Europe and beyond; providing all the opportunity to celebrate, be informed, network and mix with their audience. It will have several strands that include a launch event, a big music element, talks, workshops, film screenings as well as a visual arts exhibition taking place over nineteen days. The launch, for example, will be hosted by the Lebanese-

Arab Christmas, Exploring the Early Arab Christian Chants: A rare opportunity to hear chants from the Aramaic-Syriac and Byzantine traditions, harking back to the time of Queen Zanubia’s reign of Palmyra. It was in the second century that Christianity reached the ancient Syrian caravan city and witnessed the emergence of the first church melodies out of the secular Aramaic music of Syria and Iraq. Coptic Egyptian-German singer Merit Ariane Stephanos and Father Shafiq Abouzayd will introduce the audience to this music; and, in particular, to the chanting traditions of the Le

Arabs Are Not Funny! (Comedy): Widely regarded as one of the hottest comedy nights among the Arab community and beyond. After a very successful sold-out seven editions, Arts Canteen’s show is back with a new line-up of comedians, representing the Arab world and surrounding regions, looking for an opportunity to showcase their talents. Presented by Tala Karkouti, host of online radio show 'The LIL', the line-up of confirmed comedians include: Marouen Mraihi (Tunisia), Zahra Barri (Egypt-Ireland), Hashem El Garhy (Egypt), Mohammed Saffaf (Syria/UK).