Building Bridges to Counter Islamophobia
In collaboration with the Partnership for the Advancement and Immersion of Refugees, and with the support of the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Battery Dance is proud to offer youth dance workshops and free public performances in Houston, Texas between July 11 – 16, 2022.
The ‘Building Bridges to Counter Islamophobia” program will include Battery Dance’s signature Dancing to Connect program for youth, as well as free spoken word and dance performances for the general public.
Dancing to Connect Workshops
July 11-16, 10am - 2pm everyday
St. Agnes Academy, Houston
Program Information & Free Registration
Dancing to Connect Final Performance
July 16, 7pm
Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center, Houston
Program Information & Free Tickets
Spoken Word & Dance Performances
July 12 & 14, 6:30PM
Stages, Houston
Program Information & Free Tickets
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Dancing to Connect Workshops
About the Workshops
Participants will explore creativity, movement and team building as they work together to create new dance works that tell their stories. After creating their works, participants will be able to perform their work in a professionally staged final performance!
Dates and Location
Free Workshops
July 11 - 15, 2022
10am - 2pm
St. Agnes Academy, Houston
Performance & Stage Rehearsals
July 16, 2022
All - Day
Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center, Houston
Eligibility
- Must be between 14 - 19 years of age
- No prior dance experience required
- Must be available for every day of the workshops and the performance day
Register
Dancing to Connect Final Performance
About the Free Performance
See the culmination of one week of workshops between refugee and non-refugee youth as they perform new works that tell their stories. Performances also by Iraqi refugee Ali Al-Kaabi, and Battery Dance presenting the Houston premiere of its newest work The Wind in the Olive Grove, choreographed by Syrian choreographer Saeed Hani.
Dates, Location, & Tickets
Saturday, July 16, 2022 | 7pm
Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center, Houston
Directions
Cost: FREE
Reserve Tickets
Spoken Word & Dance Performances
About the Free Performances
Ali Al-Kaabi and Ahmed Abdulmajeed, who arrived in the U.S. from Iraq as refugees, share their stories through spoken word and dance respectively. Battery Dance developed this concept for performances in New York City and Los Angeles and are excited to introduce it to Houston audiences. The program aims to create a space that fosters dialogue, understanding, mutual respect and cultural exchange. Q and A will follow the performance.
Location, Dates & Tickets
Stages
800 Rosine St., Houston, TX 77019
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 | 6:30pm
Cost: FREE
Reserve Tickets
Thursday, July 14, 2022 | 6:30pm
Cost: FREE
Reserve Tickets
About the Artists
ALI AL-KAABI (Dance & Song)
Ali is a performing artist who was born in Baghdad, the son of one of Iraq's most acclaimed singers. His artistry was showcased in the U.S. as early as 2015 at the Battery Dance Festival in New York City. In two solo dance pieces created especially for these performances, and a song that he will sing in both English and Arabic, his personal story will be conveyed with deep emotion and in a non-literal fashion. Ali hopes to change perceptions of Muslims, Iraqis, people from the Middle East and to spread a message of peace and understanding within the greater community.
AHMED ABDULMAJEED (Spoken Word)
Ahmed was forced to abandon his medical career in Iraq. He became a UN refugee in Jordan and then, upon arriving in the U.S., began working as a medical interpreter for hospitals and medical centers. He earned a Master's degree in Health Administration and has gained more than 12 years of experience in the language industry. His passion for providing expanded access to healthcare and education through language inspires his work at MasterWord. Through a spoken word ofering, he shares a personal story that will surely add depth and color to the listeners' understanding of the Arab and Muslim communities. Ahmed has been a PAIR board member since 2017.