Oct. 6 gala at MGM Grand Detroit funds education initiatives including student field trips
Dearborn, Mich. (Sept. 18, 2018) – The captivating musical entertainers are Lebanese. The stunning visual theme is Moroccan. The chic venue is American with a Detroit flair. The worthy goals: to celebrate the vibrant, diverse Arab American community and provide funds for educational programs at the world’s only museum dedicated to the Arab American experience.
On Saturday, Oct. 6, the Friends of the Arab American National Museum (AANM) presents an enchanting Evening in Morocco at MGM Grand Detroit. The annual Museum Gala is a fete of unparalleled elegance, featuring excellence in dining and entertainment. It is AANM’s signature annual celebration that historically has funded 30% of the Museum’s education programming.
Pianist, international music producer and impresario Walid Al Massih and his frequent partner, award-winning vocalist Mia Haddad, will travel from Lebanon to perform for the Gala audience, with a special guest appearance by renowned operatic and crossover tenor Amine J. Hachem, who is based in New York City. The combined star power of these performers will be matched only by the enthusiasm and dedication of their Gala audience, who understand the essential nature of AANM’s work to dispel stereotypes and spread accurate information about Arab Americans.
Mia Haddad was brought up in between Zgharta and Ehden, Lebanon, in a small family with deep appreciation for arts and music. She graduated with a BS and an MS from USEK and launched a career as a nutrition consultant, while harboring a hidden passion for singing. In 2011, Haddad competed in a Lebanese Singing Championship and won the title, earning her the opportunity to represent Lebanon in Ireland and gain recognition internationally. Haddad’s mezzo soprano is well suited for pop and funk among other styles; she also covers French and English songs. Mia Haddad has earned recognition from the Rahbanis, best known for their work with iconic vocalist Fairuz. Her first single, Shou yaaneh el-rahil, is a tribute to her father who had passed away unexpectedly. Written, composed and arranged by Ghadi Rahbani and filmed by Miled Tauk, it remains Haddad’s greatest achievement to date.
Walid Al Massih is a Lebanese record producer, composer and musician. After building a strong reputation on the nightclub scene, he produced on Ragheb Alama’s 2009 album Baasha’ak and Maya Nehme’s 2009 single War’a Bayda, becoming a sought-after producer for Arabic pop artists. He also produced an official remix of the popular song She Wolf by international artist Shakira. Al Massih later launched his own record label and production house – New Wave Productions – and became one of the most prominent producers in the region. His collaboration with famed Lebanese mastering engineer Tony Haddad helped Al Massih to expand his record label. After further success in the nightlife scene, Al Massih’s home studio expanded to include three studios spread around Lebanon, with plans for more in the region. Al Massih manages and frequently performs and records with Mia Haddad.
Amine J. Hachem is a Lebanese American operatic and crossover tenor who has captivated audiences across the United States, Europe and the Middle East. He has been a leading tenor in several operas and musicals, including La Traviata, Tosca, La BoheÌme, Carmen, I Lombardi alla Prima Crociata, Madama Butterfly, Phantom of the Opera, Evita, and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2016, Hachem performed as part of New York Fashion Week and sang in a tribute for the famed opera star and Arab American Rosalind Elias, who proclaimed Hachem’s voice “magnificent.” Hachem trained as a classical pianist for a decade at the Lebanese National Higher Conservatory of Music. His 2004 television appearance on the popular LBCI primetime program This is the Song solidified his musical presence in the Middle East. He later earned a vocal performance diploma from the Academy of Music and Theater in Munich, Germany.
Education is a cornerstone at AANM, with compelling offerings ranging from academic to experiential that foster a better understanding and appreciation for Arab and Arab American history, culture and contributions. Students and educators comprise half the Museum’s annual on-site audience while off-site programs touch thousands more. Unique interactive educational programs, including guided tours, craft workshops, participatory dance demonstrations and traditional Arabic food engage thousands of children each year. Among the resources offered free of charge are lesson plans, professional development workshops for educators and print/electronic publications. All AANM educational programs are linked with the Michigan Department of Education’s K-12 grade level content expectation standards in Social Studies, English and Language Arts and World Languages.
Recalling the excitement we all have felt when a teacher announces a field trip — a chance to get outside of the classroom, explore and experience something inspiring, something memorable — the Gala will include a live donation opportunity to generate funds specifically for student field trips to AANM.
For further information about AANM’s education programming, visit http://arabamericanmuseum.org/Education.id.33.htm or view AANM’s 2016-17 Annual Report at http://arabamericanmuseum.org/umages/AANM_2016_17_Annual_Report.pdf.
2018 Museum Gala: An Evening in Morocco
Benefiting the Arab American National Museum
Saturday, Oct. 6, 2018
Reception 6 p.m., Dinner 7 p.m.
MGM Grand Detroit
1777 3rd Ave., Detroit, Mich.
BENEFACTOR $500 (includes VIP Reception)
SUPPORTER $250
CONCERT-ONLY TICKET (9 p.m. arrival) $100
Purchase tickets online at http://arabamericanmuseum.org/gala-2018.
The Arab American National Museum salutes its generous sponsors for the 2018 Museum Gala:
CURATOR
Sharif Hussein + Pascale Eid
DTE Energy Foundation
PATRON
Mr. & Mrs. Ghassan & Manal Saab
Comerica Bank
Community Foundation of Greater Flint
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The Arab American National Museum (AANM) documents, preserves and presents Arab American history, culture and contributions.
AANM is a national institution of Dearborn, Mich.-based human-services agency ACCESS, the largest Arab American community nonprofit in the U.S. AANM is accredited by the American Alliance of Museums; an Affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution; and a founding member of the Immigration and Civil Rights Network of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.
Visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org or call 313.582.2266 for further information.
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Kim Silarski | Communications Manager | Arab American National Museum
13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48126 | Office 313.624.0206 | Cell 313.670.1300
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