THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS swanaHonoring Southwest Asian & North African Cultures THE SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC LIBRARY PRESENTS swanaHonoring Southwest Asian & North African Cultures SWANA honors the diverse cultures, traditions and histories of Southwest Asian and North African heritage. Throughout the month, enjoy a diverse array of lectures, films, cooking demonstrations and performance programs for all ages at every library location. In recent years, the Library has celebrated Middle Eastern Heritage. In order to recognize more of our residents and the region, we are renaming our celebration SWANA. Many universities are adopting this language for use with their Middle East studies programs. SWANA is a way to describe the Southwest Asian and North African region in a geographical, non-political, non-religious and non-Eurocentric way. During SWANA, view a collection of outstanding short films from the Arab Film Festival, listen to beats by Opium Sabbah, son of the legendary Algerian DJ Cheb I Sabbah, attend calligraphy demonstrations, learn about traditional Palestinian garb and attend a presentation about the role and status of Muslim women today. Fantastic food programs include sampling dishes by Chef Aliza, made with with her unique Israeli spice blends, Palestinian food tastings and hummus making classes. For younger audiences, enjoy Arabic dances by Heaven Mousalem and a special performance by the Shahrzad Dance Company. More live performances include Leila’s Quest for Flight by the Golden Thread Fairytale Players and cultural performances by The Kidworks Touring Theatre. Teens can get an exclusive sneak peek of a teen written- and-produced podcast about contemporary Muslim fashions. Local baker Nora Takouat teaches families how to make authentic Algerian desserts, and the library brings out the bike-powered blender to whip up tasty batches of hummus. With SWANA, we hope that our residents from this region recognize that San Francisco welcomes and celebrates them. We also hope all our residents learn something new, have their curiosity stoked, and enjoy our varied programs. All SWANA programs are sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library. All programs at the Library are free. sfpl.org/swana Youth & Family Programs DANCE FOOD Shahrzad Dance Company Hummus Making • Wednesday, Sept. 5, 3–4 p.m., Bernal Heights and Tasting with Rock-the-Bike Created by choreographer and author of The • Thursday, Sept. 6, 2–3 p.m., Excelsior Art of Persian Dance, this performance features • Saturday, Sept. 15, 2–3 p.m., Ocean View Shahrzad Dance Company’s • Thursday, Sept. 27, 5:30–6:30 p.m., Richmond interactive and educational Hop on the Rock-the-Bike blender bike and program on Persian Dance, an pedal your way to a yummy hummus snack. ancient art form shrouded in Ingredients provided. Ages 5 and up can pedal mystery. Elegant and flowing, the bike. All ages are welcome to taste. yet rhythmic and inspiring, this visual journey showcases Algerian Sweet Treats the essence of Persian culture, • Thursday, Sept. 20, 4–5 p.m., Sunset its connection to nature and • Saturday, Sept. 22, 4–5 p.m., Potrero the cosmos. Using Persian Local baker Nora dance techniques with unique Takouat teaches you body positions, angles, and how to make the dynamics that are intrinsic delicous authentic to Persian aesthetics, the Algerian dessert company dancers embody khamsa bniwen, which natural elements. means “hand shaped sweet” and includes chocolate, nuts and honey. For all ages. Arabic Dance with Heaven Mousalem Space is limited, please sign up in advance. • Saturday, Sept. 8, 11–11:30 a.m., Mission Bay • Saturday, Sept. 8, 2–2:30 p.m., Golden Gate Valley • Thursday, Sept. 13, 3:30–4 p.m., Chinatown ARTS & CRAFTS • Saturday, Sept. 15, 11–11:30 a.m., Mission Henna Hands-On Workshop • Saturday, Sept. 15, 2–2:30 p.m., Marina • Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:30–3 p.m., Presidio • Saturday, Sept. 29, 3–4 p.m., Eureka Valley Learn the history, art and The beautiful art of Raqs Sharqi, aka Arabic traditions of henna from the dance or “bellydance,” Arab world with Henna Garden. is a Middle Eastern/ Henna artist Renda Dabit North African folk shares a brief presentation, dance that was gives (temporary) henna tattoos, and teaches adapted for the participants to create their own henna art. stage in 1920s Egypt. Heaven Islamic Art Craft for Kids Mousalem presents • Wednesday, Sept. 19, an interactive, family- 2–3:30 p.m., Golden Gate Valley friendly performance Create a unique tile pattern of this dynamic dance inspired by Islamic art. form. Participation is Use repeating geometric shapes to explore encouraged. this intersection between math and art. For children ages 5 and up. 3 For craft programs, all materials are provided unless noted. For food programs, please be aware of food allergies. Youth & Family Programs Make a Hamsa ARTS & CRAFTS • Friday, Sept. 21, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Mission Make a Hamsa, a universal sign of for youth and family peace used in many cultures and faiths to bring protection and good Art on the Go with luck. For school-age children. The Contemporary Jewish Museum THEATER • Saturday, Sept. 15, 12–1 p.m., Ocean View Leila’s Quest for Flight, Presented by • Saturday, Sept. 15, 3–4 p.m., West Portal Golden Thread Fairytale Players • Saturday, Sept. 22, 1–2 p.m., North Beach • Thursday, Sept. 20, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Noe Valley • Saturday, Sept. 22, 4–5 p.m., Anza • Friday, Sept. 21, 3–4 p.m., Portola • Saturday, Sept. 29, 2–3 p.m., Visitacion Valley • Saturday, Sept. 22, 2–3 p.m., Richmond • Saturday, Oct. 6, 2–3 p.m., SFMOMA Public Knowledge Create custom designs using block When the optometrist shatters printing on fabric, explore symbols little Leila’s dreams of becoming and patterns found throughout the a pilot, a menagerie of cultures of Southwest Asia and North mythic birds gathers to Africa and learn about the art of help her accomplish her fabric folding on mini-mannequins. goal. Drawn from beloved This program is inspired by Palestinian folktales, Leila’s Quest for Flight in- Veiled Meanings: Fashioning Jewish corporates music, dance and physical comedy. Dress, from the Collection of For children ages 5 and up and their families. The Israel Museum, Jerusalem on view The Music, Dances & Aug. 30, 2018–Jan. 6, 2019 at Traditions of Southwest Asia The Contemporary Jewish Museum. to North Africa, presented by Kidworks Touring Theatre • Saturday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m.–12 p.m., Main Library • Saturday, Sept. 22, 1:30–2:30 p.m., Parkside • Saturday, Sept. 22, 4–5 p.m., Western Addition • Sunday, Sept. 23, 1–2 p.m., Ingleside • Sunday, Sept. 23, 3:30–4:30 p.m., Merced Explore the cultures and traditions of Southwest Asia and North Africa. Learn peaceful Arabic phrases, play ancient instruments and belly dance with us. Loaded with audience participation. For ages 4-12 and their families. SWANA Celebration at Bernal Woman’s coat (detail). Bukhara, Uzbekistan, • Saturday, Sept. 8, 1:30–3:30 p.m., Bernal Heights late nineteenth century. Brocaded silk, ikat- dyed silk and cotton lining. Photo © The Israel Music, crafts and refreshments for all ages. Museum, Jerusalem by Mauro Magliani. September 2018 4 Programs for Teens & Tweens Teens & Tweens FOOD ARTS & CRAFTS Hummus Tasting and Mancala Henna Tattoos • Wednesday, Sept. 12, • Saturday, Sept. 8, 2–3:30 p.m., Bernal Heights 3–4:30 p.m., Western Addition Try out a henna tattoo. These tattoos last about • Tuesday, Sept. 25, 8-10 days; a permission slip is required from a 3:30–4:30 p.m., Bayview parent/guardian. Sign up at the front desk. Try out delicious hummus and take part in one of the oldest games played. Ages 10-18. Henna Hands-On Workshop • Saturday, Sept. 8, 4–5:30 p.m., Park Middle Eastern Snack Trials for T(w)eens • Tuesday, Sept. 11, 4–5:30 p.m., Ortega • Thursday, Sept. 13, 3–5 p.m., Glen Park • Monday, Sept. 17, 4–5:30 p.m., Excelsior Taste some delicious Middle Eastern snacks. Learn the history, Ages 8-18. art and traditions of henna from the Arab world with Henna Garden. Henna artist Renda Dabit shares a brief presentation, gives (temporary) henna tattoos, and teaches participants to create their own henna art. Space is limited. Please contact the library to reserve your spot. SWANA Afghanistan Morocco Algeria Oman Bahrain Palestine Cyprus Qatar Djibouti Saudi Arabia Egypt Somalia Eritrea Sudan Iran Syria Iraq Tajikistan Israel Tunisia Jordan Turkey Kazakhstan Turkmenistan Kuwait United Arab Emirates Kyrgyzstan Uzbekistan Lebanon Western Sahara Libya Yemen 5 For craft programs, all materials are provided unless noted. For food programs, please be aware of food allergies. Programs for Teens & Tweens Teens: Ages 13–18 FASHION ARTS & CRAFTS for teens, ages 13–18 Henna Hands-on Workshop • Monday, Sept. 10, 4–5:30 p.m., The Mix, Main Library Learn the history, art and traditions of henna from the Arab world with Henna Garden. Henna artist Renda Dabit shares a brief presentation, gives (temporary) henna tattoos, and teaches participants to create their own henna art. Somewhere in America (video still) © Habib Yazdi Ward Off the Evil Eye with a Hamsa Craft • Sunday, Sept. 16, 3–4 p.m., Visitacion Valley Sneak Peak: Contemporary The Hamsa is an amu- Muslim Fashions Teen Podcast let used for protection, • Saturday, Sept. 22, 2–4 p.m., blessing, and strength in The Mix, Main Library Judaism, Christianity, and Interested in fashion, self expression, Islam. Learn more about and finding your identity through the Hamsa and make your fashion? The Teen Advisory Board very own to decorate your at the de Young Museum presents home with.