Detroit Evening Report: Arab American National Museum concert to honor Middle Eastern families

Syrian opera singer Lubana Al-Quntar will lead the Arab American Choir in a performance at the Arab American National Museum next week.

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The performance, “Louder than Bombs: Songs for Our People,” will honor families in Palestine, Lebanon, Yemen and Sudan.

Al-Quntar is an artist-in-residence at the museum. In addition to the Arab American Choir, she will be joined by members of the community during the performance.

Born in Syria, Al-Quntar began singing at an early age and today performs a wide a range of Arabic music, from classical and contemporary to folk and pop. In addition to traditional Arab song, Lubana studied opera and became the first Syrian opera singer to attain international recognition, according to the museum. After appearing in concerts throughout Europe, she returned to Syria to head the Department of Opera Singing and launch the Department of Classical Arabic Singing at the Syrian National Conservatory. Al-Quntar moved to the U.S. in 2012 and has since performed in numerous venues across the country.

After the performance, audience members will be invited to participate in a Community Iftar to break the Ramadan fast.

“Louder than Bombs: Song for Our People” will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 28 at the Arab American National Museum, 13624 Michigan Ave., Dearborn. Tickets are $10 for museum members, $12 for students and $15 for non-members.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit arabamericanmuseum.org.

Other headlines for Tuesday, March 19, 2024:

• The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) will host a MI Healthy Climate Webinar Series from 4 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, April 2, highlighting the goals outlined in the state’s MI Healthy Climate Plan and the work being done to meet those goals.
• Comerica Bank started its sixth annual Prom Dress Drive this week. The drive will run through April 12 and support the nonproft Jackets for Jobs. 
• The Michigan Department of Education is inviting students across the state to celebrate their teachers in honor of Teacher Appreciation Month via the Teacher Appreciation Video Project. 
• People throughout the state will be hearing sirens on Wednesday. The Michigan State Police are encouraging communities to participate in a statewide tornado drill starting at 1 p.m., as part of Severe Weather Awareness Week.

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