11th Annual Arab Cultural Festival

JOURNEY INTO THE ARAB WORLD AT LARGEST ARAB CULTURAL FESTIVAL IN NORTHERN CALIFORNIA

WHAT:
On Sunday, September 18th, 2005, the Arab Cultural and Community Center will present the 11th Annual Arab Cultural Festival, an event that marks the largest celebration of Arab heritage in Northern California. The daylong gathering will transform the County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park into an atmosphere that showcases the Arab world through its arts, entertainment, food and traditions.

For more than a decade now, the festival has contributed to civic life in the Bay Area by providing a space for the local Arab community to connect with each other as well as with communities from the greater Bay Area, fostering an awareness of the diverse Arab culture. This year’s theme is 22 Beats, One Drum(Tabla), 22 beats representing the 22 unique Arab countries, each of which has a culture unique from the other, yet as the drum represents, all share a common a common base, their heritage from which all Arab cultures evolved that ties the Arab world together as one Arab “Uma”(people).

The highlight of the festival is the line up of a variety of entertainment – dances and musical entertainment spanning from entertainers from the Levant regions to Northern Africa, from traditional folkloric dances (debkeh) to modern day hip hop performances. The festival’s theme, 22 beats, One drum will be reflected as though all the performers will be Arab, there will be variation in the Arab countries their musical and/or dance style represents. Other attractions will include: booths featuring arts and crafts, information tables, books and CDs; games for children; and delectable Arabic food.
WHEN:
Sunday, September 18, 2005, 10 am – 7 pm
WHERE:
County Fair Building in Golden Gate Park; Located at 9th Ave & Lincoln in San Francisco
COST:
Admission: Adults: $5; Children 8-16: $2; Under 8: Free
WHO:
The annual festival is presented by the Arab Cultural & Community Center (ACCC), a non-profit agency founded in 1973. ACCC is committed to the development of the Arab / Arab American community in the San Francisco Bay Area by delivering social services, educational programs and cultural events.