The Weekly Roundup, November 17-24

Ahmed Alsoudani: Bitter Fruit
Now through May 1, 2022
Fabric Workshop and Museum, 1214 Arch Street, Philadelphia

Artist-in-residency Ahmed Alsoudani came to the US from Baghdad in the late 1990s, and his storied journey culminates into a new exhibit at Fabric Workshop and Museum. With five massive, large-scale sculptures on display inspired by his paintings, Alsoudani looks to express and explore his own experiences in a war-torn region.

While you visit, be sure to check out the other exhibits on view at the museum, too!

Double film screening with GTown and Phreedom Jawn
Thursday, November 18, 6pm
Our House Culture Center, 6380 Germantown Avenue, Philadelphia

Germantown Info Hub and Phreedom Jawn team up with a pair of filmmakers to present a set of documentaries centering gun violence in Philadelphia. Kimberly Kamara’s film Never Ending Emotions features a series of interviews that address the emotional rollercoaster of life-changing events following the murder of a family member. Shameka Sawyer’s film Sometimes I Cry in June follows her and her mother as they struggle to accept the murder of their beloved son and brother.

Seating for the event is extremely limited, so be sure to register in advance.

Anatomy of a Tablao
November 19 and 20, 7:30pm
Asian Arts Initiative, 1219 Vine Street, Philadelphia

Philly’s premier all-female flamenco dance company Pasîon y Arte is bringing us a traditional tablao flamenco performance this weekend. On November 19 and 20 at the Asian Arts Initiative, the performance looks to recreate the feeling of the original tablao setting. Tablaos were the venues where flamencos danced and thrived way back in the 15th century before extending to cafes, clubs, and theater (much to the thanks of institutionalism and co-opting, so its rise in popularity was quite bittersweet). And now, it arrives at Asian Arts Initiative, creating an intimate and authentic experience at home.

In addition to the performance, PyA artistic director Elba Hevia y Vaca will discuss what makes a tablao, including the artists themselves.

Shout out to the roster of artists: Barbara Martinez, Caron Acuna Olvera, and Hector Martinez (cante), Adrian Alvarado (toque), Alex Shaw (percussion) and dancers Paloma Rios, Elba Cena, and Phyllis Akinki (Olvera and Akinki will perform on Friday only).

Special guest Akinki is a Danish-Kenyan dancer, choreographer, and performance artist who works with traditional and experimental flamenco that highlight African and African diasporic expressions within the art form.

So yeah, go check out some flamenco this weekend!