This virtual event will feature readings by
A. Rob
Mike Cohen
Hadeel Salameh
with Special Guests
Laila Keadan
Sundos
An open mic will follow. Event hosted by Maria Masington. Sponsored by Raven Rabbit Ram and Mad Poets Society.
Registration is required to register for this event click HERE.
BIOS
Ameen Rahman (A.Rob), a Palestinian-American Hip-Hop/Rap artist hailing from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, currently finds his creative base in Philadelphia. As the child of Palestinian refugees, A.Rob’s music delves deep into the narratives of his people, shedding light on their struggles and echoing the call for justice resonating across the globe. His recent work serves as a powerful testament to the ongoing challenges faced by marginalized communities. With intricate lyricism and captivating wordplay, A.Rob’s music transcends mere entertainment; it’s a beacon of inspiration, motivation, and unwavering positivity for listeners. Through his artistry, he offers rap enthusiasts a much-needed breath of fresh air, infusing each track with raw emotion and profound meaning. To experience the dynamic world of A.Rob, tune in to his music available under “A.Rob” across all major streaming platforms, and connect with him on social media via @arobsmusic.
OK ZOOMERS is the ideal setting for a poetry performer who spent much of his career wandering from book shop to library to coffee house stalking audiences from pillar to post. Since Covid, Mike Cohen has found his niche, downsizing his act to fit the small screen of Youtube and Zoom. His poetry can always be found onscreen at https://mikecohensays.com/ and https://www.youtube.com/@mikecohen2757?app=desktop He is also a thespian, performing in plays for PLAYZOOMERS. You can also find him in print There are two poetry collections: Between the I’s and Between the Shadow and the Wall. Mike and his beloved wife Connie also collaborate on articles about local sculpture for the Schuylkill Valley Journal.
Laila Keadan (ليل قعران) is a Palestinian-American actor who earned her BFA in Theatre from George Mason University. Passionate about spreading awareness about the indigenous Palestine population living under occupation and the Palestinian diaspora previous theatre works include: Rasheed and Layla (not a love story) and Rasheed and Layla Try Stand Up Comedy!
Hadeel Salameh is a Palestinian-American writer who earned her MFA in Fiction at Bowling Green State University. Her work has appeared in Arcturus Magazine, New Orleans Review, The Rising Phoenix Review, Wrath Bearing Tree, Jerusalem Quarterly, Torrid Literary Journal, Drunk Monkeys, Apogee, Anchor Still Harbor, Muftah, SLAB Literary Art & Sound Book, and as honorable mentions to the Ibrahim Dakkak Awards and the MLK Jr. Day Writing Awards.
Sundos is a queer Palestinian dreaming daily of a healed and liberated society. Through community building across the country in Portland, Seattle, Las Vegas, NYC, and now Harrisburg, her initiatives center underrepresented populations through education, art, worker rights, mental health, and mutual aid by connecting directly to local communities and centering their immediate needs. She lends her voice to uplift community and elevate the Palestinian right to dignity and identity through spoken word poetry, moving hearts to action at coffee shops, educational institutions, rallies, and community gatherings across the country