Hekayah | The Story brings together poets, singers, and musicians. What does home mean to you? Your country, your city, your family? Celebrate UAE National Day with a lineup of poets, spoken word artists, musicians, and storytellers from diverse backgrounds coming together to explore their heritages and cultures for the 9th annual Hekayah | The Story. Gather under the stars with emcee Reem Almenhali for this memorable evening of performances that showcases the beautiful diversity of the UAE. This year’s lineup includes: Basma Choir - Music - Find them on Instagram Gregory Pardlo - Spoken word poetry (USA) - See his Website Jad Al Kareem Tatou - Music (Syria) - Find him on Instagram Rand Abdul Jabbar - Video & Performative Reading (Canada) - Find her on Instagram Rasha Alduwaisan - Spoken word poetry (Kuwait) Rawad Raidan - Spoken word poetry (Lebanon) - Find him on Instagram Salha Obaid Hassan - Spoken word poetry (UAE) - Find her on Instagram Samar Abdel Jaber & Ali Zain - Spoken word poetry (Palestine) - Find her on Instagram Shahad Alsaqqaf - Spoken word poetry (UAE) - Find her on Instagram WYWY - Music (Philippines) - Find them on Instagram The performers are selected through a collaborative curatorial process by key players in the cultural, poetry, arts, and writing communities across the UAE. This year’s curators are: Bill Bragin, Executive Artistic Director of The Arts Center Dorian Paul Rogers, poet, producer of Rooftop Rhythms, in residence monthly at NYUAD Farah Chamma, Palestinian poet and performer Osama Mootassem, marketeer and founder of both cl-u and the brand nvr frgttn Safeya Alblooshi, sound artist, Research Assistant with the Music and Sound Cultures Research Group at NYUAD under the Kawader Research Fellowship Program
The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi is committed to providing a safe and healthy environment for all patrons.
See below the guidelines for attending events at The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi.
● Entry to the NYUAD Campus is through either the East or West Parking or the Welcome Center.
● Patrons will be required to present a valid ticket to an event at The Arts Center upon entry to the campus.
● As per current Department of Culture and Tourism guidelines a Green Al Hosn is NO LONGER needed to attend public events in Abu Dhabi.
● The wearing of face masks is NO LONGER required in most indoor public places, including campus buildings.
For access and wheelchair bookings please email
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