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SWANA & Arab Events in NYC This Month

Every SWANA and Arab NYC event we're tracking over the next 30 days — for planning the calendar ahead. Refreshes with every site rebuild.

Last updated: Aug 12, 2026

All upcoming events ↗
  1. Painter's Open Studio Wed, Aug 12 · Atelier Dalal, Williamsburg · $40

    An oil painting workshop for intermediate painters (prerequisite: Oil Painting for Beginners)

  2. My Josephine / Wesh wesh, qu'est-ce qui se passe? (Wesh, Wesh, What's Happening?) Wed, Aug 12 · MoMA, The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1, Midtown · $0

    Double feature: Barry Jenkins' 2003 short 'My Josephine' (9 min, in Arabic and English) follows two young people washing American flags while discussing love in Arabic

  3. An Evening of Songs and Love Wed, Aug 12 · Nublu 151, East Village · $22

    Join us for an evening of songs and love, featuring artists from both shores of the Mediterranean

  4. An Evening With Gongs Wed, Aug 12 · Reforesters Laboratory, Williamsburg · $45

    A 90-minute immersive sound healing event featuring gongs and voice, led by musician and sound healing facilitator Samer Ghadry

  5. Special Q&A Screenings of American Doctor Wed, Aug 12 · Angelika FIlm Center, NoHo · $19

    From Oscar®-nominated and Emmy® Award-winning filmmaker Poh Si Teng, American Doctor follows three American physicians— Palestinian, Jewish, and Zoroastrian—united by a single oath…

  6. Habibi Gün Wed, Aug 12 · Barbes, Park Slope

    Habibi Gün is a psychedelic maqam collective showcasing works of revered Arab composers such as Riyad al Sunbati and Mohammed Fawzi alongside Western influences

  7. Mehrnam Rastegari Live at Barbès Wed, Aug 12 · Barbès, Park Slope · $22

    NYC-based Persian musician Mehrnam Rastegari — master Kamancheh player, singer, violinist, and award-winning composer — performs live at Barbès in Brooklyn

  8. Greater New York 2026 ft Dean Majd + Farah Al Qasimi Wed, Aug 12 · MoMA PS1, Queens · Entry

    Our signature survey of artists living and working in the New York City area returns for its sixth edition this spring, coinciding with MoMA PS1’s 50th anniversary

  9. International Armenian Literary Alliance (IALA) NYC Works in Progress and Readings from Hanging Loose Press Issue 119 Thu, Aug 13 · Book Culture LIC 26-09 Jackson Ave, Long Island City · $0

    IALA’s New York City Chapter is pleased to invite you to a reading in celebration of Armenian voices, in collaboration with Hanging Loose Press, at Book Culture LIC.

  10. Beyond the Image: Palestine Benefit Exhibition Opening Reception Thu, Aug 13 · All St Gallery, LES · $0

    Opening Reception: Beyond the Image: A Benefit Exhibition for The Sameer Project

  11. Listening While Muslim Thu, Aug 13 · Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights · $11.50

    Listening While Muslim (LWM) is a series of thematic listening parties co-created by Asad Ali Jafri (DJ Ase Wonder) and Abdul-Rehman Malik

  12. اليـام اليـام (Oh the Days!) at MoMa Thu, Aug 13 · MoMA, The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1, Midtown · $14

    A 1978 Moroccan film written and directed by Ahmed El Maanouni

  13. Summer at the Library: A is for Artist Thu, Aug 13 · Battery Park City Library, Tribeca · $0

    A summer art program for children aged 4+ at the New York Public Library

  14. Keeping the Record Alive Fri, Aug 14 · Riverside Church, Morningside Heights · $0

    A commemorative event organized by the Palestinian Youth Movement, Writers Against the War on Gaza, and the Palestinian Feminist Collective to remember Anas al-Sharif one year afte…

  15. KAN YAMA KAN w/ R.A. Villanueva+Samee Sulaiman+Armin Antique+Max Ruin Fri, Aug 14 · Blinky's, Williamsburg · $10

    A literary and performance event featuring R.A

  16. Noor Theatre Highlight Reading Series: Borna Barzin's "Like This" Fri, Aug 14 · New York Theatre Workshop, East Village · $0

    Noor Theatre presents a work-in-progress showing of Borna Barzin's play "Like This" as part of the 11th installment of their Highlight Reading Series, which showcases work by artis…

  17. Al-Bait Baitkom: Jalabiya Edition Fri, Aug 14 · The People's Forum, Hell's Kitchen · $0

    Al-Bait Baitkom (Arabic: "my home is your home") presents another exciting night of Sudanese comedy, music, poetry and everything in between — a "Jalabiya Edition" where everyone i…

  18. Young Adult Moroccan Shabbat Social Fri, Aug 14 · Chabad Jewish Center of FiDi, Tribeca · $60

    A Shabbat social featuring authentic Moroccan food and traditional Arak during happy hour

  19. Maryam Turkey Fri, Aug 14 · Public Records, Gowanus · $24.70

    Maryam Turkey performs at Public Records in New York

  20. From Zayton to New York vol.15: Music Of the Turkish Baglama Sat, Aug 15 · BEEF UP NOODLE, Flatiron · $17.85

    An evening of traditional Turkish bağlama music featuring Ercan Alkan and Avi Ackermann

  21. Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno Sat, Aug 15 · MoMA, Floor T1, Theater 1, The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1, Midtown · $15

    Directed by Abdellatif Kechiche, this 181-minute French-Italian film follows Amin, an aspiring screenwriter returning to his hometown of Sète on France's Southern coast, as he navi…

  22. Painter's Open Studio Sat, Aug 15 · Atelier Dalal, Williamsburg · $40

    An oil painting workshop for intermediate painters (prerequisite: Oil Painting for Beginners)

  23. DOST Takeover w/ ARINI, MRII, [rajid selim], REHMA with VANI, Lapgan + more Sat, Aug 15 · Elsewhere, Bushwick · $21

    Club night at Elsewhere in Bushwick featuring electronic and house music

  24. Disco Dreams: A Sunset With Theodora Sat, Aug 15 · Barzakh Café, Crown Heights · $10

    Theodora is a singer, songwriter, and filmmaker

  25. Omar ؏ Sat, Aug 15 · SILO Brooklyn, Williamsburg · $24

    After completing his 12-city world tour, Omar ؏ returns to SILO for a headline show featuring global dance music including African dance, francophone, congolese, batida, afrobeats,…

  26. Mohanad Elshieky: High Risk (Work In Progress) Sat, Aug 15 · Union Hall, Park Slope · ticketed

    Mohanad Elshieky, born in Libya, presents a comedy show exploring identity with dark humor

  27. Yalla Habibi NYC: Habibi Fever | Arabic Sundowner Takeover Sat, Aug 15 · Somewhere Nowhere NYC - Lounge, Nightclub & Rooftop Pool, Chelsea · $33

    NYC's biggest all-white Arabic sundowner at Somewhere Nowhere rooftop

  28. Muslim Women's Beach Day (NYC) Sat, Aug 15 · Manhattan Beach, Bay Ridge · $0

    A summer day at Manhattan Beach for Muslim women to relax, connect, and enjoy the ocean together

  29. Emil Wakim Sat, Aug 15 · The Bell House, Gowanus · $48

    Emil Wakim performs at The Bell House in Brooklyn

  30. Tatreez + The Art of Resistance Workshop with Sabri Sundos Sun, Aug 16 · All Street Gallery, LES · $85

    ​Led by Palestinian-American artist Sabri Sundos, this beginner-friendly workshop introduces participants to the centuries-old Palestinian embroidery tradition of Tatreez while exp…

  31. Edy's Grocer Anniversary Block Party Sun, Aug 16 · 136 Meserole Ave, Williamsburg · $0

    Edy's Grocer is celebrating their 6th anniversary with a block party featuring food, music, an ice cream truck, and more

  32. Djam NYC Arabic Night with Live Music + Belly Dance Sun, Aug 16 · Secret Room NYC, Hell's Kitchen · $25 / $30 at Door / $35 VIP

    Djam NYC presents an immersive Arabic Night featuring live Middle Eastern music and belly dance performances

  33. Sarah Khatami Live Sun, Aug 16 · Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights · $11.50

    Sarah Khatami is a singer/songwriter who moves with ease between styles, driven by curiosity and genuine passion for her craft, performing live at Barzakh Café in Brooklyn

  34. Ali au pays des merveilles (Ali in Wonderland) & Waalo Fendo (là où la terre gèle) (Waalo Fendo: Where the Earth Freezes) Mon, Aug 17 · MoMA, Floor T1, Theater 1 (The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1), Midtown · $15

    A double feature screening of two films exploring immigrant experiences

  35. Dangerous Docs 2026: States of Emergency Mon, Aug 17 · Gansevoort Plaza, Meatpacking District, Chelsea · $0

    An evocative program of docu-shorts exploring catastrophe not as spectacle, but as lived experience—charting the emotional and physical aftermath of a world in constant upheaval

  36. Dabke Workshop Mon, Aug 17 · Malikah Safety Center, Astoria · $0

    Join Malikah and Yaa Samar Dance Theatre for a Dabke workshop, an Arab traditional line dance

  37. Faouzia: The Film Noir Tour Mon, Aug 17 · Warsaw, Brooklyn, NY, Brooklyn · $311

    Faouzia brings The Film Noir Tour to Warsaw in Brooklyn

  38. Persian Blind Dating Show: AZIZAMS Tue, Aug 18 · Broadway Comedy Club, Hell's Kitchen · $28.50

    A live Persian and SWANA diaspora blind dating show where contestants flirt, confess, and overshare while blindfolded, with audience participation allowed to "steal" contestants

  39. Koshari, Kitchari, Arroz con Gandules: Food of the Masses Tue, Aug 18 · The World's Borough Bookshop, Queens · $0

    A tasting and teach-in exploring Egyptian Koshari, Indian Kitchari, and Puerto Rican Arroz con Gandules — three dishes built on rice and lentils that have sustained communities acr…

  40. Backgammon Night at Barzakh Wed, Aug 19 · BARZAKH• CAFÉ, Crown Heights · $10

    Six-5 Society is hosting a backgammon night at Barzakh, open to all skill levels with boards available and instruction for beginners

  41. Ecology, Resistance & Liberation: A Conversation on Land Keepers Reader Thu, Aug 20 · All Street Gallery, LES · $0

    ​Join Be Oakey (Genderfail) and Iyad Abou Gaida (EcoRove), co-authors of Land Keepers Reader, for a conversation exploring environmental justice, land stewardship, and ecological r…

  42. The Kitāb Club with Maria Thu, Aug 20 · McNally Jackson, Downtown Brooklyn · $5

    Join Maria's Kitāb club -- a space for Arab texts -- fiction and nonfiction -- to be savored, and dissected

  43. Origins of Za'atar: An Immersive Culinary Experience Thu, Aug 20 · LOFT39, Midtown · ticketed

    An intimate, hands-on culinary experience exploring the history of za'atar through cooking and communal dining

  44. Zaida Rio Thu, Aug 20 · Chelsea Table + Stage, Chelsea · ticketed

    Zaida Rio, a Filipina-Dominican singer-songwriter, performs with featured artists Tyjhier and REEM

  45. The Jaguar Live Fri, Aug 21 · Barzakh Cafe, Bed-Stuy · ticketed

    The Jaguar is a New York–based psychedelic surf cumbia band inspired by the vibrant spirit of cumbia across Latin America and its rich tropical sound tradition

  46. Summer Nights: Safia Elhillo, Jenny Xie, and Nadine El Roubi Fri, Aug 21 · Wagner Park, Tribeca · Free – $10.00

    Join us for Summer Nights, an event series where poetry meets music in Battery Park City

  47. Habibti Club Sat, Aug 22 · Honey's Rooftop, Brooklyn Heights · $25

    A night out celebrating Arabic culture and community

  48. Songs of Resistance presents From the River to the Sea: A Benefit Show for The Palestinian Youth Movement Sat, Aug 22 · MAYDAY, Brooklyn Heights · $15-20

    A benefit concert organized by Songs of Resistance in partnership with Keepsake House featuring artists Lora Mouna, Julian Drummond, Queen Goddess Lilac, and The Palestinian Youth …

  49. Zammanik Sessions Sat, Aug 22 · Hello Market, Lower East Side · $0-$20

    A sound and art experience exploring sounds from Sudan's musical golden era

  50. Paperheart Sat, Aug 22 · Studio 1514, Bed-Stuy · $215

    A daylong creative retreat with Hala Alyan and Safia Elhillo for writers, artists, and creatives

  51. Whitney Biennial 2026 ft Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme Sun, Aug 23 · Whitney Museum of American Art, Chelsea · Free

    The 82nd edition of the Whitney Biennial features 56 artists including Basel Abbas & Ruanne Abou-Rahme, a Palestinian artist duo whose multi-channel installation addresses Palestin…

  52. Danny Ramadan + Alejandro Heredia: Crooked Teeth Tue, Aug 25 · Strand Book Store, Flatiron · ticketed

    Release event for Syrian-Canadian author and LGBTQ+ refugees advocate Danny Ramadan discussing his new memoir Crooked Teeth

  53. Rozina Ali presents Seasons of Fury Tue, Aug 25 · Community Bookstore, Park Slope · $0

    Rozina Ali, journalist and contributing writer at New York Times Magazine, launches her book Seasons of Fury: Four Families and the Rise of Islamophobia in America

  54. Noma Mouna Tue, Aug 25 · Sisters Brooklyn, Fort Greene · $0

    Arab American singer, pianist, and songwriter Noma Mouna performs a fusion of classical operatic technique with Arabic maqams, tarab, and contemporary Arabic music

  55. Queer Aperitivo for Palestine Wed, Aug 26 · Rodeo Bar, Midtown · $0

    Queer Aperitivo is a fundraising event for Hospitality for Humanity Olive Harvest Delegation

  56. Measures of a Distance (1988) & Ghost Tropic (2019) Wed, Aug 26 · MoMA, Floor T1, Theater 1, The Roy and Niuta Titus Theater 1, Midtown · $15

    A double feature screening of two films: Measures of a Distance (1988), directed by Mona Hatoum, explores displacement and loss as a war exile in London through footage of her moth…

  57. 21st-Century Playwrights Book Club: English / Wish You Were Here Wed, Aug 26 · Liz's Book Bar, Brooklyn Heights · $8

    A book club discussion of two plays by Iranian-American playwright Sanaz Toossi

  58. Reviving the Press Workshop with Layal Srouji Thu, Aug 27 · All Street Gallery, LES · $30

    Inspired by the history of the Al Hakeem Printing Press, one of Palestine's earliest Arabic printing presses established after the Nakba, artist Layal Srouji leads an intergenerati…

  59. Reading & Discussion: Whisper Tapes (Kate Millett in Iran) Thu, Aug 27 · Dada, Queens · $0 – $81

    Author Negar Mottahedeh and translator Arash Azizi in conversation with Kateh Vafadari, the organizer of the March 8th 1979 women's march in Tehran

  60. Alfreda's Cinema, The Prince of Egypt (1998) @ Flatbush Reformed Church Thu, Aug 27 · Flatbush Reformed Church, Brooklyn · $0

    Alfreda's Cinema presents an outdoor screening of The Prince of Egypt (1998), directed by Brenda Chapman, Steve Hickner, and Simon Wells

  61. From Lived Wisdom to Building a Liberated World Fri, Aug 28 · Bureau of General Services—Queer Division, Greenwich Village · $0

    A conversation between queer Muslim authors Mx

  62. Niina Soleil Concert Fri, Aug 28 · Gramercy Theater, Gramercy · $50

    Known to gossip with full moons and greet the rising sun, Los Angeles native Niina Soleil has a heart that beats in one long love letter to California.

  63. Baila Habibi حبيبي NYC Yacht Party Fri, Aug 28 · The Jewel Yacht, Skyport Marina, Midtown · ticketed

    A Latin x Arabic fusion yacht party returning to NYC with 2 floors of music, DJs spinning reggaeton, Arabic, Latin house, and global hits

  64. Early Yallaaaa! Sat, Aug 29 · The Deep End, Queens · $17.83

    Early start Yalla! Party at The Deep End in Queens

  65. Garod's Circle: A Gathering of Armenian Creators and Artists Sat, Aug 29 · ETET, Brooklyn · $0

    Garod's Circle is a one-day event celebrating Armenian artists and creators

  66. Tarab Night for Arab Queens Sat, Aug 29 · Barazkh, Crown Heights, Brooklyn · $11.46

    Join me and our incredible musicians line up in celebration of the legendary Arab queens whose songs continue to echo across the Arab world and beyond at Barazkh on August 29th at…

  67. A Night of Oud Sat, Aug 29 · Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights · $11.50

    A nostalgic and warm evening of Middle Eastern music at Barzakh Café as oud soloist Mai returns to perform classic pieces from the Golden Age of Arabic music

  68. Tarab Queens Tribute Night Sat, Aug 29 · Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights · $11.50

    An evening celebrating the legendary Arab queens whose voices shaped generations of Arabic music, featuring an incredible lineup of musicians at Barzakh Café in Brooklyn

  69. Disco Turco: Turkish Independence Day Sat, Aug 29 · DROM, East Village · $10

    Disco Turco returns with a Turkish Independence Day special — a psychedelic dance party featuring Turkish funk, disco, rock, and more

  70. Disco Turco: Turkish Independence Day Sat, Aug 29 · DROM, Lower East Side · $11.75

    Disco Turco returns with a Turkish Independence Day Special featuring a psychedelic journey into Turkish fun

  71. The Ornate Project: Armen Miran (Open-Air Event) Sat, Aug 29 · Solana Park, Williamsburg · $0

    An open-air summer gathering featuring DJ Armen Miran at Solana Park in Brooklyn

  72. Your Brother Jamil: A One Man Play Sat, Aug 29 · The Billie Holiday Theatre, Fort Greene · Not specified

    Mahdi Theatre Company presents Your Brother Jamil: A One Man Play, a powerful blend of humor, music, history, and drama

  73. Fahir Atakoglu & Bengisu: Timeless Songs Sun, Aug 30 · DROM, East Village · $40

    An evening of timeless songs featuring pianist Fahir Atakoglu and vocalist Bengisu

  74. TMR Book Club Discusses "The Slightest Green" by Sahar Mustafah Sun, Aug 30 · Virtual, Virtual · $0

    Join an online book club discussion of "The Slightest Green" by Sahar Mustafah, a novel about Intisar Jaber who returns to Palestine after nearly two decades when her father is dyi…

  75. September Oil Painting for Beginners (3 session course) Tue, Sep 1 · Atelier Dalal, Williamsburg · $190

    A 3-session beginner-friendly oil painting course covering color theory, color mixing, underpainting, glazing, and foundational techniques

  76. RIDER OF DRAGONS: A.T. Qureshi in conversation w/ Sarah Beth Durst Tue, Sep 1 · Love & Legends Books, Prospect Heights · $0

    Author A.T

  77. Papi Juice (Oscar Nñ and Adam R.) Fri, Sep 4 · The Play Ground, Tribeca · $0

    Brooklyn's favorite nightlife stars Papi Juice make their grand return to Little Island for six signature evening parties with featured guests

  78. Delirium: The Arab Jazz Rendition Sat, Sep 5 · Barzakh Cafe, Crown Heights · $11.50

    An intimate live performance by Egyptian/Syrian singer-songwriter Mira Bahgat, bringing her debut EP to life through a fusion of old-school jazz, neo-soul, and Arabic musical herit…

  79. Asal: Kiss the Sun Tour Sat, Sep 5 · Irving Plaza Powered By Verizon 5G, New York, NY, Flatiron · $41 – $110

    Asal presents the Kiss the Sun Tour at Irving Plaza

  80. Tahaa Kahn - 72 Virgins Sun, Sep 6 · The Grisly Pear - Midtown, Midtown · $23

    Award-winning comedian Tahaa Kahn returns with his second special, "72 Virgins," a razor-sharp comedy show about his Pakistani roots, travels across Europe, and family dynamics

  81. CWP Launchpad Series: "I Close My Eyes and Do My Duty" by Defne Ozkan Wed, Sep 9 · St. Paul & St. Andrew United Methodist Church, Upper West Side · Pay-what-you-can

    A developmental reading of Defne Ozkan's adaptation of Haldun Taner's 1978 Turkish play, which satirically explores the lives of actors during the early days of the Turkish Republi…

  82. The Secret Trio Wed, Sep 9 · DROM, East Village · $20

    The Secret Trio delivers a unique fusion of Middle Eastern, Balkan, and jazz music, blending microtonal modes, improvisation, and dance rhythms

  83. Yesh Malik: Hummusexual Thu, Sep 10 · Club Cumming, East Village · $15-$20

    A one-hour stand-up comedy show by Yesh Malik exploring the intersection of growing up gay and Iraqi-Assyrian through character-driven physical comedy and personal storytelling

  84. Wegz Live in NYC Fri, Sep 11 · 99 Scott, Williamsburg · $65

    Keme Production presents Wegz on his 2026 Global Tour at 99 Scott in Brooklyn

Frequently asked

How often is this list updated?
The events listed here are drawn from Menna's live event database and refresh every time the site rebuilds — typically daily. Each roundup page displays a 'last updated' date at the top so you can see exactly how current it is.
Are these events free?
Both free and ticketed events are listed. Each entry shows the price alongside the venue, neighborhood, and a one-line description so you can quickly filter for what fits.
How do I submit a SWANA event for Menna to list?
Visit the Submit Event page at itsmenna.com/submit/. If your event has a Luma or Eventbrite URL, Menna's team can often auto-fill the details.

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