June 20th, 2026 Community members joined for our third annual grape leaves cooking circle, this time, taught by TWO different chefs representing two delicious cuisines--Iraqi and Palestinian. We had a beautiful time sharing our grape leaves traditions, stories, and the joy around our cherished dish.

June 11th, 2026 In a workshop facilitated by Michelle Baroody and Andrea Shaker, community members gathered for a workshop on re-connecting with our families’ migration stories through the art of storyboarding. Participants each brought objects which remind us of home, and explored what it means to reconstruct lost histories based on fragments.

June 6-7, 2026 To culminate our 2025=2026 Midwestern SWANA Playwright Incubator, we presented readings of six new plays by our distinguished cohort of Midwestern SWANA playwrights. Each reading was followed by a talkback moderated by an esteemed educator, academic, artist, or activist in our community. Hundreds showed up to witness a first-of-its-kind gathering of Midwestern SWANA theater.

May 30th, 2026 Yalla Drum reverberated through the streets of Brooklyn Park at the annual Tater Daze parade! We played at the Tater Daze outdoor festival and for Brooklyn Park residents witnessing the exciting parade attractions.

May 7th, 2026 Yalla Drum performed at the joint gala for Students for Justice in Palestine and Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social at the University of Minnesota! We played for shared liberation and celebration of our Palestinian and Latino communities.

May 1st, 2026 Our Inaugural Decolonized Performance Cohort and Yalla Drum Spring Ensemble showcased their season of learning in a public performance and panel discussion. Community members gathered to celebrate these two incredible programs and honor their continued learning.

To culminate our Arab American Heritage Month storytime tour, we hosted award-winning children's book author and seed artist for a community artist talk. Cathy presented on her artistic work and participated in a Q&A with the audience.

April 16th, 2026 We brought award-winning Arab American children's book author, Cathy Camper, to lead a story time session at Dayton's Bluff Elementary School in celebration of Arab American Heritage Month.

April 15th, 2026 We brought award-winning Arab American children's book author, Cathy Camper, to lead a story time session at the Children's Museum in celebration of Arab American Heritage Month.

April 15th, 2026 We brought award-winning Arab American children's book author, Cathy Camper, to lead a story time session at Breck School in celebration of Arab American Heritage Month.

December 6th, 2025 Our Yalla Drum instructors performed at Mizna's Syria on Screen fundraiser, marking a year since the fall of Bashar Al-Assad's regime. We played in solidarity with the Syrian people and in support of liberation.

December 6th, 2025 Our final workshop of the year was a powerful multi-media meditation on our love for the beautiful land of Cedar Trees, our beloved Libnaan. Our participants engaged in a three-part workshop facilitated by the amazing Sharon Mansur, Lebanese American multi-disciplinary artist and dancer. We engaged with movement, writing, and visual arts activities to explore our connection to Lebanon.

November 26th, 2025 Yalla Drum members played at a powerful interfaith gathering for the Iraqi-American Reconciliation Project. Our members played traditional Arabic pieces in solidarity with Iraq and in support of liberation.

October 24th, 2025 Yalla Drum accompanied and performed with the Fannoun Dance Troupe from Ramallah, Palestine! The event was organized by Body Watani and Mizna and supported by Ananya Dance Theater, Women Against Military Madness (WAMM), and New Arab American Theater Works Yalla Drum was proud to uplift Palestinian artists, and to support unconditional Palestinian resistance and joy through music and dance ✊🏼

October 18th, 2025 Our community learned the craft of Arabic calligraphy with the talented Palestinian American visual artist, Raghda Skeik! Arabic calligraphy is a delicate yet beautiful cultural craft. Our participants rose to the challenge of learning all the basic strokes, and got to work on their own piece to take home!

October 4th, 2025 Yalla Drum had the honor of being invited to play at the Guthrie Theater before the October 4th Matinee of "The Ruins," written by George Abud and directed by Osh Ashruf. Yalla Drum had the fifth floor lobby jamming and clapping to a set of classical Arabic rhythms and songs!

October 19th, 2025 Our very own Kathryn Haddad spoke at the Grantmakers in Conference, which was held in Minneapolis from Oct 19-22. The panel was titled, "Beyond Foreign: Immigrant and Refugee Impacts on the Arts," the panel explored the impact of BIPOC immigrants on the arts ecosystem, in Minnesota and beyond.

August 21st, 2025 To conclude the Summer 2025 drumming season, Yalla Drum played an exciting outdoor performance at The Cedar Cultural Center. The event featured a special performance by The Cedar Youth Program students, who spent the summer learning under the instruction of Yalla Drum directors Robert Lehmann and Tarek Aboueid. Yalla Drum and The Cedar Youth played an exciting set of classical Arabic songs by Fairuz, as well as the most widely recognized rhythms of the Arab world!

August 15-17, 2025 The MENA Theater Maker's Alliance (MENATMA) Board had a retreat in Portland, Oregon. The board convened for a weekend to organize around issues of importance for our MENA Theater Community.

June to August 2025 Yalla Drum instructors taught Summer drumming lessons to youth at The Cedar Cultural Center's youth program. The youth learned traditional Arabic rhythms, the history of Arabic drumming, and culminated their lessons with an outdoor concert alongside the full Yalla Drum ensemble.

July 19, 2025 Our community members gathered to learn traditional Lebanese wood-burning in a workshop facilitated by Lebanese American artist Maya Saliba. They learned the intricacies of the craft, cultural motifs, and craved out their own pieces to take home!

July 19, 2025 Yalla Drum was honored to represent the SWANA region in this public multicultural festival. They played traditional Arabic pieces for a vibrant audience of all ages and ethnicities, and celebrated the richness of Arabic cultural traditions.

July 17, 2025 Our drummers played for the Dowling Elementary School' Summer Camp and held an interactive jamming session! The kids were on their feet dancing, clapping, and even trying out the drums. We had a blast celebrating our vibrant traditions with Minneapolis youth.

June 21, 2025 In this SWANA Creative Workshop hosted by Lebanese American chef Lorie Haddad, our community gathered to roll Lebanese grape leaves, enjoy our traditional dish, and share stories around our rich cooking traditions.

May 17, 2025 Despite the Minnesota cold, Yalla Drum members were invited to play outside the MN Integrative Studio during the Art-a-Whirl public festival in Minneapolis!

June 16, 2025 Yalla Drum was honored to perform at the 2025 Palestine Graduation ceremony. Organized by the Free Palestine Coalition, the event awarded the resilient Palestinian Americans and Palestine organizers who graduated while resisting against genocide

April 29th, 2025 As part of the MENA Theater Makers Alliance retreat in St. Paul, Minnesota, New Arab American Theater Works hosted a cultural night with theatrical readings, live music, food, and a chance to network with our amazing arts community. National and local MENA artists, community members, and arts organizers gathered in Minneapolis for an exciting meet and greet and a chance to network with artists locally and nationally.

April 26, 2024 New Arab American Theater Works hosted TWO packed workshop sessions on tatreez, the art of traditional Palestinian embroidery. The workshop was facilitated by Palestinian American artist Nuha Abdelrahim. Community members gathered for a relaxing opportunity to make art together, enjoy Arabic sweets, and learn the rich history of this centuries-old craft.

April 24, 2025 Our ensemble was so proud to bring their energy and perform at the New American Summit, organized by the MN Department of Education.