Maryland: Paint The Town Moroccan !

: 04/22/12

H. Samrhouni
Washington / Morocco News Board------ On Saturday, May 5, The Academy Art Museum will host its annual Paint the Town fundraiser in Easton, MD. This year’s theme is PAINT THE TOWN MOROCCAN!
The event is staged in the form of an adventure to the Kingdom of Morocco. The day begins at the souk with the music of the five key regions of Morocco, a USA / Moroccan flag raising ceremony in-presence of dignitaries.

As part of the Paint the Town Moroccan event, the Museum is hosting a lecture, Morocco: "America’s Oldest Friend", by Former US Ambassador to Morocco, Ed Gabriel. Mr. Gabriel will share some little known history between the US and Morocco; Morocco recognition of the US, contemporary history of its relations with America, morocco's current efforts at social development and spread of Morocco's fashion, food and décor in the past decade in both europe and America.

The Museum brings a Souk to the town of Easton, with an entire block of downtown reserved for the event. A souk with an authentic Nomad Tent, dramatically staged performances of traditional music, a fashion show of Moroccan outfits. Visitors will experience the bargaining process while shopping for goods over a cup of mint tea and Moroccan pastries.

Souks and markets are a major feature in Moroccan life and are among the country’s greatest attractions. Each major city or town in Morocco has a special souk quarter. Villages in the countryside also have local souks which are usually held once a week in an open field or outside the towns’ Kasbah walls.

Featuring the electrifying music of Moroccan composer, singer, and musician Ali Amir

Your participation in the largest fundraiser for the Academy Art Museum helps us serve the people of the Eastern Shore through our educational and cultural programs:

Artreach
Art to Go
Scholarships
Young Explorers
Music at Noon
Twilight Concerts
Goin' Monkey
Special Exhibition
Lectures

Honorary Chairpersons
Former Ambassador to Morocco Ed Gabriel and Kathleen Linehan

Special Guests
Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and Mrs. Rachad Bouhlal

Event Chairmen
Leslie Westbrook, Carolyn Williams, and Joyce Doehler

Event Committee
Marie Bradley, Anna Fichtner, Kathy Gilson, Janet Hendricks, Beth Jones, Karen Mathis, Samantha McCall, Diana Sable, and Amy Steward

Hamid Kachmar, Shield, 2006, mixed media

An Adventure to the Kingdom of Morocco!

MAIN EVENT schedule

6:00 pm	Historic Avalon Theatre - Concert
7:15 pm	Academy Art Museum - cocktails, hors d'oeuvres & Contemporary Moroccan art Sign-ups for unique Artful Adventures in private homes
8:30 pm	Dinner Under the Tent Moroccan cuisine prepared by Gourmet by the Bay Moroccan attire encouraged! Attend our Moroccan Fashion Show and Trunk Show* at the Academy Art Museum on Saturday, April 28, from noon to 3:30 p.m.

Charismatic musician Ali Amir has performed around the world, thrilling audiences with his exotic music. Amir, born in Meknes, Morocco, now lives in Casablanca. He plays Moroccan music with two key instruments: the oud/lute and the violin, and along with his band will showcase the regions of Morocco, including Gnaoua, sub-Saharan/African; Chaabi, a type of jazz; Berber, the most ancient and traditional; and Andalusian, a mix of Arabic and Jewish music.

Following the concert, guests will stroll to the Academy Art Museum where the party continues with cocktails, hors d'oeuvres and contemporary Moroccan art, as well as Art Sign-Up Events for the rare opportunities to experience artful living in private homes . (Artful Adventures Sign-Ups Coming Soon!) A dinner featuring Moroccan cuisine will be hosted across the street under a tent.

Buy Tickets or Donate Now

Other Paint the Town Moroccan Weekend Events

Lecture

On Friday, May 4, 4 pm, as part of First Friday and the Paint the Town Moroccan event, the Museum is hosting a lecture, Morocco: America’s Oldest Friend, by Former US Ambassador to Morocco, Ed Gabriel. Gabriel will share some little known history between the US and Morocco, including Morocco being the first to recognize the USA as a country. Learn fascinating facts about Morocco’s role in protecting the Jewish population during WWII, protecting women’s rights in the Arab world, and setting the pace for fashion, food and décor in the past decade.

Souk

Step into Marrakesh, as the Museum brings a Souk to Harrison Street in Easton, near the Museum, on Saturday, May 5, from noon to 6 p.m. A Souk is a market where artisans, craftsmen and vendors sell their handmade goods, such as carpets, caftans, tunics, purses and spices from the regions of Morocco. A dramatic staged performance of traditional Moroccan music and a fashion show will entertain shoppers as they experience the bargaining process for handcrafted Moroccan items over a cup of mint tea and Moroccan pastries.

Exhibition

A Moroccan Exhibition in the Spitaleri Gallery and Atrium Gallery will feature the artwork of contemporary visual artist Hamid Kachmar, as well as Moroccan artwork on loan from The World Bank Art Program and contemporary photography by Moroccan artist Lalla Essaydi, on loan from the International Finance Corporation.

Moroccan Weekend Package

Easton’s Tidewater Inn is offering a Moroccan Weekend Package, including Moroccan meals and special lodging packages.

Tickets / Donation

Sponsorship for Table for 10 people (includes reserved premier seating at the Avalon) 410.822.2787.
single seats 410.822.2787.

Large cities like Marrakech and Fes have labyrinths of individual souks. The cities of Marrakech, Fes and Ouarzazate are famous for their souks. Some of the best buys are leather ware, handicrafts, carpets, pottery, jewelry, wood carvings, traditional dresses and various food products, such as olives, olive oil and pastries. Some of the most sought-after items in Moroccan souks and markets are traditional amazigh hand woven carpets, blankets, and rugs.

A Moroccan Exhibition in the Spitaleri Gallery and Atrium Gallery will feature the artwork of contemporary visual artist Hamid Kachmar, as well as Moroccan artwork on loan from The World Bank Art Program and contemporary photography by Moroccan artist Lalla Essaydi, on loan from the International Finance Corporation.

Last year’s event, PAINT THE TOWN CUBAN! raised over $93,000 to support the Academy Art Museum’s mission to enhance cultural life by making available to everyone the Museum’s expanding art collection, exhibitions, and broad spectrum of arts programs for dance, painting, music.

The event's organizers hope to familiarize a segment of the state of Maryland's population with Morocco, its Culture and people. A form of Peoples diplomacy.

For More Info: Hassan@washingtonmoroccanclub.org

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Comments (4)

0 #1 COMMENT_TITLE_R E Maryland: Paint The Town Moroccan ! — Morcelli 2012-04-22 11:22

Too bad that such events are always taken place in the Maryland area, nevertheless a great initiative and place to get to know you fellow compadres in the states.
Kudos to Hassan who is very good at putting morocco on the map and a big defender of the Moroccan sahara. I would have likes to see some Moroccan on the committee though if the event is Moroccan in flavor. As you can see I never miss to throw in some critic in the mix. Oh well.

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0 #2 great work — great work 2012-04-26 03:14

Hassan, I applaud you for the work that you continue to do for Morocco to help project the positive view that Morocco / Moroccans deserve in this country. If you ever decide to run for office in Morocco you have my vote!:-)

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0 #3 Smart and cheap way to promote Morocco, — A. Alami 2012-04-27 02:06

If everyone of us take this example and create or suggest to his or her county / city / school or such something like this event “Paint the Town Moroccan”, we will end by decorating most of the states Moroccan, I think the office of tourism, Royal air Maroc, CCME, and even cultural ministry should , and must step in and take to lead and work along with the Moroccan communities all over the world for a less cost and effective results. God bless this event !

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0 #4 tickets — KhalidN 2012-05-01 06:50

First, many thanks to the organizers of this event.
It's not clear whether one needs a ticket ($195) to attend, or is that just a suggested donation to the Art Museum?
Thank you.

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