ELF Community Night with Alserkal Avenue

Join us for ELF's monthly series Community Nights held in special partnership with Alserkal Avenue this month. These evenings celebrate creativity, diversity, and community through a blend of engaging and thought-provoking artistic showcases. From soul-stirring music to captivating performances, ELF Community Nights offer a unique platform for creative minds and art enthusiasts to connect and collaborate. Come be part of a dynamic cultural dialogue and experience the creative energy that defines our community.

This week, our featured artists include Jamil Adas, Ghalib Lone, Aroma, Angelo, Enas Suleiman, Riri, and Omar Awbu. Additionally, we’ll have open mic slots available on a first-come, first-served basis, so be sure to arrive early to secure your spot.

This session is in collaboration with Emirates Literature Foundation

Poets/Storytellers Bio

Jamil Adas

Jamil is a Palestinian storyteller and dedicated community caretaker. He has founded The Poetryhood الحيّ الشعري, a pioneering all-encompasing poetry initiative. Jamil is also the co-founder of Hamburger Generation جيل الهمبرجر, one of the region's most popular storytelling podcasts.

Ghalib

Ghalib is a London born poet of Kashmiri heritage, residing in Abu Dhabi, UAE. He was a finalist at the New York Poetry Slam 2018 with his work featured by the BBC and United Nations. His short story poetry film, ‘Space Between Time’ was featured in the London Earls Court Film Festival in 2020.

Ghalib’s work provides a specifically unique form of poetry: a visual medium where characters bring to life his words and stories, alongside classical musical harmonies that enable his audience to experience poetry through a multi-faceted sensory lens.

Aroma

Aroma is a writer who would be lost in translation if it wasn't for poetry. Her work features themes of identity, belonging, mental habitats, and the nuances of nature. Her current stint in the local spoken word scene stems from a fascination with new poetic forms and a moment of bravery after several years of apprehension.

Jandri Angelo Aguilor
Jandri Angelo Aguilor aka “catnipkilledthecat” is a street and documentary photographer dedicated to capturing the pulse of the underground music and alternative scene. His photography reflects the vibrant energy and raw emotion of live performances, offering an intimate glimpse into the subcultures that thrive beyond the mainstream.

In addition to his visual art, Angelo is the lyricist for his punk band “Culture of Complain” and the creator of the side project "She Listens To Nargaroth Because Our Cat Is German," a spoken word harsh noise venture. Through both his photography and music, he explores the complexities and absurdities of daily existence, as well as the intricacies of identity and the underground ethos, making a significant impact on the creative landscape.

Enas Suleiman

Enas Suleiman is a Sudanese poet who currently resides in the UAE. She is the author of Tidal Waves, a collection of short poems in memory of her late father.

She has performed on various platforms across the UAE, UK and Sudan and has published her work online and on literary magazines such as Foreign Literary, Rigorous, Woman Scream: International Poetry Anthology of Female Voices and The Blue Nib.

Musicians bio

Riri

Riri is a singer and specialized SFX and glam MUA who’s been pushing creative boundaries since she first hit the stage at 10. That moment sparked a lifelong love for music, and ever since, she’s blended bold makeup artistry with soulful vocals. From glam transformations to unique covers, her style flows effortlessly into every performance. Her signature red mic symbolises her fearless creativity. Singing R&B, pop, and soul, she’s soon to be diving into Spanish music. Her dream? Writing her own songs to connect and share with people, just as music connects with her.

Omar Awbu

Omar Awbu, formerly known as "bigOmuziq," is a writer, producer, and two-time freestyle champion from metro Detroit. Blending introspective lyricism with soulful melodies and thought-provoking storytelling, his music explores the human experience and addresses social issues. Rooted in his Palestinian heritage and Muslim values, Omar inspires self-discovery and empowerment with a unique and compelling sound.
Host

Namal Siddiqui

The ELF Community Night is hosted by Namal Siddiqui, a spoken word poetess, creative writer, and mountaineer. She curates special events for Emirates Literature Foundation and serves as Adjunct Lecturer of Creative Writing at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Location: The Yard

Time: 6.15-7.45PM

Host or Publisher Alserkal Avenue