Web banner for the Mizna-curated Lowertown Reading Jam.
Web banner for the Mizna-curated Lowertown Reading Jam.

[View the story “The “If You See Something, Say Something” Lowertown Reading Jam” on Storify]

Mizna brought a diverse group of established and emerging writers and performers to the Lowertown Reading Jam stage. With that Homeland Security dictum “if you see something, say something” ringing in their ears, Mizna’s group of Arab American and Muslim writers gave voice to their own experience of diverse homelands. The evening was hosted by performance artist and Mizna rep Moheb Soliman, who presented his own work along with the work of Robert Farid Karimi, Kathryn Haddad, Nimo Farah, Willie Nour, Niny Salem, Jna Shelomith, Sarah Thamer and percussionist Khaldoun Samman.

Fancy Mizna Instagram posted during the event. Follow mizna_arabart on Instagram.
Fancy Mizna Instagram posted during the event. Follow mizna_arabart on Instagram.
Robert Karimi performing: "No one prays 5 times a day at Hogwarts"
Robert Karimi performing: “No one prays 5 times a day at Hogwarts” (Photo: Jack Steinmann)

[View the story “Robert Karimi at the “If You See Something, Say Something” Lowertown Reading Jam” on Storify]

Robert Karimi and the Almanac's Saymoukda Vongsay at the Lowertown Reading Jam. (Photo: Saint Paul Almanac)
Robert Karimi and the Almanac’s Saymoukda Vongsay at the Lowertown Reading Jam. (Photo: Saint Paul Almanac)
Curator Moheb Soliman, Mizna's Community Liaison.(Photo: Jack Steinmann)
Curator Moheb Soliman, Mizna’s Community Liaison.(Photo: Jack Steinmann)

[View the story “Moheb Soliman at the “If You See Something, Say Something” Lowertown Reading Jam” on Storify]

Nimo Farah at the Reading Jam. Nimo curated the "Nomadic Expressions" reading jam in December 2011. (Photo: Jack Steinmann)
Nimo Farah at the Reading Jam. Nimo curated the “Nomadic Expressions” reading jam in December 2011. (Photo: Jack Steinmann)

[View the story “Nimo Farah at the “If You See Something, Say Something” Lowertown Reading Jam” on Storify]

L-R: Percussionist Khaldoun Samman, performer Nimo Farah, and performer Jna Shelomith. In the background, Ta-coumba Aiken rolls up the scroll he has been live-sketching during the event. (Photo: Jack Steinmann)
L-R: Percussionist Khaldoun Samman, performer Nimo Farah, and performer Jna Shelomith. In the background, Ta-coumba Aiken rolls up the scroll he has been live-sketching during the event. (Photo: Jack Steinmann)

[View the story “Other highlights at the “If You See Something, Say Something” Jam” on Storify]

Nimo Farah and Ta-coumba Aiken at the Lowertown Reading Jam. (Photo: Saint Paul Almanac)
Nimo Farah and Ta-coumba Aiken at the Lowertown Reading Jam. (Photo: Saint Paul Almanac)

Ta-coumba Aiken’s live-sketched scroll of the Lowertown Reading Jam

Ta-coumba's scroll. Click to enlarge.
Ta-coumba’s scroll. Click to enlarge.

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The morning after, with Ta-coumba and his scroll in the Black Dog Café in Lowertown, where the event took place.
The morning after, with Ta-coumba and his scroll in the Black Dog Café in Lowertown, where the event took place.

Video of the “If You See Something, Say Something” Lowertown Reading Jam will be available shortly from SPNN.