Writing

THE PERFECT ANTIDOTE TO THE WAR ON TERROR

Any Arab who has watched a few movies in their time knows that their people and Tinsel Town have a few things to work out. With no shortage of caricatures, stereotypes, and other negative portrayals flickering across cinema screens year after year, passing unnoticed in American society bar the reflexive condemnations by Arab American groups, it was high time someone did something proactive.

The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival, which held its third annual event in Manhattan last November to sold out crowds, took the Festival on the road to the industry's front door -- Hollywood, Los Angeles -- from 24-26 January 2006.

The postcard invitations sent to members of the entertainment industry bore the legend, THE ARABS ARE COMING! in a lurid font reminiscent of the 1966 comedic political satire, The Russians Are Coming, the Russians are coming.

Two shows of comedic short theater plays over two nights at the Hudson Mainstage Theater quickly turned into three shows as the first two were sold out before the festival even arrived in California. The third and final night's stand-up comedy show at the Laugh Factory, which showcased eight Arab-American comics, was similarly sold out before the night and some audience members were forced to watch the show in the packed club on TV monitors inside the performers Green Room.

Read the article in the Electronic Intifada's Arts, Music & Culture section.

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