26 | August 8, 2019 | the orland Park Prairie orland park <strong>OP</strong>Prairie.com Celebrating our 60th Anniversary Serving Chicagoland for 60 years! 2019 WINNER Visit our 4,000 square foot showroom to view our wide selection of products CALL US TODAY FOR A FREE ESTIMATE ON WINDOW REPLACEMENTS! Windows Interior & Exterior Doors Mirrors & Glass Professional Installation & Service Reglazing • Shower Doors Celebrating our 60th Anniversary 18445 Thompson Ct. Tinley Park, IL 708.342.0900 | www.schaafwindow.com Follow us on
<strong>OP</strong>Prairie.com life & arts the orland park prairie | August 8, 2019 | 27 Smiles, laughter and Fen Event highlights Middle Eastern clothing, charity and local artists Yasmeen Sheikah Freelance Reporter On Saturday, Aug. 3, more than 60 people gathered in Anonymous Addictions Boutique, 9500 W. 143rd St. in Orland Park, for the annual Middle Eastern Pulse event, Fen. “Fen” — the Arabic term for art — featured Middle Eastern food, clothing, and multiple performances by young local artists in poetry, song and artwork. Middle Eastern Pulse is a clothing brand of street wear clothing that represents all countries in the Middle East, and raises awareness for Middle Eastern affairs by donating 10 percent of each sale to a Middle Eastern charities. The brand was created in 2017 by Manar Noubani, who grew up in the Orland Park area. Noubani said she did not have events like this when she was growing up and wanted to change that. “There is a large Arab population in Orland Park, and most Arabs don’t really focus on the creative side of our culture,” Noubani said. “We decided to call the event Fen, because it means art in Arabic, and [we] wanted to focus on art. This is the third annual event, and I decided to make it smaller and more intimate by having less people than the previous years, which had over 100.” Hours before Fen, a pop-up shop was open with discounted clothing from the brand. Sales from Poet Aysha Affaneh performs. the pop-up were donated to “School Supplies for Syria.” Proceeds from Fen went to the performers. Performances in order were: comedian Thad Skylark, singer Tawfik Abdul Dayem, artist Mohammed Zweiy, rapper Skript, poet Aysha Affaneh and singer Amira Jazeera closing out the event with original songs. Performer Ameer Saleh [Skript], 19, Orland Park, was anxious to get on stage and perform three new original raps. Saleh rapped about chasing dreams and his hobby of rapping being a talent in which he has grown confident. “I feel so comfortable performing in a venue like this because of the art representation,” Saleh said. “I feel like everyone in this room is my friend and that we all connect in a different way, even if we don’t know each other. This is a great place for artists to network and connect. It invites not judgement.” Audience member Summer Radwan, 17, of Orland Park, was excited to see the show. “I am good friends with a few of the performers tonight, so I came out to support them,” Radwan said. “I love Middle Eastern Pulse and have been to past Fen events. As a Palestinian, I feel very welcomed here and feel a family vibe from everyone.” Other audience members were supporting family members, such as Jude Alzweiy, who came from Bridgeview to support her brother, Mohammed. “My brother is an artist, and I came out here tonight to see him share his work,” Zweiy said. “I have been to previous Fen events, and I really like this one because it is much smaller. It is really nice to see old friends and make new friends.” Fen is now a semiannual event with a new lineup each show, as well as a different charity. Middle Eastern representation and artwork can be seen on Middle Eastern Pulse’s website, mepulse.com, and Instagram page. Singer Tawfik Abdul Dayem sings traditional Arabian folklore on Saturday, Aug. 3, during the Middle Eastern Pulse event Fen at Anonymous Addictions Boutique in Orland Park. Photos by Yasmeen Sheikah/22nd Century Media Skript raps an original song, “Chasing Dreams,” while the crowd sings along.