Arabs Are Not Funny Comedy Fundraiser for Syria

About Hands Up Foundation

Hands Up has been working in and around Syria for nearly a decade, funding vital health and education projects to communities where access to these services is limited, if available at all. With their partners’ expertise and experience, they have continued providing these services to vulnerable communities, when many other organisations have all but deserted this part of the world.

About Arts Canteen

Established in 2010, Arts Canteen is an arts organisation that curates and produces events, exhibitions and festivals that empowers emerging, mid-career and established artists from the Arab world and beyond to tell their own stories, change perceptions, and tackle the big issues in the world in today’s world.

An introduction to the comedians:

Prince Abdi – An internationally renowned comedian, who has appeared on TV screens across the globe. A British-Somali Muslim who lives in London, Prince has built up a solid reputation as one of the circuit’s defining voices. His career has seen him provide tour support to iconic names like Trevor Noah, Dave Chapelle, Chris Rock & Jack Whitehall. As well as performing at festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe & Cape Town Comedy Festival.

Esther Manito – An observational, stand-up comedian who takes you on a whirlwind tour of what life is like for an Anglo/Lebanese mum of two. Esther also is a writer and has contributed to the publication Dont panic l’m Islamic.

Isabelle Farah – A British-Lebanese comedian, writer, and actor. Isabelle has appeared on the BBC and CBS. As an actress, she’s worked in theatre all over the UK and in London’s West End.

Omar Badawy – Originally from Egypt, Omar started in stand up in 2019 and, in his first year (+global pandemic), went on to win the prestigious ‘So You Think You’re Funny’ award at the Edinburgh Fringe. He talks about his encounters with strange school friends, football fans and EDL-badge-wearing bouncers, providing unique insight from a childhood moving from Egypt to Wales to Cambridge.

Hilal Kassem – AKA @HILALIOUSCOMEDY, is a comedian from the Lebanese diaspora in Nigeria who came to Europe to study Cultural Psychology. With his sarcastic humor, Hilalious will share with us his intercultural journey tapping upon race, religion, gender, sexuality, and other hot topics!

Elie Maalouf – Elie began his stand-up career in Beirut, Lebanon in 2018. Since then, he has performed at venues across the country. He is a regular comedian with AWK.WORD, the first underground stand-up comedy platform in Lebanon

Talal Karkouti – British-born, Syrian-bred Talal brings stand-up and music together in a gloriously furious and raucous way. Talal took to lockdown very well. You could say he’s been training all his life for it. But even he’s ready to get back on stage and bring all his songs, silliness and pent-up fury with him.

Ahmed Ibrahim – King Kong winner October 2021, Ahmed is another of South London’s brightest lights, appearing at Up The Creek and many other top comedy clubs. His natural, relaxed style is charming and endearing.

Mamoun Elagab – An exciting new voice on the circuit. His relaxed stage presence and natural writing flair have made him a winner and finalist of numerous comedy competitions, and allowed him to open for such acts as Romesh Ranganathan, Harry Hill and Mo Gilligan.

Farah Sharp – An English-Egyptian comedian based in London. She has performed around the UK as well as in Sydney, Australia. Her stand-up is a mix of quirky opinions and anecdotes, often based around her upbringing or relationships and what she has (or hasn’t!) learnt from them.

Date: Thursday 25 May 2023

Start Time: 19:30

Doors: 19:00

Age Limit: 16+

Length: TBC

Tickets:

Tickets will raise money to support Hands Up Foundation in delivering vital aid to Syrian communities. Each ticket purchased serves as both a donation and admission to the Arabs Are Not Funny comedy night on 25 May. Profits from this night will go towards Syria. To contribute to this cause, please choose one of the available ticket price options – £25, £35, or £50.

Venue: Grand Junction is a venue for the community, arts and culture based at St Mary Magdalene Church.

Closest Stations: Royal Oak (Circle and Hammersmith & City line) 0.64km, Warwick Avenue (Bakerloo line) 0.64km, and Paddington Station (National Rail services and Circle, District, Bakerloo, Hammersmith & City line) 1.4km

Hands Up has been working in and around Syria for nearly a decade, funding vital health and education projects to communities where access to these services is limited, if available at all. With their partners’ expertise and experience, they have continued providing these services to vulnerable communities, when many other organisations have all but deserted this part of the world. All profits will go to Hands Up’s vital work.

A message from Hand Up Foundation:

In February, Turkey and Syria were hit by a series of catastrophic earthquakes. Tens of thousands of people have died, multiples more have been injured and left without a home. Even before this disaster 14.6 million people in Syria were in need of humanitarian assistance. Now that number will increase significantly. This special edition of Arabs Are Not Funny invites you to help support their life-saving work. These earthquakes are yet another brutal blow to people who have experienced years of destruction as a result of the conflict in Syria. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, but with your help and generosity, Hands Up will be there to enable their partners to deliver aid now and in the future. By buying a ticket, you will be joining us in an important step on that road. In contrast to this sober subject, you’ll also be having a bundle of laughs. We can’t wait to see you there.

The Hands Up Foundation (Registered Charity Number: 1156491)