Arab film festival kicks off tonight

Current events in the Arab world have given filmmakers a wealth of compelling new material, and some of their work can be seen starting tonight at the eighth annual Arab Film Festival at the Arab American National Museum. This year's offerings include recent films from Egypt, Morocco, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Qatar and UAE. They include "1/2 Revolution," (left) a documentary about a group of friends struggling in the first days of the Egyptian revolution. The festival runs through the weekend. Ticket packages range from $7-9 and include a short and a feature-length film. The museum is at 13624 Michigan Ave. in Dearborn. Click here for more information.

Free immigration session is Monday; classes start Feb. 12

A community relations representative from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will give a free presentation on the naturalization process at ACCESS Main, Classroom 1, from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 28. The representative will answer questions, give out material, and conduct mock citizenship interviews for those who are interested. This session is open to the public. English to Arabic translation is available.

Also available are citizenship classes starting Tuesday, Feb. 12, 3-6 p.m., at 6451 Schaefer in Dearborn, The six sessions cover English, history, procedures and mock interviews. The cost is $100. Contact Hind Khraizat at 313-945-8101, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Get fit at ACCESS

Have you been sticking to your New Year’s resolution to get fit? ACCESS can help you stay on track. We partner with Elements of Exercise to present the latest and greatest in fitness options. New classes, including Trim and Tone, Pilates-Yoga Fusion, and Total Body/Kettlebells, begin Monday, Jan. 28, at ACCESS Youth Center, 2651 Saulino Court in Dearborn. Classes start at $36 for six weeks. To register, call 888-363-3635, or click here for more information.

Volunteers honor King’s spirit

ACCESS ACTS teens turned out Monday to honor the spirit of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as they volunteered to create food packages at The Detroit Friendship House, a local soup kitchen. The event was the first in a series of community service opportunities sponsored annually by ACCESS programs and departments. May 11 is National Arab American Service Day, and  projects are being organized around the country. Check our website and keep
reading Accessability for more information. And click here to read ACCESS ACTS teen Ahmed Al-Hilali’s comments about the MLK Day project.

Tour the world on Fridays

The Arab American National Museum’s Global Fridays concert series winter-spring season has a line-up of music from the United States and around the world rarely seen in these parts. The series kicks off on Friday, Feb. 8 at 7:30 p.m., with traditional Italian music and dance when Canzoniere Grecanico Salentino (left) makes their Michigan premiere. March 22 features the king of the American Primitive guitar style, Glenn Jones, in his first area appearance in five years; and rounding out the season is up-and-coming solo artist Saadi on April 5.

The multicultural Global concerts are held in the Museum’s intimate 156-seat auditorium, with after-show artist “meet and greets” and CD signings. The $9-10 ticket prices and free, lighted parking make Global Fridays a great entertainment value. For complete information and tickets, visit www.arabamericanmuseum.org. Tickets are also available at the door.