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DAM aka Da Arabian MC’s play at Fabric Club in Gastown, Vancouver
In this video, DAM ( aka Da Arabian MC’s ) perform a song at Slingshots Hip Hop at Fabric Club in Gastown, Vancouver .
DAM are the pioneers of Palestinian Hip Hop
——–This was filmed by April Smith of AHA MEDIA on a Nokia N95 mobile cameraphone. April is passionate and skilled in making Nokia films by exploring mobile media production through the camera lens of a cellphone. For a better quality version of this video, please DM April Smith @AprilFilms on Twitter.
Da Arabian MC’s
Suhell Nafar, Tamer Nafar, Mahmoud Jreri
DAM is the first and leading Palestinian Rap Group. It is composed of Tamer Nafar, 27, his younger brother Suhell, 23, and Mahmoud Jreri, 24. The group has been performing together since the late 90s. Tamer, who had been performing Rap since 1998 with his brother, was first contacted by Mahmoud Jreri. Mahmoud was writing his own lyrics so they quickly decided to join forces and the group was born in 1999. All three members of the group were born and grew up in the slums of Lod, a mixed town of Arabs and Jews, 20 km from Jerusalem.
DAM’s music is a unique fusion of East and West, combining Arabic percussion rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies and urban Hip Hop.
The lyrics of DAM are influenced by the continuing Israeli – Palestinian conflict as well as by the Palestinian struggle for freedom and equality. DAM also draw their influence from such controversial issues as terrorism, drugs and women’s rights.
Musically they take their inspiration from both Hip Hop artists (Nas, 2Pac, Mos Def, IAM, NTM, Saian Supa Crew, MBS etc.) and Arabic music (Marcel Khalifa,Kazem Saher,George Wassouf, Majda al Romi etc.)
The songs, lyrics and music, are written and arranged by all members of the group and musically produced by them and other known producers.
DAM are now gaining increased international popularity around the world through their unique message and ground-breaking live shows.
DAM’s debut album “Stop Selling Drugs” was released locally in 1998, followed by the second album called “Min Irhabi” (“who’s the terrorist?”) which was released in 2001. The controversial title track of this album was released on the net and more than 1 million people downloaded it within one month from the website ArabRap.Net. The song was also distributed free with Rolling Stone magazine in France and became a “street” anthem. It was also featured in a compilation in France with Manu Chao, Zebda, Noir Desir and many other top artists.
Furthermore, the lyrics of the song were taught in some Universities around the world because of their deep meaning, and were also used in pro-Palestinian demonstrations around the world.
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A Pictorial Review of Chill Winston restaurant in Gastown, Vancouver
AHA MEDIA had lunch at Chill Winston Restaurant today to try out the new chef’s new menu 🙂
3 Alexander Street
Vancouver, BC V6A 1B2, Canada
(604) 288-9575
Get directions
We opted to stay inside during the beautiful day due the slightly chilly breezy winds swirling around Maple Leaf Square in Gastown, Vancouver.
The atmosphere was excellent; no hockey game playing in the background, music was set a pleasant level to have a conversation by.
We looked forward to sampling old favorites done by the new chef of two months. We were glad to see that they brought back Tuna Tartare, one of our favorites! 🙂
After ordering our selections, we felt at ease in our comfortable seats and did some people watching as they went about their day in Gastown, Vancouver. Chill Winston also has a FREE Wifi connection though NOT very strong.
Our two appetizers came quickly:
( The below picture of the description was photographed from Chill Winston’s menu )
Our Pomme Frites, as requested came with No Pepper. They weren’t as crisp or as hot as we normally have had them, but still were quite good.
( The below picture of the description was photographed from Chill Winston’s menu )
Our second Appetizer was surprisingly exceptional! 🙂
This was a much welcomed surprise! The slices of cranberry-olive bread were slightly warmed, and tasted fresh! Combined with the herbed butter, it was a a very satisfying introduction to our anticipated “New Menu” entrees 🙂
( The below picture of the description was photographed from Chill Winston’s menu )
Peter remarked that his burger was a little dry, but had good taste. Hand formed beef patty smothered in cheese and topped with fried onions, lettuce, and a thick slice of Canadian Bacon.
My entree however:
( The below picture of the description was photographed from Chill Winston’s menu )
While the ” New Menu” Tuna Tartare was beautiful in presentation, was a mixture of contrasting tastes. I found that there was too many minced serrano pepper and cilantro, overpowering the delicate taste of the tuna tartare. I found it hard to finish and I definitely prefer the “Old Menu” Tuna Tartare.
Peter had to wait quite a long time for a refill of his Coke despite our section only having 3 tables to be looked after. Luckily another Chill Winston staff person came by and notified our server who eventually came by with Peter’s refreshed drink.
Our server, didn’t offer us the dessert menu, which we had to ask for, but we were delighted to see some new additions.
One dessert we found interesting was the Orange, Grapefruit and Chocolate Salad.
Our bill came to $42 with taxes.
Pictorial review of La Casita Mexican Restaurant in Gastown, Vancouver
Nice and quiet during this early evening 🙂 We chose our own seat by the window, and our server was a friendly guy, who was very patient as we looked over the menu. After we had ordered our two entrees, we were brought fresh homemade chips and salsa. 🙂
A welcoming atmosphere awaited a whole crowd of post-game Happy Canuck fans. We were glad we decided to dine early to avoid the big rush of hungry folks.
Here is a dining special. And considering the HUGE portion of food with a beer, $11 is a great deal!
I had a small flauta meal, made with potato and feta cheese, topped with green salsa – DELICIOUS and very filling! Very reasonably priced also
My dinner companion had a burito on its own. It came drenched in cheese! Supremely filling and tasty – he remarked! 🙂
Our bill was very reasonable, and our waiter was always very attentive throughout our dinner.
The surprising finish of our meal, was the chalkboard sign encouraging everyone to stop and have lunch tomorrow, after shopping at the Army and Navy Legendary Shoe Sale which begins at 8 A.M. – It’s nice to see the neighborly feel of our area 🙂
All in all, it was a great meal for a reasonable price on a beautiful spring evening in Vancouver’s Gastown area 🙂
101 West Cordova St.
Vancouver, BC V6B 1E1, Canada
(604) 646-2444
AHA MEDIA attended the Plan-It event at Aisle 45 by BOB ( Building Opportunities with Business )
AHA MEDIA attended the event where it was a presentation by UBC students on :
“How can BOB work with the community to revitalize the Hastings corridor between Main and Cambie?”
After an introduction to the evening’s presentations by CEO Shirley Chan of BOB http://www.bobics.org , we heard:
Topics to be presented on:
1) Social Enterprise & Informal Economies
2) Celebrating Community
3) Lighting the Corridor
4) Save on Meats, an institution
5) Using Branding for Revitalization
The highlight of the evening was when Hendrik Beune, Director of AHA MEDIA won free entry into a golf tournament sponsored by
EMBERS on Thursday, June 25th
for their “Against All Odds”
Golf Tournament Fundraiser
http://embersvancouver.com/golf_tournament_27.html
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