The Twin Cities Arab Film Festival poses some questions

Posted at 10:05 AM on February 15, 2013 by Euan Kerr (0 Comments)
Filed under: Film, People

Mohannad Ghawanmeh is a serious guy when it comes to film. Not only has he curated Mizna's Twin Cities Arab Film Festival, he teaches film, and is also the author of the eclectic Arab film blog Cinema Arabiata. He was also the star of "Triumph 67" a Minnesota made film which premiered in 2011.

However, Ghawanmeh also has a wicked sense of humor, which is evident from the promo he has put together for this years Arab Film Fest.

The dates for this year's events are March 13-17. Opening night will be at the Walker Art Center, and then the rest of the event will roll out at the historic Heights Theater in Columbia Heights.

(0 Comments)

Randy Reyes to lead Mu Performing Arts

Posted at 3:32 PM on February 15, 2013 by Euan Kerr (0 Comments)
Filed under: Film

Mu Performing Arts the nationally acclaimed Asian-American compant based in St PAul today named Randy Reyes to succeed founder Rick Shiomi as artistic director.

In a release this afternoon Shiomi praised Rayes' talents.

"Over the past six years, Randy has been deeply dedicated to Mu as an actor, director, administrator, and member of our Core Artistic Group. A critical player in Mu's success, he is blessed both with great artistic talent and organizational skills. It is my great pleasure to see him take Mu Performing Arts to the next level."

Reached by phone this afternoon Reyes (above) said he knows he has some big shoes to fill.

"Yeah, it's 20 years worth of shoes," he laughed.

Reyes is a well-known face on the Twin Cioties stages, most recently in "Servant of Two Masters" at the Guthrie. He has also directed at many local theaters, including the Mu and the Gurthrie.

Reyes says he's learned a great deal from Shiomi who founded the group in 1993. Since then it's grown to be one of the largest Asian-American arts organizations in the nation, and is known for its groundbreaking theatrical work, and its drumming ensemble Mu Daiko.

But Reyes knows there is a lot of work still to be done.

"We need to continue to nurture more playwrights and more ways of telling our story and producing, and educating the community about Asian American theater, and continue to tell our story, because our stories haven't been told nearly as much as other stories," he said

Shiomi will remain Mu's artistic director through August 31st. The company will pay tribute to his work at the Mu Gala on April 27th.

(MPR file image of Randy Reyes)

(0 Comments)