Bay Area Community Shows Out at Cal Academy Event for Palestinian Culture
By: Christopher Alam | Al Enteshar Newspaper
(Attendees pack the Cal Academy to see a dabke performance by the Al-Juthoor troupe during NightLife: Falastin, 19 September, 2024 (Christopher Alam / Al Enteshar)
On September 19, 2024, hundreds of people filled the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco for NightLife: Falastin, an event dedicated to celebrating Palestinian culture. Arabic music filled the air as attendees from across the Bay Area arrived at Golden Gate Park, many adorned with keffiyehs and traditional Palestinian thobes. Among them, a senior couple dressed in elegant suits, wearing large watermelon brooches, paused in awe before a towering dinosaur skeleton in the museum’s lobby.
“I can’t believe it,” the woman exclaimed. “They are playing Fairouz in this place!”
The NightLife series at the Academy, known for blending education and entertainment, provided an immersive cultural experience. In one area, people joined hands to perform the traditional dabke dance, while nearby, poets Janine Moghannam and Priscilla Wathington read their work to an audience by the penguin exhibit.
Visitors marveled at a Tatreez embroidery display as renowned Palestinian fashion designer, Rami Kashou discussed his inspirations from growing up in the West Bank. Palestinian artisans selling handcrafted earrings and soap lined the entrance to the aquarium.
Lana Ramadan, vending with her art group, the Najat Collective, was one of the many artists contributing to the cause. “Like most vendors here, we’re donating proceeds to organizations working in Gaza,” she said. “Museums across the country haven’t shown solidarity like this before, so it’s a big deal that the first one is in San Francisco. We’re honored to be here and proud of the Academy for taking a stand and showing their support.”
The NightLife series features a different theme each week, typically focusing on natural sciences, but often highlighting cultural celebrations such as Black History Month, Día de los Muertos, Lunar New Year, and now, Palestinian culture with Falastin.
For many attendees, the event was a pleasant surprise. Local resident Fadl Fakhouri, who came to watch a friend perform with the Al-Juthoor dabke troupe, remarked, “It’s wonderful to see this in a place like the Academy of Sciences. It’s not just a venue that was rented out—it’s a whole institution supporting this.”
Fakhouri, who frequently attends Palestine-focused events, noted the significance of such a large-scale cultural celebration. “As a Palestinian, I’m still getting used to the increasing normalization of being able to talk about Palestine and showcase our culture in a way that’s supportive and affirms our self-determination.”
Cultural institutions in the Bay Area have recently faced criticism for their perceived silence on Palestinian issues. In February, artists at Yerba Buena Center for the Arts defaced their own work in protest of censorship surrounding Palestine-related symbols. In April, staff at SF MoMA signed an open letter urging the museum to address Israel’s actions in Gaza, citing an atmosphere of “isolation and fear.”
Despite concerns leading up to NightLife: Falastin, including rumors of opposition from pro-Israel donors, the event went ahead without disruption. Anacron Allen, the Brand Manager for NightLife, acknowledged the unique nature of the event given the current political climate, but emphasized that the Academy has a history of celebrating diverse cultures despite potential backlash.
“This is something unexpected at an institution like the California Academy of Sciences,” Allen said. “The fact that we’re able to provide this experience and allow people to see themselves represented here—where historically they have not been—is incredibly important. This is a key goal for the NightLife team: to highlight diverse cultures and give people the opportunity to celebrate their heritage within these walls.”
Event Program Manager, Lin Kung echoed this sentiment, adding that despite a small number of negative messages, the overwhelming response was positive. “We received more than 400 messages of support—more than for any other NightLife event,” Kung shared. “There’s always a range of views around any event, but the outpouring of appreciation and gratitude for this one has been especially powerful.”
That positive reception was reflected in the record-breaking attendance. NightLife typically draws around 1,800 people, but by the end of the evening, nearly 2,800 tickets had been sold. Kung also noted the diversity of attendees, with families, young adults, and seniors all participating in the festivities. “It was clear there’s a strong desire for celebrations of Arabic culture across the community,” she said, citing another wave of appreciation letters that poured in after the event.
One letter came from a Palestinian Jewish American, born and raised in the Bay Area, who captured the sentiment of many attendees. “It’s hard to remember a time when Palestinian culture and heritage were given a proper stage for celebration. This opportunity means the world to me and to other Palestinian-Americans in the Bay Area. I hope the Academy continues to support events like Falastin, especially in a time when Palestinians are often dehumanized and our stories mistold. I encourage you to keep showcasing our heritage and fostering relationships with our community.”
