Saturday, October 11, 2025
6 p.m. Reception | 7 p.m. Program Begins
The Henry Hotel in Dearborn, Michigan
Black Tie Optional
Arab American National Museum Benefit Dinner
For 20 years, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) has been a home for our stories, our artifacts and our shared memories. This year’s Benefit Dinner, themed Al-Bayt Baytak – This Home is Your Home, will honor the Museum’s 20th anniversary and the resilient community that has helped shape it. The Museum’s Benefit Dinner unites leading business owners, professionals and Museum supporters from across the nation to raise much needed funds for AANM’s educational and cultural programs. Joining us for entertainment is renowned singer and producer Ameer Dandan with special guest Firas Zreik. The dress code is black tie optional.
Meet the Performers
Ameer Khaled Dandan is a Palestinian singer and producer who rose to fame after finishing as runner-up on Season 4 of Arab Idol. His musical journey began at age five when his father, Khaled Dandan, started training him in singing and music. He won first place at the Young Arab Song Festival at age 13 and the Carmel Festival at age 16, solidifying his reputation as a rising star. Ameer has continued his successes as an adult through his concerts and tours around the world, including the United States, Australia and other countries. He has also performed at major Arab and international festivals, such as the Mawazine Festival in Morocco, the Carthage Festival in Tunisia, the Cairo Opera House and, most importantly, the Palestine International Festival.
Composer and Qanunist Firas Zreik is a Palestine-born New Yorker who has transformed global perception of the Qanun. His treatment of the instrument preserves its identity as a vital part of the Maqam tradition, and stretches its potential as a cultural chameleon enhancing a range of fresh, evolving sounds. Firas’ music is honest and authentic. Comfortable in both heavily orchestrated and spontaneous settings, he creates waves of layered expression and lyricism among his fellow artists. In live performance, Firas conjures a complexity of emotion that shape-shifts throughout his sets. He enters fragile places and sits inside them. This commitment to stark exploration has sent him around the world, performing at storied venues, intimate clubs and international festivals.
Thank you to the dedicated members of the AANM Friends Committee for putting this event together:
Rajaa Saksouk and Raghad Farah, Co-Chairs
Amal Alcodray
Alya Alsawah
Anan Ameri
Rasha Demashkieh
Lina Dirani
Eman Elias
Mouna Haddad Khoury
Samia Z. Haddad
Abir Haidar
Sali Hanna
Maha Jano
Therese Jarjoura
Maria Kaakaji
Reem Kadouh
Dolla Khalife
Farideh Khoury
Natalie Al Daher Nasir
Lena Oskanian
Aya Rifai
Wafa N. Salah
Amani Shihadeh
Hanadi Sibai
Hoda Succar
Eshel Turk
For more information, please contact Zahraa (Zaza) Saad at ZSaad “at” accesscommunity.org
Special thanks to our sponsors for helping make this event possible
Patron
Mr. Gamal Abouali and Ms. Najet Hadriche
Drs. Alfred and Dina Khoury Family Foundation
Leader
Steward
Dr. and Mrs. Walid and Rasha Demashkieh
MJ Diamonds, Mr. and Mrs. Michel and Hilda Ansara
Dr. and Mrs. Faysal and Rajaa Saksouk
Mr. and Mrs. Samer and Amani Shihadeh