Blog

Prolific and noted author Saadia Faruqi was our special guest for a stimulating Conversation. The students had just finished reading her novel Some of Us Are Brave and were eager to talk with her about it. Ms. Saadia spoke about her experiences as a Muslim woman and an immigrant from Pakistan. She spoke about the challenges it has presented even as she has found opportunity and contributed greatly to this country. Ms. Saadia has written more than 60 books and traveled to speak to many students across the country.  She is an interfaith activist as well.

In addition to discussion about her novel, the students were interested in Ms. Saadia’s background and life experience and her unique perspective on events in the news. Although she was supposed to visit us in person, some of these events changed this to a ZOOM session. Ms. Saadia is now a U.S. citizen, but problems with TSA and suspicion and mistreatment by ICE of people who look like her, changed her travel plans. These events changed this to a ZOOM session.

We are grateful for this meaningful and enlightening session.  We look forward to having Ms. Saadia visit us when she comes to Baltimore.  Special appreciation to Martha Marani, Children’s Programming Specialist at Charm City books for arranging for this visit.

We had the pleasure of having famed Baltimore chronicler, columnist and playwright Dan Rodricks in for a Conversation. He regaled the students with local stories about the colorful characters he has come across. Mr. Rodricks kindly invited us to his play “No Mean City” last week and so the conversation also focused on Baltimore history and politics. Discussion also wandered into national politics and international events.

This was a fascinating and very engaged conversation that went into overtime. We are very thankful for this visit by Dan Rodricks and look forward to his return.

The students were making beats in a special workshop with musician George Hagegeorge. The session started with a lesson that walked through thee history of automated percussion tracing back to the 13th century. Today, these beat machines have become a standard in music production.

Using an app based on the Roland TR-808, the students then got to work creating their own tracks and sharing them with the class. Some of the music produced may end up in experimental films that the students will be working on in May.

It was terrific to have George back with us and we appreciate him sharing his talent and knowledge with us.