Project: A Night in Damas
With support from a Fall 2024 Matchmaker MicroGrant, Ruba Zouzou produced A Night in Damas, a sold-out concert that brought the rich cultural heritage of Damascus to life through music, dance, and visual arts. Held on November 16, 2024, at Meadowvale Community Church, the event featured 18 artists and welcomed 210 attendees.
The concert was a full celebration of Syrian arts and traditions, featuring music by Sounds from Damascus, dance by Anooheh, a visual arts gallery curated by Maamoun Soum, and contributions from local authors and antique collectors. Multilingual promotion, accessible ticketing, and partnerships with community groups helped ensure wide participation, including newcomers, refugees, and seniors.
The event demonstrated the power of arts to build connection, pride, and cross-cultural understanding. “It showed me how art serves as a universal language,” Ruba shared. “Collaborating with diverse artists and engaging underserved communities reinforced my belief in the arts as a tool for dialogue and inclusion.”
I would like to thank the Mississauga Arts Council for their support and for believing in the power of music and arts to build a healthy, connected society. Your commitment to empowering diversity in a multicultural city like Mississauga is truly inspiring… Thank you once again for championing the arts and helping us create such a memorable experience.
Ruba Zouzou
Learn more about Sounds from Damascus here: soundsfromdamascus.com
