MuslimFest 2010 showcases the finest in Muslim Arts and Entertainment

(July 19, 2010) – Less than a month remains before the doors of the Mississauga Living Arts Centre swing open to welcome the 7th annual MuslimFest, a celebration of the finest and the brightest in Muslim Arts and Entertainment.

This year’s MuslimFest promises to be as rich and entertaining as the last.

The feature presentation at MuslimFest is packed with some of the biggest names in Muslim entertainment.

This year’s Night of Comedy and Poetry, presented by Maple Lodge Farms, promises to be an explosion of side-splitting laughs as well as emotionally charged spoken word performances.

“We are excited to bring Somalian stand-up comedian Prince Abdi to MuslimFest this year,” says Program Director, Shakera Nagil. “Abdi drew us in with his smart, whacky style and we know the MuslimFest crowd will love him.”

Joining him on stage is Canadian comedian, Hamzah Moin and Bob Cates.

“Hamzah was a definite crowd pleaser at the show last year,” says Nagil. “We’re happy to have him back once again.”

“Bob Cates of Comedy in Motion isn’t like any other stand-up comedian,” says Festival Director, Amer Meknas. “He is a comedian and a circus act all rolled into one.”

For those whose taste calls for something a bit more serious there is a line-up of spoken word artists ready to move the entire room with every word spoken.

“Brother Dash’s style of spoken word poetry really intrigues me,” says Director of Publicity, Zebunnisa Mirza. “I love how he successfully combines academic English, street prose, comedy and raw emotion all together into an energetically delivered poem.”

Age is no limit to talent, and this year’s show is set to prove this statement stronger than ever.

16-year-old Amal Ahmed and 14-year-old Mustafa Ahmed have been invited to perform as part of the MuslimFest Rising Talent in past years.

This year, however, they are both joining the main stage in Hammerson Hall at the Living Arts centre to impress the audience with their raw maturity.

“It’s amazing to see some of our young talent graduate to the big stage,” says Nagil. “This year, things are bigger and better. I really hope every aspiring artist out there takes advantage of our Rising Talent stage to showcase their art to the crowds and hopefully win some money too!”

Hosted by MC Hamzah Moin, the new and improved Rising Talent Competition offers artists a chance to compete on stage for a cash prize of $1000. Talented individuals are encouraged to visit the website to acquire more information for enrolling in the competition.

MuslimFest 2010 is set to take place on July 31st and August 1st at the Living Arts Centre in Mississauga.

Featuring over 52 Canadian and international artists, a food bazaar, hands on interactive workshops, theatrical performances , a Film Festival and inflatable games to satisfy the needs of the youngest of attendees- MuslimFest is an event that will amuse, stimulate and inspire both young and old.